Excerpt of The Color of Betrayal by Kathy L Wheeler

"It's gone." Seeming oblivious to his presence, her gaze spanned the room before dropping her face into open palms. "It's old. It's ugly. Why? Why would anyone want the blasted thing?" She had obviously forgotten his presence as the conversation she carried was strictly her own. "It's that damned curse. It has to be." She raised her head, staring out a window, its sill covered in dust. Her eyes squinted in the sunlight. "Oooh, it would serve him right if he did snatch the stupid thing." Full lips pressed in a stubborn line had him lusting to trace them with a fingertip. Coax them into a curve.

"Who?" he demanded, but she didn't answer. Luke decided to take charge of the situation before she completely lost all contact with reality. "What makes you think the doll is cursed? Not that I believe it for a moment." It felt odd saying the words aloud, though the words were from the note were carved in his memory.

She shot him a startled glance. Yes, that was surprise covering her features. Annoyed, he promised himself he'd work on forging a less forgettable image later. Right now, however, she seemed to be debating how much to tell him.

Malia opened her mouth to speak, and suddenly, Luke's brain ceased any rational functioning. A pressing need to kiss those parted lips overtook common sense, and he covered her mouth with his. How much more blatant of a signal would he have to send for her to realize his attraction?