“Does that blow your whole project?”
“Project? Oh, yeah. No. Not at all. I’m thinking it’s a good thing.”
“Oh?”
“Uh-huh.” His smile faded. “I don’t want to but I have to.”
“What?”
“Move.”
“Ah.”
He slipped out of her and rolled to her side. For a moment, her gaze rested on the rise and fall of his chest, then she looked up. “How is it a good thing?”
“For one thing, I can maybe think a little more clearly.”
“How so?”
“Wanting you was kinda filling up all the synapses.”
“I see.”
“And also, I’m thinking we’ve shared something pretty damn intimate, so that it’ll be easier for you to answer my questions.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
“You don’t think this was intimate?”
She gave him her “Well, duh” look. “I’m not sure what this new level of intimacy will do. What if I’m shier?”
Having quieted his breathing, he rolled over on his side, holding his head up with one hand. “Let’s test it. What’s the most wicked fantasy you’ve ever had?”
“I thought we’d covered fantasies.”
“Nope. Barely scratched the surface.”
“Oh.”
“Come on. I’m looking for the filthiest, most disgusting thoughts you’ve ever had. The one that would get you arrested in every state but California.”
She laughed. “Like I’d tell you.”
His mouth widened in mock dismay. “You promised! You gave me your word.”
“Some things are better left a mystery.”
“No way. Uh-uh. I can’t believe you’re wimping out on me like this. I thought I knew you, but clearly, I was sadly mistaken.” He let his head drop to the arc of his elbow. “After I’ve given you the best days of my life.”
“Oh, please.”
“No, no. Don’t try to make it up to me. The tie between us has been broken irrevocably.” He put his fist on his chest. “I’m wounded to the core.”
“All right, tell you what. You tell me your most disgusting fantasy, and then I’ll tell you mine.”
His head was up in a second, resting once again on his hand. “Really?”
“You are nothing but a scoundrel, that’s all.”
“True, but an earnest one.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Answer me this. Even if you do tell me something vile and disgraceful, how will I know it’s the worst you’ve got? Maybe you have a whole trove of disgusting things, and you’re telling me some old run-of-the-mill horrifying perversion.”
“Have I ever lied to you?”
“I have no idea.”
“The answer is no. I have never. And I will never.”
“So you say.”
“Maybe this is just your way of chickening out?”
“Maybe it is.”
“No fair.”
“Ah, Danny boy, I hate to have to tell you, but no one said life was fair.”
He got that shocked look again. “What? Say it ain’t so.”
“So.”
“I hate that.”
“Me, too.”
He looked at her for a long minute. “You know what? We’re going to have to postpone this chitchat for a minute. You wait right there. Don’t go anywhere.”
She crossed her heart. “Promise.”
He climbed off the bed and headed for the bathroom while she shamelessly stared at his cute butt. When he was out of range, she let her head fall back on the pillow and closed her eyes.
It was without doubt the best sex she’d ever had. By a lot. There had been moments…Incredible. But also scary.
When he’d pulled away, she’d felt as if she’d lost some part of herself. Surely that wasn’t normal for casual sex. Always before, even with men she’d really liked, there had been a slight feeling of relief when it was over. She’d never been the cuddling kind, and had been accused of being like a guy when it came to this sort of thing. That’s why she didn’t bring men home. Because she needed to make a quick getaway. But with Dan, all she’d wanted was to stay close. She wouldn’t have objected to a cuddle here and there. Weird. Dangerous.
Her gaze moved to the door. The most worrying thing about him wasn’t this, although it came close, but the fact that try as she might, she couldn’t find anything wrong with him. No one was perfect. No one she’d ever met was near perfect. So what was his flaw? Did he hide behind his research? Was he commitment phobic? Did his relationships really end because they weren’t meant to be, or did he change when he fell in love?
It was something to think about. Not that it mattered all that much, because there was no way in hell she was going to get involved with him, but still. It was a puzzle. Perhaps, if it were another time in her life, she’d want to get to the bottom of it. As it was, she’d better keep a clear head. Sex was sex. Even great sex. Not one thing more.
She sat up, looked at the torn Victoria’s Secret panties bunched around one leg. Pulling them free, she tossed them into the wastebasket as she went to the closet and got her robe. It was late. She’d better get to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.
DAN RAN HIS HAND through his hair, anxious to get back to Jessica, whether it was for talk or something more personal, although the discussion so far had certainly piqued his interest. He couldn’t get over what had just happened. Jesus, it was the most intense encounter he could ever remember. Maybe it was the extended days of foreplay, but he doubted it. Something was happening between them, although he wasn’t about to try to define it. What was needed here was further investigation. Some hands-on research. His favorite kind. He hadn’t lied when he said this was a good thing. With Jessica, the exploration into her psyche, her sexuality, her modus operandi, would certainly be illuminating. Revelatory. Fascinating. He couldn’t wait to dig in, and not simply with questions about her fantasy life, but her motivations, her perspective on the male of the species, the why and wherefore of her very being.
To know someone that well would, he felt sure, be life-changing. He’d known some women pretty well, Tamara and Kathleen to be sure, and yet neither of them had spurred this level of interest. By some wild fluke of fate, he’d been given access to someone who not only stirred him intellectually, but emotionally and physically as well. It was like discovering Tutankhamen, a perfect, untouched cache of incalculable worth, ready to be examined piece by piece, treasure by treasure.
He crossed the dark living room, his pace quickening as he neared the bedroom. Only, when he got to the door, he saw the empty bed. A flash of blue caught his eye and he turned to find Jessica standing by the closet, her kimono belted tightly at her waist, her arms crossed over her chest. The vibrant open woman he’d left on the bed had disappeared, replaced by someone he didn’t know. Closed, reticent, distant. What in hell had happened in those few minutes he’d been away?
She smiled, but there was no pleasure in her eyes, only wariness.
“What’s going on?”
“I saw what time it was. I’m not going to have many nights where I can get a good night’s sleep, so I’d better
