Cat couldn't sleep, and this time it wasn't due to homesickness. She stared into the night sky with its diamond dusting of stars and pale crescent moon. New and startling sensations rocked her body. Adam's last look at her had been disturbing, evocative. Why had he looked at her like that; what did it mean?

It raised visions of being held, caressed, kissed. Kissed, how could she crave his lips on hers when she barely knew what it meant? Not the chaste pecks from family but a proper kiss from a man who desired her, cared for her. Suddenly she could think of little else. Delicious fantasies gripped her, warmed her and shook her to her very center.

Cat squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out her outlandish visions. Such thoughts were madness. Why would Adam find her appealing? He had every attractive, available woman in town - and probably the whole territory - chasing after him. He had no need of a stubborn, work-worn cowgirl.

Isolation.

He'd been stuck on that mountain for weeks. A man's needs could get in the way of clear thinking. Cat knew all about that. After all, she'd been the target of such misguided affection before. She remembered the distasteful experience when a fellow worker had grabbed her at another ranch. He'd hadn't done much before she'd given him a swift, powerful kick right where it did the most damage, but it proved a man's needs could consume him.

Adam wasn't the kind to let his body rule his mind, but maybe he'd found something attractive in her because of his segregation. Cat sighed sadly, sure of her theory.

For a moment there, she'd almost been willing to let the daydream of Adam's kiss overpower her. She already knew what it felt like to have his strong, solid arms surround her. Infinitely comforting. So, what would his roughened hands feel like against her cheek? What would those full, frowning lips taste like moving against her own? What would it be like to press herself against his body, chest to chest, hip to hip, feel him, explore him? Cat's skin grew hot, and she tossed restlessly on her bedroll.

The fact that they were at odds all the time was a good reason to stop inciting such thoughts about him. They disagreed constantly.

Except tonight. Tonight he'd been tender and caring and stopped the men from asking questions. He'd needed her help, and then he'd indulged her silly story about the stars. She smiled, then wondered. He looked at the stars as if he had loved ones up there too. Perhaps a sweetheart? Somehow, this notion made her sadder.

Cat tossed again. She refused to be overwhelmed by negative thoughts. She remembered Adam telling her she'd look attractive in a ball gown. Goodness, she could barely remember when she'd last worn one. She'd never been one for dressing up and going to dances. She'd always felt like a fish out of water, like a clumsy oaf with two left feet. Memories of girls in her hometown excluding her and talking about her behind her back when Cat attended social functions didn't help.

But now she could suit herself, couldn't she? If she chose to dress up and go to a dance, what was stopping her? Maybe one day, she'd gather the courage to dress up and impress the citizens of Virginia City.

And Adam.

But not because he'd thrown down the challenge, oh no!

"Where's Adam?" Cat asked as she and Hoss built the fire up for breakfast.

"He rode out before dawn. Said he needed to take care of a couple 'a things."

"He hasn't gone back to that lumber camp already, has he?" Cat turned away from Hoss, worried that she sounded more concerned than she ought to.

"No, I don't think so. I think he's got business letters to write. And he mentioned he was going to town tonight, probably to the dance. Perhaps he's gone home to get all dandied up."

"Oh?" This information dismayed her.

"What's the matter with that?" asked Hoss innocently.

"Oh, nothing. I just . . . thought he wouldn't stop working until that job was done."

"Usually, I'd agree. But by the look of him, he needed the rest. I think he's done right to take a break."

Hoss shuffled his feet then added, "His hands looked better this morning."

Cat tossed off the curiosity in his voice with a faint shrug, retrieved a long leather strap and began to braid her hair. The sharp ache in her heart returned. The moment she'd woken up that morning, she'd thought of seeing Adam and talking with him over coffee. She'd wanted to inspect his hands for herself; see if she'd helped any. Silly to be pouting over the fact that he'd left without saying goodbye.

"You going to the dance tonight?" Hoss asked.

"No," she returned flatly.

"Well, suit yourself. I'm going. Adam'll be there too."

Cat's agitation grew. Why did he sound like he knew something he shouldn't? She didn't care a hoot if Adam were at the dance with Miss Prissy or any other woman.

"I hope you both have a nice time," she said briskly. Then, she strode off to ride fence and be comfortably alone.

Cat sat on her bunk and watched the procession of preening men with amusement. They battled for a place in front of the narrow pier glass down one end of the long room. People said women were fussy, but this lot could give them a run for their money.

