He couldn't imagine anything more out of character. He couldn't imagine anything he wanted more. Since he couldn't act on that particular desire, he groaned and deepened the kiss, using his mouth to mimic making love.
Zoe trembled and held on to Ryan's bare shoulders. Reveling in the feel of his hot skin beneath her hands, she pressed her body closer to his, his heat seeping through her clothes and into her pores. Her br**sts grew full and heavy, her ni**les puckering tight against his chest.
He shuddered, groaned and continued the incredible assault on her senses.
Never before had a kiss so rocked her world as this one did. The man was an expert at taking possession. Every sweep and swirl of his tongue pulled a matching whirlpool of need from deep inside her. Nor did he keep his feelings hidden as a deep groan reverberated in his chest.
The man was complex. The uptight facade he presented on first meeting was a better cover than any she'd seen. Because his cool exterior hid a powder keg of emotion, and now that she'd tapped into it, she wasn't likely to forget. She threw herself into the moment, and continued to kiss him back.
"Ahem."
Ryan jumped back immediately.
Zoe faced her twin. "Hi, Ari," she said, blinking, her voice slightly hoarse.
Her sister nodded. "Hi. Do you really think this is the right place for that?"
Zoe caught the teasing note in her sister's voice. "And who appointed you the kissing gestapo?"
Ari laughed, then leaned closer to Ryan. "I don't believe we were formally introduced yesterday." She extended her hand. "I'm Ariana Donovan."
"Ryan Baldwin. I'd shake your hand, but I've been digging in the dirt."
"If Zoe didn't mind your hands all over her, I think I can handle a simple shake."
Ryan felt a rush of heat rise to his face. "I think I'm going to make myself scarce," he muttered.
"Ryan spent the morning with Sam," Zoe told her twin. "They were making the pig feel more at home." She gestured toward the patch of dirt.
"In Mom's daffodils, I see. It's gonna be a pain replanting those."
Ryan groaned. The sisters were more alike than they realized. He grabbed his shirt, which hung over the back of the bench. "It was nice to meet you, Ari," he said.
"Same here." Ari gave him a brief nod.
"Bye, Ryan." Zoe treated him to a wave. "I'll be seeing you."
At her blatant stare at his still-bare chest, he had a hunch she meant that in a very literal sense, too.
* * *
ZOE WATCHED AS RYAN STRODE around the side of the house. He couldn't get away fast enough and she found his embarrassment endearing. His kiss, on the other hand, had been explosive.
"Well, well, well." Ari studied her twin, piercing her with a knowing stare.
Zoe shoved her hands into her front jeans pockets. "Well what?"
"I can't believe I caught you making out with the social worker," she said, laughing.
Obviously Ari hadn't seen Quinn yet today because she was acting as if everything were normal. They might keep the truth about Ryan from the rest of the family, but Quinn and Zoe wouldn't keep Ari in the dark. She'd been the only family member who'd finally known Zoe was alive back when everyone had thought she'd disappeared and had probably died. On her return, Zoe had promised herself no more lies between herself and her twin. But they couldn't talk here and run the risk of Sam overhearing.
"That social worker is hot. Or hadn't you noticed?" Zoe asked.
Focusing on the more positive aspects of Ryan wasn't difficult after that heated kiss. Of course she couldn't entirely ignore the discomfort she felt at enjoying Ryan when he didn't have her family's best interest at heart.
Ari raised an eyebrow. "I hadn't actually. I have my own guy at home, but I'm glad to see you've got your eyes open."
Zoe shrugged. Her feelings about Ryan and their first kiss were too new for her to want to discuss them even with her sister.
"He's definitely different than anyone you've been attracted to before."
"So I've noticed."
"He's much more…How shall I put this delicately? He's much more like me than like you. Which makes sense since opposites attract. Just look at me and Quinn."
Ari and Quinn were the ultimate in love couples. Comparing Zoe's lust for Ryan to her twin's love for her husband didn't make a lick of sense. Also not a conversation Zoe intended to have now.
"If you mean Ryan's uptight, conservative, and he loves rules and regulations, then, yes, I can definitely see why you'd think you two had something in common." Zoe met her sister's gaze and they laughed, a true testament to how far their relationship had come since Ari's return last year.
"Where're Mom and Sam?" Ari asked. "I want to drop off a blouse I borrowed."
Zoe glanced around. "Good question. My guess is that Mom has spa appointments and I know Sam went next door for a little while."
Ari shifted her purse strap higher onto her shoulder. "I left the blouse on the kitchen table. Can you just let her know?"
Zoe nodded.
"Oh and by the way, I got the guidance position at Ocean Isle High," she said casually, but Zoe knew how much she'd wanted the job.
"That's amazing!" She hugged her sister.
"The hours are perfect for me and it's so close to home."
"You don't miss Vermont at all?"
"Not at all. It was a place I ran to. It wasn't home."
Zoe stepped back and grinned. "Home is where Quinn Donovan is, huh?"
"And you, too. And Mom and Dad, and Sam and…"
"Speaking of Quinn, have you spoken with him?" Zoe asked, interrupting.
"Not since he left this morning, but he called earlier and we're meeting for lunch in a little while."
Zoe nodded. "Okay good. Good," she said, relieved all would be out in the open between them soon.
"Good? Why good? What's going on?" Ari asked, suddenly more alert.
Zoe swung her arm over her sister's shoulder. "Go talk to Quinn and we'll catch up later."
"I'm not going to like this, am I?"
Zoe shook her head and Ari shivered.
But it wasn't Ari's reaction that had Zoe the most concerned. What bothered her most was that after a lifetime of nonthreatening relationships, she was starting to fall for a man who was most definitely a threat— to the freespirited world she'd grown up in and the close-knit family she adored.
* * *
AFTER THE KISS, Ryan retreated to his hotel room. He needed a cold shower, but first he wanted to call the private investigator he'd hired and ask him to get more info rmation on the Costas clan.