“Damn it.” Taylor grumbled as she pulled the baking sheet from the oven, closing the door with a bump of those fantastic hips. The air held the faint scent of overcooked bread.

Just as he was about to warn her to be careful, she cried out in pain, the side of her hand having made contact with the top of the stove. Unlike more modern appliances, heat from the oven radiated throughout the entire stove, causing the top to be almost as hot as the bottom.

She dropped the pan of rolls, automatically bringing the stinging wound to her mouth.

How he wanted those lips closing over him in the most intimate of places. They were pouty and full, reddened from her time outside. He hurried to her side, pulling her to the sink. “Careful, baby.”

Brady’s big body surrounded Taylor as he thrust her hand beneath a stream of cold water and encircled her back with the other. Her legs almost buckled, her insides melting faster than a chunk of butter on the inside of one of her rolls. Goosebumps traveled up her arm and across her shoulders, spreading out until her whole body was shivering. With need. His big body was doing a fine job of warming her up. He still wore his coat and hat and smelled like the great outdoors. The hint of snow clung to the sheepskin of his jacket and the scent of pine radiated from the wide brown column of his throat. She wanted to turn her head and bury her face against his cold tinged skin, to breathe in his masculine scent.

“Better?”

She did turn her head then, looking up at him when he spoke, As she did, his lips brushed against the crown of her head. Her heels eliminated some of the difference in their heights, bringing—oh, heavens—their mouths much closer together.

“Yes.”

He turned off the water and grabbed a dishtowel. When she tried to pull away, he gave her a funny little growl. One handed, he patted her hand dry, keeping her firmly against his side with the other. He turned her toward him, bringing her injured hand to his mouth. As she watched, wide-eyed, he pressed his lips against the red spot starting to form.

She gasped when she felt the tip of his tongue come out, soothing the skin. He continued his ministrations until her breath grew shaky and her resolve to keep this man at arms’ length weakened. With a half-hearted tug, she attempted to pull her hand away. Instead, Brady pulled her closer. Her other hand came up, pressing against his chest. She was once again distracted by the feel of his perfect body. This time, the hardened layer of muscles beneath her fingertips.

She watched in fascinated awe as he lowered his head. Her tongue came out to lick her lips and he groaned. Watching his mouth, knowing what was about to happen, she still couldn’t move. She’d promised herself this wouldn’t happen again. That she wouldn’t fall under the spell that was Brady Donovan.

He let go of her hand and cupped her jaw in his palm, tilting her face up to receive his kiss. “It’s been so long, baby.”

Sensation after sensation rocked her body as his mouth touched hers. Not too hard, not too soft. Just right. Her body softened against his of its own accord, knowing the pleasures that awaited her.

His tongue stroked the seam of her mouth, demanding that she open to him. With a slight whimper, knowing she might be opening a box of heartache, but unable to resist, she succumbed to his will, parting her lips to let him inside.

“Taylor.” He whispered her name as if he had just found his way home after a long winter away. He plunged inside her mouth, stroking and licking, building a fire inside her that made her ache with wanting. He moved, his arms closing around her, lifting her until she stood on tiptoes, as close to him as their clothing would allow.

The kiss went on and on, drugging her. His taste alone was enough to make her whimper in need. The touch of his hands, stroking her on top of the knit dress, smashed the barriers she’d erected against him like kindling breaking beneath the heel of a well-placed boot.

The loud knocking at the front door finally broke through the sensual haze he’d wrapped around her.

She pulled away, instantly feeling the loss of heat as the kiss ended.

“I, umm…,” she took a step back. Then another. This was not supposed to have happened. She had made up her mind to be strong. To resist.

Oh, hell, she thought. How was I supposed to have resisted that? His hands clenched at his sides, his magnificent chest heaving with exertion as if he’d just taken down a bull in twenty seconds. His cheekbones were flushed a ruddy red. And his…her gaze traveled down his body, the bulge beneath his jeans leaving her in no doubt that he wanted her.

Coward that she was, she turned on her heel and fled.