Page 46 of Texas Temptation

“As pretty as you are,” Cade said, closing the door behind them and turning her in his arms.

When his mouth covered hers, Jordan gave herself up to his kiss. She yearned for him, craved his touch, longed for more. She’d been lonely, but he filled the void and brought happiness. She’d been alone, but with him felt as if two parts of a whole had come together.

Winding her arms around his neck, she opened her mouth when his tongue caressed her lips and danced with his when he swept in. She was glad for his strong arms as her bones seemed to soften and melt. If he wasn’t holding her, she’d probably collapse on shaky knees.

Time spun away. There was only this moment, only the surging sensations that built and built. Jordan reveled in them, awed by the power of passion as it grew, amazed at the desire that rose with each second. Oh, if only it could last a lifetime.

“I want you, Jordan,” he murmured, kissing her cheek, trailing nibbling kisses along her jaw, tilting back her head to lick and kiss down her neck to that rapid pulse point at the base of her throat.

“Stay with me tonight.”

Her heart leapt at his words. He wanted her as much as she wanted him. Had he gotten over his wife? Was he ready to move on—with her?

“I want you, too, Cade,” she said, burning with desire and longing. She tightened her own hold, drawing him closer.

He bent and lifted her into his arms, cradling her against his chest.

“I don’t believe it,” she murmured, reaching up to kiss him along the jaw. “This only happens in movies.”

He captured her lips with his as he walked easily into his bedroom. The lights from outside allowed him to see the shape and location of the bed. Gently settling her on the mattress, he slipped off her shoes, kneeling on the floor in front of her.

Jordan wished she could see him, see what his eyes said, see his expression. Lacking sight, she relied on touch. His fingertips trailed up her leg, slipping beneath the skirt of the dress, trailing fire and ice in their wake. His voice was raspy when he spoke.

“No regrets, Jordan.”

It felt like a dash of cold water.

This wasn’t her dream come true. It was one night out of time. A special night for just the two of them. But it wasn’t a vow for the future, nor a promise she could hold on to. He’d never even hinted before that he was interested in her as a woman.

“None,” she replied, leaning over to frame his face in her palms, and kissed him again.

“But I decline.”

With determination, she rose and circled around him, making her way quickly to her bedroom and firmly closing the door behind her. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t taken him up on his suggestion. She’d love to spend the night with him, and the afternoon and early morning. But not like this.

She had experience with someone who said he loved her and left. Cade was clear there was no love involved. There was no future.

Jordan got ready for bed, wishing she had some way to contact Penny to see when the woman was returning. The sooner Caleb and she could return to Florida, the better.

Daylight poured into the bedroom when Cade opened his eyes. He stacked his hands behind his head and gazed at the ceiling. Last night, he had made a mess of things. He hoped Jordan would speak to him today.

His wife had been dead for two years. The first time he’d taken a woman out after Marissa’s death, he’d been consumed with guilt. The few dates he’d tried had been disasters. He had compared everyone to Marissa.

He’d insisted Jordan accompany him to Los Angeles as an experiment. He found her appealing and fascinating. But he wasn’t sure he was ready to move on from his wife.

Had last night been another test? Had he wanted to see how he felt sleeping with another woman? Or had he really wanted to become intimate with Jordan for herself?

Surprised, he realized he wanted her. He’d love to make love to her in the sunshine that was spilling into the room. He’d look into her eyes and see all the emotions she felt as they explored this new step.

And then what?

He shied away from thinking about the future.

No regrets, Cade had said last night. But as Jordan stood by the window in her room, later, she had a boatload of regrets. She tried to tell herself she hadn’t expected a declaration of undying devotion. That she hadn’t expected him to fall madly in love with her.

But she had lied to herself.

She wanted his love. She ached with her own love for him. Wished she was free to tell him, to touch him when she wished, to close the door when just the two of them were in a room and kiss him silly.

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