Dream Lover

DREAM LOVER By Marilyn Lee A Renaissance E Books publication ISBN 1-929670-36-2 All rights reserved Copyright © 2000 by Marilyn Lee This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission. For information contact: Renaissance E Books P. O. Box 494 Clemmons, NC 27012-0494 USA

Email: [email protected]

Chapter One Jade Johnstone could not look away. Her breathing was labored and her coral-colored wire-framed glasses were fogged. But she could not look away from the big, unmade brass bed. The man lying there was completely perfect – every tall, muscular, buck-naked inch of him. She'd never seen anyone more beautiful. Not that she'd seen many naked men with which to compare him. Actually, she'd never seen any naked men. Not like this – in the breath-stealing, glorious flesh. ThosePlaygirl centerfolds she and Janny used to spend hours in their respective garages gaping at as teenagers didn't count. None of those pictures had ever caused this almost painful tingling sensation along every nerve ending in her body. Just the sight of those bare broad shoulders tapering into a narrow waist and firm, unmistakably male buttocks left her gasping. And those long, muscular, hairy legs! Thank God they were closed and he had his back to her. Of course that didn't stop her from imaging what must lie between them! A delicious spinning sensation surged

into her head. She closed her eyes and leaned back against the doorframe. Get a grip, Jade. Get a grip. It's just a naked man. No reason to lose it, even if you are the last twenty-five-year-old-almost-virgin in the city. He grunted. Oh, no! He was awake. Her eyes flew open; she spun around and ran down the hall toward the stairs. Her flight was hampered by the bucket filled with a mop and other cleaning utensils she carried in her clenched right hand. Any minute now he would come charging out of the bedroom after her, calling her a peeping Tomasina or a voyeur. And then she'd have lost a paying customer. She had almost reached the stairs leading down to the first floor when she dared to glance over her shoulder. When she turned back, it was too late to avoid tripping over the wastebasket she'd taken from the bedroom at the head of the stairs when she'd first come upstairs. She fell hard. "Oh, sugar!" she muttered as she landed on her back. And then, "What in the Sam Hill!" as the top of the mop slammed into her left shoulder. Almost immediately, she scrambled to her feet. Leaving her cleaning supplies where they'd fallen, she charged nosily down the wide staircase. She jumped past the last three steps and landed on her feet in the middle of the white, tiled front hall. If she could only reach the front door before he came out of his bedroom. With her hand on the door, she stopped and looked over her shoulder. There was no sign of him. And no sound from his bedroom. She leaned against the door and took several deep, relieved breaths. He was still asleep. She must be living right. Obviously, Reed Daniels was one of those lucky people who could sleep through an earthquake. If she just got hold of herself, he'd never know how the owner of his cleaning service had stood in his bedroom door staring at his big, beautiful nude body while he slept. And since he is asleep, there's no way he can know, she reminded herself. So don't go to pieces. Pushing herself away from the door, she ran lightly up the staircase. On the second floor landing, she quickly began gathering up her scattered supplies. She went back down the stairs and crossed the hall to the front entrance. She cracked the door, squeezed through, and stepped onto the front stairs, closing the door quietly behind her. For a moment, she allowed her body to relax back against the steel door as she slowly breathed in the late April air, congratulating herself on her lucky escape. She glanced guiltily around, half expecting to find Reed Daniels' neighbors peeking out their windows. But this was a quiet, upper class neighborhood. At eight-thirty on Monday morning, everyone was at school or work, which, she reminded herself, is where she should be. Inside the house behind her – cleaning, not gawking. She went

back into the house, this time deliberately slamming the front door and clanging her metal bucket onto the tile floor. She glanced up the stairs towards the second floor. Still no sound from him. She frowned in annoyance and decided to clean the downstairs first. By the time she got upstairs again, he'd better be up or at least have had the decency to close his bedroom door. She wasn't going to be responsible if she saw that big, magnificent, naked body of his in the flesh again. She didn't think she'd be able to resist the urge to touch him. Just a little. Stroke a hand down his strong back. Caress his firm butt. Sneak a hand between his legs. Caress his… Stop it, Jade! What was he doing home anyway, she wondered as she began cleaning the downstairs. In the four months she'd been cleaning his house, she'd never arrived to find him home, although she had often longed to. Their first and only meeting had taken place five months earlier at his office where they'd signed the cleaning contract and he'd given her a set of keys to his house and his alarm code. They'd only been together for ten minutes, but she'd known even then that she would be cleaning his house herself. With his thick dark hair, long curling lashes, dimpled chin, smoky gray eyes, handsome face, and warm, intimate smile, he was the stuff of which feminine wet dreams were made. And just what do you think he'd see in you ? she demanded of her reflection as she stalked past a beautiful gilded mirror hanging above the Queen Anne table in the front hall. True, she'd once been told that her eyes were liquid fire, her smile dazzling, and her walk enough to make a man follow her anywhere. The man who'd said those things had been intent on getting inside her panties. But after her one painful experience with sex, she was too cagey to be sweet talked into bed. Even if Reed Daniels were attracted to cleaning women, it would be to someone as beautiful and sexy as Janny, who could easily grace the cover of anySports Illustrated swimsuit issue. An hour later, she squared her shoulders, took a deep breath, and briskly headed up the stairs. Ignoring the dryness in her throat and her quickened breathing, she cleaned the hall and the other two bedrooms. But he didn't stir, even when she turned on the vacuum. Finally, it was time to go back into his bedroom. She stalked over to the door and rapped her knuckles long and hard against the open door panel, only to be greeted by silence. She peeked into the room. He was still asleep, lying on his stomach now. His long, muscular thighs were slightly parted, offering her a tantalizing view of the thick, rounded head of his manhood. She gasped and sank her teeth into her bottom lip.

He was aroused! She stood there for what felt like hours. Looking away was out of the question. She was on fire; weak with longing and mounting desire as if she was in the midst of another one of her hot wet dreams of him. Only this time, she wasn't sleeping or even daydreaming. He was really lying in front of her, gloriously naked. Abruptly, he rolled onto his back. Her hands flew up to cover her mouth. Rising up from the dark, brown pubic hair, was the biggest, thickest arousal she'd ever seen. Her knees buckled and her cotton panties were suddenly damp with a rush of moisture. The desire to touch him was uncontrollable. She stumbled across the floor to the bed and stood looking down at him. Only then did she notice his shallow breathing and the beads of sweat on his forehead. Ignoring the desire clutching at her stomach, she reached out a tentative hand to touch his cheek and forehead. His skin felt hot and clammy. He was feverish. He needed a doctor. She glanced over her shoulder to the night table on the other side of the big bed where she knew he kept his day organizer. Maybe his doctor's number was in there. She'd started to turn away when she felt a strong, vice-like grip catch her hand. Surprised, she turned back to find Reed Daniels sitting up. Although his silver-gray eyes were open, his gaze was unfocused. Before she could decide what to do, he reached out, caught her other arm, and lifted her off her feet. A moment later, she found herself lying flat on the bed, under his big, damp body; with his thick manhood throbbing hot and heavy against her stomach. She should have been shocked, frightened, angry – certainly embarrassed if he had not been the focal point of her erotic fantasies for the last several months. But he had been and she was aware of an ache between her legs. She was about to find out what he was like as a real flesh and blood lover. A surge of need twisted her stomach into knots. All thoughts flew from her head as his eyes closed, his dark head bent and he kissed her. His lips were warm, sweet, and insistent and she didn't need much persuasion. Her mouth blossomed open under his moist lips. She had never liked French kissing, but when his tongue brushed along her lips and dipped into her mouth to tangle and dance with hers, she felt the resultant jolt of pleasure through her whole body. His soft sigh and slight tremor let her know he felt it too. While she was luxuriating in that delight, his big hands were moving over her body. His touch felt like hot, intoxicating silk; especially stroking the mounds of her breasts until her nipples hardened like twin peaks under her cotton blouse.

