Read Online Baby It's Cold Outside by Addison Fox - Free Book Online Page B

take.”
    “I refuse to be influenced by my subjects.”
    Walker leaned down to press his lips against her ear as he settled his hands on her waist. “I can’t promise I won’t try to influence you.”
    Her voice fell from her lips in a hushed whisper. “I wouldn’t be a very good reporter if I allowed myself to lose my objectivity.”
    Sloan’s head fell back slightly, allowing him better access to her neck, and Walker reached up to lay his hands on either side of her throat. He shifted so his mouth hovered over hers, anticipation humming through his body with eager pulses that matched the beat of his heart. “You can remain as impartial during the competition as you’d like, Ms. McKinley. Just so long as you don’t remain impartial to this.”
    With a tenderness that belied the crazy, raging need that gripped him, he pressed his mouth to hers and plundered.
     
    Sloan had never felt blindsided by a kiss before. Excited, yes, even thrilled.
    But gobsmacked?
    Absolutely not.
    The reaction of shock, adrenaline and pure, unadulterated feminine pleasure rocketed through her system as the firm press of his lips quickly gave way to the heated assault of his tongue.
    The cold that had seeped into her bones from the moment she’d fled outside was rapidly replaced with a liquid heat that spread through her like a wild blaze and she knew—with absolute certainty—how the denizens of Alaska stayed warm.
    As his mouth played over hers, she dimly registered the fact that her hands were hanging by her sides, so she lifted them to settle at his waist. His hips were solid, thick with muscle as her fingertips sought purchase under the fabric of his coat.
    Glorious need filled her. It beat within her and matched the want she felt emanating from the solid planes of his body. Although some dim recess of her brain warned her this likely wasn’t the brightest idea she’d had in a long time, she couldn’t quite muster up the will to push him away. In fact . . .
    Sloan’s grip tightened on his waist, pulling him closer as she tilted her head to allow him greater access to her mouth. He explored her with his tongue, their mingled breaths and sighs warming up the frigid night air.
    A loud burst of laughter broke the sensual haze and Sloan pulled her head away as reality interrupted their stolen moment.
    “Um. Yeah. Okay.”
    Damn it, was she so desperate that a few good kisses could scramble her brain?
    As her gaze returned to his lips, seductive in the light of the parking lot, Sloan couldn’t miss the satisfied smile that spread across his face. His dark eyes promised it wouldn’t be the last moment—stolen or otherwise—they’d share.
    “Think about it, Sloan.”
    Oh, she’d think about it, all right.
    “I mean it. Think about the competition.”
    “Of course.” Of course he meant the competition. “I’ll definitely give it some thought.”
    “Come on. I’ll walk you back inside.”
    Sloan glanced down and realized she was wearing someone’s coat. And from the increasingly loud sounds coming from the direction of the parking lot, the townsfolk had clearly had enough of her hospitality.
    “Walker! Washa ya doin’ over there?” a man she’d only heard called Bear hollered from across the parking lot.
    Okay, Sloan amended her first notion. Avery likely shut down the bar, hence the departing guests.
    “I’m just seeing Ms. Sloan back inside, Bear.”
    “Youz sure thaz all?” As several people near Bear let out a loud burst of laughter, Sloan realized these last few moments with Walker likely weren’t nearly as private as she’d thought.
    Walker’s hand settled low on her back, the insistent pressure her cue to walk toward the side door she’d escaped out of only minutes before. “I was just giving Ms. Sloan a tour of our evening sky. Alaska’s too pretty not to share it with the tourists.”
    “Thaz for sure.” Bear nodded good-naturedly.
    “You be careful getting home. All of you,” Walker hollered