Jared's Counterfeit Fiancee - Brenda Jackson [40]
And the man a woman would want to give her heart to on a silver platter.
Suddenly, she knew she was no longer falling in love with him. She had fallen in love with him. She loved him with every sense of her being, with every ounce of blood flowing fast and furious through her veins, with the breaths she was now taking—slow and uneven. Over the past couple of weeks she had seen more than a glimpse of him. She had gotten to know him as a man of high intelligence and intense integrity. He had proven it that day when she had shown up at his office, spitting fire and mad as hell. Luther had been his client, yet he had gone beyond what some would consider ethically proper and had given her off-the-record advice to save herself from further embarrassment, humiliation and financial ruin. And for that she truly appreciated him.
She also appreciated the way he showed her that sex wasn’t overrated, and that with the right person it could be a definitely satisfying and gratifying experience. And even now, here, today, he had come to Brunswick with her. He had stood beside her and had given her his shoulder to lean on when the pain of losing her parents had resurfaced.
“I hope I didn’t wake you from your nap, Dana.”
She swallowed deeply as she stared up at him. “No, I’m awake.” In more ways than one, she thought. “Did you sleep?”
He smiled, and his smile sent sensations oozing through the pit of her stomach. “No, I found that I couldn’t sleep after all and decided to catch a tennis match on television.”
He glanced beyond her and she knew his eyes lit on her rumpled bed. He returned his gaze to her. “Do you find the accommodations acceptable?” he asked softly.
Dana couldn’t stop the smile that touched her lips. The accommodations were more than acceptable. He had made reservations at one of the most expensive hotels on the beach, right on the ocean, connecting suites with balconies facing the water. She had offered to share the cost but he refused to talk about it. “Everything is wonderful, Jared. Thank you. I hadn’t expected such extravagance.”
Jared nodded. He knew she hadn’t and that was one of the things that made her so special and unique. Because of his success other women had expected certain luxuries. Dana expected nothing but in his opinion she deserved everything.
He considered how sexy she looked now, wearing a leopard-print robe that was destined to bring out the beast in any man. It hadn’t helped matters when he had glanced over and saw her bed with the messed-up covers and tangled sheets.
“Would you like to take a walk on the beach before dinner?” he decided to ask. “We can either eat in the restaurant downstairs or, if you prefer, we can dine in our rooms.”
Dana lowered her gaze and quickly made her decision—about a number of things. She tipped her chin up and met his gaze. “I’d love to take a walk on the beach and if you don’t mind I’d prefer if we ate here.”
“All right.”
She continued to hold his gaze and in the dark depths of his eyes she knew that he recognized that something had changed. Something elemental and deep. She also knew he would keep his word. He would take things slow, be patient and let her take the lead. He wouldn’t push, he wouldn’t pressure, but he would be ready whenever she was. And when he pounced, there would be no stopping him. God, she hoped not. She wanted it all. Everything he had to give. And she knew when it happened there was no going back. Their time together was limited. The moments would be short. But she intended to make the most of them, and when he walked away, she would have special memories to last a lifetime.
“I guess I’d better let you get dressed then,” he said, breaking into her thoughts.
She smiled at him. “Yes, I think you’d better if we want to take that walk while there’s still a lot of daylight.”
He nodded. Then slowly he leaned down and captured her lips. It was a slow, drugging kiss, gentle, tender. Whether he was kissing her this way or devouring her mouth, it didn’t matter. He still knew how to rob her