She shivered with need and wantonly pushed her breasts up against his hand. He groaned and, dragging his mouth from hers, he pushed her blouse up around her neck. Seconds later, he bent his head and, pushing aside her bra, took the tip of one of her breasts into his mouth. An almost unbearable surge of heat shot through her at the contact. "Oh, yes!" she gasped as his warm, moist tongue began flicking against the already rigid tip of her aching breast. "Yes!" Encouraged by her response, he hungrily took her breast into his mouth and began sucking on it. Desire flared strong and urgent in her. Gripping his hair, she cradled his head against her breasts. "Yes! Yes! Yes! The other one! Please!" Licking his way slowly across her chest, as if he loved the taste of her skin on his tongue, he obediently gave her other breast the same sweet attention. All the while, his free hand continued shaping the narrow expanse of her waist, the flare of her hips and cupping her rounded bottom. Suddenly, he made a small sound low in his throat that was pure desire and shifted his body slightly to one side. She froze as he pushed her short skirt up her thighs to her waist. She was bare legged. Now, the only thing between them was her panties. Then, even that flimsy barrier was removed when he deftly stripped her from bra to sandals. His big hand moved between her thighs to cup her. Her lips parted in a wordless gasp. It had been an eternity since she'd felt a male hand there. This was going too far. She should stop him. Push him away. Cry out for help. Struggle with him. Instead, she lay trembling with a shameless sense of anticipation, her desire evident by the moisture pouring from her body into his big, caressing palm. Those incredible eyes of his were open again. Now he was staring down at her, devouring her naked body with his gaze. She had never seen such a look in a man's eyes – raw, open, sensual lust. It turned her into a mindless bundle of nerve endings with an overwhelming need to feel his feverish, naked flesh pressing against hers. Into her. Deep into her. Again and again. She rained small, desperate kisses against his broad shoulders and his hard, brown nipples. The feel of his damp, warm skin under her lips and his husky groans excited her. She trailed a path of nibbling kisses up his throat, where she tenderly kissed and licked at his Adam's apple. She thrilled to the unmistakable desire she was unleashing in him. She could feel it in the heat of his penis pulsing so erotically against her. The feelings it engendered in her were maddening. Smiling with delight, she slipped her fingers in his hair and kissed him. That was all it took to shake his tenuous control. With a soft murmur of hunger, his big, gorgeous naked body slid up hers, delicious inch by delicious inch until the head of his

lusciously hard penis came to rest between her parted thighs. That was nearly enough to send her into a climax. Supporting his weight on his extended arms, he slowly began a sawing motion with his hips that caused the engorged head of his penis to rub against her pleasure button. At the exquisite, electric contact, he groaned. She cried out, clung to his arms, and helplessly threw her hips up against his. Then all the stars in the heavens exploded behind her eyes and she shuddered into her first heart-stopping orgasm. It was so intense, it left her sobbing with pleasure and release. Pausing only long enough to kiss her into calm, he began the seductive movement of his hips again. In a matter of seconds, she was quickly awash in fresh waves of luscious release. Still gasping, her eyes closed, she finally released his arms and fell back against the bed. Sighing happily, she lay spent amidst the creamy dampness that poured out of her body in response to the rhythmic thrusts of his shaft against her. To think she had denied herself such sweet pleasure for so long. And all because, at nineteen, her high school sweetheart, in his haste to become a man, had roughly and painfully broken her hymen. It happened one night when his parents were away from home. They returned unexpectedly. He snatched up his pants and she pushed down her dress before he could do any more damage. The experience left her disappointed and determined to wait for marriage before she let another man touch her. No man had been able to shake her determination. Until now. Now that she knew what she'd been missing, what she'd denied herself, she was greedy for more pleasure. She was with the man who could give it to her. To encourage him to do just that, she spread her legs further in open invitation. She wanted to feel his weight on top of her and feel every pounding inch of his hard manhood buried deep inside her. An eternity passed without him moving. Smiling contentedly, she opened her eyes. Her smile froze on her face and a hot flush covered her whole body. His silver eyes were now perfectly focused. He didn't speak, but continued to lie there above her. His arousal still throbbed hot and heavy against her, even though his weight was supported by his arms. The look of dismay on his handsome face said it all. Oh, sugar, Jade! Now you've done it. Why did you come back into this room and allow this to happen? What must he be thinking of you? "I … I should go … so … please get off me!" she whispered. When he didn't respond immediately, she tried to wiggle her lower body from under his. Her thoughtless movement caused his penis to rub against the small, sensitive button

between her legs. The resultant jolt made them both shudder and groan. Realizing what she was doing, she froze and stared silently up at him. He looked down at her. His gaze rested briefly on her breasts before moving lower. She looked down her body where his gaze was arrested: at the damp patch between her legs where their bodies were almost joined. His eyes darkened and smoldered with passion. She held her breath at the seductive sight of his hard flesh at the very apex of her being. His breathing quickened and just for a moment, she half- expected him to plunge his hard penis deep into her willing body. Half expected and wholly wanted. But with a low, almost anguished groan, he closed his eyes and drew away from her. His manhood thudded against her hips as he rolled onto his side, his back to her. She scrambled off the bed, snatched up her clothes and ran across the room. At the door, she turned back. He was lying on his stomach, his face buried in the pillow. His shoulders rose and fell with his deep, ragged breathing. She closed the bedroom door and stood in the hallway, hurriedly pulling on her underwear, only to discard the panties again. They were soiled. She shimmied into her skirt and blouse. When she was dressed, she collected her cleaning supplies and flew out of the house.

Chapter Two Reed Daniels stood in his shower under a steady stream of cold water. Each time he closed his eyes against the water spray, he saw himself lying on top of the sleek, naked body of a female who looked almost young enough to be jailbait. The expression in her liquid brown eyes was so beguiling that it threatened to melt every bone in his body – except his aching cock, which had been pressed against her slick, hot clit, poised to thrust deep into her. Oh God! He closed his eyes and allowed his forehead to rest against the shower stall, the water still cascading over his head. He must have dreamed the whole thing. But it had felt so real. Her smooth, creamy skin had felt so enchanting under his hands and lips. Even now he shivered with unfulfilled desire as he recalled the gut wrenching thrill of having the head of his dick covered with the sweet liquid heat from the body of the woman he'd just finished sexing. He was fairly certain it had been real. Besides, there were marks on his arms where she'd dug her nails into his flesh. It hadn't been a dream. And all the cold water in Philadelphia couldn't wash away the heady memory of her big, naked breasts

crushed under his chest … the sweet taste of her nipples in his mouth … the musky smell of her aroused body. And the worse part was, he didn't want to forget. He wanted to relish every second of their encounter, relive the contrast of her smooth skin against his tanned flesh, every little gasp and scream of hers as he'd pleasured her without penetrating her. He frowned. At least he didn't think he had. He glanced down at himself. If he'd penetrated her, he wouldn't still be in such need – a situation he had to remedy. Taking his hard, aching erection in his hand, he lathered up, and began massaging and pumping himself. He closed his eyes and imagined the hand on him was smaller, feminine. That mental image had the desired effect. He groaned aloud as he gave himself his release. When the shudders stopped, he sagged back against the tiled wall, his thoughts on the delightful creature who'd recently been in his bed. He sighed. There was something familiar about her. He should know her, but he couldn't quite place her. He had to find out who she was and how she had come to be in his bed so he could get her back there. Only next time, he wouldn't be feverish. And there would definitely be penetration. Lots of deep penetration.

"Are you sure there's no chance of your getting pregnant? You're sure he didn't come in you?" It was a week and a half later. Saturday morning. As usual, Jade was sharing a late breakfast at her apartment with her best friend, Janny Harris. Jade flushed, but she forced herself to meet Janny's gaze. "Yes," she said shortly. Maybe telling Janny about her experience with Reed Daniels had been a mistake. "He didn't actually put … he didn't come at all and he wasn't actually …in me." That seemed to surprise Janny. "You're telling me he satisfied you and then stopped when you asked him to?" "Well, he didn't really know what he was doing … until my … moans sort of woke him. He was feverish." "Butyou knew what he was doing." And she'd loved every second. "Yes." Janny digested that in silence. Jade suspected she was shocked.And you would be too, if you had any shame.

"What were you doing there anyway?" Janny finally asked. "What's the point of being the boss if you're going to do the cleaning yourself? I have a stenographer, so I don't take shorthand myself." "I like to keep my hand in," she said almost apologetically. She thought it better not to tell Janny how she'd been lusting after Reed Daniels from the moment she saw him. Janny studied her face for several moments before going on. "So what are you going to do?" "About what?" "About him. I mean the man had sex with you against your will." She paused with a piece of bacon halfway to her mouth. "It was against your will. Wasn't it?" "Yes," she said quickly. Then more slowly, "No. Oh, I don't know." "Jade?" Janny prodded. "What's going on here?" She hesitated. Her erotic fantasies of Reed Daniels were the only secret she'd ever kept from Janny. She pushed her nearly full plate of bacon and eggs away. "I mean … once he … kissed me, I didn't want him to stop. I just lay in his bed, with my legs spread wide, waiting … wanting him inside me … I've never felt so wanton and so lusty." She blushed. "I've felt … I mean I really wanted him to … stick it in me … hard. It was not rape," she said decisively. "Iwanted him." Janny seemed dazed by her admission. "So what are you going to do?" "Nothing. He didn't do anything to me that I didn't want him to." In fact, he hadn't done enough, but she thought that was better left unsaid. "I would not trade that experience with him for anything," she went on. "So I'm going to just go on with my plans. The business is doing so well that it's time I learned enough to keep my eyes on my own books. I'm starting my accounting class at Community College Monday night." "And his house? You're not going back there again, are you?" "No. I'll send one of the other girls to clean it. So that's the end of it. We won't see each other again." That seemed to nullify Janny's concern. "Well, that's a relief, but you don't sound very happy about that." She shrugged, taking a deep breath. "I guess I'm not. I can't stop thinking about him. I lie awake at night reliving the whole experience." Janny reached across the table to clasp her hand. "That's understandable. He gave

you your first taste of sexual pleasure." It had been more than a taste. Although she wanted more, she'd have to be satisfied with what she'd already had.

