“I know what you meant.” He stroked the damp curls that revealed how thoroughly he’d aroused her. “A straightforward exchange. Not being afraid to say how much we crave each other.”
She swallowed. “Free to want it all.”
“With no holding back,” he murmured.
“No holding back.” She moaned as he dipped his fingers into her vagina.
He lifted his hand to his mouth and ran his tongue over his fingers. “Anything goes.”
“Right.” Her heart raced. “Anything goes.”
“Now it’s my turn to take what you have to give.” He moved over her and began to lick the pulse point on the inside of her wrist.
“I know.” And she’d never given like this, never been so open, so vulnerable.
“I want to taste the salt on your skin.” With his tongue he traced a path along the soft underside of her arm. “I want to feel the blood surging through your veins and your muscles clench with desire. I want to breathe you in, drown myself in all that is you.” He looked into her eyes. “I want to know you, Katie.”
Somehow she found the courage to meet his gaze. “Yes,” she whispered. “Yes.”
The glow in his eyes took her breath away. “Beginning now.” His mouth found hers.
As many times as he’d kissed her, no moment had ever been quite like this one. His lips conveyed an intensity of purpose she’d never felt before. She didn’t feel merely kissed. She felt claimed.
She was a modern woman who should be horrified by the sense of possession she felt in his kiss. Instead she was thrilled. Some primitive instinct took over, and she felt driven and desperate, ready to mate.
And her mate was here, inciting her to even greater desperation. She bit his lip.
He lifted his head to gaze at her. “You bit me.”
“Did I hurt you? It’s not bleeding. I—”
“You bit me.” He sounded delighted. “That’s excellent.”
“It is?”
“Yeah, it is.” A flame burned in his eyes. “And now…it’s my turn.”
His mouth and tongue traveled the length of her body. And every so often he’d nip at her skin, marking her as his, touching off bonfires that blazed long after he’d moved on. By the time he was finished, she was writhing and panting, ready for him in a way that she’d never been before. If he didn’t penetrate her soon…she would go insane.
She didn’t even realize that she’d begun to beg until he responded with a murmured promise and unlocked her wrists from the handcuffs.
“Not that,” she said, gasping for breath. “I want you inside me.”
“I know.” His voice was rough with desire. “And I want you free to participate.” He left the bed. In no time he was back and she heard the snap of latex.
Then he was there, between her thighs, lifting her hips. “Ah, Katie.” And he pushed deep.
Grasping his hips, she groaned in relief as she gazed up at him through a haze of passion. “I need you. I need you right there, Jess.”
“I need to be there.” He eased back and thrust forward again. “Right there.”
Her gaze locked with his. They’d passed some sort of milestone tonight, and they both knew it. The games were over. What was happening now was for real.
Words seemed unnecessary. Looking into her eyes, he stroked deliberately. He seemed completely sure of his right to be between her thighs making that all-important connection. He belonged there.
As his steady pumping took her ever closer to the moment of truth, she absorbed that feeling of rightness. No man would ever be what Jess was to her. Maybe nothing mattered but this magic they created. As her climax drew near, all the reasons why they shouldn’t be together disappeared.
One more rhythmic movement of his hips and she was there. Her orgasm rolled through her like a tidal wave, sweeping aside everything but the wonder she found in his arms. As he shuddered in the grip of his own climax, he held her gaze. It was all there, all the words. He didn’t have to say them for her to know. This was no longer simply a matter of lust. Love was now on the table.
JESS WAS SHAKEN BY THE heavy-duty emotions stirred up by their most recent bout of sex. He knew exactly what was happening, but he wasn’t quite ready to have a discussion about it. From Katie’s uncharacteristic silence as they lay recovering from their mutual and extremely powerful orgasms, Jess concluded that she wasn’t ready for any life-changing discussion either.
After all, they’d made no progress in solving their work-related conflict. Sure, they’d knocked down all the personal barriers between them, and in a perfect world that would be enough. But they didn’t live in a perfect world and they couldn’t ignore the external issues they both had to deal with.
He had to believe they’d deal with them better after a night like this, though. Surely the silent understanding they’d reached while making love would carry them past their other difficulties. He wasn’t sure how, but feelings that big had to be of some use.
He brushed the hair back from her flushed face. “I have an idea.”
Her voice was soft and yielding. All the prickliness seemed to have been burned away by what they’d shared. “What?”
“That was…pretty close to perfect.”
“Uh-huh.”
“I feel like if I say much or do anything, I might screw it up.”
Her mouth curved in a smile. “I know what you mean.”
“So I’m thinking I should head on home before I spoil this feeling. And I could use some time to process what just happened.”
“Me, too.”
He sighed in relief. They really were in sync. That felt incredible. “Let’s have dinner tomorrow night.”
“You mean like a date?”
“Yeah.” He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. “Like a date. Fancy restaurant, reservations, candles on the table, stuff like that.”
“Sounds like an occasion.”
“I’d like it to be.” He had some ideas about what he wanted to say to her as they held hands across that candlelit table. But he needed to think about it and make sure he had the words in the right order. “Can you make it?”
