Excerpt of Act Like We're In Love by Christi Barth

This time she claimed his mouth. Something untamed in her broke free and took control. Fueled by passion and need, her hips ground against him while their tongues danced with abandon. The tree trunk anchoring them became an impediment to her hands exploring even more of his fabulous body. Linnea took a step back and Luke followed her lead, dropping to his knees on the scant patch of grass. Now they were able to embrace fully, arms sealing each tight to the other. His back was rock solid beneath her hands, his thighs equally hard against hers. He was so thoroughly masculine, as proved by a commanding hardness pressing into her abdomen.

The loud horn of a police boat caused them to jerk apart. Luke laughed while Linnea sank back onto her heels and waved while it motored past them down the river. A few seconds ticked by. Linnea had no idea what to say, where to begin. To her immense relief, Luke cleared his throat and took the lead.

"Gotta say, this was a great way to end lunch."

"And much less fattening than the brownie I had my eye on," she added. The light, playful tone felt right. Whew, no big, serious conversation about ramifications and the future needed. Good, because there were so many different emotions flitting through her head like butterflies it was impossible to zero in on a single feeling, let alone discuss it. Especially since the overriding thought in her mind was how soon she could come up with a reason to kiss him again!

"Now, about our date..." his voice trailed off, the question hanging like a thought balloon in the sky.

Hmmm. Guess he wouldn't let her escape the big talk after all. But she still couldn't pin down how she felt about what just happened – aside from being unbelievably, undeniably turned on. Evasion was her best tactic. Linnea stood and brushed dirt from her legs.

"Okay. Given what just occurred, I'll concede that our lunch can now officially be labeled a date. Consider my debt to you paid in full."