The South Beach Search. Sharon Hartley

power of this kiss. Reese took possession of her mouth the way he dominated everything in his path, and his intimate, velvet warmth sent shivers of desire dancing through her.

      She made a small sound of protest when he released the pressure on her lips. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes and focused on the area just above his loosened collar. Inhaling his spicy aftershave, a scent she knew she’d forever associate with him, her gaze traveled to his mouth barely an inch away. She lifted her face, wanting to kiss him again, to go on kissing him until...

      “Taki, I...” His breath feathered across her cheek as he trailed off, seeming unsure of himself for the first time.

      She dropped her chin and pulled back. Reality checked in again, and with it came tons of baggage. For a brief time-out, though, while his mouth made love to hers, nothing had been important but him.

      “Should I apologize for that?” he asked, searching her eyes. “Because I’m really not sorry.”

      “Me, neither,” she whispered. And she wasn’t. Reese really knew how to kiss.

      She averted her eyes, not wanting him to see what she was feeling. She couldn’t let anything romantic get started with Reese. The man set her emotions on fire, and such turmoil was all wrong for her. She required tranquility in her life. She’d had enough upheaval.

      An awkward silence stretched out.

      “It’s getting late.” He placed his wine on the rattan table but made no motion to rise. Neither of them knew what to do now, she thought, where to go after that amazing kiss. Or at least it had been amazing for her.