her. All he could think of was touching her, stroking her skin, sliding his body into hers and being surrounded by her heat.
“You know, maybe we should book a room here at the inn. Neither one of us slept much last night. We could get some sleep before that long drive back up to Orange County.”
Her tongue slipped out again to slide across her bottom lip and his gaze tracked that motion as if his life depended on it. Fire, he thought. It felt like he was burning up from the inside and if his body got any harder, he’d have to crawl from the table because walking would be impossible.
Nodding, she said, “That’s probably a good idea. A nap, I mean. Tired drivers can be dangerous.”
“Yeah,” he agreed. “Safety first.”
Her smile was fleeting, but brilliant, taking his breath away. “I’ll see if they’ve got a room where we can...rest. Just wait here.”
When he stood up, Rita took his hand and squeezed. “Okay, I’ll wait. But hurry. I’m really tired.”
That was all the encouragement Jack needed.
In ten minutes, they were entering their room on the second floor. Jack swept her up close to him, kicked the door closed and gave the dead bolt a fast turn. She laughed up into his face and he felt something inside him turn over. She was more than he’d ever had. More than he’d ever thought to find. And for now, she was all his.
“Oh,” she said, tearing her gaze from his to give the room a quick look. “Isn’t it lovely?”
He hadn’t noticed. Now he did. White lace curtains at the windows, a brass bed with a detailed flower quilt across the mattress. There were two chairs before a tiny hearth outlined in sea-blue tiles and a table held a carafe of water and two glasses. There was a door that led to a private bath and photographs of old San Diego dotted the pale gold walls.
He supposed it was very nice, though it could have been a cave for all he cared. “Yeah,” he said tightly, not caring about the room.
When she looked up at him again, she gave him a knowing smile. “Ready to nap?”
“More than you know.”
“Then let’s get to sleep,” she said, throwing her arms around his neck, holding on as she lifted her face for his kiss.
When their mouths met, merged, it was like the whole damn world lit up. Or maybe it was just the fire inside, blazing brighter than ever. Seconds ticked into minutes and still they stood, locked together, bodies pressed tightly to each other, heartbeats hammering in time.
Finally, he tore his mouth free, fought for enough breath to admit, “I have to touch you.”
“Please, yes,” she said softly, hungrily, “Now. Touch me.”
In seconds, they were naked and falling onto the bed together. Afternoon light poured through the windows and winter sun painted a soft, golden slash across the polished wood floor to lie on the bed and shine in Rita’s eyes.
His gaze raked over her lush curves, and everything in him stirred to a fever pitch. Jack felt as though he’d been waiting for this one moment his whole life. He bent his head to take one of her nipples into his mouth. Tasting, nibbling, working his teeth and tongue across her sensitive skin. Every whispered moan and sigh that slipped from her fed his hunger until it was like a closed fist around his throat, making breathing almost impossible. Her fingers slid through his military-short hair, nails scraping along his scalp as she arched up and into him, silently asking for more. And he had plans for a lot more.
Lifting his head, he stared down into her eyes. “This could be the longest nap on record.”
“Oh, good,” she said on a long sigh, “because I’m really tired.”
He grinned. “And I’m really glad to hear that.”
She pulled his head down to hers and this time she claimed his mouth in a kiss that seared him right to his bones. He let her lead, let her devour and gave back all that she was giving him and still, it wasn’t enough.
Jack moved over her, running his hands up and down her body, discovering every curve, exploring her soft silky skin until they were both trembling with an explosive need. Her small hands moved over his chest, his shoulders and every stroke of her fingers felt like licks of flame.
They rolled across the bed, tasting, touching. Her heavy brown curls spread out beneath her head like a wild, tangled dark halo. He was lost in her, her scent, her touch, the hunger raging inside him. Body raging, mind fogging over, Jack stood poised on the brink of a cliff.
“Now,” she whispered, lifting her hips, rocking into his hand as he cupped her center. “Jack, now. I can’t take this anymore.”
“Hold on. Just hold on.” Before he lost control completely, he reached down for his jeans, dug into the pocket and pulled out the condoms he’d tucked in there only that morning.
“Boy,” she said, “I really love a man who’s prepared to take a nap.”
He grinned at her as he sheathed himself. “Babe, ever since the moment we met, I’ve been prepared to nap.”
“So glad to hear it.” She opened her arms to him, lifted her hips again and welcomed him inside her.
That first slick, hot slide into her body stole his breath and would have finished him completely if he hadn’t fought for control and held on to it. She moved into him, and the slippery threads of control fell away.
Together they climbed, staring into each other’s eyes as they rode the crest of what they created. Mouths mating, breath mingling, they moved in an ancient dance as if they were born to be one. Together, they raced toward completion and together, they fell from the precipice, wrapped in each other’s arms.
What could have been minutes or hours later, when breathing was easier, Rita cupped his face in her palm and whispered, “I hope you’re still as sleepy as I am. Because I think I need another nap.”
He turned his face into her palm, kissed it, then grinned down at her. “It’s important to get enough sleep.”
Jack groaned tightly as the memory faded and he was alone again in a room that suddenly felt too small, too quiet. Too empty.
He could still feel her small hand on his face, see her smile, taste her kiss. His body was tight, hard, eager. His mind raced with possibilities, before he shut them all down and accepted the cold reality.
Jack had a penance to pay and being this close to Rita without touching her was only the latest toll to be taken.
Jumping out of bed, he stalked through the open doors to the terrace and there he stood, letting the icy wind off the sea blow away the lingering heat still haunting him.
* * *
The next few days weren’t easy.
Rita had to acknowledge that finding her way to the real Jack was going to be far more difficult than she’d anticipated. She was gone before he woke in the morning, heading down to the bakery where she worked to stay busy enough to keep thoughts of Jack at bay. Then in the evening, Jack did his best to avoid