“I can.” Her expression was warm and open.
“Good. I’ll pick you up at six, so we’ll have plenty of time before you have to go on the air.”
“I’ll be ready.”
As he gazed down at her, he began to reconsider leaving. She looked so sweet and tousled, so welcoming and sexy. But if he stayed, they’d start to talk, and he wasn’t ready to do that.
“Sleep well.” He gave her a lingering kiss. If she asked him to stay… But she didn’t. He eased away from her.
Moments later he left her apartment and bounded down the outside stairs. Life was great. He was crazy about a woman who was crazy about him. They hadn’t had the commitment talk yet, but that would come tomorrow night over dinner.
As he walked around the complex headed for his Jag in the front parking lot, he debated which restaurant to choose. Not Anthony’s. That place would remind him of the disastrous date with Suzanne. But there were plenty of other good choices. He wanted a romantic atmosphere. He’d pull out all the stops.
Too bad she had to do her show, because he’d like to go from dinner straight home to bed, where they could seal the deal in an appropriate way. But she had a job to do. He wondered if she’d be able to continue with her campaign after tonight.
He felt guilty thinking like that, because his motivation had never really been to influence her about the show. Well, okay, maybe he’d thought it would be nice if she’d decide to lay off on her own. If tonight wouldn’t encourage her to do that, nothing would. Yet he had no doubt she’d continue to cling stubbornly to her cause.
And just like that, his good feelings began to disappear as he considered the tangled mess they had to deal with in the outside world. Damn it. He knew in his heart she was going to lose, and that didn’t feel good. But in order for her to win, plans for a perfectly good urban-ren
ewal project would have to be scrapped. That didn’t feel good either.
The parking lot was quiet as he approached his Jag. Just as he thought he might escape without encountering Ted, the golf cart came puttering toward him. So what? He had no obligation to hold a conversation with the security guard.
Yeah, but he didn’t want the security guard to spread rumors either. At least not until his relationship with Katie was out in the open. Then Ted could take out an ad in the Arizona Daily Star for all Jess cared.
So he paused beside his Jag and waited for Ted to drive up.
“Research over?” Ted asked.
Earlier Jess had decided that the guy probably had no life. He’d bet that Ted was divorced and pretty much dateless. The security guard was on the homely side and didn’t seem particularly sharp.
“Finished for tonight at least,” Jess said. Talk about a ridiculous conversation. They both knew that funny business had been going on in that apartment. “I wonder if I could ask you a favor, man-to-man.”
“Don’t see why not.” Ted seemed pleased to be asked.
“I realize Katie and I aren’t exactly celebrities, but—”
“She is. I wouldn’t say that you are particularly, but Katie’s definitely a celebrity in my book.”
“Well, sure, you’re right. In any case, we’d both rather not broadcast our relationship at the moment.”
Ted puffed out his chest. “Ha. I guess not, with that protest she’s leading against your building.”
“The thing is, in spite of that, we’re getting serious about each other. I’m sure you’ve figured out that I’m more than her research assistant.”
“Pretty obvious.”
“I knew you’d see through that story right away. But I’d count it as a personal favor if you wouldn’t tell anybody what you’ve observed here tonight.”
Ted eyed him warily. “I’m supposed to write up a report if I detain someone.”
“Of course you are, especially if it turns out they were up to no good, but I was here to visit Katie.” Jess pulled out the only bribe he could think of on the spur of the moment. “We’d both really appreciate it if you’d keep what you know to yourself. And by the way, Katie and I would love to have you come to the wedding.”
“The wedding? You’re getting married?”
Jess prayed this wouldn’t come back to bite him in the butt. “Yes, but nobody knows that yet.” Not even the bride. In fact, the groom is still in the thinking stages. “You’re the first.”
“Wow. I’m honored that you told me. I’ll have to give Katie my best wishes.”
“Uh, better not do that. She might be upset that I leaked the info to you. I mean, she hasn’t even told her parents.”
Ted nodded. “Sure, sure. I can see how that would be a problem. How soon do you think the word will be out?”
“Soon,” Jess said. “I’ll definitely make sure Katie notifies you and gets your address so we know where to send the invitation.”
“That’ll be fine.”
“Well, see you later, Ted.” Jess held out his hand. “And thanks.”
“No problem. Guess I can congratulate you at least.”
“Sure.”
“You’re one lucky son of a bitch, if you don’t mind my saying so.”
“That I am, Ted. That I am.” Jess got in his car and drove out of the parking lot. So he’d announced a wedding before he’d even decided for sure whether to propose. That was a first.
KATIE FELT AS IF SHE’D developed a split personality. One of her selves was falling in love with Jess and enjoying incredible sex whenever they got together. Her other self was searching for every means possible to stop construction on the building that Jess held dear.
As she headed toward KRZE on Wednesday morning for another appointment with Edgecomb, she could see progress on both fronts. She and Jess had become very close, close enough that soon they might start using the L-word in normal conversation. Tonight’s dinner promised to be all about commitment.
