"So I did," he mused, a gleam in his pewter-gray eyes. He prowled toward her, his footfalls silenced by the thick wool carpet.

Kate edged back, forcing her mouth into a wide yawn. "Ah, good night. I think I'll go to bed. I'm very tired." She was babbling-best shut her mouth and leave. She stepped around him, intending to scuttle away but found herself restrained by one iron-muscled arm. Her heart knocked against her ribs and her breath hitched.

The musky scent of him coiled around her, sending every sense into overdrive. The earthy undertones of his aftershave made her think of the countryside. Trees. Wilderness. Two lovers alone. Stop, she thought, aghast at her wayward imagination. Swallowing audibly and refusing to meet his gaze, she pulled at his hands. No telling what she might see in his expression. "Let me go," she muttered, embarrassed at being caught snooping after the fuss about separate rooms.

Busted.

Okay, she admitted it, but that didn't mean he had the right to laugh. Finally, unable to bear the suspense, Kate looked up. "Please let me go."

"I don't think so." His eyes twinkled with silent laughter and a promise that he intended to punish her in some devious way.

Kate's eyes narrowed. She took a deep breath, her chest expanding as she prepared to argue. She took another deep breath for good measure. Standing this close to him played hell with her nerves. The dark stubble on his rugged face reminded her of his masculinity. And the sexy and enticing aftershave didn't help-Calvin Klein, she thought in a stupefied daze. It gave a girl bad ideas.

His lips curved in a captivating smile. Kate found herself swallowing nervously, wondering if she dared touch his lips as her brain urged. It wasn't that she felt afraid exactly. But the purposeful look in his eyes made her mouth as dry as a dish of popcorn without butter.

"Kate," he murmured. Her name sounded musical when he said it. Shivers strummed low in her belly when he drew her closer. And when he settled her against his firm body, a whole orchestra played.

She cleared her parched throat. "I don't think we should do this."

He ignored her and lowered his head. His breath misted across her face, warming her mouth. "I've wanted to do this all day. All week. Ever since I first saw you."

Lane lowered his head, capturing her lips in a masterful kiss. Shock paralyzed her for an instant before she raised her arms to push against his chest.

He drew away immediately. "Kate, I only want to kiss you. Please?"

His hand trailed down her cheek. The air sizzled between them. Frissons of electricity shot from his fingertips, blasting through her body to sink low into her belly.

"You've, ah, kissed me."

"Yeah, but that was only a taste. An appetizer. I want the main course." His soft lips closed over hers once more.

Oh boy. The man knew how to move his lips. Her bones felt as though they were dissolving on her, no longer capable of holding her upright. Her hands fluttered up to grip his shoulders-an anchor in an emotional storm.

Lane seemed to take this as a signal. He nuzzled the skin behind her ear. She shivered, one sensation layering on top of another. He touched her with his clever fingers, his teeth tugged at her lower lip, nipping then soothing. Heat zipped down her body, gathering momentum, building until she trembled and yearned for his hands on her bare skin.

"Lane," she whispered. She opened her mouth to his and raised her hands, fingers curling through his soft dark hair.

His hands caressed her back, dragging her closer until they melded together from breast to hip. With her gaze on his, Kate reached for the top button on his shirt.

"Lane, are you ready yet? We'll be late if you don't hurry." The feminine voice called down the passage, ripping apart the sensual bubble encompassing them.

Lane let out a soft groan of protest before pulling slowly away from Kate. "Lousy timing," he mumbled under his breath, continuing to knead the muscles in Kate's shoulders. "I won't be much longer, Caryn. Fix yourself a drink," he called back.

"Okay, Lane. Five minutes." High heels creaked, fabric swished, signifying the woman's retreat.

"Who's that?" Kate demanded. Outrage replaced every scrap of the sensual longing that had threatened to swamp her senses and lead her astray.

"I have a meeting with Caryn." Lane urged her toward the door. "We'll talk in the morning, but right now I need to change." He propelled her from his room and shut the door.

Kate blinked when she found herself in the passage. He had another woman in his flat and he kissed her? She stomped back to the guest room without meeting the other woman-Caryn. Thank you, God.