As usual, she was about the only one not going into town for the Saturday night shindigs. She'd decided that dressing up for a dance just to show up her critics seemed vain and pointless. She'd no doubt be snubbed and laughed at by the sophisticated ladies anyway. Why put herself through that? Besides, she didn't have anything suitable to wear and she wasn't about to spend her precious wages on a useless dress.

"Why aren't you ready?"

She looked at the young, hopeful face of Little Joe as he bounded into the bunkhouse.

"Sorry, Joe, I'm not going in tonight."

"Oh, not again! You promise every week, and you never come. Hoss and me were looking forward to dancing a reel with you."

"Maybe next time." She dismissed him with a shrug. Cat almost laughed as Joe frowned. He didn't look like Adam for the most part, but the frown was pure Cartwright.

"It's because of Adam, isn't it?"

"No, it's not."

"I saw you two arguing this afternoon."

"We weren't arguing, Joe: we were having a political discussion."

"Looked like arguing." Joe crossed his arms.

"Did you see me hit him?"

"Well, no."

"Did you see him try and dump me in the horse trough?"

"No, but "

"Then we weren't arguing. Truth is, I'm tired is all. I've had a hard week." She smiled and feigned a stiff back.

"Well, okay, but you're gonna come one night; I'll make sure of it."

Joe smiled and waved as he went to get his horse. He was so full of life and energy. When he got a bit older he was going to break many hearts.

Cat thought of her 'discussion' with Adam earlier that day and let out a small puzzled sigh. She'd finished work at noon, and she'd ridden back to the ranch feeling strangely exhilarated. She spotted Adam in the yard well before she reached it, and became unusually nervous when he called her over as soon as she rode in.

"Cat, I need to ask you something."

She dismounted and walked her mustang, Bobby, over to the trough near where he stood. Dressed in a nice rust colored shirt and dark trousers he seemed rested, and she even detected a twinkle in his eyes. Cat's blood started to race. God, he looked good enough to eat! Was he in an agreeable mood for once? She glanced down at his hands in an effort to keep her gaze from wandering over his body.

"How are your hands?"

"They feel much better," he added a touch gruffly.

"I'm glad. What did you want to ask me?"

"Well . . ."

He seemed hesitant; like he wanted to say something she wouldn't agree with. Yet, he'd never been in the least worried about her answers before. Maybe . . .just maybe . . . he'd ask her if she wanted to go to the dance with him? Or perhaps if she'd like to go for a ride to the lake? He might want her to discuss books with him? Or was he about to admit that she was the most beguiling woman he'd laid eyes on? Cat waited with baited breath.

"I wanted to know what your opinion was on that new idea of barbed wire fencing."

"Oh." Cat's balloon of hopefulness burst with a decisive pop and left her heart deflated. None of her questions had even entered his head. He wanted to know about barbed wire fencing of all things! Great: fine and dandy!

"Well?" He prompted; tipping his hat back, looking deeply interested like any rancher would about such a serious subject.

"I . . .think it's going to divide the country."

"It's hardly something that will cause a political rift," he started.

"No, I don't mean that." Cat, despondent about his lack of interest in her, kicked the heel of her boot against the ground creating little dust devils that rose and flurried around her legs.

"Then what do you mean?"

He wasn't giving up. Did he really want to know? Was it all fired so important to talk ranching sun up to sun down, seven days a week? Okay, so be it.

"I mean we've never had many fences out here. We've lived by an unspoken agreement to share the land and work it for not just ourselves, but for the common good of everyone. I know we all own land and try and keep poachers off, but that's not what I mean." Cat walked over to the corral fence, climbed up and continued.

"The fencing will divide the land off like never before. You won't be able to drive cattle so easily in years to come. It'll be more affordable and easier to get than wood, it'll make people greedier, more possessive of what's theirs. It might also do some damage to livestock before they figure out they have to avoid it." She stopped and looked to Adam for his reaction.

"You're right, you know." He paced up and down. "I hadn't really considered the long term effects, but I think you're right."

"You do?"

"Yeah."

"Why the interest?" Cat looked down at his pensive face. Adam possessed many traits: strength, intelligence and ruggedness to name a few. Yet, right now, he seemed, well, kind of nervous.

"No reason."

