Excerpt from a Contemporary Romance Novel

He grasped me firmly but gently just above my elbow and guided me into a room, his room. Then he quietly shut the door and we were alone.



He approached me soundlessly, from behind, and spoke in a low, reassuring voice close to my ear.



"Just relax."



Without warning, he reached down and I felt his strong, calloused hands start at my ankles, gently probing, and moving upward along my calves slowly but steadily. My breath caught in my throat. I knew I should be afraid, but somehow I didn't care. His touch was so experienced, so sure.



When his hands moved up onto my thighs, I gave a slight shudder, and partly closed my eyes. My pulse was pounding. I felt his knowing fingers caress my abdomen, my ribcage. And then, as he stroked my chest, I inhaled sharply. Probing, searching, knowing what he wanted, he brought his hands to my shoulders, slid them down my tingling spine to my underwear.



Although I knew nothing about this man, I felt oddly trusting and expectant. This is a man, I thought. A man used to taking charge. A man not accustomed to taking `no' for an answer. A man who would tell me what he wanted. A man who would look into my soul and say ...



"Okay, ma'am," said a voice. "All done."



My eyes snapped open and he was standing in front of me, smiling. Holding out my purse, he said, "You can board your flight now."