She turned to him with a smile. Even with her mask, he could see the twinkle of her eyes and knew she was going to tease him. “Perfect,” she whispered. “But most songs are only about three minutes long. I hope this takes longer.”
“It’s a ninety minute mix,” he said. “And it’s on replay.”
She laughed as he locked the door and removed his cape, dropping it over a chair. He reached for hers, putting it there, too, then bent and touched his lips to the side of her neck, wanting.
She spun in his embrace, reaching up to slide her fingertips along the bottom of his mask. “Do I get to see the man behind the disguise?” she whispered mischievously. “Or is that all you’re going to wear?”
Did she like masks? Did she want to play games? Pierce was good with whatever she wanted. “You call the dress code, but I have one stipulation.” He removed his cell phone from the pouch on his belt that was probably supposed to hold a death ray, turned it off, and placed it in a box on a table beside the door.
Jacquie smiled and pulled her cell phone from her bag. She turned it off and put it in the box. Pierce closed the box, which was insulated to silence any chirps or chimes. “No company tonight,” he murmured and Jacquie smiled.
“Just us,” she agreed. He led her toward the couch, feeling her slight hesitation. Would she feel safer with the phone nearby? He really didn’t want to be interrupted by her kids calling.
But Jacquie swallowed and tugged him to a stop. “Just one thing, Pierce,” she whispered. “I’m not eighteen anymore.”
So that was it. It was impossible to think of Jacquie not confidently conquering every obstacle and solving every problem, but she stood before him, her eyes filled with doubt.
Pierce smiled to reassure her. “Good. Neither am I.” He reached out to remove her mask, letting it fall to the coffee table. Without it, her uncertainty was even more clear. He didn’t have to invite her to explain, though.
She ran one hand over her stomach. “I’ve had four kids. There’s some...mileage.” She smiled a little, but it was a more tentative expression than the smile he knew.
Pierce chuckled and patted his stomach. “I understand about mileage, believe me.”
“But I don’t want you to be surprised.”
“You don’t want me to be disappointed. There’s no chance in hell of that.” He discarded his own mask, giving her a moment to think. He took off the wig and his gloves, then shoved his hands through his hair, glad to be rid of it, and heard her chuckle. Jacquie had taken off her gloves, too, and was shaking out her hair. He popped the cork on the champagne and poured her a glass, hoping the music and the candlelight set her at ease. When he turned to offer her the glass, there was a welcome glint in her eyes.
“You planned this brilliantly.” She sighed and looked around, her appreciation clear. “It’s perfect.”
“You wanted to feel spoiled. I wanted to make your dream come true.”
“You want more than that.”
“Don’t you?”
She straightened. “Yes. Yes, I do.”
She was so forthright. It was easy to get used to a woman who told him exactly what she wanted—and so addictive to give her what she desired. Pierce touched his glass to Jacquie’s, toasting her. As they sipped, their gazes locked and he felt the air sizzle between them.
There it was. The sensation he’d always wanted and the one he associated with her. There was fire in the air between them, and as much as he wanted to surrender to it immediately, he knew it would be better for both of them to make it last.
Slowly, then. Very slowly.
She was waiting, watching, and Pierce knew it was his move. He bent and touched his lips to her cheek, feeling the softness of her skin, letting the silk of her hair slide across his face. He closed his eyes, letting his lips find a trail across her flesh, and didn’t try to hide his body’s response. Her hand touched his chest, tentative at first, then she must have felt his heartbeat. She flattened her hand and ran it across his chest, exploring, then leaned her forehead against his shoulder. He heard her sigh, a quiver running through her, as she surrendered to the moment. It was good that she found it so powerful, too. He kissed her earlobe, then her throat, letting his mouth run across her skin lightly and he smiled when she tilted her head, softening her stance and inviting him closer. Her hand was on his shoulder, then sliding up the back of his neck and into his hair. She was on her toes, her breasts against his chest, and leaning against him.
Pierce put down his glass, lifting hers from her hand and setting it aside, then framed her face in his hands. He speared his fingers into her hair, pulling her closer for a slow sweet kiss. He felt her smile against his mouth, felt some of the tension ease from her body, then her arms were around him, one locked around his waist and one at his nape. She opened her mouth to him, her tongue flicking against his and Pierce deepened his kiss, letting it flare hot and hungry. Jacquie kissed him back, her hands running over his shoulders and down his chest to his belt with characteristic purpose.
Pierce caught her wrists in his hands. “Not so fast,” he said quietly. Her gaze flew to his, alight with desire. “You haven’t opened your presents.”
“Presents, too?” She laughed, obviously pleased.
“Close your eyes,” he instructed and when she did, he watched her smile broaden with anticipation. “Maybe I should just choose one for you instead,” he suggested on impulse.
“What kind of presents are these?”
“What kind of presents do you think they are?” He guided her to the far side of the room, where a box waited on a high table.
