She felt pampered and cherished, which was an addictive combination.
Why had Pierce cut himself as a teenager? She wanted to ask, but she guessed that kind of confession was outside the bounds of their arrangement. She was surprised that he’d even shown her, but then, he’d been trying to put her at ease.
His strategy had worked.
She thought about it, how his desire to be a gentleman had trumped his need for privacy, but decided not to make too much of it. She might not have been up for sex again otherwise. His reasoning could have been much simpler.
Funny how she didn’t think that was it. Pierce was a gentleman, and he was thoughtful. He was kinder than she might have expected and also tough. Principled. If she didn’t watch out, she could fall for a man like Pierce.
Jacquie met her own gaze in the mirror and reminded herself of what she wanted—and what she didn’t want. She had a plan and it was a good one.
Pierce had left the fluffy hotel robe for her. She wrapped herself in its softness, combed her hair up into a ponytail, and put on a bit of lipstick. It was intimate to be with him like this, as a couple in the morning, but she also recognized that they were both still saying all the right things. This wasn’t anything like the routine of daily life. It was still a date.
He was in the main room of the suite in his black T-shirt and yoga pants, looking like a ninja warrior. It wasn’t fair that men kept looking so good. He must have still had his contacts in, because his glasses were nowhere to be seen.
Still Superman.
Maybe he wanted another round.
Jacquie liked the idea of that.
He passed her a refilled glass, his eyes glowing as he watched her.
“It’s going flat,” he said with a rueful shrug.
“I think it was worth it.”
“Absolutely.” Pierce was a little more relaxed than he’d been before, but still as vigilant and watchful. That was obviously his nature, but she was glad he was smiling more readily. He offered the strawberries and Jacquie took one as she sat on the couch.
“I like how you plan a night of seduction,” she said, taking a bite out of a strawberry. “These are good.”
Pierce sat on the other end of the couch and ate one himself. “That was the idea.” He looked a bit smug, as if his scheme had been perfection.
It had been, but Jacquie still wanted to tease him a bit.
She poked him with her bare foot. “You should be careful. A woman could get used to being spoiled by you. Your days as a carefree bachelor with time to take cooking classes could come to an end.”
Pierce blinked, obviously startled.
“Don’t worry,” Jacquie said with a reassuring smile. “I know this is just the once. I’m just enjoying it. But if you ever decide to win a woman’s heart, she won’t have a chance.”
He paused for a moment, then turned that bright gaze on her. “Want to find out?” he asked to her surprise.
Jacquie’s heart skipped but she immediately shook her head. “You don’t have to pretend that this is more than it is, Pierce. You don’t have to promise forever or say all those things.”
“But...”
“But we have a deal,” she said, interrupting him firmly. “You’ve delivered and I’m trying to do the same.”
Their gazes locked and held for one of those electric moments and Jacquie thought he was going to argue with her. Instead, he smiled and toasted her with his glass. She felt a wave of relief that he was letting it go, followed by a little disappointment.
But it couldn’t continue like this. The only way off the pinnacle was down.
“No complaints from me,” Pierce said lightly, then sipped his champagne. “It’s been an amazing night.”
“It has, hasn’t it?” She should have had a fling sooner. No, she should have had a fling with Pierce sooner. He’d redefined all her expectations and any other one-nighter was doomed to be a disappointment. She wasn’t going to think about that. “But the night’s not over yet.” She slid her foot over his leg and he captured it in one hand, running his thumb across her instep as he watched her.
“Not by a long shot.” His hand slid up her leg and he put the glass on the coffee table, bending to follow his fingertips with his lips. She felt the flick of his tongue against the inside of her knee and watched his hand slide beneath the robe with definite purpose.
He took her glass, set it aside, then lowered his weight over her, his eyes gleaming as he unfastened the belt of the robe. His hands slid over her and he kissed the inside of her thigh. Jacquie sighed and leaned back, then gestured to the box of toys. “We still have that squishy one to try,” she said, her voice husky. “I’m going to guess that we’re supposed to put it between us.”
“I think you can put it anywhere you want.” Pierce murmured against her skin, then closed his mouth over her again.
Jacquie sighed and closed her eyes as his tongue did its magic. “You’re really good at that,” she whispered.
Pierce lifted his head for a moment. “And you obviously like it.”
“You should try the blindfold,” she managed to suggest. “It’s really nice.”
He shook his head, burrowed beneath the robe, his tongue sliding across her. “I like to see.” He kissed her, then got up to cross the room to the box. He brought the blindfold and put it on Jacquie again, bending to kiss her nipple. He opened her robe and flicked the fur
