The Ladies' Man. Susan Mallery

      He started the engine, then glanced at her. “Where to?”

      She fastened her seat belt and gave him directions.

      After Carter pulled out of the parking lot, he said, “You need to have a talk with your friend. Driving off and leaving you alone at a bar is not okay.”

      “I agree. I couldn’t believe it when I stepped out and her car was gone. I don’t know her all that well, but still…” She shrugged.

      “You work together?” he asked.

      “Yes. She just started this term. Diane teaches fourth grade.”

      “Big kids,” he teased.

      “Bigger than mine. Plus I suspect by the time they’re nine there’s a whole lot less paste eating. But I wouldn’t trade. I love the little kids. Everything is exciting and new to them. They see all the possibilities. If I do my job right, I can help them love school for the rest of their lives.”

      Just then his cell phone rang. He pulled it out of his shirt pocket and flipped it open.

      “Brockett. Uh-huh. Yeah. How’d you know?” He laughed. “No. I’ve got it. Night.” He hung up. “Your friend came back, looking for you.”

      “Really? Good. I didn’t want to have to yell at her tomorrow. Who called?”

      “Jenny, the bartender. She’ll tell Diane that you’re good.”

      Rachel opened her mouth, then closed it. She wasn’t sure “good” covered it. There was every possibility that Diane would think she was going home with a guy she just met. Perhaps not the most awful thing in the world, but not a reality Rachel was comfortable with.

      As she couldn’t discuss that with Carter, she asked the next logical question.

      “How does the bartender know your cell number?”

      “Don’t panic,” he told her. “I’m not that much of a regular. Jenny and I go way back. We’ve been friends for years.”

      Friends, huh? And before that?

      He pulled up in front of her small apartment building. It was in an older part of town. Rachel had chosen the place specifically because she loved the higher ceilings and custom touches of the Craftsman-style architecture.

      Carter turned off the engine, then looked at the carport. “Let me guess,” he said, eyeing the cars parked there. “The gray sedan.”

      She unfastened her seat belt and had the satisfaction of knowing she was about to shock him. “The little red, two-seater convertible.”

      His eyes widened. “No way.”

      “Way.”

      His gaze settled on her face. “Why wasn’t my kindergarten teacher more like you?”

      “Maybe she was. Five-year-olds tend not to notice stuff like that.”

      “I guess.”

      Before she could thank him for the ride, he climbed out of the truck. She did the same and they met on the sidewalk.

      “You don’t have to walk me up,” she said.

      “I want to. This is a full-service rescue.”

      She felt nervous and out of her element, but not afraid. She liked Carter and while she knew she would probably never see him again, she couldn’t help being glad he didn’t want to run right off.

      She led the way up the stairs to the far apartment. As they passed between her overflowing plant stands, he asked, “Yours?”

      She pulled her keys out of her purse. “Another hobby. I like to grow things.”

      “A kindergarten teacher who dances and has a green thumb. Interesting.” He stepped a little closer and lightly touched her cheek with his fingertips. “I’m going to kiss you, Rachel. I’m telling you this in advance, so you can race inside, slap me or go with it and kiss me back. We all know what my choice would be, but you get a say in this, too.”

      The porch light brought out the gold in his blond hair. He was both handsome and sexy, a fairly irresistible combination. She hadn’t been on a date in months or been kissed in nearly two years and until this exact moment, hadn’t realized how much she’d missed having a man in her life.

      “I’m not the slapping type,” she murmured, her gaze locked with his.

      He gave her a slow, knowing smile that made her shiver.

      “Good to know,” he said, right before he kissed her.

      Chapter Two

      Carter’s mouth was warm and firm on hers, but tender. Rachel had thought he might be one of those pushy kissers, claiming what he wanted. Instead he moved back and forth against her mouth, giving just enough to make her want more.

      One of them moved toward the other. She wasn’t sure who was responsible for the sudden closeness, but she wasn’t going to complain about the feel of his hard, muscled body pressing against hers. He smelled good—like the outdoors, with a hint of masculine temptation. Heat radiated from him, making her want to cuddle even closer, like a cat looking for a sunny spot.

      One of his hands continued to stroke her cheek, lightly brushing against her skin, while the other rested on her waist. She wondered if he were holding her in place. Had her mouth not been so busy pressing up against his, she would have told him that she had no intention of going anywhere.

      He brushed the very tip of his tongue against her lower lip. The tiny movement was both exciting and erotic. She parted for him, then held her breath in anticipation of him deepening the kiss.

      He moved forward slowly, cautiously, as if giving her time to retreat. Instead all she could think was how long it had been since she’d really kissed a man. Not since she’d broken off her engagement nearly two years ago.

      At the exact moment his tongue gently stroked hers, need exploded inside of her. The intensity was as shocking as it was unexpected. She wanted more, needed more. Her body suddenly ached to have him touching her. Skin tightened, her breasts swelled. She let her purse slip to the ground, then wrapped both arms around his neck and leaned into him.

      He accepted her with a low groan that made her nipples tighten. He pulled her against him, even as he ran his hands up and down her back. She tilted her head and he deepened the kiss, exploring all of her mouth with an urgency that made her tremble.

      The depth of passion stunned her. She’d never felt like this from just a kiss and certainly never with a man she’d just met. It was insane. It was also thrilling and arousing and so not anything she was used to.

      Carter pulled back slightly. He kissed her cheeks, then along her jaw and down her neck.

      “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured. “Are you trying to make guys crazy on purpose?”

      She could barely breathe, let alone speak, but she forced herself to gather her thoughts. “What are you talking about?”

      “Those damn curves in that prim little dress,” he muttered as he licked the sensitive skin just below her ear. “It shouldn’t be legal.”

      Her eyes popped open and she stared into the darkness of the night. “Me?” she asked in a voice that squeaked. “But I need to lose about fifteen pounds.” Twenty, really, but she couldn’t bring herself to say that aloud. “I’m not…”

      “Incredible?” he asked, brushing her mouth with his. “Sexy? Stunning?” He straightened and smiled. “If this wasn’t the first time I’d kissed you and if I hadn’t been raised to know better, I’d show you exactly what you’ve done to me.”

      Curiosity exploded. Was he talking about what she thought he was talking about? Had she really aroused him?

      For her