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give him better access as he nibbled along her jaw. When he reached her chin he turned her head with one finger, bringing her mouth even with his, and looking into her eyes, his own glittering beneath half-closed lids. "... I was hoping you'd say you'd been thinking about me."
    The tension whooshed out of Erin like air escaping a balloon.
    Max brushed her lips with a butterfly kiss. And then another. And another. So great was her relief, she accepted the tiny salutes with an eagerness that would have appalled her had she been thinking clearly.
    Max pulled back a few inches and looked at her again. "I was also hoping that you'd thought over what we discussed and were ready to give me an answer."
    Erin blinked, her muscles growing taut again as his words soaked in. Answer? Oh, Lord. An answer to what?
    "I, uh..."
    "Come on, honey. It can't be that difficult a decision," Max prodded. "Surely by now you know how you feel."
    About what? Erin wanted to scream. Then her eyes widened as it occurred to her that Max could have proposed to Elise. The thought produced a queer little stab of pain that surprised and dismayed her. Adding to her confusion was the strange hint of a smile that twitched at the corners of his mouth.
    "I... I'm just not sure."
    She expected annoyance or disappointment, but, oddly, her answer seemed to amuse him. Max's gaze dropped to her mouth, his lids lowering until his eyes were mere slits. "Well, maybe I can help you make up your mind," he whispered as his head lowered once again.
    Erin's heart banged against her ribs. She tried to force her mind to go blank, to will her senses to feel nothing, but it was impossible. The kiss was pure seduction.
    With warm lips and nimble tongue, Max tempted and tantalized and sweetly cajoled until at last she shuddered and, with a little moan of surrender, slid her arms around his neck.
    Instantly the kiss grew bolder, deeper. Sensations poured through Erin, sweet, hungry sensations that made her throb and burn and shiver all at the same time. She had to stop this, she thought dazedly, even as she parried the rhythmic thrusts of his tongue.
    Max applied gentle, relentless pressure, and Erin could only cling to him as she felt herself being lowered, felt the nubby material of the sofa cushion tickle her skin, felt her back and shoulders sink into its softness. He lay over her, his body pressing her deep into the cushion, a delicious warm weight that made her yearn for something more.
    She clasped his head with both hands, her spread fingers plowing through his hair, massaging restlessly, learning the shape of his skull. He tasted of coffee and brandy, and his delicious male scent made her head spin. His dark curls twined around her fingers and flowed against her skin like warm silk.
    Max kissed her cheek, her chin, her eyes, her ears. His hand stroked her sides. "Oh, sweetheart, I love the way you writhe beneath me," he whispered. "Yes. Yes, that's it. Oh, God, you feel good. I've wanted you here from the moment we met."
    Easing to one side, he braced himself up on an elbow and cupped her breast. He flexed his fingers around the soft mound and brushed his thumb across her nipple, and Erin moaned, her back arching.
    "Sweet. So sweet." Max stared down at her, his eyes a dark, glittering blue. "And so responsive." His thumb brushed again, and her restive movement brought a look of satisfaction to his face. "You like that, don't you, Erin?"
    He lowered his head and took her nipple into his mouth. Moisture and heat seeped through her knit top and fragile lacy bra as he drew on her.
    "Max. Oh, Max!" Erin gasped and closed her eyes, lost for a moment in the incredible sensations streaking through her.
    Then her eyelids drifted open. "Wh-what did you call me?"
    Max raised his head and met her confused gaze. He smiled. "Erin. Elise's globe-trotting sister I've heard so much about. You are Erin, aren't you?"

Chapter 3

    His words hit Erin like a bucket of ice water. She stared at him,