Seated in the back of the medium-sized classroom, Jade glanced at her watch. Five fourteen. Class was due to start in less than ten minutes. The room was only three quarters full and the instructor, an A. Certo, hadn't yet arrived. She hoped A. Certo was a big, sexy stud. Maybe then she could develop a crush on him and forget Reed Daniels. After two weeks, she still fell asleep every night reliving that time in his bedroom, wishing he had penetrated her. Just as if she had conjured him up with her lascivious thoughts, Reed Daniels strolled into the room carrying a briefcase. "Good evening," he said. His voice was warm and deep. Stunned, Jade held her breath as she watched him walk to the front of the room. Of course she'd known he was a CPA. After all, she'd been to his office, but she'd never dreamed he also taught. He was definitelynot A. Certo. So what was he doing here? She took a deep breath, trying to steady her heartbeat. He looked as sexy in the faded jeans and sweater he wore as he'd been naked and so gloriously aroused. The knowledge that she knew what masculine delights lay beneath his jeans made it difficult for her to keep her gaze away from his crotch area. "This is Accounting 101 and I'm Reed Daniels. Your regular instructor, Annie Certo, broke her leg yesterday, so I will be filling in for her for the first couple of weeks of this course." He deposited his briefcase on the middle of the desk before sitting on the edge and glancing around the room. Jade resisted the urge to slide down in her chair. She couldn't hide from his scrutiny. There weren't enough people in the class. Besides he probably wouldn't recognize her without the glasses and bandanna she wore only when she was working. And she hadn't made a lasting impression on him the one time he'd seen her in contacts in his office. Her hair had been almost shoulder length then. She relaxed her tense shoulders, convinced there was no chance of his recognizing her. A moment later, his silver gaze brushed her face without the slightest hint of

recognition and moved on to the man sitting next to her. She seethed. What kind of man failed to recognize the woman he'd been so intimate with just two weeks earlier? He opened his briefcase and began passing out five by eight index cards. "I have a roster, but I'd appreciate it if you'd all fill out these cards with your name, day and evening phone numbers, occupation, if any, your reason for being here, and what you hope to get out of this class. "Let me tell you something about myself while you're filling out the cards. As I said, my name is Reed Daniels. I'm a certified public accountant. I teach accounting part time here at Community. I work full time at a center city accounting firm. For the four weeks or so we'll be together, it will be my job to help you understand the basic principles of accounting. Any questions?" A pretty blonde, who hadn't taken her eyes off him since the moment he walked in the door, raised her hand. He nodded at her. "Yes?" "My name's Rona," she said in a sultry voice that Jade envied. "What shall we call you? Teacher? Professor? Reed?" Reed Daniel's gaze moved across the faces in the room, again without recognizing Jade. "It looks like we're all adults here. Personally, I prefer to be called Reed, but if anyone wants to keep it to last names, that's fine. Why don't you note on your card which you'd prefer?" Jade hesitated, then wrote her first name on the card and passed it forward. It was going to be a long hour and twenty minutes – and an even longer four weeks. No doubt it would be a waste of money too. She wasn't likely to learn anything about accounting if she had to spend all her time trying not to stare at Reed Daniels. "For this course you will need a textbook. The name and edition is listed on the course outline being passed around now. There's also a workbook available. It's helpful, but optional." He glanced at his watch. "You'll need your textbook for next class and since the bookstore closes in an hour, we'll call it a night in a few moments. "For Wednesday's class, read chapter one thoroughly and come prepared to do the first five problems at the end of the chapter." His gray gaze scanned the occupants of the room, resting briefly on Jade's face. Was it just wishful thinking or was there a hint of warmth in his darkened gaze? "I'll be in my office here every Monday and Wednesday by five o'clock. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to make an appointment with me. If any of you need to reach me before Wednesday, my office phone number is listed on the course schedule I passed out. Feel free to call and leave a message on my answering machine or voice mail. Any question? No?"

His smile encompassed the entire room. "Okay. I'll see you all Wednesday. Good night." Resisting the urge to look at him again, Jade picked up her backpack and left the room. She was hurt and angry that he hadn't recognized her. Worse, there hadn't been even the tiniest spark of interest in his gaze the few times he had looked directly at her. What did you expect, you idiot? she demanded, making her way along endless corridors in search of the bookstore. Did you think he'd spent a second thinking of you; wanting to meet you again? You were just a one-night stand to him, if he even remembers at all. Forget that day. Forget him. Forty minutes later, armed with her text and workbooks, she left the bookstore and headed across the street to the main parking lot where her car was parked. She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Reed Daniels striding towards her. For one crazy moment, her heartbeat quickened.Jade, girl, there's hope for you yet. He did recognize you. He's following you! But she quickly dismissed the thought. He was walking quickly. Probably just in a hurry to get to his car. She stopped, pressing herself back against the wall so he could pass. Instead of passing by with a polite nod, as she'd expected, he stopped and smiled down at her. "Finally, we meet again." The parking lot wasn't well lit, but one look up into his gray eyes and she knew she'd been mistaken. He did remember. The blood rushed to her face and she felt weak. She leaned back against the column behind her, unable to look away from him. "I don't know what you mean." "Of course you do." "No," she insisted. "Yes." His gaze lingered on her breasts. "Shall I refresh your memory by telling you how you look in the throes of ecstasy?" She blushed. "Okay. So I know what you're talking about," she admitted. "That's better. Why pretend?" "I didn't think you remembered." "You didn't think I remembered? You think that sort of thing happens to me all the time?" She shrugged. "Okay. I didn't think you recognized me."

He brushed the back of his hand against her cheek. "I noticed and recognized you the moment I walked into the classroom. I haven't been able to forget you. You've filled my thoughts for the last two weeks. If you remember, you left me in rather a bad way." She should have been embarrassed, but as before, she felt no shame with him. "I know. I know it wasn't … fair, but … nothing like that has ever happened to me before. I didn't know what to do. You were getting ready to … to…" "To make love to you?" If he had taken her that day, it wouldn't have had much to do with love. Hot, sleazy, magnificent sex? Yes. But love? No. She shrugged. "Anyway, you were sick. Feverish." His lips twitched. "I see. So you left me high and dry and full of frustrated desire because you were concerned about my health? Thanks. I'm touched. Really." She laughed. "Okay. I guess I was just afraid." "You didn't need to be. Even sick, I wouldn't have gone any further than you wanted me to." She bit back the urge to tell he hadn't gone far enough. "So. How are you now?" "Fine, now that I know who you are." "You didn't know before?" He shook his head. "No," he said slowly. "I feel like we've met, but we couldn't have. I wouldn't have forgotten you if we had." "Yeah?" "Oh, yeah. You're rather … unforgettable." "Well, we have met and you had no problem forgetting me." "When? Where?" More than one man had been turned off by her line of work. She didn't know enough about Reed Daniels to know if he'd be one of them. She decided not to take any chances. She shook her head and asked the question uppermost in her mind. "Did you think of me?" "Day and night," he said with so much feeling that she felt warm all over. "And you? Did you think of me?" She nodded silently, aware of a sense of eager anticipation washing over her.

He smiled and slipped an arm around her waist. He drew her lower body into close, intimate contact with his. "Good, because you've bewitched me," he said softly. She thrilled to the telltale bulge in his jeans. Leaning into him, she slipped a hand between their bodies to palm the bulge. Encouraged by his soft groan of pleasure, she pressed a hungry kiss against his honey sweet lips, then stared up at him in wonderment. What was it about this man that allowed her to feel so comfortably shameless with him? They heard footsteps and quickly separated. Moments later, several people squeezed passed them, throwing curious looks their way. You're doing it again, Jade. Behaving like a brazen hussy with a one-track mind. Leading straight to his bed. What was it her mother used to say? Act like trash with a man and be treated like trash? "I'd better go," she said abruptly and turned away. He fell into step beside her. "Where are you parked?" She pointed to a late model Ford Contour parked a couple of feet away under a night lamp. "So tell me, Jade, are you in love with or seeing anyone in particular?" "Why?" "Because I would very much like to take you out." She felt a thrill of pleasure. "You would? Is that allowed?" "I'm old enough not to need permission to date," he said, smiling. She smiled, but waved her hand in dismissal. "That's not what I meant. I mean because you're my instructor." He shrugged. "Granted, it's not an ideal situation, but there are no rules preventing it. At least none that I know of." "Shouldn't you check to be sure?" "No!" he said shortly. "If there are any such rules, I don't want to know about them. Besides, I'll only be your instructor for a few weeks." He frowned suddenly, looking concerned. "You are older than you look. Aren't you?" "Depends on how old you think I look." "Please tell me you're at least eighteen."

