“Yes.” He touched her lips with his. Soft and sweet was Jake’s first thought. His head filled with her scent as he deepened the kiss. Wrapping the other arm around her waist, he pulled her into his body. He knew it was a mistake, as neither of them wanted or needed this in their lives now, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself.
He took her mouth, and Branna could do nothing to stop him, and after the first touch, she could do nothing to pull away. In seconds, her head was filled with this man who possessed her lips. Soft, it was a caress, and with each kiss, the contact grew deeper, stronger. Branna heard a moan and knew it was hers, knew that it was she who was pressing her body into his. She was on fire, her skin consumed with primal heat and lust; the urge to rip his shirt open and touch his chest had her hands clenching. His tongue stroked hers, slow and steady, each touch designed to heighten her desire, pull her deeper into the vortex of passion she felt. It had to stop while she could still think; she had to pull away. Wrenching free, she stumbled back a step.
“Don’t.” The hand she held up as he closed the distance stopped him.
“I won’t apologize for something we both enjoyed, Branna.”
He looked sexy, hair tousled, eyes heated, body hard and ready to give her what hers ached for. One kiss and she was ready. Looking at his big hands, she knew they would take her to heaven if they ever touched her naked flesh. Branna knew that, but ultimately they could also send her straight to hell.
“It won’t happen again,” she vowed.
He tilted his head slightly, as if to read what was in her eyes, so she lowered them and waited for him to leave.
“It will.”
She didn’t answer, just watched as Jake turned and walked toward his pickup. Branna had just filled her lungs with a deep calming breath when he retraced his steps.
“Wh-what are you doing?” Digging her toes into the soles of her sandals, Branna braced herself as he stopped before her. He lifted the hand that wore the brace and fitted it back in the sling gently.
“You don’t do anything that strains this until my mother tells you to, Rosebud. Same goes with that thick Irish head of yours. No running until you get cleared to do so. Use some of that superior intelligence and rest until you’re well enough to do otherwise.”
“Don’t look after me, Jake. I don’t need you to.”
“I can’t even look after myself these days, so I think you’re safe there, O’Donnell.”
“What happened?” She hadn’t meant to pry, hated it when people did it to her, but suddenly the pain inside him made her hurt to. His eyes traveled over her face briefly.
“They’re my nightmares, Rosebud, and I don’t share.”
He never spoke again, simply got into his pickup and drove away, and Branna wondered how her life had become more complicated in the past few days, when coming here should have resulted in the opposite happening.
ONE CLICK FOR PROMISE OF HOME
Other Books By Wendy
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
The Lake Howling Series
A Promise Of Home
The Texan Meets His Match
How Sweet It Is
It Only Took You
Don’t Look Back
A Long Way Home
Then Came You
Ryker Falls Series
Somebody To Love
From This Moment
Love Me Tender
Only Just Begun
Hold Me Close
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Regency Rakes Series
Duchess By Chance
Rescued By A Viscount
Tempting Miss Allender
The Langley Sisters Series
Lady In Disguise
Lady In Demand
Lady In Distress
The Lady Plays Her Ace
The Lady’s Dangerous Love
The Lady’s Forbidden Love
The Raven & Sinclair Series
Sensing Danger
Seeing Danger
Touched By Danger
Scent Of Danger
Vision Of Danger
Tempting Danger
Seductive Danger
Guarding Danger
The Lords Of Night Street Series
Lord Gallant
Lord Valiant
Lord Valorous
Lord Noble
Stand-Alone Titles
The Reluctant Countess
Christmas Wishes
Mistletoe And The Marquess
About the Author
Wendy Vella is a bestselling author of historical and contemporary romances
such as the Langley Sisters and Sinclair and Raven series, with over a million copies of her books sold worldwide.
Born and raised in a rural area in the North Island of New Zealand, she shares her life with one adorable husband, two delightful adult children and their partners, four delicious grandchildren, and too many cantankerous farm animals.
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This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, the reproduction or use of this work in any part is forbidden without the express written permission of the author.
Hold Me Close is published by Wendy Vella
Copyright © 2020 Wendy Vella