From violating the no-office-romance policy to playing around on the job, the old guard at the firm would view Mallory’s actions with disdain. They wouldn’t fire Mallory-they couldn’t without risk of a lawsuit-but they could stall her partnership and make her miserable until she left on her own. They wouldn’t mourn the loss of their only female associate. Meanwhile Jack would get a reprimand, a slap on the hand and maybe even a ribald joke about controlling his baser urges. But he’d have his partnership and his career intact. Unfair, but true.
“Jack?”
He rolled to the side, taking her with him. Her flesh pressed against his, warming him. He glanced into her worried face and admitted to himself he cared about her too damn much. “I’m here.”
But he didn’t love her, Mallory thought. Her heart twisted with regret. Even if fate dictated they had no future, she wished he felt the same. But she figured he was too used to the line to take her seriously anyway. No matter how much her pounding heart already belonged to him.
“What happened at home?” she asked, changing the subject.
He visibly winced. “My parents are getting divorced, finally.”
“So your father stood up for himself. You must be pleased.”
“Pleased doesn’t begin to describe it. My mother went home to pack her things-boyfriend by her side.”
Mallory cringed. “That’s insensitive.”
His expression turned shuttered and blank. “That’s my mother.”
And that’s where Jack’s views on long-term relationships and women came from, Mallory realized.
“Onward and upward. She constantly wants more and better and doesn’t care who gets hurt on her way.”
“Why did she stay with him so long then?” she asked of Jack’s father.
“Financial security. And he allowed it.”
“We’re not all like her.” Mallory wasn’t sure where the words came from, only that they were necessary.
“I know you aren’t.” A muscle ticked in his clenched jaw. “But forgive me for not having tested the theory. The divorces and statistics I’ve seen were enough to convince me to steer clear.”
She shut her mouth and nodded. Perhaps he believed she was different, perhaps not. In the end it didn’t matter because he’d bought into a stereotype too difficult for any woman to overcome. Especially Mallory, who’d made her climb up the ladder,
She placed a hand over his lips. He’d already confided enough to convince her he trusted her with his personal, emotional baggage. She wouldn’t make him dredge up more. “I can think of more fun things to do than get all emotional.”
His dark eyes met hers, and in those depths she saw a wealth of emotion and feeling-and she refused to believe she’d conjured it up in her mind. That he’d fallen for her a little bit was enough considering they each had their own paths to follow, neither allowing for a long-term relationship.
“What’d you have in mind?” he asked.
She forced an easy smile. “I heard from our P.I. and I have a wealth of information about Mrs. Lederman.” But lying naked with Jack, for what might be the last time, she had no wish to discuss work. Especially a topic which pained her more each time she thought about it.
His big hand cupped her hip. “You didn’t have work in mind.”
She shook her head. “And it’s not like there’s anything we can do with the information at midnight.”
“You’re right. Whatever it is can wait.” He covered her mouth with his and drew her into a deep kiss. And when he bit down on her lower lip, she moaned.
She desired more but knew she had other things in store for Jack and forced herself to pull back. She grabbed for the scarf he’d brought with him that lay beside her on the bed, then she rose to a sitting position, settling herself above his stomach.
She wrapped the scarf around her hands and pulled at the opposite ends, teasingly. Enticingly.
His eyes darkened with anticipation. “Exactly what do you plan on doing with that thing?”
“I thought I’d have my wicked way with you again. You see, I’ve heard that if you blindfold a man, his other senses become that much more acute.”
“Interesting theory,” he said.
She grinned. “I thought so. Do you think the same holds true for women?”
“I certainly intend to find out.” He pushed his upper body forward so he could raise himself off the mattress and nip at one nipple, causing waves of pleasure to crest and recede inside her. She bent her head back and let out a muffled cry.
While she was distracted, he grabbed the scarf from her hands. “Cheater.” She barely got the words out when he pulled the fabric taut to rub it in a horizontal motion across her breasts. Her hips began an involuntary circular dance on his stomach.
“I don’t see you complaining,” he said with a grin.
Light and fun. He’d relaxed once more. At least she hadn’t scared him away with her declaration of love. She supposed not asking for anything in return helped him push her declaration out of his mind, and if she were smart, she’d do the same herself.
He wound his hands around the silk, his heavy-lidded gaze never leaving hers. “Let’s test those heightened senses of yours.”
She sucked in a nervous breath. She’d planned on pleasuring him this way, not having the tables turned. Her nipples had already hardened into tight peaks and the dewy moisture between her legs attested to her growing excitement. As he secured the scarf around her eyes, everything around her went black.
Anticipation coiled into a knot in her stomach. The nerve endings in her fingertips began to tingle and as suggested, her other senses grew stronger.
She inhaled. The scent of his cologne, potent and alluring, teased her already tenuous restraint while goose bumps arose on her arms thanks to the air-conditioning in the room-and the inherent foreplay in his actions.
A cool rush of air blew over her nipples. She arched her back at the sensual assault and would have fallen over if not for Jack’s strong arm around her waist.
“I’ve got you.” He eased her backward onto the fluffy mound of pillows behind her.
Curiosity hammered a rapid beat in her veins. She was vulnerable to him and his intentions, yet she’d never trusted a man more. “Jack?”
“Right here.” He brushed a soft kiss over her lips, then adjusted her blindfold, making certain she couldn’t see but allowing for comfort. Seconds later, soft music floated around the room. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“Never better.” She heard the warmth infused into her voice, and knew it was a reflection of how he made her feel.
“Good. Now let’s test that theory of yours. There are five senses, yes?”
She nodded.
Jack intended to test every one. He couldn’t give her more than now, but when now was over, she’d have not only her love but a host of memories to hold on to and he’d have the same.
So why didn’t it seem enough?
He shivered, knowing what he really wanted was to lose himself inside her once more and this time, he’d be the one to let go of his tightly reined emotions. Restrained by reality, he had no choice but to give back the only other way he could-in return for the love she’d offered him and he’d had to turn away.
“So which of those five senses do you want to start with first?” he asked.
Her lips turned upward in a grin. “I think that would have to be touch.”
He nearly broke into a sweat just thinking about all the ways he wanted to explore her body and let her
He grit his teeth. Not yet. “Sorry but we’re saving the best for last. Let’s go with taste. Sit tight.”
“Like I’m going anywhere?” she asked wryly.
He headed for the minibar beneath the television. Thank goodness for amenities because in the refrigerator, he found a bar of chocolate. After unwrapping the candy, he took a bite of the milk chocolate and caramel and chewed. And chewed. And chewed.
“Hey what’s going on there?” she asked into the silence.
He laughed, realizing how long it was taking him to break down and finish the luscious treat. “Not a thing. You ready?”