He looked up. Cat thought he seemed ready to say something personal, but instead he launched off on another general subject. This time, he inquired as to what she thought of the territorial congress. Of course, she told him.

Their discussion grew and got more and more animated as they went along. That's when Little Joe turned up and observed them. But they hadn't been arguing, not at all. Cat couldn't remember when she'd had such a stimulating debate.

Then Joe's distant voice ruined the mood.

"Hey, Adam. If you want the bathhouse, you'd better come now otherwise it's gonna be full until supper time. You don't wanna miss getting all dandied up for your date with Miss Virginia, do ya?"

Cat felt as though a bucket of cold water had been thrown over her. Of course, she was good enough to ask about fencing and politics, but not to be asked to the dance.

"Ah yeah, I'm coming," Adam called. "Sorry, got to go."

"Of course."

Cat watched Adam march off toward the house and sighed. She'd had her fill of Adam Cartwright and this strange feeling that festered inside her, rather like the stomach upsets she suffered after eating her own cooking. It certainly wasn't anything remotely pleasant.

Cat, back in the present, watched the men ride off. Sometimes she wondered what she missed. Just then, the door to the main house opened and Ben and Adam appeared, deep in conversation. She retreated into the bunkhouse and watched them through the window. They were dressed elegantly, in black Sunday suits with fancy gold waistcoats.

Adam looked particularly handsome. His crisp white shirt contrasted sharply with his dark good looks. Cat couldn't help but admire the view and cursed the inexplicable flutters in her stomach. Moving away from the window, she waited until she heard the hooves of their horses grow faint, then went outside to sit for a while.

Will sat by the barn door whittling. Cat spent many a Saturday evening with him. He didn't ask her why she didn't go and have fun in town; they just talked about things that didn't matter, like the weather. Sometimes, they sat and didn't talk at all.

"Safe to come out now, huh?" Will said after Cat arrived.

"Sorry?"

"I said, safe to come out now he's gone."

Cat realized he was talking about Adam and clamed up.

"He ain't that bad, you know. Hard to git ta know, but he ain't that bad."

Cat still didn't comment.

"Never bin one ta show he likes ya right off."

Cat inclined her head, trying not to seem interested.

"Had a woman he wanted ta marry up with a couple a years back; didn't work out."

Cat's ears pricked up. She couldn't fake her interest now. She was intensely curious about Adam's past.

"Why?" She leaned back and tried to sound casual.

"He wanted to marry her; loved her he did."

Cat moved restlessly on her chair. For some reason, hearing about Adam's love life made her uneasy. Was she the person in the stars he hinted of?

"And?"

"Turns out she was connin' 'im. Didn't love him at'll. Just wanted his money and name."

Cat's heart sank. In town, she'd practically accused him of not knowing when a woman pursued him for reasons other than love.

"What happened?"

"Well, when he found her out, he was terrible cut up 'bout it but he told her to git out anyways, so she did. Took him a long while to git over it, but he's almost back to his old self. 'Sept he don't cotton to women folk too easy no more. So if'n he gives you a hard time, it ain't necessarily you he's fightin'."

"He seems to like Virginia Keith all right."

"She's an old family friend, but don't be fooled. He won't be burned again."

Will eventually went inside the bunkhouse. Cat thought about the story for a long time. It must be terrible to love someone and have them throw that love back in your face. She felt bad about her previous conduct on the street in Virginia City. No wonder Adam had been so surly when she mentioned Miss Keith's suspected intentions. Surely though, he wouldn't fall for the same type of woman again. Cat sighed; her gloomy mood heightened.

She walked thoughtfully to the main house and entered. A few weeks back, after the logging started, she'd asked Mr Cartwright if she could borrow a book from time to time. She only had one book of her own with her and she'd read that a dozen times. He'd happily allowed her access to the crammed shelves. As the house was empty tonight, she looked forward to choosing one and spending the evening reading.

Adam fumed about his night as he and Sport made slow progress home in the poor light. Virginia had made it known through her actions and icy words that she'd not forgiven him for failing to escort her to the last dance. She'd then accused him of being distracted and inattentive.

Well, she'd practically ignored him all night also, except when she needed to brag to her friends about her escort. The future Mrs Cartwright, he'd overheard her say. She'd also mentioned how she intended to take over the household and get his 'unruly' family into line.

