...His touch traced a fiery path from her cheek to her lips where he slowly outlined the curves of her mouth. As her pulses raced, her mouth opened slightly and she felt the tip of his forefinger on her tongue. Impulsively, she kissed his finger. Horrified by what she’d done, Celeste gasped and drew back. For a moment they faced one another as time stood still.
With a cry of confusion mingled with desire, Celeste turned and started to flee from him only to have his hand grasp one of her veils. She felt the veil pull away, baring her shoulders. When shelves of books blocked her way, she stopped, standing with her back to him, hearing nothing but the wild pounding of her heart.
She sensed him approaching her from behind. Suddenly his arms encircled her waist and he drew her back toward him, pressing her body to his. Despite her shock of pleasure, she gripped his wrists, intending to force him to release her, but failed to carry through her intent, finding herself stroking his hands instead. Murmuring endearments, his lips trailed kisses along her bare shoulder, pausing at the nape of her neck as she trembled with an inexplicable yearning that rendered her helpless.
Slowly he turned her to face him, all the while keeping her in the circle of his arms. His gaze flicked downward and she heard his sharp intake of breath when he saw the rise of her breasts above the wispy chiffon veil. Looking up into her eyes, he gently lifted the edge of the veil concealing her face until her mouth was uncovered, then his lips sought and found hers.
How warm his lips were, so warm and tender, encouraging her to respond. Unable to resist, she snuggled closer as her own lips parted under his. He groaned, his grasp tightening around her body as now he kissed her with a smoldering passion that scorched through her, setting her aflame. Forgetting why she was here, forgetting everything, her arms twined around his neck to hold him to her, to keep him forever hers.
“Salome,” he breathed, his lips still against hers. “Salome,” he murmured again.
The alien name pierced her like a dagger of ice, shocking her back to her senses. She was not Salome, she was Celeste. His words weren’t meant for her, they were intended for someone else, his lips didn’t kiss her, they kissed the stranger he thought she was.
He had betrayed her.
She broke free and fled from the room, stifling a cry that bespoke a grievously wounded heart...