FEATURED

Serena wished the prowler outside would disappear like that strange woman, but more pounding and door rattling soon followed.
She hurried back to the kitchen. Thinking quickly, she grabbed the first thing she laid eyes on–the saucepan from the stove. It was heavy and solid, and could likely cause damage if she managed to hit the intruder in the head with it. She held her breath as she heard the front door fly open, banging against the doorjamb, wind and rain following in its wake. Heavy footfalls echoed as the door closed against another gust of wind.
Armed with the heavy pan, she flew out of the kitchen and swung it with all her might at the intruder, but he turned, lifting his arm to ward off her attack, ducking his head as the pan came flying towards him. She lifted the pan again, but he dodged the blow once more, snaking an arm around her waist, lifting her clear off the floor, her arms and legs flailing as Serena sailed through the air. The pan slipped from her hand and crashed to the floor, sliding across the puddles of milk.
She landed on her back on the couch in Clarice’s parlor, the breath whooshing from her lungs as a heavy weight descended on her, pinning her to the cushions.
The intruder locker Serena’s hands in one swift movement, forcing them above her head. She squirmed under his weight but realized her mistake when she felt the hard length of him against her thigh. A handsome, chiseled face and dark eyes met her green ones.
“This is a hell of a way to get acquainted,” he said lightly.
He had the sexiest smile; it seemed”¦familiar.
“Seth Masters,” he continued to grin. “I’m Clarice’s nephew.”
She groaned. How could she not have recognized him? Clarice had scores of photos of him scattered around the house and always referred to him as “that darling boy.”
But this was no boy. He was all man”¦and becoming more so with every move Serena made.
“Let me up,” she demanded.
“Uh-uh.” He shook his head, keeping a tight hold on her hands. Droplets of water that clung to his shiny dark locks dripped onto the couch”¦and her.
She squirmed again, her pelvis colliding with his groin. His grin widened when Serena brushed against him. The water from his hair continued to drip onto her face, one droplet landing on her heated cheek. She swore she could hear her skin sizzle as the moisture slid down the side of her face.
“This isn’t a joke,” she felt the start of tears. Her legs trembled, followed by the rest of her body. Her pulse raced, she could feel it beating at the base of her neck. She shoved against him, he simply held her captive. It clawed at her insides, causing her to squirm and push harder. “Get off me!”
Thunder boomed in the distance, followed by a crack of thunder. Serena couldn’t be sure in that moment if the vibrations she felt came from that or her trembling body. When she gazed into his face, he still wore that same, sexy grin.
“I’ll release you if you stop your squirming.” His self-satisfied grin remained in place as he spoke. “I think I’ll be safe enough, now that I’ve taken your weapon.”
Serena blinked once, knitting her brows into a frown.
He laughed, running the pad of his thumb gently across her furrowed brow. “Your pan. You scared the shit out of me.”
“I scared you! Why you””” Serena reached out to smack him, fear making her lash out. Her heart still raced like a runaway train and he had the nerve to say she scared him!
Another crack of thunder shook the house. She cried out, but stopped when she felt his arms slide under her shoulders, pulling her against his chest. “Hey, it’s okay,” he said, his warm breath tickling her lobe. “I’m sorry I scared you.” He continued to hold her as thunder boomed in the distance. “Don’t be frightened of the thunder,” he whispered. “Just listen. The storm’s moving away. There’s more time between each crack of thunder, and soon it will drift into the distance.”
His deep, soothing voice washed over, easing the tension from her body. Her rapid heartbeat slowed to a normal, steady rhythm as she listened. His hands worked magic on her stiff shoulders, kneading the tense, tight muscles. Thunder boomed once more, but it sounded far away, just like he’d said.
“See?” he murmured in her ear, seeming to read her thoughts. “The storm’s almost over.”
That one might be, but the one raging inside her grew as his hands moved to the base of her neck, his fingers skimming across her skin.
copyright 2007 by Catherine Chernow

FEATURED

www.CatherineChernow.com Step into the world of Catherine Chernow for the best of erotic romance.  Featuring sexy, strong heroes and kick-ass heroines Intrigue…unexpected twists…the paranormal…and the steamier side