The uncertainty in his voice, gave her a sense of power over him. He sounded desperate at the thought of her possibly being underage. She relaxed a little and smiled. "I don't know how old or young you think I look, but I'm twenty-five." "Thank God!" She laughed, but sobered quickly as he stood staring down at her, an uncertain look on his face. "I'm thirty-six. Does that seem too old to you?" She had a feeling that nothing about him was going to be too anything. "It sounds like the perfect age for a man." "Good. Because I'd like very much to take you out, Jade." She ran a hand through her hair and shifted her gaze to his cheek. "You want to take me out or take me to bed?" "Both," he admitted. The admission, spoken in a low, husky voice recalled that day in his house. In his bed. Under his big, aroused body. The intense feelings the memory invoked frightened her. She took a step back. "Don't worry," he said quickly. "I didn't mean I expected you to hop in bed with me tonight." He smiled suddenly. "Maybe tomorrow, but not tonight. Oh, come on, that was a joke." She flashed him an uncertain smile. "Oh." "Are you involved with anyone?" "No." "Then will you come out with me?" She bought her gaze back to his. "Yes. I would very much like to go out with you." He smiled at her and she smiled back, her heart beating even faster. "Good. And would you like to go to bed with me again?" "Yes," she murmured. "Oh, yes."

Chapter Three He lifted her clenched fist to his mouth and brushed his lips across her knuckles. "Who are you?" "I'm your cleaning lady," she blurted out. The look on his face had her biting her lip.

She sighed. "I know that look. Finding out I clean houses for a living usually turns guys … men off." "Does it?" "Yes. Men – especially professional ones – like professional women. They don't like to think about their women cleaning other people's houses for a living." "Maybe not. I admit the thought holds very little appeal, but do I look turned off to you, Jade Johnstone?" She stared up at him and sighed in relief. He definitely did not look turned off. "No and actually it's not as bad as it seems." "Oh? Just how bad is it?" "At least I don't think it is. I own the agency that cleans your house. DustBins, Inc. Don't you remember? We met once when we signed the contract." He nodded slowly. "I remember signing the contract, but you looked so different – so cool and professional. You had hair then." She fingered her short, dark curls. "I have hair now," she protested. "You call that hair?" "Yes, I do." He shrugged. "You're entitled to your opinion. As I was saying, you weren't wearing glasses, and you had all your clothes on," he finished wickedly. She flushed, but didn't look away. "So did you," she shot back. He smiled intimately at her. "Touché. Of course I much prefer you sans clothes, but I guess doing business stark naked wouldn't be very practical." "No. Not, practical at all," she said weakly, amazed at the intimacy of their conversation. "So that's what you were doing at my house. Do you do all your cleaning in the nude?" "No. I was naked because you undressed me!" "Ah, yes, and I enjoyed every second of it. You have an absolutely beautiful body. Have you ever posed nude?" She blushed. "No! I clean houses for a living. Remember?" "Ah, yes, I do. Just how many houses do you clean with your pretty little hands?" He grinned. "Fully dressed, of course."

"Actually, I…" she paused, then decided to be honest. "Yours is the only house I clean personally." He studied her upturned face in silence for several moments before he spoke again. "Should I be flattered?" "Aren't you?" "Yes," he admitted. "Look, I think I should explain so you understand about that day. I had a bad case of the flu and I'd taken some medicine that made me very groggy a few hours before you arrived. What I'm saying is that I thought I was dreaming at first. I don't usually drag every woman that comes into my bedroom into bed with me." "Do you … usually sleep like that … naked … and … aroused?" "Only when I'm expecting delectable cleaning women." He smiled, then suddenly shook his head. "Really, I'm sorry about what happened." "I'm not," she said audaciously. His smile returned. "You're refreshingly honest. I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to getting to know you, Jade Johnstone," he said softly. "Oh, good." He glanced at his watch and made a small sound of annoyance. "I have to get back. I have another class tonight." He walked her to her car. She opened the door, then turned to look up at him. "You'll call?" She suddenly felt anxious. "I haven't been able to eat, sleep, or work very efficiently since you left me with a raging hard-on." He bent his head to kiss her. She closed her eyes and kissed him back. His mouth moved slowly, but insistently against hers, parting her lips. She eagerly sucked at the tongue he stroked into her mouth. His body hardened in response. She pressed closer, enjoying the feel of his masculine body against hers. She wanted him. Really wanted him this time. With a groan, he pulled away from her. "You want to ask me that again?" he asked softly. She shook her head. There was no need. He would call.

Are you out of your mind? The question reverberated in Reed's head as he slowly walked back to the Bonnel

building for his next class. He'd argued with himself all the way to the parking garage, trying to talk himself out of following Jade after class. He'd told himself that getting involved with her was sheer insanity. Her status as one of his students, however temporary, aside, there was the question of her morals. What kind of woman went to bed with a man she didn't know as she'd done with him? If nothing else, she was what his mother would call common and easy. Then there was the small matter of Lina Leighton, the daughter of one of the senior partners. A marriage with her would ensure that he got the full partnership he was entitled to. Although there was no formal understanding between them, she'd been chasing him for the last year. He'd stopped running about two months ago and now she and her father had started to refer to them as a couple. This was definitely not the time to get involved with anyone who would get in the way of his ambition. There was no way he could pursue a relationship with Lina and have Jade at the same time. The solution was obvious. He should write off Jade Johnstone. Forget he'd ever touched her warm naked flesh or tasted her sweet lips.Ah, but she was so enchanting. He licked his lips. The taste of her mouth and her tongue lingered with him, as did the delicious aroma of her aroused body. And those gorgeous brown eyes that made him a willing captive every time he looked down into them! His last relationship with an attorney living in Washington D.C. had been a long-distance one. After two and a half years of hot, sizzling sex, it had ended five months earlier. Michelle was been beautiful, cultured, and someone of whom his mother would approve. Although he'd been fond of her, he had not been in love with her. When she began hinting that she was ready to settle down and start a family, he came right out and told her that he wasn't ready to be a husband or a father. He had been celibate since then and now his body was hungry and ready to become intimately involved with someone. He told himself that someone didn't necessarily need to be Jade Johnstone. It could just as easily be Lina. No, dammit, it could not. Lina was attractive and she had the hots for him. And although she stirred him, she didn't arouse him the way Jade did. He wanted Jade Johnstone and come hell or high water or Lina, he was going to have her. Granted, his relationship with Jade would have to be short and low-keyed, but he would do his best to make sure she didn't get hurt or too attached to him. As long as they kept their relationship strictly physical, no one need get hurt. He knew that for the first time in his life, he was about to enter a relationship without being in complete control. The realization was a little unnerving, but exhilarating too. He was sure Jade Johnstone had hidden depths, and he meant to explore them all.

To hell with the consequences.

"You told him what?!" Jade tucked her legs under her on the thick mauve carpeting of Janny's living room floor and glanced sideways at her friend. After her encounter with Reed Daniels in the parking lot, she'd come straight to Janny, wanting to talk about him. Now she was sorry. Janny was not going to understand. She couldn't really blame Janny, because she really didn't understand what was happening herself. "I told him I wanted to sleep with him. So what's the big deal? You've been on me for the last couple of years about not having a lover in an age when most girls take their first lover in their early teens." She shrugged. "So why aren't you happy for me? Isn't there any pleasing you?" "No! Yes. Okay," Janny nodded, looking angry. "I know what I said – what I've been saying – but I did not mean for you to give it up to a guy you've met twice! Besides, since you've waited this long, you might as well wait a little longer. Wait until you meet that special man that just thinking about takes your breath away." Jade lifted her cup and took a sip of herbal tea. "I've met him, Janny. Reed Daniels is the one," she said and waited for the explosion. She didn't have long to wait. "What?" Janny shot to her feet and paced around the room for several moments before coming to stand over Jade, her blue eyes wide. "Are you telling me you're in love with him?" Jade thought about the crushes she'd had over the years, the last a little over a year earlier on a tall, handsome man she'd met while jogging in Fairmount Park. He'd wined and dined her for six weeks before he asked her to sleep with him. She refused and he bowed out of her life. Although she'd been half convinced she loved him, by the end of their first month apart, she'd practically forgotten him. She wasn't sure she knew what love felt like, but she did know what raging, undeniable yearning felt like. It had been eating at her since that morning in Reed's bed. "I didn't say that," she protested. "I said he's the man I'm going to sleep with." She reached up to clasp Janny's hand. "I feel hot and nervous and excited when I'm with him. I want him." "That's called lust, Jade," Janny said, sinking back down to the carpet next to her. "It'll only get you hurt. I mean, what do you expect to get from this man besides his lust?"

