Lizetta watched Remington, the afternoon sun spilling over his handsome, refined features.
He arched a brow, the corners of his mouth quirking up in a teasing, expectant smile. In that light, he seemed less like the stoic, sharp-edged man she''d always known and more like a charming, mischievous boy-easygoing, almost roguish.
She couldn''t help but think she must be losing her mind. He was in his thirties now, for heaven''s sake. They were both divorced-shouldn''t she be immune to this? And yet, just one look from him still sent her heart skipping in her chest.
Lizetta blinked. "Close your eyes," she told him.
Remington chuckled. "Really? After all these years, you''re still shy about kissing me?"
"If you won''t, then forget it," she retorted, making a show of getting up.
He grabbed her wrist before she could move,ughter deepening in his eyes. "All right, all right-I''ll close them."
He shut his eyes obediently, but hisrge hand kept a firm hold on her delicate wrist. He knew her too well-she might try to trick him and slip away as soon as he let his guard down.
Part of him was genuinely curious, too. If she needed him to close his eyes, maybe she was nning something more than just a quick peck on the cheek.
As he imagined a passionate, romantic kiss, his thumb traced slow circles along the inside of her wrist, urging her on.
Finally, he felt her hands lift and gently cradle his face.
Remington was a little surprised it felt oddly formal. Wasn''t a real kiss supposed to start with an arm around the neck? This felt almost childlike, her slender, soft fingers cupping his jaw with such tenderness that he didn''t want to move.
He could sense her drawing closer, her breath warm against his skin. Remington parted his lips slightly, anticipation fluttering in his chest.
But her lips only brushed against the center of his forehead.
He froze, caught between amusement and exasperation. Wasn''t this how you kissed a child goodnight? He''d been expecting fireworks, and all he got was...this.
Before he could open his eyes to protest, her lipsnded softly on his closed eyelids, then trailed to the bridge of his nose, his cheekbones...
She left a trail of gentle kisses
across his face, always skipping his
lips, as if deliberately keeping him
on
the edge, teasing him. Yet each
touch was so full of warmth, so quietly loving, that he found himself melting.
When her lips finally pressed to the sharp line of his jaw and sheughed softly
against his forehead, Remington opened his eyes.
“Are you messing with me?” he asked, his voice rough, meeting her gaze.
sno
Lizetta''s hands were still cupping his cheeks, her thumbs brushing gently along his temples Didn''t like it?
Maybe I won''t kiss you next t
She started to move away, but he caught her hands, holding her firmly as he pushed
her back against the headboard.
"I loved it. As long as it''s you, Liz, I''ll take whatever you give me."
Truth was, every kiss had sent his heart turning to liquid.
Lizetta bit back a smile. "Funny, you make it sound like you''re just putting up with me."
Remington shook his head quickly. "Not at all! You''ve got it wrong. I''m more than satisfied."
She nodded, teasing, "If that''s the case, why are you still holding on to me?"
The next moment, she found herself lifted and settled on hisp, his strong hand cradling her chin as he leaned in close.
"I''m so satisfied, I think I owe you something in return," he murmured, voice low and persuasive. "Come on, open up..."
Whatever protest she meant to make was swallowed up by his kiss, the room filling with breathless heat.
When he finally let her go, her
cheeks were flushed, and she sagged softly against his chest Remington toyed with a strand of her hair, his voice turning serious.
"I''ve called off two major deals with the West family. Now that Ste''s back home, she''s in for a rough time."