for her hand instead. “I wasn’t jealous only because I’ve seen the seductress in you. I was jealous because I’m intrigued by you. By
Her mouth opened and closed but no sound came out.
“Care to tell me why you wouldn’t think I’d be interested enough to get jealous?”
Considering the physical sensations that arced between them, Jack couldn’t understand why she’d doubted the sincerity and strength of that emotion.
She shrugged, then said simply, “Because no one’s ever reacted possessively with me.”
“Then I’d have to say you’ve had a string of stupid men in your life.”
She grinned. “And I’d have to agree with you.”
He tightened his grip around her smaller hand. “This inability to see yourself as you should-that comes from where?” Because no woman deliberately dressed herself down and downplayed such incredible looks without a damn good reason.
Her lips shut as if she could stop the truth from coming out by sheer willpower alone.
“Bad relationship?” he hazarded a guess.
“Bad upbringing,” she shot back, then opened her eyes wide at the realization that things were finally out in the open between them.
“Go on.” He sat back and waited, but didn’t release her hand, knowing their emotional connection could only be strengthened by physical touch.
“First I was an accident, then I was a disappointment. My father wanted a boy. He got me instead.” As she spoke, the light in her expressive eyes dimmed. “Over time I learned not to expect too much.”
“And your parents never delivered.”
“Right.”
He shook his head, anger and frustration filling him at two people who’d created a child and then proceeded to negate her sense of self-worth. He’d at least had his father behind him. Mallory had had herself-and she’d managed to chart her own destiny.
In Jack’s mind, she’d taken the wrong course. Hiding herself couldn’t make her happy for long, but only she could realize that truth. If he happened to nudge her in the right, sensual direction, he’d be happy to help her out. Not just for selfish reasons but because she deserved to experience all life had to offer-and not see those wonderful things skewed behind thick, oblique lenses.
“Your parents were wrong, you know.”
She shrugged, but her intense stare told him she was listening.
He wondered if she believed him and made it his mission to be sure she was paying attention. “And it’s their loss-missing out on
Her eyes filled with moisture, gratitude evident. She inhaled a shaky breath. “Thanks again. Truth’s a wonderful thing and I don’t hear it much.”
An emotional lump formed in his throat. “When I’m with you, my body tells you exactly how I’m feeling. What’s the point in lying now?” As if by suggestion, he shifted in his seat to alleviate the sudden discomfort in his groin.
“Anyone ever tell you you’re a nice guy?” Her lips lifted upward in a grin that warmed him and chased away the chill that had always surrounded his heart.
He shook his head. “I’ve never given anyone reason before.”
Mallory struggled to calm her pounding heart. This connection between them was growing stronger. She felt it.
She wanted to run from it but didn’t dare. Talking past her emotions wasn’t easy but she owed Jack for easing a huge burden she’d always carried with her. “About the jealousy bit?” She changed the subject back to last night. “I didn’t enjoy the act.”
In fact, the bartender’s sweaty palms and let-me-show-you-a-good-time attitude had turned her off from the beginning. Only her search for information had kept her rooted in her seat and had forced her to allow his unwanted attention.
“I didn’t want him touching me.” She gazed at Jack through heavy eyelids. “I wished it was you.”
His skin drew tight over his cheekbones as awareness raced between them. “I appreciate you returning the favor,” he said finally.
She knew he was referring to her honest answer and nodded. She’d give him even more honesty later. Because this conversation had proven to her without a doubt-she wasn’t finished with Jack Latham.
“Now, care to tell me what you uncovered about Lederman?” Jack lowered his voice.
Grateful for normal conversation, Mallory looked around. The restaurant had grown more crowded and a low hum of voices droned on around them. They could easily talk in hushed tones without being overheard, or so she thought until she turned toward the hostess station.
Mallory let out a groan. “I wish I could, but Alicia Lederman’s doing the rounds of the tables, talking to customers.”
“Food’s up.” The waitress arrived with their plates, giving them yet another reason to postpone talking business.
He let out an equally frustrated sound. “Guess we’ve got to wait.”
Mallory nodded and reached for her fork. Since this trip, she’d gotten good at waiting.
And even better at anticipation.
She finished her meal in record time, hunger for food satisfying one craving, while her need for Jack only grew.
JACK HAD PROMISED to wake Mallory from a late-afternoon nap but calls to his secretary and another client took longer than he’d expected. By the time he left the conference room Lederman had given him for business use and made his way back to their floor, Jack realized she was probably out sightseeing or walking on the beach. But he figured he’d give waking her a shot anyway, just in case.
“Wake up, Sleeping Beauty. Rise and shine.” He knocked on her door.
“You looking for the Missus in the room?”
Jack turned.
A chambermaid stood behind him, an armload of towels in hand. “I saw her leave a little while ago.”
His disappointment was keen. For no good reason, he knew, because he had no concrete plans-just a burning desire to see her again. And he couldn’t control the disappointment building inside him, because after their bonding session she’d thought nothing of disappearing without leaving him a message.
“Are you sure it was her? Dark hair, blue eyes.”
“I’m sure. She asked me for fresh towels and…” The dark haired woman shook her head. “Never mind. Other folks’ strange requests aren’t my business.”
He didn’t question her further. “Well, I appreciate the information.”
She smiled. “No problem. You have a nice day.” She let herself into Mallory’s room carrying the towels and Jack began a retreat back into his own.
“Wait.”
He turned back.
“I didn’t realize you were the gentleman across the hall. She…” The woman pointed to Mallory’s door. “She left something for you. I was going to leave it on your bed when I finished inside. Wait here.”
She strode to her utility cart and returned with a white sheet of paper in one hand, an innocuous brown bag in the other. “These are for you.”
“Thanks.” His pulse picked up rhythm as he lifted the paper and inhaled the fragrant scent. Arousal hit him harder and stronger than ever before. So did the sense of anticipation.
One part of him knew she was answering his challenge from last night. Another part of him sensed she was responding to their new-found closeness today. He’d never experienced such intense feelings for another person- never wanted to make someone else feel better and ease their pain-until Mallory.
The thought scared him spitless so he focused on the invitation instead. Waiting until he was alone in his room, he peered into the bag and pulled out the bottom half of a string bikini, too skimpy to cover anything at all.
His mouth went dry and he opened the sheet of paper and read aloud. “Our cabin at eight. Come for a romp on
