Mooncakes excerpt

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An Excerpt From:   MOONCAKES

in WICKED WORDS 8

© Copyright KIMBERLY DEAN, 2003

Published by Black Lace Books

‘So where’s home?’ he asked.

‘Home?’ she said sharply.

‘You don’t have a car.  You need a ride.’

Tia fought not to squirm.  She was vulnerable, and he knew it.  ‘That’s not necessary.  Just take my car to the shop, and I’ll call a cab.’

He didn’t even bother to respond.

She bit her lower lip.  ‘Take a right at the next crossroad.’

The trip took less time than she would have liked.  He pulled up in front of her house, and she reached for the door before he even came to a complete stop.  She didn’t want him helping her down.  Up was enough.

It was a big step.  Her skirt pulled tight, and the slit gaped widely as she settled one high heel on the ground.  The driver rounded the truck, but came to a dead stop when he saw her.  Looking down, Tia realised that her leg was so exposed, he could see the lace band of the stocking around her thigh.

An inch more, and he’d be able to see the crotch of her underwear.

She quickly climbed down.  ‘Please call when my car is fixed.’

She reached for her things, but her spine went ramrod straight when his body brushed against her back.

‘I’ve got it,’ he said gruffly.

He was too close.  Tia grabbed what she could, turned on her heel, and hurried up the front walk.  The quicker he left, the quicker she could get her emotions under control.  She unlocked the door and moved directly to the kitchen.  She was setting down a box when she heard the door close behind her.  She turned in time to see him slide the cake onto the table.  Reaching out, he slid the butter dish to the side to make room.

‘Well, thank you again,’ she said tightly.

He didn’t move.

Tia felt a shiver go down her spine.  Why hadn’t she turned on a light?  She’d been in such a hurry.  Light would have been good right now.

She took a shaky breath.  The moonlight was dangerous.  It streamed through the window over the sink and illuminated him.  He was a rough and tumble character – one she’d never want to run into in a dark alley.

But she’d met him on a dark road, and she hadn’t run away.

She stood immobile.  His dark blonde hair glistened in the cool moonlight rays.  None of the men she’d dated would have let their hair get that shaggy… but for some reason, her fingers itched.  The coveralls he wore were definitely not attractive with their grease stains and holes… but they were intriguing.  What would she find if she slid that zipper down, down, down…

‘Your check,’ she said, snapping out of her reverie.

Her legs trembled as she scurried out of the room.  She found the checkbook and was reaching for the lamp when his hand suddenly closed around hers.

‘I wasn’t at that wedding,’ he said in a voice close to her ear, ‘But I bet you put your sister to shame.  Believe me, China doll, nobody was feeling sorry for you.’

Tia’s breath caught.  He’d read her like a book.

She tried to sidestep, but he stopped her with a hand at her waist.  He’d trapped her.  With one, simple move, he’d caught her between his body and the hassock in front of her living room chair.

‘With you wearing that dress, people had other thoughts on their minds.’

He gave her silk wrap a tug.  It slipped from her shoulders and fell to a puddle on the floor.  Except for the curtain of her hair, her back was left naked and exposed.  Tia’s muscles went rigid when he brushed her hair over her shoulder and trailed a finger down her spine.

‘There wasn’t one man in that church – priest included – who wasn’t wishing he could have a piece of this.’

His hands were fast.  She didn’t have time to even flinch before they slipped under the velvet and encircled her.  His hands settled possessively onto her breasts.  ‘Probably some women, too,’ he whispered into her ear.

Heat slammed into Tia’s belly.

‘What are you doing?’ she gasped.  She tried to catch his hands, but his strength made her struggles laughable.

‘Giving you what you need,’ he said.