"I just want … need him to make love to me. I can't explain it. My body aches for his, but it's not just sex." "That's what it sounds like to me." "I do want him sexually like I've never wanted any other man, but it's more than that. I feel safe and comfortable with him." "Safe and comfortable? Jade, he wants to take your virginity. Period. And when he's had enough of you, he'll move on to someone else. Are you willing to be his part-time lover with no commitment from him?" Jade looked Janny straight in the eye and nodded slowly. "Yes, if that's all he has to give me. I don't just want him. I have to have him. I'm going to have him. He's the man I've saved myself for. He's seen me naked, made love to me, and told me he wanted me in his bed again. I can say the most outrageous things to him and then look into his eyes without any embarrassment. He's the one." Janny sank back against the sofa. "What about him? Is he married, living with or seeing anyone?" She dropped her gaze and took several long sips of her tea before looking up at Janny. "I don't know." "What?And you're going to sleep with him without knowing if there's another woman or women in his life? Jade! Am I understanding you?" She ran a hand through her hair. "I know that sounds sleazy, but I can't help that. I am going to sleep with him. I need him inside me. I don't care about anything else." "Oh, girl, you've got it bad." Jade stared at Janny feeling wicked. "And I want it good. He's big and hard when he's aroused and I want him." Janny did her best to look stern, but Jade saw the unmistakable sparkle that signaled coming laughter lighting her eyes, then the smile forming on her lips. In a few moments, they were laughing hysterically. When they stopped laughing, Janny squeezed her hand. "He's a nice size, huh?" "Janny, he's huge." "Yeah?" "Oh, yeah," she said, remembering the massive feel of Reed's aroused penis against her. "Excuse the language, but if you've seen one cock you've seen them all." "Not one like this," she was amazed to hear herself insist.

Janny grinned, her eyes gleaming. "Okay, enough of that. Let's get practical." "Okay," she said. "How?" "Very simple. Can you say protection?" she asked in a near perfect Mr. Rogers voice. Jade took one look at her face and collapsed into a fresh fit of giggles. Janny frowned. "Jade! I'm serious. Big cock or no, don't let him near you again without a condom. Satisfied lust is going to be small comfort if you wind up pregnant and he's not interested in standing by you." "Okay. Okay. I know the facts of life. No condom, no sex. I promise," she said. "Now lighten up."

Chapter Four The phone was ringing when Jade got home just after eleven. Kicking off her sandals, she dropped her knapsack on the floor, sank down into the loveseat, closed her eyes, and picked up the phone. "Hello." "Jade?" Her eyes snapped open and she sat up in the chair. "Reed." "I know it's late, and I won't keep you long. I just wanted to see if you'll have dinner with me." "When?" she asked breathlessly. "Tomorrow night." "Oh, sugar! I can't." "You have other plans?" "Yes," she said and waited for him to suggest another night. "With another man?" He sounded … possessive. Almost jealous. She smiled. "Sort of, … yes." "You told me you weren't seeing anyone special." Her smile widened. He was definitely annoyed. "Did I say that?"

"Yes, dammit, you did!" "It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind. I'm sure a man of your experience has heard that before." "What the hell does that mean? Are you saying you are seeing someone special and you don't want to see me?" She frowned. "That depends on what you want from me." "You know what I want," he said in a low, angry voice. She knew what he wanted all right, but she was hoping he'd want something more. "Is that all you want?" "It's what you want too," he pointed out. Yes. So much she could almost taste his kisses; almost feel his big hands massaging and caressing her naked body. "Is that all you want?" she asked again, relegating those delightful thoughts to the back of her mind. He sighed. "All I know now is that I really want to see you. If you're not ready for sex, fine. I can wait." "How long?" He made a small sound of exasperation. "What is this? Twenty questions?" "How long?" "At least a week. Maybe a week and a half." She wasn't sure if he was serious or not. She was silent while she tried to decide. It was useless to pretend indignation at his assumption that she would sleep with him, but he didn't need to sound so almighty confident. "I can wait for sex," he repeated. "But I want to see you." Please. He didn't say the word, but then, he didn't need to. She could almost feel his desperation for sex with her. It mirrored her own. "I was only teasing, Reed," she admitted. "I don't have a date with a man." She heard his sharp intake of breath. "Then with who? For the love of God, Jade, not another woman!" She bit her lip hard to stifle the laughter struggling to break free. The man was sexy as hell, but clueless. How could he think that after the way she'd responded to him?

"Well… " she began slowly, feeling impish. "Well what?" he demanded. He sounded ready to explode and she decided she'd teased him long enough. "Well, actually it's with a book. I believe it's called the Principles of Accounting 101. First chapter. Remember? You should. It was your idea." "Dammit to hell!" he said coldly. "That was not funny." She stifled a giggle. "I thought it was. Are you the jealous type?" There was a long pause before he answered. "I never thought so, but then I've never met anyone like you, Jade. It's not a long chapter and I won't keep you long. I was really hoping to see you tomorrow. Wednesday is out because I have two classes and Thursday I'll be busy." "There's always Friday," she pointed out sweetly. He was practically begging. He must want something more than just sex. With his looks, he could get that from almost any woman. "Is that a no?" "No, it's not." She smiled at his sigh of relief. Just maybe Janny was wrong about him. He seemed as eager to be with her as she was to be with him. "Great. What time can I pick you up and what kind of food do you like?" "I haven't said I'd go out with you." "You'll go," he said, sounding annoyed. "And understand that I'm not some boy you can play games with." Her confidence vanished. It would be hard to find anyone who sounded less like a doting lover. "No? Well, you're certainly a little short-tempered, aren't you?" "Look, this doesn't need to be that hard. I'm attracted to you; you're attracted to me. I'd like to do something about it, but if you'd rather not, come right out and say so. I don't intend to beg to see you." So much for having him wrapped around her finger. "I don't remember asking you to beg," she said in a small voice. "It's late, I'm going. Good…" "Wait a minute," he said, interrupting her. "Okay. Okay. You win. I'll beg." "Oh. Will you?" "If that's what you want."

"It's not! Well, … maybe just a little." To her surprise and relief, he laughed. "As you've already noticed, I have something of a temper. Will you please, please, please, pretty please go out with me tomorrow?" "Since you ask so nicely, yes, I will." "Good. Now. You were going to tell me about what you like." "You mean besides you?" He was silent for several moments. "Are you always so open about your feelings?" "No, … but I … I've never felt like this before." There was another pause. "I'm flattered." "I … I don't sleep around. I want you to know that." "Okay. Believe it or not, neither do I." "Are you sure we should do this?" "Why not? We're two consenting adults." "I know that, but…" "But nothing. Let's not mince words. You and I are going to be lovers. I want you and I mean to have you … soon. Very soon. I'm going to be sucking your breasts as we make love." Her stomach muscles twisted into a thousand knots of tension and pleasure. She bit back the need to tell him she was his for the taking. He'd discover that soon enough, if, by some miracle, he didn't already know it.

Reed was annoyed to find Lina waiting in his office when he arrived at work the next morning. He'd spent a restless night wrestling with his conscious about his decision to sleep with Jade while trying to cultivate a relationship with Lina. He'd been hoping for endless cups of coffee and a quiet day that did not include seeing Lina before he saw Jade that night. "There you are, sweet," Lina said, getting to her feet. "Your secretary objected to my waiting here, but I told her you wouldn't mind." She wrapped her arms around his neck and Reed allowed her to kiss his lips several times before pulling away.

"This is a surprise, Lina," he said, using a handkerchief to wipe her lipstick from his mouth. He knew from past experience that he'd need a shower to remove all traces of her perfume from his skin. "A nice one, surely, darling," she said confidently, reseating herself in the chair in front of his desk. He studied her in silence. With her thick, blonde hair curling around her beautiful face and shoulders and her blue eyes sparkling, she was breathtaking. The short, clingy dress she wore was so tight, she must have had to pour her slender, almost boyish body into it. He nodded, hoping she'd be satisfied with that. He wasn't equal to a bunch of flowery speeches that he didn't mean. She grinned at him. "I came to tell you I've decided to allow you to take me out to dinner." "Delightful," he said dryly. "When?" "Tonight, sweet. What time do you want me to be ready?" He ran a hand through his hair. "I can't make it tonight, but remember we have a date for Thursday." "Yes, darling, I do remember," she said, smiling. "But I wanted to see you before then and I know tomorrow's out because you have two classes tomorrow night. Though why you insist on teaching is beyond me." "I enjoy it." "Apparently. Any way, that leaves tonight. Cancel your plans. Please?" When hell froze over. He shook his head and glanced at his open appointment book. "I can't. It'll have to be lunch today." "But that's not enough time, Reed. I want to spend several hours gazing into those beautiful eyes of yours over a relaxing dinner. Then we can go back to your place and get really comfortable." He flashed her a quick smile. "Sounds great, but I'm afraid it'll have to be a quick lunch today or dinner Thursday night. The choice is yours, Lina." She got up and walked around his desk to bend and press a long, lingering kiss against his lips. He sucked in his breath, brushed his mouth against hers, and sat back in his seat. "All right," she said, breathlessly when she straightened. "I'll see you for lunch, darling."

He nodded, watched her walk out, then wiped his mouth again. He wondered how much longer he could keep her at arms length before she or he father forced his hand. The thought that he might soon have to take his relationship with Lina to the next step made him that much more determined to spend some time with Jade.

