Read Online Wild Dakota Heart by Lisa Mondello - Free Book Online Page B

it.”
    Ethan carefully placed the metal piece on the table and awkwardly turned around. She moved in close to him.
    “Maddie, I…” he started to say, but she stopped him by placing her finger over his lips.
    She looked up into his eyes feeling a swell of emotion so strong it consumed her. Ethan held her gaze, giving her strength to take her feelings one step more. Lifting up on her toes, she brushed her lips against his and waited. She felt his hesitation, felt the heat of his body against the cool air inside the room and wanted his heat. She wanted it like it was a drug she had to have to survive.
    After only a brief hesitation, Maddie felt Ethan surrender to the kiss. In one quick movement, his arm was around her waist, pulling her against the rock hard wall of his chest. His mouth devoured hers, teasing her lips with his tongue until she opened up to him and let him taste her.
    Reaching up, she placed her hand behind his head, pulling him closer with an urgency she’d never felt before. He followed her lead. His hands roamed her body, caressing her back and shoulder. Then his fingers were in her hair as he deepened their kiss. And Maddie wanted more. So much more.
    But before she knew what was happening, Ethan abruptly pulled away and took a wide step back. Her mouth still moist and swollen from their kiss, she looked at him, confused by his sudden retreat.
    “What’s wrong?”
    He shook his head as if to shake something clear of himself. “I’m sorry.”
    “For what?”
    “For this. For kissing you.”
    She smiled shyly. “In case you didn’t notice, I was the one that started it. I was kissing you. And then you kissed me back.”
    “But…”
    “But what?”
    “I can’t do this to you.”
    “Do what?”
    “You’re my best friend’s kid sister. What happened today out at the cliffs, that’s enough to send anyone over the edge. I’m not going to treat you this way.”
    A chill raced through her and Maddie longed for the warmth of Ethan’s arms. It had been years since she’d dreamed of being in them, having him hold her and kiss her the way he had just seconds ago. And now he was telling her it was a mistake.
    Crossing her arms over her chest, she said, “I don’t understand.”
    “I can’t…I won’t do that to you, Maddie. You’re vulnerable right now. Only a bastard would take advantage of that. You deserve more.”
    As Ethan turned to leave, Maddie thought she’d die. All the times she’d dreamed of kissing Ethan, she never thought it would turn out like this, with him leaving her standing there alone. It was eerily reminiscent of the day he left the Navy.
    He reached the door, but before he could leave, she stopped him.
    “You’re a hypocrite, Ethan.”
    He stopped with his hand on the doorknob.
    “You told me I had some feelings to get over so I could move on and have a full life. You need to open your eyes to a few things.”
    He gave her a sidelong glance. “What’s that?”
    “How about the fact that I’m a woman, not a kid?”
    Ethan stared at her from down the hallway. All the heat she’d felt moments ago was there in his eyes. “I know,” he said, his voice low. “That’s why I’m leaving.”
    * * *
    The walk back to his SUV left Ethan empty. He’d just kissed Denny’s kid sister.
    Except…
    Maddie didn’t feel like Denny’s kid sister when she’d been in his arms. And he wasn’t thinking of Denny when her body was pressed against the length of his. Every bit of her was woman, soft, sexy and desirable. And all Ethan knew was he wanted her. All of her.
    He climbed into the SUV and looked back at her condo door, pulling in a deep breath to steady himself. His quickened pulse was like a timpani in his ear, pulsing through him at rapid speed.
    He’d wanted Maddie. And what startled him more was it wasn’t the first time.
    He thrust the key in the ignition with more force than needed and fired up the SUV's engine. It was still early enough that he could do some