Body Heat

CHAPTER SIX

JAKE HADN’T DONE surveillance detail in too long. After an afternoon watching a gourmet shop with nothing to show for his effort, he was stiff and frustrated. The only reason the place remained open and hadn’t been closed down for good was the lack of proof that linked the pills to the restaurant. They’d gotten a warrant and searched the place based on the circumstantial evidence at the scene, but they’d come up empty. No surprise there, Jake thought. Ramirez was good, and once those kids ODed, he’d clean out fast. But Jake believed the crook was arrogant enough to resume business later.

In theory, the drugs could have come from anywhere. Nothing connected the recent OD to Ramirez-at least, not yet. They were awaiting the toxicology report.

On his way home, Jake had stopped by Frank’s place for a visit. He’d played street hockey with Frank’s son and shared coffee with Iris, his wife. When Frank was alive, his time with them always reminded him of his failed marriage and all he’d missed out on-kids, a wife who understood him. Since the shooting, the visits had become an emotional ordeal, and all he felt was guilt.

Tonight Jake looked forward to turning his attention to Brianne. She not only attracted him sexually but she made him feel good, something he needed after the day he’d had. During his surveillance watch, he’d wracked his brain to come up with an idea, a place he and Brianne could go. He wanted to get them out of the apartment and into the real world, but he wanted an outing that would be memorable for Brianne.

After an entire day of thinking, he still was at a loss. She’d be back soon, and he had no idea what kind of evening to suggest. Post-therapy, of course. He’d promised her he’d be on his best behavior, and he meant to keep his word.

He walked across the apartment, Norton by his side. After the daily walks and feedings, Norton had grown to trust him more. He still preferred Brianne, something Jake understood, but he no longer whined for hours on end when left alone with an on-leave detective for company. And Jake, having too much idle time on his hands until Ramirez made a move, had begun to appreciate Norton’s silent companionship.

He sat down carefully on his sister’s velvet sofa, hoping the denim wouldn’t rub off on the off-white material. Rina had said not to worry the last time he’d complained, so he settled himself in more comfortably, crossing one leg over the other, waiting for Brianne.

Need and awareness pulsed through his veins and, impatient, he picked up one of the magazines on his sister’s marble table and began flipping through the pages. Photos of New York City at night captured his attention, and his gaze settled upon the article’s title, “Sexy City Nights.”

Tonight would be that and more, he vowed, the wanting increasing along with the wait. One picture in particular caught his attention: two lovers sharing one ice-cream cone, tongues licking the ice cream but so close that it alluded to more. Looking at the photo, the viewer could easily imagine the conclusion, melded tongues as well as dessert.

The thought of Brianne’s sweet mouth, flavored with cool ice cream, her tongue licking the side of the cone slowly and erotically as she lapped up the excess drips…His body grew hard and he shifted in his seat, wondering if ice cream would cool him off.

He must have it bad if a simple magazine piece turned him on. But it wasn’t the magazine, Jake knew. It was Brianne. His gaze dropped to the magazine once more, and he turned the page. Same background, new photo, and this time the couple shared more than the ice-cream cone, they shared each other. Tasting ice cream off each other’s lips.

Ice cream. Jake flipped the magazine closed, no longer needing to distract himself with vague ideas. Thanks to the “Sexy City Nights” article, Jake now had the solution to the special place he could take Brianne. No doubt desserts in her home were parceled out as scarcely as pizza. But he could change that for her, starting tonight. They could share their own sexy city night.

As if he’d conjured Brianne by thought, the elevator doors slid open and she walked into the apartment, a contradiction in dress and appearance. Her normal hospital scrubs told him she’d been at work, but her arms, laden with packages, indicated she’d also been shopping.

“I can’t believe how hot the subway was,” she murmured to herself. She allowed the packages to topple onto the floor and let out a huge sigh of relief. Norton woke up from his nap and greeted her with a wagging tail and slobbering tongue. Jake had already grown used to the routine.

“Can I help you get those things to your room?” he asked.

She jumped, obviously startled. “I didn’t realize you were here.” She scrambled to collect her bags without help.

“Should I be insulted you forgot already? We had plans tonight. Therapy, and then I thought we could go for a walk.”

Her face flushed redder than it had been from the heat. “I didn’t forget, I just…” She juggled the bags once more and ducked one behind her back. “Let me get myself settled.” Without waiting for his response, she darted around him and headed toward her room, the Victoria’s Secret bag knocking against her work uniform as she walked.

Jake laughed, but his soft chuckle disappeared quickly as he realized the reason for Brianne’s nervous behavior and contemplated what might be in that shopping bag. Victoria’s Secret sold women’s intimate garments-silk, lace, teddies, all designed to enhance and reveal, to make any normal man drool.

Jake wouldn’t swear he was normal, but he was a man. The thought of seeing Brianne in any seductive lingerie was enough to send him over the edge. And the mere possibility that she’d bought new things with him in mind…Well, there wasn’t much that would cool him down.

Forty-five minutes later, however, he acknowledged that torturous therapy sure took the edge off. Intense pain shot through his shoulder, making the daily ache feel like a woman’s soft touch in comparison. He had been working with a therapist since a couple of weeks after the injury, but Brianne’s approach was different, more thorough. She’d been right in saying some therapy wouldn’t be enough. He needed Brianne if he wanted to return to full mobility.

He needed her for more than just rehabilitation, he acknowledged, as he waited for her return from the kitchen with ice packs to cool down his shoulder. He yearned to know more about this woman, a desire that went beyond the physical.

He’d grown up in a happy family. They’d lacked money for extras, but they hadn’t lacked love. His parents had been high school sweethearts, and the love they shared permeated the small apartment they’d lived in. Even their move to Florida hadn’t lessened the bond that existed between them and their children. He wondered what Brianne’s upbringing had been like.

She said she’d raised her brother after her parents died-but what had her childhood been like before she’d been burdened with responsibility? Had she always been this determined, driven person, or had becoming her brother’s guardian changed her from a lighthearted girl to a responsible woman?

Knowing she was leaving at the end of the summer, he told himself, he was free to explore, and indulge in, all facets of her and his desire. There’d be no painful breakup when September came. But a small part of him wondered if such a short span of time would be enough to satisfy him.

He shook the thought off, knowing better than to mull over things he couldn’t control. He wasn’t in a position to change the arrangement, anyway, since even if Brianne were staying, his life was in such turmoil and flux that he couldn’t contemplate anything more than a fling. And she wasn’t in the market for something longer or more enduring. He’d had one woman give up on him and bail. No way he’d leave himself open to that again.

He had the summer, Jake thought. Now would have to be enough.

PRIOR TO JAKE’S WORKOUT, Brianne changed out of her hospital scrubs and took the time to clean up, makeup and all. For the first time in ages, she’d looked in the mirror and seen a woman staring back. A woman with thoughts, feelings and needs of her own.

And those needs included Jake. Testing his abilities, lifting his arms, feeling his muscles expand and contract beneath her fingertips had aroused her beyond belief, beyond anything she’d felt before-and in her fevered dreams she’d experienced plenty.

Now she paused when she reached the doorway to the gym, ice in hand, and took a moment to watch Jake as he leaned back in his chair and grimaced when the leather touched his bare shoulder. The play of emotions across his face now and as he’d worked out were honest and strong. She felt bad causing him such intense discomfort and pain, but he’d thank her in the long run.

She bit down on her lower lip. He’d said he had been in therapy, and his ability to move proved him right. She wasn’t arrogant or presumptuous but she knew without a doubt she could bring him much further than his old therapist had, if only because he seemed so determined and dedicated. She wondered why he’d led Rina to believe he’d done so much less toward his recuperation, then cautioned herself against getting too involved.

She swallowed a harsh laugh. Who was she kidding? She planned on sleeping with the man. Brianne Nelson didn’t indulge in one-night stands that meant nothing. Anything she shared with Jake would be intense and memorable, even if she had to leave him behind when the summer was over.

She wanted to know all about him, and she would find out. Asking questions, getting to know him, wouldn’t change how she felt about him. She knew she was in danger of falling hard. But whether she fell or not, she’d just have to exercise the same self-control she had in the past. She’d overcome her anxieties in caring for her brother; she’d put her life and needs second to his. Knowing Jake’s kind of life could cause her heartache and pain, she’d just have to walk away when their time together was through. If she kept in mind his occupation and his claim that he wasn’t looking for a long-term relationship, she shouldn’t have any problem keeping things in perspective. Or so she hoped.

She walked into the room and came up beside Jake. “Here. Let’s ice down the shoulder.” She placed blue gel packs on his bare skin, swallowing hard, knowing how much discomfort he was in and wishing she had more than her professional expertise to make him better. “This will contract the muscles and ease the pain.”

“Ahhh.”

She recognized his groan of relief and winced, knowing she’d caused him this agony. “So what did you have planned for us after this?”

She hoped the change of subject would help him concentrate on something else, and help her concentrate on something other than Jake. And her undergarments. For their session, she wore spandex Capri pants that provided ease of movement, but the tight material showed off both her legs and her behind for his view, as she’d intended. Beneath the skin-hugging material, she wore sexy underthings, and she felt the combination of silk and lace stretch and glide with every move she made. She’d handpicked the mauve panty and matching bra in tactile lace of delicate flowers. Between the flowers, sheerer lace allowed her skin to show through-a lot of skin.

She wondered what Jake would think and how soon he’d have the chance to think it. Her body trembled with delicious anticipation.

“Hey, I’m the one with ice on my shoulder. Are you cold, too?” he asked.

She forced a grin. “I stuck my hands in the freezer to retrieve that ice, remember?”

He nodded. “Are you too cold for ice cream?”

The simple question seemed to hold a wealth of importance she couldn’t understand. She met his blue-eyed gaze, which danced with possibility and…hope? She wondered if she was misinterpreting his expression and tone of voice, but she couldn’t help but sense her response was important to him. “I’m never too cold for ice cream. Why?”

“What’s your favorite flavor?” he asked.

“Well, I’m embarrassed to admit, I’m not picky. Any flavor will do.” At that moment, her stomach began to growl, a reminder she’d only had time to grab half a sandwich from the hospital cafeteria for dinner. “Especially now.” She laughed and pressed one hand against her stomach.

“Did you have dinner?” His forehead furrowed with concern.

“A little.” She’d been too rushed and too nervous about their time together to consume much. “But ice cream sounds great. What did you have in mind?”

“A place called Peppermint Park on the corner of Sixty-sixth and First. They have a huge assortment, and it comes highly recommended by Rina.”

“Yum.” She ran her tongue over her lips, noticing his eyes followed the movement. She obviously had the power to attract him, and they’d already made the bargain to act on that attraction. Slow and easy.

Did she have the nerve to move up the timetable? Heaven knows, she desired more than food and conversation with this man. His kisses had been just a prelude. She wanted much more.

He pulled his gaze from her lips, but his jaw clenched and his eyes stayed glued to hers, desire in the molten depths. If he kept looking at her that way, they’d never make it out for dessert. But the whole Peppermint Park thing seemed to mean something to him, and the idea of indulging in the creamy dessert held a long-forgotten appeal.

“You know, ice cream sorta fell into the category of pizza. If we had extra, we bought some, but generally we reserved it for special occasions. Birthdays, Marc’s graduations, things like that.” She shook her head, suddenly embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to make my life sound like some poor me tale. Believe me when I tell you, all things considered, we had it good.”

He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Nobody in their right mind would feel sorry for you. But I am glad to know I picked right.” He cleared his throat, and this time she sensed his embarrassment. “I wanted to take you someplace you’d remember. Someplace special.”

Good thing she had already acknowledged that she could fall hard for him and had barriers up to prevent it. Otherwise his concerned expression and tender, generous gesture would definitely steal her heart. She tried not to listen to the voice in her head laughing hysterically at her pathetic attempt to conceal her growing feelings for Jake Lowell.

JAKE SAT on a wooden bench beneath a huge awning, Brianne by his side and Norton at her feet. She’d insisted on giving him an airing, and while she was at it, Jake taught her how to get Norton to “do business” quickly and efficiently. She was impressed by Norton’s abilities and obviously pleased Jake had agreed to take the pooch along.

Seeing how happy he could make Brianne-and his sister’s dog, he thought wryly-gave him a warm feeling he hadn’t had in far too long. He glanced at Brianne. Vanilla fudge ice cream dripped over the sides of her cone, and her little tongue darted out to catch the remains.

Like the photograph. Two lovers sharing something intimate, something more than just an ice-cream treat. Brianne was unknowingly reenacting the erotic photo. Only, she wasn’t an anonymous face. She wasn’t just his fantasy. She was his. Every night for the long, hot summer. He’d already tasted her, knew how her silken mouth and soft lips responded to his.

His fists clenched at his sides as he restrained from acting on his desire. Not now, not yet. He bit hard into his own chocolate-chip scoop and sugar cone, but the sweet dessert didn’t provide the kind of satisfaction he had in mind.

“Can I ask you something?”

Brianne’s voice was a welcome intrusion. “Sure.”

“Well, it’s more of a professional question and it’s kind of silly, but I was wondering how you know whether you’re being followed.” Her cheeks turned pink, and she stared at her cone. “See, I told you it was silly.”

She was more uneasy than embarrassed, and Jake knew she’d been serious. Seconds ago, he’d thought nothing could distract him from thoughts of making love to her, but she’d managed. “What makes you ask?”

She shrugged. “I was shopping today and I saw a man looking at me.”

“Honey, you’re beautiful. Men are going to look.”

“Thank you.” She blushed again. Her gaze met his and lingered, the electricity between them steady and hot, causing a pulsing throughout his body that he couldn’t deny.

“But this guy was different,” she said, bringing them back to the issue at hand. “I mean, it felt different. I was on Fifth Avenue and he didn’t look like your average guy in a business suit during lunch hour. He had this crewcut and leering gaze. And I saw him again. Well, I thought I did, through the window of a coffee shop. And then I blinked and he was gone. And I thought…” She paused, obviously thinking things through.

The ice cream had begun to melt over the cone and dampen the napkin surrounding it. All erotic thoughts gone for the moment, he eased the ice cream out of her hand and dumped their messy cones into the trash next to the bench. “You thought what?”

“That it was happening again.” She began twisting her fingers together, and he stilled the nervous movement by covering her hands with his. She shot him a grateful glance.

“You thought what was happening again?”

“When my parents died, I had a hard time.” She shook her head. “Actually, it started before that. My parents weren’t what you’d call stay-at-home parents. My dad was a stockbroker and he’d done fairly well in some good markets. He had savings, and since they liked to live on the edge, their money went for extreme sports-hot-air ballooning, bungee jumping, motorcycle trips. Good thing the neighbors liked us because we spent a lot of time sleeping at their homes, and my parents weren’t reliable about when they’d return. Sometimes I thought they wouldn’t come back at all. That’s when it started.”

Jake wasn’t sure where she was going with her story but he wanted to hear more. This was the insight he craved and he wanted to listen as well as to help. “When what started?” he asked.

“Anxiety attacks. I swear, I was such a nervous kid.”

He squeezed her hand tight. “Understandable, I’d think. And you must have overcome it well because I’d never have known if you hadn’t told me.”

“Well, I was lucky I had a good school psychologist, and when I got older I learned stress management techniques. Things quieted down for a long time, acted up again after the accident. Maybe because they had to. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when life forces you to grow up quick.”

“What accident?”

She frowned, making him want to touch her face, stroke and smooth out the wrinkled skin and then kiss her puckered lips. But he refrained, knowing he would have time later on. For now, he needed her to continue.

“I told you I raised my brother, right? Because my parents died in a small plane crash. Dad was piloting.”

She shivered and Jake winced. “I’m sorry.”

“It was their choice. Literally. They went up in a storm, weather even the FAA warned against flying in.” She sighed, obviously resigned. “So the panic attacks got worse and I went for some short-term help. I needed to get myself under control so I could take care of Marc. And I did. It’s been ages since I’ve experienced any kind of true anxiety.”

“Until today.”

“Until today,” she agreed.

“Then, maybe we ought to give it some credence?” Jake knew he already was. The prickling feeling on his skin and in his gut was strong and sure. He just couldn’t put his finger on what was wrong. Yet.

She let out a huge exhale of air, obviously relieved he believed her. “I doubt it. I think I just needed to get it out in the open to see how ridiculous I was being.”

“Feelings are never ridiculous and too often they’re grounded in fact.”

Huge green eyes met his. “Yes, but in my case, I’m probably overreacting. It’s probably related to you.”

He could see she wasn’t comfortable with the admission. He was confused. “How so?”

She swallowed hard. “I hadn’t had an anxiety attack in a while, right? And then I met you and we have this instant attraction, and I discover you’re just like them. Next thing you know, boom. Another anxiety attack.” She gnawed on her lower lip as she explained.

“I’m just like who?”

“My parents. They lived for taking risks. And that’s what you do on your job, right? Take risks?” One hand reached out and touched his shoulder.

He felt the impact of her touch, the heat and the need, straight down to his toes, but her reassurance didn’t help. He was damn sure he didn’t like the comparison. “Difference is, I take certain risks in order to do my job, but I don’t take unnecessary ones. And I don’t do the job as a way of taking risks. Your parents did it for fun.”

“But you both knowingly, willingly, put yourselves in danger.”

He couldn’t deny the obvious so he remained silent. She’d equated him to her parents, two people she obviously loved but who’d let her down in the worst way. He’d just met her and was in this for a summer fling. So why did her analogy bother him so much?

“Look, all I’m trying to say is, thanks for listening to my foolishness. There’s a reason I panicked, and now that I talked it out I can put it and his disgusting tattoo behind me.”

“Tattoo?” Jake’s nerve endings went on alert, the reason for his wariness and churning gut all too apparent.

“Yes. I don’t know what made me think of it now. The guy was in one of those white tank tops, and he had a crooked arrow on his right arm. Biceps. Here-” She pointed to her right arm and shivered. “Tattoos always grossed me out.”

“Crooked arrow?” Jake asked tersely.

She nodded. “Like this-” She drew the shape with her hand.

Revulsion and fury raced through his veins. In light of Brianne’s history of well-founded anxiety, he had no intention of mentioning that the insignia on the pills he’d just found matched the tattoo on her stalker’s arm-the same tattoo that was on Ramirez’s right biceps.

He refused to enlighten her and worry her further. The desire to wrap her in his arms and guard her from harm was great. Brianne was no victim. Yet he needed to protect her both physically and emotionally. If she knew there was possible danger relating to Jake and his job, she might bolt. If she returned to her apartment, she’d be vulnerable to Ramirez and Jake would be unable to keep her safe. But if she remained in the penthouse, she’d be safe and secure, at least in the evenings.

As for daytime, Jake could cover her there as well. First thing in the morning he’d call in a favor and have a detective pal put a tail on her during the day. Thank God, Rina was in Italy, Jake thought. But Frank’s family wasn’t. Unwilling to take further chances, Jake decided to make sure they were covered as well. The department wouldn’t assign men on a hunch-they couldn’t afford the manpower. But both Jake and Frank had friends who wouldn’t mind doing the job. Meanwhile, Jake would step up his digging into Ramirez’s hangouts.

For now, he would placate her. “Plenty of men have tattoos. We’ll take your suggestion and forget about it, but if you see him again-”

“I’ll report directly to you, Detective.” She grinned and treated him to a salute. “But since I’m probably right, you can consider it forgotten.”

A touch of chocolate remained on her lips, daring him to reach out and lick it off with his tongue. Instead, he touched the pad of his finger to her mouth, wiping at the chocolate gently, savoring the soft feel of her lips and taking in the curtain of desire shading her eyes.

“Know what I’d like to do now?”

If her voice hadn’t dropped a husky octave, he’d have no idea. But it had, and the desire resonating in her tone renewed the heavy tempo beating inside him.

“What’s that?”

She drew a deep breath, and he understood being bold was new to her. “I’d like to go home.”

“And do what?” He had promised he’d take it slowly. She needed to set the pace, and Jake needed to hear her say the words that would free him from his hard-won restraint.

“Take me home and make me forget.” He didn’t pretend to misunderstand her meaning. And though her words came out a soft whisper, he heard them every place inside him where it counted.

His gaze never leaving hers, he pulled her to her feet so he could do as she asked. He would take her home.

BRIANNE KEPT PACE with Jake, her rush to get back as fierce as his. Once she’d unburdened herself and admitted her fears, she saw how ridiculous they were. And once he gave credence to her feelings and didn’t dismiss her with a pat on the head, as her parents used to do, Brianne was able to step back and see things clearly, with renewed perspective.

She wasn’t being followed. She merely had an overactive imagination, heightened by Jake’s proximity, lifestyle and job. And on the off chance that a stranger had been watching her, she now had Jake aware and on her side. The self-protection course the hospital had insisted its employees take after a rash of rapes a few years back had armed her with knowledge and defensive skills. She’d be fine.

She could free her mind and concentrate on how much she wanted Jake. Apparently he felt the same, because his hands didn’t leave her body the entire trip back to the apartment. Whether on the small of her back or grasping her hand, he held on to her as they walked, creating a constant state of awareness and a never-ending current of electricity that sparked between them.

Only when they reached the inside of the apartment building did he break the physical connection between them, stepping aside and allowing her to pass by him and enter the private elevator. For the duration of the ride up, nerves and excitement dominated her emotions. She was about to dive into sexual and emotional unknown territory, and the adrenaline rushed through her at lightning speed.

She wondered if this was what her parents had felt each time they undertook a new adventure or trip. She’d never understood her mother or father before. But as she walked out of the silent but erotically charged atmosphere of the elevator and entered the penthouse apartment, Brianne came as close as she’d ever been to comprehending the thrill-seekers who’d raised her.

Jake was new and exciting. Just thinking about him energized her mind and stimulated her body in erotic and arousing ways. Yet as much as she enjoyed each and every sensation he invoked, she feared, too, for he had the power to undo the healing she’d accomplished since her parents’ death, leaving her raw and exposed to someone who didn’t come with a promise of security and had no vision of long-term commitment.

But unlike her parents, who by definition were supposed to be in Brianne’s life for the long haul, Jake was just passing through. She knew the facts going in; therefore she couldn’t be hurt-right? she asked herself. But no voice answered her with a resounding yes, leaving her to admit she had little faith in her own convictions.

“We’re here.” Jake’s deep voice intruded on her thoughts.

She swallowed hard, lifting her eyes from the carpet and meeting his longing stare. He wanted her. She could see the desire flare in the depths of his gaze, a match for the spiraling need building inside her.

He gestured for her to step into the apartment and she followed, her shoes squeaking on the obviously freshly waxed floor.

“Where to?” he asked before they could descend into awkward silence.

An implicit question, Brianne thought. He was asking her where would she like to make love. As she glanced around, liquid heat pooled low in her abdomen and her heart pounded. Her need for Jake was desperate and all-encompassing, but she wasn’t so sure how she felt about her surroundings.

She took in the white furnishings, the cold marble floors and the gleaming chrome and crystal accents around her. The penthouse, which had once seemed like a luxurious haven, suddenly felt cold and stifling-stark, in contrast to the warm man standing by her side. Where in this austere place could she be with Jake yet be herself, she had no idea. Unsure of what to say in answer to his question, she merely shrugged, hoping he had the answer she did not.

“Well, I’m using my sister’s room and I’d really prefer not to…well, you know what I mean.”

“Oh, I do.” She laughed, further explanation on his part unnecessary. “But my room doesn’t really feel like mine. It’s too…”

“Cold and uncomfortable?” he asked, reading her thoughts.

She was glad he didn’t find this apartment homey and relaxing, either. “Exactly.”

“I honestly don’t know what Rina was thinking. This place is so unlike her.” His brow furrowed in confusion, and Brianne found the gesture oddly endearing, so different from the manner of the focused cop who’d answered her questions and deflected her concerns.

“Me, neither. Rina has this bubbling warmth. I envy her that.” In Jake’s sister, Brianne had seen a freedom of thought and emotion she herself had never had, making her feel almost old in comparison. “But you said her husband liked glitz. Maybe she was making him happy by decorating like this. Maybe it was his presence here that made this place a home for them. And vice versa.” She shook her head and laughed uncomfortably. “Ignore me. I don’t know why I’m rambling like this.”

“Nerves, most likely.” He nailed her with his correct assumption and innate understanding. “But you’re probably right about Rina and Robert. You’re definitely perceptive.” His voice suddenly grew low and urgent. “And I can’t keep my hands off you for a second longer.” Without hesitation, his palms came to rest on her shoulders.

Because his skin was hot, he branded her with his touch. And because he was incredibly male, he made her want more than simple conversation or a burning kiss that ended almost before it began.

“Since my room’s out and your room’s out, I have another suggestion.”

She glanced over his shoulder. “It had better not involve that white couch with the full-length windows behind it.” She laughed lightly. “So which room will it be?”

“Our room.”

As soon as the words were spoken, what had been a light conversation turned into something deeper, stronger and more compelling. The cresting waves of longing she’d held at bay for so long rose furiously inside her. “The gym?”

He nodded. “Full-length mirrors instead of windows.”

Her throat grew parched and she couldn’t seem to moisten her dry lips. “Different views.”

“From different angles. Are you game?”

She’d come this far and she wanted to go much further. Gathering her courage, she raised herself onto her tiptoes and gave him an answer he couldn’t mistake-a scorching kiss on the lips, the kind that told him she was indeed game. For any view, any angle, anything he desired.