Chapter Five Reed arrived promptly at six o'clock with a dozen red roses. "For you, lovely Jade," he said softly, smiling at her. She stared at him, startled. "Lovely? No one's ever even thought I was pretty. Not really." "I do," he said simply and bent his head to kiss her warmly, slowly, as if he wanted to savor the taste and feel of her lips under his. "Are you sure?" she asked breathlessly when he finally lifted his mouth from hers. He brushed the back of his hand across her cheek. "You have the softest, sweetest lips I've ever had the pleasure of kissing. You have deep, sexy brown eyes that I would gladly drown in. Your skin is creamy and flawless. Your voice is like sweet music and your walk is so sexy that I'd follow you anywhere. Your body is exquisite perfection that takes my breath away. Of course I'm sure you're lovely." She stared up at him eagerly, drinking in every word. She knew he meant what he was saying. It was there in the low timbre of his voice, and in the depths of his shimmering eyes. "Exquisite?" she repeated, liking the sound of it. "Yes. Exquisite." Laying the roses on the hall table, he swept her into his arms and looked down at her. "Just thinking about being with you excites me like no other woman ever has. Does it matter what other men think?" "No," she said, thinking Janny would have a fit if she could hear her admitting that his was the only male opinion that mattered. He offered her his arm. "Good. Your chariot awaits, my lovely lady." "Oh, Reed!" She gave him her arm and her heart. They had dinner at a small, intimate Center City restaurant. Jade was too nervous to eat, while Reed seemed more interested in staring at her than he was in eating the steak he ordered. Every time she glanced up from her Seafood Newburg, she found him watching her. "You're staring again," she said, pushing her plate away.

He pushed his own plate away and smiled. "Tell me about Jade Johnstone," he invited after the waiter had removed their plates and poured fresh coffee. "Tell me everything, but start with why you don't have a man in your life." "There hasn't been time," she said slowly, "to really develop a relationship. I've been very busy with the business. It's all well and good saying I'm the boss, but if someone calls in sick, I've got to be ready to roll up my sleeves and take up the slack. Besides, some men are turned off by my being a cleaning woman." "You're not a cleaning woman!" he said shortly and she wondered if he, too, was bothered by her job. "I used to be." "Why?" She hesitated. "As a pre-teen, I had the usual dreams of being a ballerina or some glamorous actress, but I was too big for the first and had no talent for acting. When I was a little girl, I really enjoyed helping my mother clean house. So when I flunked out of college after my second semester, I decided to do what I enjoyed most, cleaning. My parents were professional people. My dad was a civil engineer and Mom was a freelance editor. "My dad had a fit when I told him I was dropping out of school to clean other people's houses, but Mom supported me, and I've never looked back or regretted my choice of work." He nodded slowly. "And your parents? You referred to them in past tense." She nodded. "They died in a car accident three years ago. I was working for the woman who used to own DustBins, Inc. when they died. She was ready to retire, so I bought the business and here I am." "Any brothers or sisters?" "No. There's just me and my best friend, Janny, who frequently forgets that she's not my mother." She sighed, unable to read his expression. "What about you?" "I have a younger, married sister," he said. "No brothers. My father, who was a lawyer, died in a car accident ten years ago. He was my mother's second husband. My mother, an interior decorator, is living in California with her fifth husband." "Fifth?" Jade repeated, not sure she'd heard correctly. He shrugged, his expression neutral. "She's fond of men." "Oh. Well, … what about you?" He smiled suddenly. "Am I fond of men?"

She laughed. "No! I meant have you ever been married?" His smile vanished. "No." His terse tone of voice warned her that he wasn't interested in talking about marriage. Too bad. "Have you ever been close?" "No." She kept trying. "Why aren't you seeing anyone?" Just for a moment, she saw what she thought was a look of guilt on his face. She bit her lip, expecting him to say that he was seeing someone, but it wasn't serious. She was relieved when he said instead, "I was, until about five or six months ago, but that's over." She studied his face, trying to read his expression. "Why? What happened?" He lowered his eyelids. "She wanted things I didn't." For "things," she substituted marriage. Maybe children. With a sinking feeling, she knew Janny was at least partly right about him. The most she could expect from him was going to be no-strings-attached sex. It would be enough. For now. She glanced at her watch. It was nearly nine o'clock. "This has been very nice, but I need to get home to study," she reminded him. Without taking his eyes off her face, he lifted his hand and signaled the waiter. Once inside his car, he slid a CD into the disc changer. The car was filled with the sexy voice of Tom Jones telling some lucky woman that love was like candy on a shelf, inviting her to help herself to his arms, his lips. She only had to say the word and they were hers. Jade spent the entire drive back to her apartment wondering if Reed would kiss her. Hoping he would. Knowing that if he didn't, she would take Tom Jones' advice and help herself. She would kiss him. Outside her apartment building, she waited while he came around to the passenger side of the car to open her door and help her out. "I'll see you to your door," he said, cupping her elbow. They rode up the elevator to her sixth floor apartment in silence. Each time she looked at him, she found him watching her with a warm look in his gray eyes that took her breath away. "Would you like to come in for a moment?" she invited as she opened her apartment door. His voice was husky when he spoke. "Yes, thanks." He followed her inside, closing

and locking the door. "I had a great time," she said, her eyes on his firm, sensual lips. "Did you?" He seemed surprised. "Well, not really. I was too nervous to enjoy myself." "Do I make you nervous, Jade?" And hot and wet and love-hungry. She nodded. "Is something wrong?" he asked when she stood, silently staring at up at him. "No. I was just thinking you're the most beautiful man I've ever met." She was surprised when he frowned. "Do you always say what you're thinking?" "Mostly, yes. Janny says it's one of my less endearing traits. You look as if you agree with her." "I didn't say that, but you're so … uninhibited." "Uninhibited?" She bit her lip. "You make that sound like a major character flaw." "I didn't mean to," he said quickly. "I only meant that there are men in this world that it doesn't pay to be too open with, Jade." "I know that." She stepped away from him. "Are you one of those men? Should I be on my guard against you?" "I have no intentions of hurting you." "Good, because I have no intentions of getting hurt." Something about that way he was looking at her made her wonder if she'd made a mistake going out with him. She needed time to think. "Well, it's getting late. I'll better hit the books. Thanks for dinner." She paused, hoping he'd take the hint and leave her to study and think. "You could thank me in the conventional way," he said, moving closer to her. "With a kiss or two." "So you're one of those men who think a woman has to repay you for dinner by sleeping with you?" she asked, playing for time, hoping to resist her own desire and longing for him at the same time. "Damn straight," he said softly. "Now stop playing hard to get and come give me what we both want." Unable to resist the invitation or her own needs, she leaned into him and stretched up

to press her parted lips against his. Their mouths touched and a pulse of feral desire ignited between them. She heard his indrawn breath, felt his body tremble against hers. In the next instance, she was in his arms and his lips and hands seemed to be all over her. In her hair. On her cheeks. Her lips. Her throat. Her bare shoulders. Leaving molten desire in their wake. Her legs buckled under the sweet, hot assault. His big hands rested briefly on her shoulders to steady her. Then, holding her gaze with his, he bent his head and kissed her again. And again. He overwhelmed her senses with countless, slow, hot, devouring kisses that took her breath and left her a quivering, shaking mass of need and longing. Her only goal was to feel his hard flesh inside her. "Reed, … oh, Reed!" she sobbed, clinging to him. "It's all right, my sweet lovely," he whispered and recaptured her mouth, sinking his tongue deep within its depths. Feeling her breasts crushed against his chest, she kissed him back, sucking on his tongue, pressing her aching lower body against the beguiling bulge against the side of his leg. "Oh damn, honey!" He groaned, shuddered, and swung her around until her body was against the wall. Then he pressed the bulge between her legs. The sensations that washed over her were so intense, her legs gave out and she would have slid down the wall if not for the weight of his body holding her in place. "Reed! Oh, … help me!" "I'm going to do more than help you. I'm going to love you!" he whispered, licking the inside of her neck and pressing closer to her. She threw her head back against the wall and clung to his shoulders. The feel of his lower body pressing and throbbing between her shaking thighs left her longing for the ultimate embrace. "Reed. Oh! Reed…" She wiggled her hips against his and a low, animal like growl escaped from him. Moments later, he was pulling her blouse off, sending buttons popping and flying. In less than a minute, her clothes lay in a careless pile on the floor. Breathing deeply and quickly, he stepped back so that he could look at her. Embarrassed at the raw look of hunger in his eyes, she tried to cover herself, but he pulled her hands away. "No. No. Let me look at you," he said. "You're so beautiful … so lovely. I want you." Feeling hypnotized by the look in his eyes and the obvious need in his voice, her