Adam didn't take kindly to a woman assuming anything about him or his family. He certainly had no intentions of marrying Virginia. He knew for a fact she didn't love him; she only wanted his good name, money and what she thought was the Cartwright's social standing. Well, he'd fallen for that once before with Michelle. He wasn't likely to be fooled again. Many men were happy to marry for such reasons, but he wasn't one of them. If he ever did get married, it would be for mutual love: nothing less.

Something that Cat said on the day that they'd met Virginia in the street rang true. She'd seen through the woman straight away and warned him. His anger started to subside. If only he'd followed through on his intentions this afternoon. He'd planned to ask Cat to the dance instead of Virginia, but somehow, when she finally appeared he couldn't get the words out. Not like him, not at all.

Instead, he'd come up with some lame question about fencing! Mind you, she'd replied with a thoughtful and interesting answer. But that wasn't the point. For the first time in his adult life, Adam had been tongue-tied around a woman. And he'd suffered for it. It was what he deserved. Sport pricked his ears as they neared the ranch buildings.

Perhaps Cat might still be up. The thought warmed him far more than he would have thought possible, and the last of his temper subsided.

How lucky Virginia had feigned a headache and wanted to be taken home early. Maybe he'd share a late night coffee with Cat and continue the political discussion they'd started earlier. He wanted to explore her ideas further - especially the outrageous one of woman being allowed to vote! Heaven help the country if Cat got into politics! He chuckled and clicked to Sport, and even though the light was weak, the big horse strode out, eager to reach the barn.

Cat wandered around the great room. She'd chosen a book earlier in the night, but after reading the first couple of chapters decided she didn't care for it. She gone back to the silent house to try and find another. Hop Sing had lit all the lamps for the Cartwright's home coming later, which bathed the room in gentle light.

Cat knew she should retire to the bunkhouse quickly, but she couldn't help wanting to spend a few extra minutes in the house. She remembered Adam mentioning how confining winter was here, and that they spent a lot of time reading to escape from one another while hemmed in by snow.

She'd always loved books and had used them to elude the bitter reality of life in recent times. As she glanced through the volumes, she studied her surroundings.

The main room was large and inviting. Dark timber beams contrasted with white washed walls around the dining area. In the main room, comfortable old chairs surrounded the huge stone fireplace. Cheery family mementos were scattered about, making it cozy, despite the height of the ceiling. On Ben's desk were three ornately framed pictures. All of beautiful women, Cat realised they must be his wives. Hoss had told her one day that they each had different mothers.

She instantly picked out Adam's mother. A dark haired beauty with Adam's divined cheek bones stared out at her from the frame. He'd never known his mother either. She put the precious picture back and took another look around her.

Her ranch house wasn't similar at all in design, but it had the same warm, homey atmosphere with similar comforts. Cat felt the familiar, painful ache of loss.

Stubbornly shutting out the past, she turned back to the bookshelf near Ben's desk. Running her finger along the spines, she came across a leather bound copy of 'The Old Curiosity Shop' by Charles Dickens. Cruel memories struck her like a dagger. Carefully removing the book with trembling fingers, she opened the front cover and found an inscription.

'To Adam, my dear son and closest companion. May your years ahead bring happiness and joy. Happy fifteenth birthday, from your loving father, Ben Cartwright, 1845.'

Without warning, tears welled behind her eyes. It was the same book she'd found under the Christmas tree that year. She remembered lying alone on the cold wood floor, her hands trembling as she removed the blood spattered wrapping. When she read the cheery, loving inscription she'd screamed in anger and torn the pages to shreds, only to panic moments later and try to piece them back together.

It was the last thing her father had ever written to her. And she'd destroyed it. He'd never hug her again, nor would her brothers. Never again would she see their smiling faces and feel their loving arms around her.

Cat rarely let the grief of the tragedy of what had happened that faithful Christmas overwhelm her, but the dedication in Adam's book triggered the raw wound. Cat couldn't stop the tears from coming. Overcome by a wave of emotion, she leaned unsteadily on the bookcase; her strength of mind shattered.

All of a sudden, the front door opened and someone entered. Cat, startled by the intrusion, tried to regain her composure before the person walked around the corner and saw her crying. She hastily wiped her eyes and tried to bring her emotions under control. She moved tentatively to the pot belly stove and glanced around the corner.

