Janae less than twenty-four hours after meeting her says a lot.” Her mouth formed a perfect O, and he laughed softly. “I would appreciate it if you keep it in confidence.”
“No problem. He must really like her. Janae does have that effect on people. She’s the sweetest person I know.” She giggled, thinking Janae just might get her Prince Charming.
* * *
They returned to the hotel a few minutes past midnight. Donovan hugged Karen and Janae, thanked them for a lovely day, then went to wait in the car. Karen told Janae she’d see her upstairs.
“Everybody disappeared. Was it something I said?” Janae asked, wringing her hands.
“Come sit with me for a moment,” Terrence said, gesturing her to the seating area. He sat next to her. Taking her hand, he waited for the familiar warmth to start and smiled. “Janae, I’ve had the most amazing time with you today. I gotta be honest—I’m not ready for it to end. I know we’re going back home tomorrow, but I’d like to talk to you sometimes. Would you be comfortable giving me your phone number?”
She stared at him, seemingly giving serious thought to his request. She stuck out her hand. “Give me your phone. I’ll program my numbers for you.”
Terrence reached in his pocket, pulled out a phone, stuck it back and pulled another one from his other pocket. He unlocked it, opened the contact list, then handed it to her.
“Two phones?” she asked with amusement.
“One for business and one—” he pointed at the phone in her hand “—for personal use. Less than twenty people have this number. Can you put your address in, as well?”
Her fingers stilled. “Why? You’re not going to go buy some expensive gift and send it to me, are you?”
He laughed softly. “No.”
She input the information and passed him the phone.
“Let me call you, so my number will be in your phone. I want you to have it in case you’d like to talk sometimes,” he added quickly. “Don’t worry, I’ll be calling you most of the time.” He called her phone, let it ring once and hung up. “Will you have breakfast with me tomorrow? We can eat in the hotel’s restaurant. How about I meet you right here around eight-thirty?” he asked hopefully.
She seemed to hesitate again before answering. “All right.”
* * *
Terrence enjoyed their quiet breakfast together the next morning. “Tell me something about you.”
“What do you want to know?”
He shrugged. “Anything you want to tell me. Your favorite color, dessert...how old you are...”
“Well, I’m twenty-eight, my favorite color is blue and my favorite dessert is strawberry shortcake.”
“What do you do when you’re not teaching?”
“I enjoy painting landscapes. What about you?”
“I’m thirty-one years old, and away from touring, I’m pretty much a homebody. I enjoy reading history and love cooking.”
“Wow. I would have never guessed that about you.”
“Most people don’t. I like to keep my private life private.”
After breakfast, he convinced her to take another walk on the pier. Today the temperatures had dipped, the sun remained hidden behind the clouds and a brisk breeze blew across his face. He felt Janae shiver.
“Are you cold?”
“A little,” she said, closing her jacket around her.
He placed his arms around her shoulders and pulled her closer. They continued to stroll past the shops lining the wharf and ended at the rail looking out over the water. Terrence had never felt such contentment. They didn’t need to fill every moment with conversation, and there were no awkward silences. He had no experience with a woman like her. His preference had always been to take a woman out once, maybe sleep with her and then move on. He glanced down at Janae. He had a feeling it wouldn’t be that easy with her.
His gaze drifted to her mouth, and memories of kissing her flooded his mind—the plush softness of her lips, the sweet taste on his tongue. He had to kiss her again. He scanned the area, then saw a private corner.
“Come with me,” he said, grabbing her by the hand.
“Where are we going?”
“Here.” He pulled her into the dark area, cupped her face and slanted his mouth over hers. Just like last night, kissing her elicited a desire he’d never felt before. He backed her against the wall and deepened the kiss.
She moaned and tore her mouth away, breathing harshly. “I can’t do this.”
She tried to move around him, but he blocked her path and pulled her back into his arms. “Why?” he whispered, trailing kisses in the curve of her neck.
She pushed against his chest. “I told you. I’m not some groupie. I’m not into playing games where I end up being another notch on your bedpost.”
He rested one hand on the wall over her head. “Are we back to that again? I told you that you could never be a groupie.”
“Terrence, I’m not interested in being one of your playthings.”
“Janae—”
“Have you ever been in a committed relationship?”
“No, but I’ve never mistreated a woman. I’m always up-front with them. That way no one gets hurt.”
“I rest my case.” She moved again.
“Wait a minute.” He released a deep sigh. “I don’t consider myself some kind of playboy. I meet a woman, and if we hit it off, we’ll go out.”
“And sleep together.”
“Sometimes.”
“Then you walk away.”
He remained silent.
She folded her arms. “Okay. So you say you’re not a playboy. Then why do you always walk away? Why haven’t you been in a committed relationship?”
“It’s not that easy, and maybe I haven’t met the right woman.” He captured her mouth again. She pursed her lips tightly together, and he chuckled inwardly. He nipped at her lower lip and teased with tiny licks of his tongue. “Open up, baby.” He plunged into her mouth and caressed the side of her face. Terrence couldn’t get enough of kissing her. At length, he lifted his head.
“Terrence, I don’t think this is a good idea.” She rubbed her temples. “You’re a really nice guy, but I don’t want to be hurt again.”
“I don’t plan to hurt you.”
“Maybe
