Read Gamemaster for Free Online

playing the game was becoming just as obvious.
    "Wouldn't you rather work on another section of the picture?" she finally asked tentatively as he once again waited
    until she had inserted a piece before he reached across to add one that fit snugly into hers.
    "I wouldn't dream of trying to branch out on my own so early," he drawled softly. "I'll follow your lead for a while."
    He pressed the piece firmly into place, filling the groove that had been carved in the one she had found. Filling it
    completely.
    Shelley tore her gaze away from the sight of his fingers moving with such sureness and care. Maybe what she
    needed was more , not less, of the cognac, she decided, lifting her glass.
    "Joel?"
    "Yes, Shelley?" He wasn't looking at her, his shimmering blue gaze following her fingers as she selected another
    piece.
    "It's getting late. Was there anything else you wanted to discuss with me about our business agreement before you
    leave?" Yes, that was the right note to strike, she congratulated herself. Firm, with the beginnings of dismissal
    threading through her words. She snapped the segment of water into position with subtle decision. The time had come
    to send him home.
    "No, there's nothing else we need to discuss concerning our business venture. Not tonight" With unerring
    accuracy, he had already located the segment of water that connected with the one she had placed.
    Her fingertips were still hovering above the canal when he moved to slowly, deliberately insert his piece. His hand
    brushed hers as he locked the bit of puzzle into place, and Shelley caught her breath as he abruptly snagged her
    fingers.
    Her widening eyes met his across the table as he held her hand gently captive.
    He smiled, a beguiling, infinitely promising, very masculine smile. "There's really nothing else to discuss, is there?
    When the fit is perfect, there is no need for words. Let me show you how well we go together, Shelley Banning."
    Joel got to his feet in a slow-motion movement that drew her inevitably up beside him. This was it, Shelley told
    herself fleetingly. This was the seduction attempt she had been expecting. All she had to do was disengage herself
    and show him the door. All very polite, light, controlled.
    But he was already sliding his hands along the black silk of her sleeve, and she could feel the faint roughness of his
    palms. The sensation was somehow different, compelling, binding. Before she could sort out the tingling impressions,
    he was folding her close, wrapping those strong, sure hands around her and forcing her gently against him, firmly into
    place.
    Joel's mouth came down on hers even as he fitted her to his body, and the kiss, like his touch, held a strangely
    compelling quality. Shelley knew she should break it off and send him away, but a part of her insisted on sampling a
    little of the exploring, probing caress.
    Her palms flattened against his shoulders, a small, steadying action meant to keep her from losing her balance. She
    would only stand here in the circle of his arms for a little while, Shelley promised herself. Just long enough to taste the
    promise in him.
    "Shelley?"
    Her name was a husky growl against her mouth, a male query to which he wanted only one reply. She would not
    give it. Instead, Shelley remained mute, and the lack of a verbal response seemed to provoke him into an escalation of
    the sensual assault Joel's tongue began to probe the line of her lips, toying with the corner and then sliding wetly
    along their fullness to the opposite side. The strong fingers on her back found the sensitive base of her spine and
    pressed, urging her lower body into the cradle of his hips.
    The intimate contact revealed his boldly rising desire, and the knowledge flashed in warning along her senses. But
    even as she tried to steady herself against his shoulders and make some effort to put a little distance between them,
    Joel's palms slid farther down, to the rounded curve of her derrière. She felt his