inhibitions vanished. "I'm yours, Reed." He kissed her deeply, hotly, several times, cupping her breasts in his big, caressing hands. "Then give me what's mine." "Take me," she begged. "Please." He pulled away long enough to rip off his clothes – again buttons scattered over the floor. When he was nude, he pressed his body tight against hers, letting her feel the full weight of his large, hot arousal. "You are so beautiful," he whispered and began kissing his way down her body. "All of you. Your hair … your eyes … your nose … your sweet, juicy lips." He punctuated his words with warm teasing kisses against each said body part. When he reached her breasts, he began to slowly circle each areola with his moist tongue until each tip hardened under his mouth. "Your breasts … they're beautiful like the rest of you. So big and firm … so suckable." Her stomach muscles tightened and her toes curled as his warm, insistent lips singed a slow, enticing path down her stomach to her thighs. She bit down on her lip and began breathing heavily when he fell to his knees, gripped her waist and, with a deep groan, buried his mouth between her legs. She felt his lips kissing where no man had ever kissed, his tongue gently parting the lips of her sex, stroking inside her in long, hungry strokes. She moaned helplessly. "Oh, God! That's good … so good. You taste so good. I've never tasted any woman so good … smelled any woman so fragrant … so sweet. That's it, darling. Come for me. Come for me!" His teeth gently nibbling on her hardening core sent her shattering into a million, happy pieces. He eagerly drank the involuntarily juices that gushed from her climaxing body. All the while his hands were shaping, caressing her buttocks, holding her aching flesh tight against his mouth. "Oh … oh, … Reed!" she moaned, shuddering. "Reed!" This time her legs gave way completely. Immediately he was on his feet, wrapping his arms around her. As he kissed her deeply, she tasted herself on his lips. It was strangely erotic to suck her own juices from his tongue as they kissed. A hunger was born in her to do for him what he had done for her. She longed to kiss and suck on him until he erupted in her mouth. He lifted his head and looked down at her. His eyes were almost black with desire. "I need you," he told her, his voice low and rough with passion. "Are you ready for me?" "Yes," she whispered and watched as he dug a condom out of his pants pocket before he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. He fell on the bed, still clutching her to him. For a moment, they lay on their sides, looking into each other's

eyes. The hand he lifted to caress her eyes, cheeks, and lips trembled. "Jade." A wealth of yearning and need was wrapped up in the single syllable of her name. She closed her eyes as he gently rolled her onto her back, sliding his body on top of hers. He was heavy and she could feel his erection, hard, hot and deliciously massive, lying against her thigh. God how he would fill her. Cupping her face in one hand, he kissed her – a fiery, voracious kiss that branded her as his. At the same time, his hand was parting her thighs, stroking into her, sending shivers all through her, making her body splinter into a mini climax. She clung to his shoulders and kissed him back, pushing her tongue into his mouth. She rubbed the hardened tips of her breasts against his chest while rocking her hips suggestively against his. "Reed!" His name was a plea for him to assuage the burning in her loins. He rolled away from her suddenly and she opened her eyes to see him ripping open the foil-packaged condom. She watched, fascinated, and was suddenly more than a little afraid.Oh, Sugar, Jade! He's really going to do it to you this time! He's going to stick that big, hard shaft of his deep into you. "Reed." This time there was an abundance of uncertainly in her voice. He finished slipping the rubber over his arousal and returned to lie between her thighs. "Yes?" Her heart was pounding and her whole body was shaking. She could feel him throbbing against her. She was within seconds of being impaled by his penis. She pushed against his shoulders in a vain effort to hold him off. "Wait!" she cried desperately, her desire waning. "Please! I don't know if I'm ready … I…" He reached down and an involuntary shiver passed through her when his fingers gently probed the creamy dampness between her thighs. "You're ready, all right, my lovely," he grunted, burying his lips between her heaving breasts. "And so am I. I need to be inside you." "I meant … please, … be gentle. You're the only man I've ever been with." "What?" he lifted his head and the top of his body so he could look down at her. "What are you saying? We've never really … are you telling me you're a virgin?" "Yes … sort of." "Sort of? What the hell does that mean? You either are or you aren't. Dammit, Jade! This is not the time to tease!"

"I'm not teasing!" she said, close to tears of despair. "I've never … there was this boy when I was a teenager, but he hurt me and then … his parents came home and he never really … got all the way inside me, … and there's never been anyone else." "Oh, Jade! Pure, sweet, Jade." He lowered his weight onto her and buried his face in her neck. "Please don't tell me you want me to stop. I can't stop. I can't. Not now. Please don't ask me to," he begged in a voice that shook with passion and frustration. "I'm not asking you to stop. Just … don't hurt me." He moved against her, rubbing the engorged head of his erection against her damp mound making them both groan and tremble with anticipation of the delights awaiting them. "It almost always hurts the first time, my lovely, but I'll be as gentle as I can."

Chapter Six Before she could answer, he pulled back his hips, then surged forward. She felt a sharp pain. Gasping, she clenched her hands into fists. Then the rounded head of his penis slowly began to sink into her tensed, protesting body. "Ah! Ah!" It felt as if a heated, oversized, inflexible iron bar was forcing itself into her tender flesh. She couldn't take it. It was too much. She shoved at his shoulders and tried to draw away. In response, he slipped his hands under her rounded buns, held her still and continued pushing steadily into her. "No … please," she gasped. "Hang on, my lovely … hang on … just a little more," he pleaded. "I can't … take … any more." "Hang on, darling. We're almost … oh, God! That's it! That's it, baby!" By the time he stopped pushing into her, she felt as if his burning flesh was buried halfway up her belly. Only then did he lift up his head to look down at her. "Oh, Jade, my lovely. Don't cry." He kissed her tenderly. "Haven't you been saving this sweet prize just for me?" he asked in a low, almost inaudible voice. All she wanted was his oversized penis out of her aching body so she could breathe. "Don't you want me inside your sweet body as much as I want to be here?" he asked and began a slow, gentle pumping motion inside her.

He drew his hips back until he was almost out of her and she took a deep, relieved breath. "Yes," she began. "Yes, but…" "No buts, my lovely … just me inside you at last." His hips shot forward and she gasped and froze as he plowed steadily into her again. "Reed! Reed, please … it … hurts." He bent his head and began caressing her breasts with his teeth and lips. "I know it hurts now, but soon it'll be a sweet pain. Please tell me you don't want me to stop." "Yes! No! Oh, Reed." She pushed at his shoulders. "I can't bear it! You're too big and too hard." He laughed softly and kissed her slowly, insistently on her lips. "You won't always think so, my lovely. And I promise, you can bear it. Soon you'll like the feel of me sliding in and out of you. It'll get better. I promise." She gritted her teeth and pushed against his shoulders as he surged deep into her again. Oh, God, would it never end? "Relax." He whispered the word against her neck. "You're too tense. Relax and let me in." "Let you in? If you come in any further, you're gonna poke a hole in me!" She felt his laughter against her tense shoulders. "I won't make any more holes. I promise. I like the one I'm in just fine. Relax. Please. It'll be easier if you relax. I want this to be good for you too. Relax, darling, and let me love you." She unclenched her hands and teeth and tried to relax. "There … that's better." He rewarded her with a series of deep, sizzling French kisses while keeping his movements inside her measured. The kisses and slow movements combined to send a tingle of desire and need through her. "Oh … oh…" she said in a surprised voice. "That's it, darling," he encouraged. "Just relax and it'll get better." He rocked his hips gently against her and a jolt of pleasure shot through her. "There," he said, slipping a hand between their damp, thrusting bodies to gently stroke her hard, hot pleasure center. She shivered and he increased his pace slightly, being careful not to hurt her. "Oh, sweet Jade! I feel like I've died and gone to heaven. There, darling, doesn't this feel good?" It did. There was still that sense of painful fullness, but… "Yes … oh … oh, Reed!" Suddenly a violent shudder thundered through her body and she gasped and clung helplessly to him, needing more. "Reed … oh! That's good! Do it again. Please!"

"It's all right, my lovely. It's all right. I will." He sucked one of her breasts into his mouth and increased his pace again, this time rotating his hips and pushing ever deeper into her now welcoming body. Suddenly, the pain was gone and there was only pleasure. Pure, undiluted pleasure as Reed moved in and out of her in long, firm strokes. Her hips jerked up to meet his; she dug her nails into his back, and felt a flood of pleasure building in the pit of her stomach. "Reed! Oh … oh … Reed!" She sobbed out his name as a massive tidal wave of ecstatic joy surged through her whole body, setting it to vibrating and spasming uncontrollably around his hot, silky, pumping flesh. In response, she heard Reed shout her name, felt his hands clenching her bottom, lifting her up to meet his desperate, downward lunge as he shoved his hard length deep into her just before his body began to shudder as he came. Then he collapsed on top of her, still buried deep inside her, his lips open against her cheek, his breathing loud and ragged. For several moments she lay under him, sighing softly and enjoying the feeling of being crushed under his heavy body, which was still shaking through the aftershocks of his pleasure. A wonderful feeling of contentment and bliss enveloped her. Reed was right. They'd both died and gone to heaven. Nothing else that had started out so awful could have ended so wonderfully. It felt good. It felt right. She wanted more. Finally, reality returned. She pressed several soft kisses against his shoulder. "Reed?" He nibbled at her breasts. "Hmm?" She was delighted by the warm and sated sound. She had done it. She had taken all of him inside her. She had pleased him and gotten so much more than she'd bargained for in the process. "I'm not going to be ready to do the first five problems tomorrow night." She felt his laughter begin in his chest before she heard the sound ticking her ear. He lifted his upper body without pulling out of her and kissed her very gently. "It doesn't matter. You have an in with the teacher." "You mean you'll give me the right answers?" she asked, surprised. "No!" He spoke so forcefully that she knew he meant it. "But I will provide as much private tutoring as you want or need," he said softly and kissed her. "And thank you." "For what?" "For saving it for me."

