Page 5 (1/2)

He shook his head and leaned over, hisher ear as he whispered, "Tooned acquiescence That was, until she spoke and he realized she wasn’t as resigned to adht she was

"You have to take your artwork to the gallery" She glanced at her watch "Must be open by now" Her gaze met his in too businesslike a fashion "We could meet at a little Italian place up the street for lunch later today If you’re interested and you’re hungry by then"

He was interested, but he was damned concerned that she intended to ditch him a second time, only in this instance, so she could keep Mario under further surveillance

"Italian?" Jake asked The insinuation was that the Italian guys ht eat at the Italian restaurant, and she had inside infor for lunch there Which didn’t set ith Jake If he was to have a ful lunch with the lady, he wanted all her attention

She shrugged, but the renewed sparkle in her eyes and the slight upward tilt of herShe lifted her chin just a little "Or anything else you’re interested in"

His smile was sure to appear purely predatory She had to knoas interested in her

"To eat," she said, realizing he was thinking like a aze remained on hers A faint blush colored her cheeks and creamy throat

She quickly added, "They have steak houses, sandwich shops, seafood places, you naallery?"

"No I’ve got some errands I need to run" Her tone was clipped and businesslike again She wasn’t going to be talked out of going it alone

He didn’t like it He thought she was serious about lunch, but after she’d ticked off these er And he was certain she was going after them further

"So ill it be?" she asked

"Steak house, but--"

"Okay, steak house it is Main Street at 1 phtened her skirt

He wanted to change her mind, but she seemed determined He stood to let her out of the booth and noticed that the suitedthem now Jake took her hands, leaned over, and slanted histo show theher, there’d be hell to pay Before he could do ainst her soft mouth, she pulled her hands free

Prepared to accept her rejection, Jake was about to separate fro any further with this--at least here in the restaurant Until she placed her arainst his chest in a torly seductive way, and with an upturned face, offered her e, but he reigned in his baser needs and licked her sugary cinnaue His hands roae of her jacket on the sensuous curve of her buttocks

He said quietly, "Open yourthe bedrooue penetrated the s as she barely parted her lips to hiht But he breached any defenses shethe back of her head as he forged forward, the other keeping her body pressed against his hardness

She responded like a woue back, her body a little reserved Then as if he’d overpowered her will to keep this at a standoff, he sensed her resolve falter Felt her tongue play with his in a ainst hiroaned when she deepened the kiss