She flushed at the grin. "I want you to follow your feelings, stop holding yourself back from me. I can handle it."
"I hold back out of respect for you and your reputation," he hedged, knowing it was really the stain on his soul and the feeling of worthlessness he wore like a cloak. "People will see it as wrong. I'm old enough to be your grandfather."
Kendle's mind flashed to their embrace in the garden and she shook her head, telling him what the male inside had been longing to hear.
"I don't care what they think. I don't see you that way."
His dark blue eyes seemed to light up and he moved forward slowly, eyes on hers. "How do you see me?"
Kendle smiled, face hot. "I see an attractive, resourceful man I'd like to know more… intimately. If you're interested?"
Luke pulled her into his arms and this time, when their lips met, he let the man in him have control. He held her with a hand tangled in her short, dark curls and the other on her slender hip, keeping her close as his tongue tasted her.
He broke the kiss reluctantly and her lashes fluttered open, eyes full of hazy desire that made him grin. "I'm interested."
He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and she smiled sexily. "How about another?"
Luke chuckled, body under tight control. "I'll need an ice shower."
Kendle slid her arms around his neck and pressed her soft woman's curves against him. "No need. I'm not a tease."
She kissed his lips softly, breath catching against his mouth when he slid a hand down her hip to her cheek. As he deepened the kiss, Kendle was swept away, tightening her grip around his neck.
The wind gusted against his hot skin and Luke held himself in check as he swelled, wanting to push against her like a horny teenager. He made himself pull back, move away from her hot, sweet embrace.
"We hafta slow down, Darlin'," he said and put a little more distance between them. "This is one of those moments you can't get back. You should be sure."
"I am," she protested, moving closer.
Luke forced himself to do the right thing. He lied. "I'm not."
Kendle's desire fell under an immediate wave of self-doubt. What was she doing? Acting like a whore came to mind and she turned away. "Yeah, okay."
Embarrassed by her actions, she was gone a second later and he watched with regret in his eyes, sorry he'd hurt her, but sure it was happening too fast. He wouldn't be able to stand it if they made love and she was sorry when it was over.