Adam! She watched as he tossed his hat onto the sideboard and removed his gunbelt. She retreated back to the wall of books. Why did it have to be him? Perhaps he'd go into the kitchen giving her a chance to escape unnoticed.

But he didn't. Adam walked toward the desk and noticed her standing by the bookshelf.

"Cat. You're still up?"

Cat took a deep breath to compose herself. "I started one book but didn't like it. I came in to get another one."

Adam walked toward her. The frown was nowhere to be seen. An unusually soft look had replaced it causing her heart to skip a beat.

"Join me in a cup of coffee?"

"Oh, er, no, I think I'll just go to bed. Sorry to disturb you."

He didn't comment but continued to approach her, stopping just a few feet away. Luckily the lamp on the desk wasn't fully turned up. He couldn't seem to tell she'd been crying.

"What did you decide on?"

Cat looked dazedly at the book still clutched in her hand.

"Oh, nothing. I noticed it . . . on the shelf. I had a copy . . . once." Her throat still burned from the emotion. She could hardly speak. Oh dear God, she could feel the tears welling behind her eyes again. She couldn't cry again now. Not in front of him; she just couldn't!

"Let me see," he said in a pleasant tone.

He reached out and tried to take the book from her. Cat didn't realize how hard she gripped the novel.

"Cat, are you all right?"

She heard his question, but kept her head down and away from his seeking eyes. She felt cold all over: frozen.

"You're trembling," she heard his deep, almost distant voice utter. His hands moved from the book and grasped her forearms. She jerked away from the human contact.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she replied hastily, terrified of being laughed at, ridiculed for her weakness. She fought the warmth from his hands. "Let me go!" She pulled back sharply. The novel thudded to the ground, forgotten.

"Cat, easy now."

His soft, firm voice lulled her. Tears blurred her eyes. She had to get away. She moved her arms together and struggled against his hold. He tightened his grip and pulled her toward him. Cat, desperate to hide her feelings from him, tried to escape but it was too late. Adam wound his arms around her back and dragged her against his chest. Held firmly in place, she couldn't move. Surprisingly, Cat realized she didn't want to. She was done; empty inside.

Cat knew she was no longer the young, confident and happy young woman she'd been before that Christmas. Had she spent so long living in regret and pain she didn't know how to function as a civil human being any more? Where was her life headed? These hard questions bombarded her. She had to face the fact that she was alone in the world, trying to hold on to a dream that no longer existed.

The moment was too much for her. She surrendered to Adam's hold and collapsed against him, and her body drained of all conflict. He felt so safe, so good, so strong. Maybe she could shelter in his protection for a few minutes. Cat desperately tried to hold back a flood of long suppressed tears. She lost her battle.

Adam was taken by surprise as Cat slumped and went limp against him. He reacted on instinct and quickly took her weight in his arms. Bewildered, he frowned with concern as Cat sobbed wretchedly. He'd never seen her cry before or be the least bit emotional. He moved one arm up to her head and guided it down to rest against his shoulder. Her body, strong yet remarkably even more feminine than he remembered, rested snugly against his.

"Hush, now," he said softly. She continued to cry but was clearly trying to hide it. He kept one hand against her head and began to stroke her hair and temple in an attempt to soothe her.

Had he done this to her: made her this unhappy? He knew he'd been unfair to her for most of her stay at the Ponderosa. Despite their arguments, he thought they were starting to form a friendship. No, he knew they were.

Cat wasn't a fickle woman. She was nothing but strong, courageous and fearless. There were times he'd wondered if she possessed a woman's heart. Perhaps tonight he'd found it. Recalling her sadness from the evening before, he figured this ran deep. Maybe homesickness? Whatever it was, he intended to help her through it.

He'd hold her for as long as she wanted him. If she needed protection, shelter from her demons, then he would provide it. That's what he was best at and he felt comfortable in the role.

She felt good molded against him; so right. She went quiet after a while, until only random sobs broke the silence. As he lightly stroked her back, Adam wondered where she'd really come from, what had happened to her? Why had she left her family? Why had they let her go? He'd never let a sister or daughter roam the country on her own as Cat did.

Adam knew he'd been biased against her at the start. He'd been obstinate and overbearing, maybe even chauvinistic. He'd felt his reasons had been valid at the time against having a woman on the place. But he'd never expected to meet one like Cat.

