"Who cares?" he murmured, diving in for a kiss that went a little longer. She responded, tasting him as he tasted her. Once again he backed off. "Are you worried they might guess we're kissing?"

"Yes."

"Would that be so bad?"

She thought about it, then sank into the burning attention in his gaze. The smoldering fire in his eyes warmed her at the same time it challenged, and when that slow burn turned to a full bonfire she'd better watch out. Deep in her body, her pores, her very soul she acknowledged the essence of Ronan Kieran that defined him. It called to Clarissa in a mysterious way she couldn't quite understand. The way he looked at her now said the next kiss, and the one after wouldn't be so tentative.

Ronan's arms slipped around her, drawing her against his hard chest as his fingers plunged into her hair. His mouth took hers, his kiss a hungry exploration that demanded to find answers. As his mouth twisted over hers, he didn't hold back. Her lips parted as she followed his lead. His tongue moved inside, stroking and teasing her mouth with a sexual prowess that made her body shiver with cravings. She arched against him, her arms going around his neck as she dove into the embrace with her heart. Moments lengthened as the kiss lingered. His hand caressed her back, then he cupped her ass and pressed his hips into her.

Oh, myGod.

The Irishman owned a hard-on that felt as strong as a spike. An ache started between her legs, a demand for fulfillment she knew she couldn't have right now, and most likely not with this man. Everything within her responded as his tongue took her mouth repeatedly, his hands pressed and kneaded her flesh deliciously, and her nipples tingled with the need to be touched. She felt something simmering inside him, something that wanted to break free. She couldn't concentrate on it, not with her needs shifting and changing, her physical wants screaming for total completion.

She knew restlessness built inside him. He didn't want one kiss or two, he wanted all she could offer. Wrapped in his heat and strength, she moved against him with need and desire. Her mind melded, blended, sought Ronan's with a demand for fulfillment.

She tested his shoulder muscles, loving the way the material of his sweater felt over the hardest muscles she'd every touched. As his tongue and lips teased beyond endurance, she wished they had a room, any hotel room but here. She slipped her fingers into his hair, savoring the sweet silkiness against her skin. Inhaling deeply, she savored his clean and totally masculine allure.

That's it, sweet colleen. Open to me. Feel me inside your soul.

She tore her mouth away with effort. "Ronan. You're reading my mind again."

"Mmm." He brushed his lips over hers. "You're in my...blood. I want to be inside your mind...in your body..."

My body.The idea made her shiver with delicious needs, and a desire to relinquish control.

"This is dangerous," she said.

He buried his face in her hair. "Sure, and there are more dangerous things in this town then you and I kissing. Much more dangerous things. You've nothing to fear if I'm with you."

"What if I fear you?"

He pulled back far enough to look down at her. "I'd never harm you. I'll keep you safe."

His tender words, so unlike the fierceness she'd seen in him when he defended her against the mugger, contradicted the violence she sensed inside him. With a sigh he released her from the intimate embrace.

Ronan clenched his hands into fists, and she saw the glow depart from his gaze like a fire extinguished. "My offer of protection stands. Now tell me what you couldn't tell my friends. What were your dreams about?"

If she stayed in this intimate setting with him any longer, she knew she wouldn't think any clearer than if she went outside now and told everyone. "I'm ready to tell everyone now."

His eyes narrowed. "You're sure?"

"Yes."

With a grin, he said, "So the next time I need information out of you, all I need to do is kiss you?"

Succumbing to the almost boyish charm in his smile, she crossed her arms and smiled back. "Well, that's a possibility. It's not a guarantee, though."

Trust him? How can I?

Because you know I wouldn't hurt you.

Once again he'd proved he could read her mind. "That's supposed to make me trust you?" A smidgen of exasperation sparked inside her. "How can I feel safe and comfortable around a man who has glowing eyes and reads minds?"

Ronan's grin was a bit wolfish. "The glowing eyes thing didn't send you running.

Neither did my ability to read your mind. Most women would believe I'm a monster and wouldn't have anything to do with me."

"Right, like I believe that for a minute, Ronan Kieran. Tell me another one.Are you some kind of monster?"

Suddenly tired, she sank down on the bed a moment. He followed, sitting much too close. Again he put his arm around her shoulder. "A monster friendly to many, but not to all."

"Why would you be affable to me in particular?"

His trademark melting eyes kept her attention. "A beautiful woman should always be admired."

Humor ignited the cold place inside her. "You've kissed the Blarney Stone, haven't you?"

"More than once. It's an Irish thing."

"Humph."

Like a man determined not to be ignored, he leaned in until he nuzzled aside her hair and whispered in her ear. His breath wafted hot and stimulating over her neck.

No, she didn't feel comfortable, not at all. Frustrated, she sighed. "I can't feel relaxed with you. You're too unnerving. Too mysterious. Too...too..."

"Yes?"

Sexy. She couldn't say it. She couldn't have complete confidence in a man who drove her insane with his high-octane, fuel-injected sexual allure. If she didn't get away from his closeness right now, she'd do or say something monumentally stupid. Like how much she'd started to want him, how much she needed his touch and kiss to give her reassurance.

"What can I do to convince you?" His lips touched her ear for a whisper. "Relax in my arms, allow my touch, allow me to love you as you've never been loved before."

His enticing words made her heart thunder into a treacherous ride. Her emotions fluctuated, her soul afire with a sudden need to surrender.

"I don't indulge in one-night stands," she said in defense.

"I'm not talking about a one-night stand."

Oh, shit. Well...she couldn't...didn't want to answer him now."Can we talk about this later?"

He gave her breathing space. "Of course. When I take you home."

"When you take me home? But I've got a car here."

"I know. I'll still accompany you to your hotel. We can talk there-"

She laughed. "You are sure of yourself, aren't you?"

He cupped her face in both his hands, his palms warm and gentle. "No matter what you may think of me, I'm not protecting you just to get in your knickers. I would never do that. My protection is not conditional. You may have it whether or not you and I make love."

Oh, man. Was this guy for real?She'd tried to imagine, all her adult life-all thirty-two years of it-a man like this one. Dark. Dangerous. Willing to shelter a woman from harm and love her with equal strength. But he didn't guarantee or speak of love, nor did he claim to want happily-ever-after. No, he wanted her body and nothing more.