Read Online Once More With Feeling by Nora Roberts - Free Book Online Page B

He kept her facing him while he changed the angle of the kiss. His lips were persuasive, seductive. He kissed the soft, dewy skin of her cheeks, the fragile, closed eyelids, the scented hair at her temple. She could feel herself floating toward him as she always had, losing herself to him.
    Her lips parted so that when his returned, he found them inviting him to explore. The kiss deepened, but slowly, as if he savored the taste of her on his tongue. Her hand slid up his chest until she held him and their bodies touched. He murmured something, then pressed his mouth against the curve of her neck. Her scent rose and enveloped him.
    She moaned when he took her breast, a sound of both hunger and protest. His mouth came back to hers, plundering now as he responded to the need he felt flowing from her. She was unresisting, as open and warm as a shaft of sunlight. Her body was yearning toward him, melting irresistibly She thought his hand burned through the thin fabric of her dress and set fire to her naked skin. It had been so long, she thought dizzily, so long since she had felt anything this intensely, needed anything this desperately. Her whole being tuned itself to him.
    â€œRaven.” His mouth was against her ear, her throat, the hollow of her cheek. “Oh, God, I want you.” The kiss was urgent now, his hands no longer gentle. “So long,” he said, echoing her earlier thought. “It’s been so long. Come back with me. Let me take you back with me to the hotel. Stay with me tonight.”
    Passion flooded her senses. His tongue trailed over her warmed skin until he came again to her mouth. Then he took possession. The heat was building, strangling the breath in her throat, suffocating her. There was a fierce tug of war between fear and desire. She began to struggle.
    â€œNo.” She took deep gulps of air. “Don’t.”
    Brand took her by the shoulders and with one quick jerk had her face turned back up to his. “Why?” he demanded roughly. “You want me, I can feel it.”
    â€œNo.” She shook her head, and her hands trembled as she pushed at his chest. “I don’t. I can’t.” Raven tried to deepen her breathing to steady it. “You’re hurting me, Brandon. Please let me go.”
    Slowly he relaxed his fingers, then released her. “The same old story,” he murmured. Turning away from her, he carefully drew out a cigarette and lit it. “You still give until I’m halfway mad, then pull away from me.” He took a long, deep drag. “I should have been better prepared for it.”
    â€œYou’re not fair. I didn’t start this; I never wanted . . .”
    â€œYou wanted,” he tossed back furiously. “Damn it, Raven, you wanted. I’ve had enough women to know when I’m holding one who wants me.”
    She stiffened against the ache that was speeding through her. “You’re better off with one of your many women, Brandon. I told you I wouldn’t fall at your feet this time, and I meant it. If we can have a professional relationship, fine.” She swallowed and straightened the hair his fingers had so recently caressed. “If you can’t work with things on that level, then you’d best find another partner.”
    â€œI have the one I want.” He tossed his cigarette through the open window. “We’ll play it your way for a while, Raven. We’re both professionals, and we both know what this musical’s going to do for our careers.” He started the engine. “I’ll take you home.”

Chapter 5
    R aven hated to be late for a party, but there was no help for it. Her schedule was drum tight. If it hadn’t been important that she be there, to rub elbows with Lauren Chase and a few other principals from the cast and crew of
Fantasy,
she’d have bowed out. There were only two days left before the start of her tour.
    The truth was, Raven