Ironically the protest against the office building had gained momentum from last night’s broadcast. Besides the deflating balloons and the giant nut-and-screw display, protestors now carried signs showing burly construction guys sucking their thumbs and clutching blankies.
Go Home to Mama, read one sign. Back to the Womb, Big Boy, read another. As she pulled into the KRZE parking lot, she thought of how Jess must have reacted when he’d arrived at the site this morning. No doubt she was making life harder for him, but if she wanted to win this battle, she had no choice.
And she planned to win. Jess wouldn’t enjoy abandoning his project, but he didn’t seem like the kind of guy who would hold a grudge, especially after the kind of bonding they’d been doing recently. All in all, she felt quite positive as she walked into the lobby.
“Hi, Ava!” She gave the intern a big smile. “Looks like we’re getting more support for the cause.”
Ava’s expression was glum. “Like that matters.”
“Of course it matters.”
“Edgecomb didn’t tell you why he wanted to see you, did he?”
Uneasiness replaced Katie’s optimistic mood. “I was assuming that he wanted to congratulate me on our ratings, which have to be through the roof. Everyone is talking about—”
“You’d better go see him. And listen, I don’t have any classes this afternoon, in case you want to get margaritas or something after you talk to Edgecomb.”
“You’re scaring me, Ava.” She told herself not to panic. “Is the news that bad?”
“Go see him. I’m not supposed to say anything. He told me that specifically, so I decided to be good for a change.”
“Then I’d better get in there and find out what’s up.” As she walked down the hall, Katie tried to figure out what might have happened. Two days ago she’d been encouraged to continue her campaign. The results had been fantastic. Surely the owners hadn’t changed their minds about selling when everything was going so well. That didn’t make sense.
Edgecomb was working on his computer when Katie tapped on the open office door. “Be right with you,” he said. “I need to finish this e-mail. Have a seat.”
She settled into one of the low-slung chairs and tried to stay positive. Maybe she was imagining things, but he acted nervous. His little fringe of hair looked as if he’d been ruffling it with his fingers, and he typed at a frantic pace, as if desperate to get his thoughts out into the world.
Finally he punched a button and turned to her. “Katie.”
“Mr. Edgecomb.”
“The owners are very pleased with you. They even authorized me to offer you more money. Everyone can always use more money, right?” His smile seemed forced.
“I’m not about to turn down more money. Is that why you wanted to see me?” There had to be more. Ava wouldn’t be upset about that.
“Because of your campaign, they’ve been able to ask a much higher price for the property. And this morning they got it.”
She looked at him in stunned silence. Maybe she’d misunderstood. “I’m confused. I thought they’d decided not to sell.”
“They’ve already sold, Katie.”
Her ears buzzed. “Sold? I thought the owners were committed to hanging on to the property!”
“No, they were committed to your program once they realized how it could drive up the price. Negotiations have been going on since last week, and early this morning Livingston Development delivered a substantial offer if we promised to muzzle you. The owners accepted the offer.”
She felt numb. Eventually the news would sink in, but right now she couldn’t process it. She’d lost. Worse than that, she’d never been in the game.
“We’ve found a great new location over on Main, and the station will be moving there within two weeks. The demolition crew needs to get started as soon as possible.”
“Demolition crew.” She repeated the words like a robot.
“Right. Harkins Construction will handle tha
t. Apparently Harkins snapped up the demolition contract this morning before the ink was dry on the sale of the property. He must figure he can make use of some of the heavy equipment he already has at the site next door.”
Betrayed. And by the very man who’d penetrated all her defenses, the man she’d trusted above all others. She didn’t think there was enough tequila in the world to drown that kind of heartbreak. But she’d give it the old college try.
19
JESS’S MORNING HAD BEEN beyond frantic. Thank God someone at Livingston Development had thought to leave him a message that they’d closed the deal on the KRZE property. He’d been able to contact them immediately and put in a bid for the demolition work. His bid had been ridiculously low, which was why Livingston had grabbed it.
No doubt they thought he was out of his mind, but they had no idea how insane he really was. The job would cost many times the amount they would pay him. And he didn’t care. Money was the least of his worries.
Now he had to find Katie. He’d left messages on her cell, but either she wasn’t checking them or she didn’t want to talk to him. If she’d found out about the sale, she might not feel like having a phone conversation with him about it. If she’d found out about the demolition contract, she might not feel like have a conversation with him, period.
But he hadn’t wanted to tell her his plan until he’d known that it might work. He’d had the brilliant idea this morning in the shower, where he got most of his brilliant ideas. Unfortunately he hadn’t had the luxury of time to investigate his options. He’d had to bid on the demolition and get information about his idea afterward.
Based on what he’d discovered, he now knew there was a chance his idea would work. It was time to find Katie and tell her about it. He’d already checked at the station, but she wasn’t there. Neither was Ava, the punk-rock receptionist. Jess had an idea they might be together, but he didn’t know where.
Or maybe he did. He pointed his truck in the direction of Jose’s. Under the circumstances, Katie might be sucking down margaritas. He could hardly blame her. She was convinced that her grandmother’s house would soon be rubble.
Talking About Sex... Page 19
