Page 58 of Wine and Research
He kissed her lips that time, and just when she reached for him, he surged to his feet. “Oh, no. I lose all track of time and space when you touch me.” Then he disappeared into the adjoining bathroom. A second later, she heard the shower start.
Images of his muscles, all wet and soapy, flashed through her mind. Just after round three and before his handcuff session, they’d spent some quality time in his bathroom.
Elle shook her head, forcing those memories aside to concentrate on getting her body under control. No sense in becoming worked up since he was preparing to go on duty.
She inhaled and stretched, not bothering to pull up the covers. The least she could do was give Jeremy something to think about during his day.
Yeah, she was naughty.
And also trying to be helpful. He would, no doubt, still have to deal with the Owen incident, whether through paperwork or something else. She wanted to give him a good send-off. Well, she did just do that. Elle grinned. But she wanted to give him more.
Actually, she wanted to give him everything.
How stupid was that?
Oh, she could tell he would be more than happy to accept. More than happy to chuck his rules and start seeing her inearnest. More than happy to call their time together what it had somehow turned into—a relationship.
Admittedly, it scared the tar out of Elle, but it also warmed her up from the inside out. Made her heart swell, her pulse race, and she felt cherished, wanted…not alone.
She hadn’t realized that last one was an issue until she’d come to the Poconos and made friends instead of acquaintances, and started spending time with Jeremy, who was much more than an incredible lover. He was her friend and confidant—well, to a point.
Guilt rippled through her, and she unconsciously reached for the covers and pulled them up. While he knew most of her history, he didn’t know all of it, like the fact she’d been married or had lost a brother. Those two things were very private, and she hardly ever talked about them.
But the crazy thing was, she wanted to talk about them with Jeremy.
That stunning revelation had her blinking up at the ceiling, wondering if that was a good idea. Would opening up like that, exposing herself, her heart, awaken the curse?
She closed her eyes and grumbled.Stop it with that stuff. It’s your past. That’s all.
As if to prove it, Jeremy, who was her present, waltzed out of the bathroom, gorgeously naked, freshly showered and freshly shaven. Darn it. Elle loved the feel of his stubble on her skin. She also loved looking at his naked body and the play of his magnificent muscles and ridges as he began pulling on his clothes.
Normally, that’d be a bummer, but since he was putting on his uniform and was sexy as sin in it, she was happy to sit back amongst his pillows and watch. But when he donned his utility belt, her mind caught on his handcuffs, and her body heated accordingly.
Elle tossed off the covers and automatically sat up into crossed legged position. It was one of her favorite morning stretches.
Jeremy stopped mid buckle and inhaled sharply. “Dammit, Elle…”
“What?” she asked innocently, glancing down at her exposed middle. “It got too hot under the covers. And it’s your fault, prancing around here naked, showing off your muscles then covering them up with your sexy uniform. And don’t tell me you didn’t deliberately jiggle your handcuffs.”
He chuckled. “I didn’t.”
She snorted. “Yeah, right. Well, I was just stretching.”
“I stretched, too.”
She snorted again, uncrossing her legs.
With a groan, he turned his back on her and finished getting ready.
Elle waited until he was done before slipping off the bed and walking toward him. “All teasing aside, I know you’re in a hurry, so I’ll let you be. I’m going to jump in the shower.”
He watched her approach with appreciation lighting his eyes. A second later, he reached out, snagged her wrist and tugged her close. “Never let me be, Elle.”
Smiling, Elle looped her arms around his neck and nodded. “Okay.”
“Good,” he said, brushing her mouth with his while his big, warm hands glided down her back and grabbed her cheeks.
She grinded against him. Couldn’t help it. Not with a prominent bulge behind his zipper, and the feel of his uniform, vest and all his gadgets brushing her skin.
