But he couldn’t make himself step back. They were so close, he could feel her warmth and smell the alluring scent coming off her body. She smelled fantastic. He’d so desperately missed her at times that he would’ve bought a bottle of her shampoo if they sold it here. He was probably being creepy, staring at her like a man who’d found an oasis after days in the desert. He should step back and give her some room, but his feet had melded to the floor. Not knowing what to do or say, he stuffed his hands into his pockets so he wouldn’t accidentally make a grab for her.

Tara let out a noise that sounded like a small growl then grabbed and kissed him. He stumbled back, and she took advantage of his unsteady balance to slam his back against a wall. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew that they needed to talk but … fuck it. Tara was in his apartment in Paris and was devouring his mouth like a starving woman. Talking could wait. Breathing could wait.

He groaned against her mouth and took over the kiss. He couldn’t hold himself back anymore, and he plundered her mouth, his tongue tangling with hers, demanding her response. And she responded with equal desperation. He spun them around and trapped her against the wall and wrapped her leg around his waist.

“Tara,” he moaned, and kissed her with renewed passion. It was good—so good—to have her in his arms again. But why? Why was she here kissing him like she couldn’t live without him? He needed to know. He had a right to know. “Wait.”

Using every ounce of strength he had, he pulled his lips a centimeter away from hers. She growled in protest and pushed her lips against his, holding him captive with tight fists in his hair. Okay. He tried his best to slow things down. Now he couldn’t hold back anymore. He wrapped her other leg around him and held her against him, and took his first steps toward the bedroom. Blood rushed in his ears with need. He’d been without her for too long to be able to fight this any longer.

The only one who could stop this now was Tara, but she didn’t seem like she had any intention of stopping. Her legs wrapped tighter around his waist, and she kissed him until he couldn’t breathe. But when he hefted her up higher in his arms and lengthened his strides, her lips finally stopped their sensual assault.

“Oh,” she said quietly. Then she wiggled against his hold and said in a panicked voice, “No, wait. Stop.”

Seth stopped in his tracks and put her down. His hands were shaking so he shoved them down into his pockets again. Good. He was glad she’d stopped him. The rock-hard part of him protested loudly, but he knew in his heart that it was better this way. He needed to find out what Tara really wanted before they went any further.