Perhaps, if he cared to get closer to her, he'd find that hidden side of her, like treasure waiting to be discovered by the right person. Why did a woman end up working ranches for money? What must have happened in her past to bring her to this end? She seemed well educated, intelligent and was quite attractive under her unyielding exterior. Something very tragic must have happened to her to draw such a reaction from her now.

He glanced down just as she looked up.

"I'm s...sorry," she managed to choke.

"It's okay. I'm not going anywhere."

Adam made a promise to himself there and then, to change his attitude and reverse any anger and hurt he'd bestowed on her. And if she needed someone to confide in, he'd be there for her. She might not have had anyone she could trust in a very long time.

But how could he tell her that? Why would she trust him? He frowned as the hesitation to speak plainly to her returned. He just had to work out what to say.

Cat, her head still rested against his wide shoulder, drew strength from his comforting embrace. It wasn't easy to dull the well of pain that had been festering inside her for years, but Adam's presence helped. She sobbed spasmodically and clung to him as if he were her only lifeline.

"Shush..."

His voice, deep and warm, soothed her. She felt so safe with Adam's arms around her. Warmth from his body flowed through her chilled bones like life giving blood. At some point, she'd managed to wind her arms about his neck, and her fingers now rested lightly against his nape. She'd never let a man comfort her before. All reason and sense left her, as she turned her tear streaked face up toward Adam in wonderment.

Most of her life she'd worked hard, concentrated on her family and ranch rather than relationships. She'd neglected being a woman. That didn't mean she'd never dreamed of being held by a man, of wanting to know what it felt like to be intimately touched or comforted. She had. Some nights when she'd been much younger, she'd lain awake until the small hours just wondering if she'd ever experience such things. Hard times had made her forget all those dreams.

As she regained her control, she knew she should move away from him, thank him and bid goodnight. But instead, she became more aware of how Adam's body felt against hers. She never expected a simple embrace to make her feel so secure. Beneath that, a strange tingling dusted her skin wherever they touched. The beat of his heart, strong and steady, thudded against her breast, heightening her awareness. The rhythm of his hands, lightly stroking her hair and back, started to create a disturbing friction way down deep inside.

Cat inched her head closer to his neck. His black string tie hung limply at his throat. He'd undone the top two buttons of his white dress shirt revealing the light sprinkling of dark curls beneath. Cat remembered seeing his naked chest and tried to imagine what it would be like to touch it.

She shivered and turned her head into his hard shoulder to shield her innocent reaction. He only intensified her fledgling feelings by squeezing her tighter. He was still trying to comfort her.

As she buried her face against him, his clean, masculine scent invaded her senses. Her fingers moved against her will and brushed against the softness of his short, black hair. What would if feel like to run her fingers through it properly? Her breathing quickened and she became increasingly aware of her body and its reactions to Adam. When she shifted against him, her unbound breasts brushed his chest, giving her a delicious tingling sensation.

What was happening to her? She tried to calm herself; tried to ignore these potent new sensations, but she wasn't sure how to. Maybe if she told him she was all right now, he'd release her. But she didn't want him to. Not yet.

She took a chance and glanced up again, wondering what he was thinking. This was probably a chore for him, coddling a helpless female. She couldn't guess his thoughts from the look on his face. He wasn't frowning though. That was a good sign. And hell he was ten times more handsome when he didn't, which only added to her plight. Oh Lordy: was she losing her mind?

She's beautiful! The surprising thought hit Adam like hooves from a bucking bronco. Why hadn't he seen it before? The thudding of his heart grew more rapid as he searched the emerald depths of her eyes now tinged with red from crying. Never had he seen such lovely eyes.

Clear thoughts grew hazy as a spell wove its way through him. So close, her trembling lips confused and tempted him. All reason deserted him, as he realized he wanted to kiss her.

Deeply.

Adam lowered his head, watching her, waiting for her to pull away, trying to decide if he should tempt fate. He tried to hold back, but nothing worked. Dangerously close, he breathed in the sweet, exotic essence that was Cat's alone. His lips hovered close to her cheek. Just a taste, one small sample . . . then surely she'd slap him and tell him off. But worth it? Oh yes!

Lightly, slowly, he touched his lips to the corner of her mouth. She didn't move. Why didn't she pull away? Surely she couldn't want him to continue? He placed another feathery kiss on the edge of her bottom lip. Waves of sensation washed through him like a flash flood. His entire body tensed. He groaned in frustration and knew he was lost.