Page 55 of Jack

"The kitchen is right through there ifyou change your mind." Pushing away from the table, he rose andput away his napkin. "I need some air." Without anotherword, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving her staring afterhim.

Putting her napkin down, she propped herelbows on the table and placed her chin in her palms. "Okaygirl. Just give him a few minutes and if he's not back then, go andfind him and get it out of him. If he's changed his mind about havingyou here then it's something you should know right away."

*****

It was a full moon, Jack realized withsurprise as he tilted his head up and watched the bright circle ofthe moon etched against the sky, with stars twinkling around itsbrilliance. Drawing out a slim leather case he had brought with him,he selected aslender cigar, beforesliding the box back into the pocket of his black jacket. Lightingit, he drew in the nicotine deep into his lungs and held it a secondbefore letting it out.

He had left the woman he wanted to makelove to sitting around the table. Because he was afraid. Afraid thathe would be unable to keep his hands off her and trying to prove thathe could. All through dinner, he had been unable to taste anything.The expensive wine had tasted bland. All he could sense was her. Theseductive scent of her assailing his nostrils, the way the overheadlights picked out the shimmering golden highlights in the curls thattumbled down her shoulders. He wanted to wrap his fingers in thethick strands and feast on her mouth.

He knew it was cowardly, but he just had toget out of there to take a breath, to settle himself and try andfigure out what the hell was going on.

He was even jealous of his own damn son. Hefelt foolish and insecure. He wanted to suggest that they set uphouse-the thought hit him like a ton of bricks. He was doing thingswith this woman he had never done with another living person before,and he had only just met her. It frightened the crap out of him.

Drawing on the cigar, he took it out andwas about to pitch it over the rail, when he sensed her behind him.Even if he had not smelled her perfume, he would have known she wasthere, all because he was so acutely aware of her that it wasunnerving.

Forcing himself to behave normal, hepitched the cigar and watched it arc, the ends glowing red beforediving towards the ground. Steeling himself, he turned to face herand felt the knot in his stomachincreasing. Her lips were too moist, a combination of her lip glossand the champagne.

"It's a beautiful night." Shemoved towards the rail and held on, leaning forward slightly andtaking deep breaths. "These are all townhouses, aren't they?"

"Yes." He turned to lean on therail, trying to bring his emotions under subjection.

"Geared towards young professionals,"she gave a sideways glance that was unconsciously provocative. Herlips were curved slightly, white teeth glistening against peach orwas it plum? "I read about it somewhere in a financial magazine.The area is developing. Lots of offices going up and people movinginto the area."

"We had to stop renovation because ofsome unexpected red tape." He relaxed slightly and found that heliked talking to her. "We will start back up in another fewweeks."

"It's a lovely area and with the parkright next door, it increases in value. I passed a hiking trail on myway here."

"There will be a pool as well as acommunal gym."

"Nice."

They lapsed into silence; the only soundwas the breeze wafting through the surrounding trees. Somewhere birdswere calling out and some sort of animal burrowing in the underbrush.From where they were standing, they could just make out the harbor,with flurries of boats bobbing on the water.

Heaving out a breath, he turned around andclamped a hand on her arm. She let him draw her against him. His legswere parted so that she could come between them. Her head lifted tolook at him and something in his expression sent heat swimmingrapidly through her body.

His eyes were inscrutable, but there was alight there that was undeniably passionate. His hands roamed over herarms slowly. His gaze held hers for what seemed like minutes, and shewaited with bated breath for his lips to touch hers.

"I keep trying to talk myself out ofdoing this."

"And?"

He chuckled harshly. "It's notworking."

"Good," she whispered and movedinto him.

Chapter14

He wanted to crush his mouth to hers. Herscent was intoxicating, the slender curves against him seemed to fitperfectly. His mind was dulled, his senses alert and filled with her.One hand came up to cup her neck, the fingers massaging the satinyskin. His eyes bored into hers as if wanting to see past thegolden-brown irises and into her soul.

"Jack."

The whispered sound of his name coming fromher lips sent heat roaring through his body.

"I want you," he ground out as ifthe words had been torn from him. "So damn much." It was asif he had not been able to help himself, to contain the words that hewould never have spoken in normal circumstances. But everything washappening swiftly.

"I'm here." Her hands driftedover his chest and felt when his muscles quivered. His eyes darkenedas she moved closer, pressing herself against him.

"Kiss me." The plea was in hereyes and voice and still he hesitated. He wanted to think, torationalize, to draw back and take the control that seemed to slipaway whenever she was near him.

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