Then slowly, so tantalizingly slowly, she lowered her face to his, closed her eyes and gently brushed his lips with hers. They were soft lips, delicious lips that he wanted to devour, but he would not reach up and spoil this. He would let her have her way.
Within seconds of teasing him Solie’s light kisses turned more insistent. She pressed those soft petals against his mouth, applying a sweet gentle pressure as one hand slid down and she planted her palm against his chest.
Maybe she’d done it to steady herself, Ransom had no idea. All he knew was that the feel of her hand as it brushed against his nipple had him fighting to keep his hands off her. God, he wanted to reach up and pull her into him, slide the softness of her bottom lip into his mouth, slip his tongue deep-
That was as far as he got because, as if she’d been reading his mind, Solie bit his bottom lip then sucked it into her mouth, sending shockwave after shockwave up his spine.
When she released it he moaned and, giving in to his desire, he slid eager hands around her waist.
She slapped them away and renewed her attack, kissing him softly then applying pressure so that his lips parted, giving her free and willing access.
It was like Solie needed no invitation. Sliding her tongue in she tasted him, touching her tip to his then stroking and teasing until she was drawing low moans from deep inside him. The girl could kiss.
Caught up in the passion of the moment he made another attempt to hold her and this time she did not object. Sliding his arms around her he pressed her into him then he captured the back of her head in one hand and tilted her face, giving himself better access. She’d done her part, expertly fanning the flames of his desire, but now it was time for him to retake control.
He was kissing her deeply, passionately, urgently and she was clinging to him like she would never let go. With all this fire blazing between them the night would not end with just one kiss.
More than willing to take things to the next level he began to shift on the sofa, Solie in his arms, intent on positioning her beneath him so that he could take the lead.
And then his cell phone rang. Damn. Why hadn’t he turned the friggin’ thing off?
He was almost tempted to ignore it but the ring after ring after ring made him pull away and, with a curse, he reached down to dig into his back pocket then dragged it out, ready to end the call. But big and clear on the screen was the name of the one brother he’d ever had to fret about. It was Rafe.
Ransom’s heart jerked. This could only mean one thing. If Rafe was calling him it meant he was in trouble.
He slid out and away from Solie, giving her an apologetic look, then he tapped the button to answer the phone.
He put it to his ear. “Speak.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Ransom sat forward as Rafe’s voice filled his ear. “I’ve had enough, man,” his brother said. “I’m coming home.”
That was good news…or it could be bad. Ransom’s brows fell. “Why? What happened? Are you okay?”
“I’m okay,” Rafe said, almost sounding exasperated. “And nothing’s happened. I’m just ready to make a move.”
Now that he knew Rafe was okay Ransom wasn’t quite so glad he’d answered the phone. “So. You’ve finally come to your senses.”
“You could say that.”
“Well, that’s all well and good but you caught me in the middle of something.”
“No, wait. Don’t hang up.” There was a near plea in Rafe’s voice that made Ransom pause.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“When you talk to Mom tell her…I’ll be home for Christmas.”
Ransom almost didn’t believe his ears. Rafe had avoided all family gatherings for the past year. Still, he wasn’t prepared to get mushy about it. “Good to know,” he said simply. “Mom will be pleased.”
“Thanks, Ran.” Rafe sighed. “I could have called and told her myself but I just hate it when she gets all emotional and stuff. It might make me change my mind.”
“I understand,” Ransom said, his tone abrupt. “Now I’ve really got to go.”
“Okay, no prob. I’ll talk to you some other time.”
Ransom clicked to end the call then he turned his attention back to Solie but she’d already straightened up and left the sofa. Now she was standing by the window, her back to him.
“Solie, I’m sorry,” he began but he stopped short when she put up a hand. She turned to face him. “It’s okay, Ransom. I totally understand. You had to take the call.”
She was saying the right words but the serious look on her face told him the mood was already shattered and the moment had passed. They were not going to be picking up where they’d left off. Not tonight.
He drew in a breath and let it out then he shoved the phone back into his pocket and slapped his hands on his knees. “I guess I’d better be going.” He said the words slowly, giving her ample opportunity to jump in and say no, just stay a while longer.
It didn’t happen.
Ransom could have wrung Rafe’s scrawny neck. The night had held such promise but now the only promise likely to be fulfilled for him was a night in his bed in a house where his only company was of the four-legged kind.
He got up, disappointed that Solie hadn’t wanted him bad enough to ask him to stay. In fact, the look she was giving him just then wasn’t all that pleasant. It was like she blamed him for the interruption.
Wanting to break the tension, he gave her a smile. “Come,” he said, and this time he was gentle. “Walk me to the door.”
She nodded and turned to go and as he followed her down the hallway all he could think was, what a lousy way to close a wonderful day.
***
“He invited you out?” Kyra’s shrill voice ripped through the office.
“Shhh. Will you be quiet?” Solie glared at her. “Or were there some other people across the street you wanted to bring up to speed?”
“Sorry,” Kyra whispered, covering her mouth with her fingers, then she giggled. “This is so exciting. I can’t believe it. Solie’s back in the game.”
Solie grimaced. “Don’t get too excited. It’s only a date. It’s not like we’ve made a lifelong commitment or anything.” She shook her head. Kyra could be too enthusiastic sometimes. “And don’t tell anyone,” she warned. “Especially not Jen.” Jen was not strong in the ‘keep your mouth shut' department. Solie was not about to have her business be the lunchtime topic in the hospital cafeteria.