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Cover Art by Celia Collier and Leola Dunbar
Winner of the SARA (Sooner Area Romance Authors) Rising Star Competition for Publsihed Authors
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PAPER ROSES is dedicated with respect and admiration to Diana, Princess of Wales. Through these pages, I contribute to her memory, the happily ever after she so richly deserved, and was so horribly denied. ~~ Celia Collier
Excerpt an April 1999 release with DiskUsPublishing.
TheKiss
"Nay!" she said, instantly halting his disrobement. His eyes met hers. Ciara swallowed hard. "That is, I prefer to avoid the issue as long as possible."
Lord, it was difficult to speak with him looking at her like he actually desired her. She averted her gaze and clasped her hands before her.
"I mean to say, that is, I have not so much as kissed a man before." She moistened her lips and swallowed hard. "I would favor the wait."
The scuff of his boots moving toward her heightened her fear. She took a step back before forcing herself to stop. If he wanted her dead he would have carried it through long before now. Something about him assured her he would cause her no harm.
He stopped before her. Ciara stared at his shoes and willed her pulse to cease its erratic beat. His hands moved with care toward her face. Despite her urge to retreat, Ciara stood her ground.
The gentle brush of his fingers against her cheeks sent shivers down her spine. He lifted her head until her eyes met his.
The pads of his thumbs caressed the corners of her mouth then followed the curve of her lips. Ciara closed her eyes against the sensations such a simple act caused.
His breath brushed her skin moments before his lips met hers. Such tenderness in a man his size and strength surprised her.
The softness of his lips moved over hers. In her breast, her heart beat so fierce, she was certain he could feel it.
"I will not hurt you," he murmured and eased a hand to the nape of her neck. "I promise."
The next thing Ciara knew she was pressed against his chest. As if they had a mind of their own, her lips parted.
In the back of her mind she heard MacDonell groan. The intoxicating sweetness of his mouth invaded her. He tasted like ambrosia and she wanted more. The tip of his tongue touched hers. The jolt of unexpected pleasure it caused made her tremble in his arms.
Her knees threatened to give way and she clutched his shirt for support.
Dear Lord. If she had known this was what it was like to kiss a man, she'd have dared this long before now.
His tongue lured hers to respond. The moment she did, she felt a shudder stab his body. He deepened the kiss and Ciara knew she would swoon.
Through the seductive fog that surrounded her brain she felt something hard press against her belly. MacDonell must have felt it too, for he withdrew his lips from hers.
Ciara's eyes drifted open. Why was it so hard to breathe? 'Twas as if MacDonell sucked all the air from her lungs.
His hands rested on her shoulders. They were so very warm for she felt the heat through the thickness of her clothes. MacDonell expelled a breath through his teeth and raised his gaze to the ceiling. Had she done something wrong?
Doubt pierced her heart and she lowered her eyes. 'Twas then she saw the source of her earlier discomfort. MacDonell was clearly ready to move to the next stage.
"Now, wife, you have been properly kissed by a man."
This selection is Can't Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley.