It. Like her virginity had been something trivial and unimportant. Instead of the greatest gift she had to give. How could she have given herself so easily to a man who didn't appreciate it or her? She'd behaved like a shameless, sex-starved tramp. She was suddenly embarrassed to be lying there with him still pulsing deep inside her. She turned her face away. "Jade? What's the matter?" "Nothing," she muttered in a ragged voice. "There is something wrong. What is it?" She pushed against his shoulders. "I need to get up." "Look at me." She shoved at his shoulders with all her strength, but couldn't budge him. "Please. Let me up." "Not until you look at me and tell me what's wrong." He wasn't going to allow her to get up until she did. She took a deep breath and turned back to face him. "Please, Reed. I need to get up." "What did I say wrong?" "Do I need a reason to want you out of me?" she demanded, taking refuge in anger. "After the way you behaved while we were making love? Yes!" "Fine. I have a reason. Now, please, Reed. Let me up." "Why? Am I hurting you?" "Yes," she lied. He pulled slowly out of her and she made a small cry of protest as she was left feeling empty. Still, she would have rolled away, but he reached out and pulled her into his arms. He pressed her cheek against his damp chest. "Whatever I said to hurt you, I'm sorry. Forgive me, my lovely Jade." She eyes filled with tears and she balled her hands into fists against his chest. "Oh, Reed! Am I going to see you again?" He made a small, annoyed sound and rolled her over onto her back. By the time her eyes fluttered opened, he was lying on top of her again. The feel of his penis, no longer roused, but now slick with her juices, pressed against her own wet core, made her burn with shame and renewed desire. How could she want him again so soon? "Yes, you are. What do you think? I'm going to disappear?"

"How should I know?" she shot back. "You might. Now that you've got what you wanted." "You wanted it too," he reminded her. "So let's not have any revisionist history where I'm cast as the big, bad seducer and you're the innocent whose virtue I forcefully took. I didn't rape or coerce you. You wanted me too, Jade." The last thing she wanted or needed was to be reminded of her own shameless conduct. "You didn't need to say that!" She swallowed the need to have a good gut-wrenching bawl. He stared down at her for a long moment before shaking his head. "Jade, this is crazy. I am not going anywhere. And I don't want to argue with you." He bent his head and kissed her gently. She wanted to push him away, but her treacherous body was already softening and going damp at his gentle touch. "Oh, Reed, don't hurt me." "I'm not going to hurt you! I'm sorry if I wasn't as gentle as I should have been. I tried to be gentle, but you have no idea what it was like for me … inside you. Feeling you all around me … trembling and squeezing me until I thought I'd go crazy with pleasure. It's never been like that with anyone else, Jade. Never. I am not going anywhere." "You promise?" His hesitation was too long to be her imagination. She experienced a chill as he lowered his eyelids so that she couldn't look into his gaze and see what he was feeling. When he spoke, she was convinced he wasn't being truthful. "Yes, my lovely, Jade. I do promise. This is the only place I'm going," he said, parting her thighs. Then he stopped and looked down at her. "How are you feeling? Are you stiff or sore? Can you take me again so soon?" She knew with a sickening certainly that there was a woman in his life. Allowing him to take her should have been out of the question, but she couldn't think clearly with his big, aroused body pressing so intimately against her. She could only feel and need. And want him throbbing inside her again. "Only one way to find out," she whispered and let out a series of small, satisfied murmurs as he pushed his thick, heavy arousal slowly into her body. When he was fully seated in her, she wrapped her legs around his waist to keep him there. "Ah! Ah, Reed, that feels … so good. Oh! Oh! Good! Love me." "Gladly, my lovely," he promised and began the unrelenting rhythm that had them both gasping and clinging together in a matter of moments. There was nothing in the world as exquisite as having him lying on top of her, her hands clenched on his

buttocks as he methodically pumped his hot length deep inside her quivering body. "Oh … oh … more … more!" she pleaded, her whole body centered on the burning ache between her legs and the hard, hot length assuaging it. "Please. More. Deeper. Harder." "I'll give you as much as you like as deep and hard as you like," he promised. His mouth crushed hers and the pressure and speed of his strokes increased and deepened. She clung to him helplessly, her whole being buffeted by a delicious whirlpool of heat and desire. "Oh, Reed! Yes! Yes!" "Yes, my love. Oh, love, you're driving me insane!" He paused long enough to push a pillow under her bucking hips so he could drive ever deeper into her. "Oh, God, oh God," she gasped as she felt him touching new depths in her. Eager for more, she lifted her legs and wrapped them around his pumping hips. "More … please … oh, that's good." "God!" He groaned. His arms gave out and he collapsed on top of her, crushing her breasts under his chest and thrusting so deeply into her that she felt the weight of his balls smacking against her buns. He turned his head and they shared several hot, uninhibited kisses. It was too much for her. Too good. Within seconds, the whole world shattered around her. He held her, kissing and soothing her until her tremors subsided. Then it was her turn to hold him as he shuddered to his climax cradled in her arms. It was only after she'd peaked and lay holding him as he shuddered to his release that she remembered with alarming clarity that he wasn't wearing a condom. One look at his face as he came back down to earth and she knew that the same realization had just hit him. This time, she didn't need to urge him to pull out of her. He pulled away from her with a muttered curse and rolled onto his stomach, burying his head in his arms. She couldn't ever remember feeling so dirty before. She longed to get up and scrub herself until she was raw, but she was frozen in place, unable to move. How could something that had seemed so right and good a few hours earlier now feel so awful? "I don't suppose you're on the pill or using some other form of birth control?" he asked hopefully, without lifting his head. The question was enough to shock her into movement. "You miserable, scum bag!" she sobbed. She snatched the sheet from the bed, wrapped it around herself and ran into the bathroom. She didn't expect him to follow her, so she didn't lock the door. She discarded the

sheet and was getting ready to step under the warm water of the shower when she heard the door open behind her. Flushing, she snatched the sheet up and wrapped it around herself before she turned to face him. Although he had put on his pants, he hadn't bothered to zip them up. Nor had he bothered with his underwear. She could see his… She dragged her gaze away from his lower body and forced herself to meet his eyes. "You lied. Didn't you? There is someone … a woman in your life. Isn't there?" "I'm not married or engaged or sleeping with anyone," he said, running a hand through his hair. "That's not what I asked you. You've already got what you wanted. There's no longer any need to lie." "What do you want me to say? I'm not in love with anyone. I never said I wasn't dating anyone." Rage washed over her as she stared at him. How had she ever thought this miserable worm was attractive enough to sleep with? "Would you lock the door on your way out?" "Look, Jade, I'm sorry. I know you won't believe this, but I really didn't come here expecting to make love to you tonight." "You're right, Reed. I don't believe you. If you didn't expect to sleep with me and you don't sleep around, what were you doing with a condom in your wallet? Did your fairy godmother put it there?" "It's been in my wallet for the last five or six months. I need to know if you're … protected in anyway." "It's a little late to ask that, isn't it? Surely you should have asked before you decided to come in me." "I didn't decide it!" he snapped. "I wasn't exactly thinking clearly. Besides, it's not all my fault. You could have stopped me. Or are you going to tell me that you thought I had a condom on the second time?" She was dismayed to feel her eyes fill with tears. "What I thought was that I could trust you. I thought you'd take the necessary precautions. I was a virgin and I wasn't seeing anyone, Reed. What in the Sam Hill would I be doing on the pill or with any other contraception devices?" He had the grace to look ashamed. "Okay. You're right. It was my damn fault." He ran a hand through his hair. "Look, maybe we'll get lucky. Maybe…" "And if we don't?"

"Then we'll deal with our bad luck when and if we have to." "Deal with it? What … what do you mean?" He looked exasperated. "Look, Jade, I know you're … even though you were a virgin, you are twenty-five. You're old enough to know there are ways to deal with … bad luck. Hopefully it won't come to that, but if it does, I'll take care of all the arrangements for you." Her stomach heaved as she realized what he meant. How dare he think that she, an only child, an orphan, would abort a part of herself? She couldn't stop the angry tears from steaming down her cheeks. "I hate you! And I hate myself for letting you do this to me!" He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I told you that I wasn't ready to be a father. That's not going to change just because we … if you get pregnant." "You're made yourself perfectly clear, Reed. If I end up pregnant, I can't count on you. Message received loud and clear. