Page 56 of Jack

Taking the decision away from him, sheleaned in and simply brushed her lips over his. His breath shudderedout and it was all he could do not to accept the blatant invitationand ravage her. He wanted to swallow her whole.

She nibbled on his lower lip, teasing himwith the faintest touch before pulling back ever so slightly, herbreath mingling with his. A low growl rumbled from deep within hischest, a primal sound that spoke volumes more than any words could.

Sliding her hands around his neck, shepressed even closer, molding her body against his.

With a muttered oath, he captured herteasing tongue, deliberately keeping the kiss light. He knew withouta doubt that any minute now, he was going to lose control. Any minutenow, he was going to sweep her into his arms and bury himself deepinside her. The need was racing through him like a volcano already.

His hands roamed down her back to cup herderriere. Swallowing her gasp of awareness, he rubbed himselfsuggestively, capturing her moans as the evidence of his arousal wasfelt.

A balmy breeze had sprung up, seepingthrough their clothing, but even that was not felt. Somewhere, a birdwas calling out, with several others responding, but it all wentunheard by the couple clinging to each other.

Zuri was exhilarated and flushed withdesire. She had fallen in love with him and wanted him to know it.Not with words, she thought dazedly, as her mouth was plundered, butwith her reactions to his touch.

Tearing his mouth from hers, Jack gulped inair, his chest expanding with the effort to breathe. His body was onfire, his blood boiling. The desire for her was so great, it wasbeyond anything he had ever experienced before.

Cradling her head against his chest, hestared out in the distance, expression bleak. His heart was thudding,his hands shaking.

Closing her eyes, Zuri reveled in the feelof his strong arms wrapped around her. She realized what he wasdoing. He was fighting her, or rather, fighting the emotions churningthrough his body.

Lifting her head, she looked up at him,admiring the strong chin with the slight indentation and the stubbleon his face. His eyes met hers and held, expression harsh and tautwith passion.

"No promises," he finally spoke,voice hoarse with feelings.

She merely lifted a tapered brow and waitedfor him to elaborate.

Hissing out a breath, he tore his eyes fromher moist lips to look over her head.

"I don't do relationships." Whenhe looked back at her, his expression was grim as if he wasdetermined to make it clear.

"Okay." Tamping down the hurt hiswords had evoked, she tilted her head back and gave him an amusedlook that cost her. "And you're under the impression that's whatI want?"

"Isn't it?"

She shrugged. "Perhaps. But I am notgoing to burden you with my wants and desires. We're just having fun,aren't we?"

His gaze narrowed as he continued to stareat her. "And you're fine with that?"

"I am a big girl. If you're under themisguided notion that I am going to be clingy like that blonde youwere with at the gallery, you would be mistaken. I have too muchpride to give any man that kind of power." She forced her lipsto curve seductively as she slid her hands around his neck, fingerstoying with the fringes of his hair.

"Don't you want to know why?"

"Why what?" she asked, genuinelypuzzled.

"Why I am not into relationships."

"I suppose you have your reasons."

"I do." His hands tightened onher small waist. "It's something I do not want to get into rightnow."

"Understood." She nodded as ifshe was taking everything in stride. "Now that we have clearedthe air, there is still half a bottle of champagne sitting in thebucket. Why don't you show me the bedroom?"

He studied her for a few seconds as iftrying to decipher what was really going on inside her head. Prayingthat she could keep up the charade, she leaned in and brushed hislips with hers. With a muttered oath, he swept her into his arms andcarried her inside.

The door closed behind them with a softclick, enveloping them in the intimate dimness of the room. Sheglanced around briefly, her eyes settling on the plush bed adornedwith silken sheets. When she turned back to him, it was with ateasing smile.

"Champagne first," she murmured,reaching for the bottle and pouring them each a glass. The bubblesfizzed gently, a prelude to the tension that crackled between them.She handed him a glass, her fingers brushing his in a lingeringtouch.

They clinked glasses lightly, the sound adelicate echo in the room. She took a sip, savoring the crispness onher tongue, her gaze never leaving his. "To no promises,"she said softly, raising her glass slightly.

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