was by her ear, warm and soft. ‘Maybe you should go to bed. You’ll be more comfortable.’
‘Hmm? No. I’m fine.’ There was an opportunity for more innuendo there, but she couldn’t move her mouth enough to say anything much. It was as if her brain was on a go-slow. She just wanted to lie here in his arms and let the pain drift away. ‘Can’t walk... Stay right here?’
When he didn’t answer she let herself fall further down into the black hole. When he nuzzled the top of her head she spiralled further and further... He was very close. Nice and close and warm. Her body started to tingle, starting first in her gut but then spreading through her, to her breasts and down low, deep inside. Half asleep and half turned on. No—all turned on, in a drowsy, calm, warm kind of way. Sex would be delicious right now. Sex with Jake would be more than delicious.
She managed to twist herself so she was facing him. His mouth was only inches from hers. His eyes glittered with concern and desire, his Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. ‘Lola—’
Again a warning. She knew exactly what she wanted to do right now, and wondered if he thought the same thing. ‘Jake. I know you said—’
‘Hush.’ He placed a finger over her mouth. ‘You need some rest.’
She curled her hand around his finger and drew it away. Then she leaned close and pressed her mouth against his, because she couldn’t not. Because she knew it was what they both wanted. And for a brief moment she felt his hesitation, heard his low groan before his free hand cupped her cheek and he kissed her back, soft and gentle. She reached for his face, for the soft touch of his skin; she wanted to be sheathed in his scent, to taste him over and over and over.
This time the kiss went deeper than passion, to somewhere beyond the rabid desperation she felt inside. It stoked something fierce, something rare and beautiful. Something precious.
She didn’t want this to stop; she curled the back of her hand against his cheek and melted into the press of his lips against hers, into the dance of his tongue, the tight clutch of her stomach. This was something. He was something. Something important. Something good. For the first time ever she felt soul-deep that this was right.
When he drew away Jake was shaking and there were deep lines across his forehead. He looked unsettled, spooked.
Worse, she felt as if someone had taken her lifeline away. ‘I’m not going crazy, am I? There is something here? You do want this, right?’ She knew her words were coming out a little slurred, as if her mouth was full of cotton-wool. But she wanted to know...needed to know. He’d said they’d talk, well, now she was going to say a few things... ‘Because I want to kiss you. And maybe more. Some more...yes, more.’ She laid her hand on his chest, felt the reassuring beat of his heart under her fingers. There was something about Jake that was different from any other man she’d ever known. There was a quiet strength to him—one that irritated her slightly as he fought the attraction. There was a calmness there. He was funny and beautiful to look at. He made her feel good about herself. He made her think that anything was possible.
He made her lose track of her thinking—and that wasn’t always such a good thing. Because she had to keep her mind focused on her goals. She didn’t want to fall for him—but maybe it was already too late. Right now she was so laconic she didn’t care.
There was a long pause while he looked at her. Sin flashed across his gaze. ‘Yes. Yes, I do want to kiss you again, Lola, and more. But wanting and doing are different things. You’re hurting now, and pretty much flying high on meds, you don’t know what you’re doing—and, to be brutally honest, neither do I. You need to sleep it all off. Things will look different when you wake up.’
His rejection should have hurt, but it didn’t touch her. Because she knew. Knew he wanted her. Knew this was right. She couldn’t stop looking at his mouth. She wanted to feel his mouth on her skin, on her body. Everywhere. ‘Why do you keep pushing me away?’
‘Because I wouldn’t be good for you.’
Oh, you would. So damned good. But she had to admit that her vision had started to blur at the edges and she was feeling quite strange. ‘I think I can decide what’s good for me. I think sex with you would be amazing—’
His growl was low and almost feral as he edged away from her. ‘So do I, Lola. Which is exactly why we’re not going to do it.’
THE AIR WAS cooler when she woke, alone on the sofa, her body contorted, her limbs still limp, her head aching just a little. Her mouth was dry. And she was sure she was supposed to be doing something important, but all she could remember was lying in Jake’s heat and how safe she’d felt.
It was going dark too. Almost six o’clock.
She’d been asleep for hours, way too long.
Whoa, shoot. She was supposed to have phoned Evelyn Rice’s office and organised some clothes. And the beauty therapist...damn, damn, damn.
Her head was clearing now, very quickly. Unfortunately. There was no soft-focus buzz to make the neglect of her duties appear in any way warm and fuzzy. She reached for her phone.
But it was gone. As was her script. She jumped to her feet. Wobbled a little on her bad leg. Righted herself. What in hell had she been thinking, sleeping for so long as if she hadn’t a care in the world? What had he given her for the pain that had wiped her brain of any sense? ‘Jake? Jake?’
He wasn’t in the kitchen, bedrooms...the bathrooms were empty. She started to wander outside, but met him and the dogs in the hallway. He’d changed out of beach clothes and wore a navy collared T-shirt that clung interestingly to his biceps, and tan shorts that made a perfect gift of his backside. And he gripped three leads tightly in his fist. ‘Hey, you’re awake. Get down, Butter or Jelly, or whoever you are. Stop fussing. We’ve been for a walk. I think Tina was getting just a little tired of them. Cameron’s still on set.’
Lola was still a little drowsy, but her head was no longer filled with mush. She bent to stroke the dogs, gave them all the kisses they needed, then stood. Wobbled a little. ‘Why did you let me sleep so long?’
Jake held her arms at her sides and looked her up and down, steadied her. ‘You needed it. Your body told you what it needed. You’ve been working hard, you were in shock...’
‘I was drugged.’
He laughed. ‘Lightweight. Seriously, they weren’t even strong. How’re you feeling? You seem to be walking okay.’
She peered down at her leg. It was still red and swollen, but not as raw as it had been. The pain had definitely subsided and whatever cream he’d put on had helped reduce the itch. Reduce, not obliterate. ‘Better. But I haven’t time to think about that. I need to phone Evelyn Rice and arrange some clothes for tomorrow. But, damn, she’s probably left already, and I only have the workshop number.’
‘No need.’ He walked her back through to the kitchen and let the dogs off their leads, and after they’d scoffed some biscuits they scampered through the open-plan space to the lounge area, climbed onto their favourite rattan sofa and began preening. Just like their ‘mother’.
Talking of which... ‘But—I have to—Cameron asked me—’
‘Wait.’
