The night came back toher in a rush. The Chinese festival. Jake’s kiss. Returning to thehotel. And then....
Heat suffused her atmemories ofand then. Well, now she knew what pleasurewas.
She turned to gaze at thespace beside her, a space empty of him. After the second time, he’dmurmured he would leave once she fell asleep. She’d tried to keepher eyes open, wanting more than anything for him to stay, but inthe end sleep had claimed her.
A knock at her door hadher leaping from bed. Belatedly remembering her nakedness, shedragged on a robe, blushing a little at how revealing it was.Throwing open the door, her smile dimmed when she sawMargaret.
Margaret’s eyebrows shotup somewhere about her hair line. “Well, I can see for myself yourevening went well.”
Cheeks hot, Hope foundher tongue was tied. She hadn’t even realised today was one of thedays Margaret was to work, her thoughts too full ofJake.
Margaret laughed huskily.“And I don’t need to ask for any detail. That smile says more thanenough.”
Good God, she was actingthe greenest of girls. Arranging impassiveness on herexpression—or, at least, she hoped she did—she said, “Margaret, Ihave decided we shall take a day off.”
Margaret’s smirk fell.“Oh.”
What could have caused—Lord, last night really had scrambled her brain. “You will, ofcourse, be paid at your usual rate.”
Closing her eyes briefly,Margaret nodded, and then the smirk returned. “Now that’s out ofthe way, if you want to talk....” She waggled hereyebrows.
“No.” Damnit,would she ever stop blushing? “I don’t need to.”
“But do youwant to?”
Slowly, she shook herhead. “I...wish to keep it to myself. For now. I— I may change mymind later.”
“Well, I’mhere, should you wish to.” Margaret looked her over. “I wouldsuggest you go back to bed and join the man who put that smile onyour face.”
“Oh, he’s notthere,” Hope said thoughtlessly.
Margaret raised a brow.“Well, I would suggest you drag him back.”
Raising her chin, Hopewilled the heat to fade from her cheeks. Where was her composure?All her life, she’d been reserved, never speaking more thannecessary. Now, she gave away every thought with both words and theconfounded blush on her cheeks. This was intolerable.
Oblivious to Hope’sinternal castigation, Margaret shook her head, still wearing agrin. “Remember what I told you about preventing a baby, and enjoythat man. Lord knows no one else is.” And with that, she gave ajaunty little wave and left.
Closing the door, Hopecupped her elbows. Even with Margaret knowing, she couldn’t find itwithin herself to care. Maybe she had always been reserved, butshe’d never been a prude. She was glad she’d taken action, gladshe’d found pleasure, and glad it had been with Jake. She loved hiswicked grin, the one he directed at her and no one else. She lovedhow he caressed her name, how he called her darlin’ in hisgravel-rough voice. She loved his dark eyes, and how they grewdarker when he raked his gaze over her, when he leaned closer, whenhe kissed her lips, her breasts, her....
She covered her cheekswith her hands. She’d never blushed so much in her life.
Another knock sounded ather door, this one firmer than Margaret’s. A stupid grin wreathedher face, and her heart started a reckless pound in her chest. Sheknew that knock.
The door opened and Jakestood on the other side. His gaze raked over her, taking in thethin robe she wore and that she wore nothing else. A growl rumbledfrom his chest and his eyes darkened, as they had last night whenhe’d taken her knees in his hands and... Whatever she greeting shehad been going to give promptly flew from her head as an urgentthrob started inside her.
Entering, he shut thedoor with his booted heel and six feet of determined male stalkedher across the room. “You’d better be headed in the direction ofthat bed, darlin’” he said, his voice like gravel.
The backs of her thighsmet the edge of the bed. Falling backwards, she propped herself onher elbows and, lust coursing through her, she gave him a wickedsmile of her own.
With a groan, he followedher onto the bed, covering her, and she wrapped herself around himas he took her mouth with his.
***
“DID YOU COMEFOR a reason?”
Pausing his gentle strokeagainst her arm, a lazy smile crossed Jake’s face. “Well, darlin’,I’m thinking we both know the reason we came.”
Hope ducked her head, afurious red burning her cheeks. Lord above, but he loved the wayshe blushed. Bending his arm behind his head, he chuckled. “Noreason, darlin’. Couldn’t keep myself away.”
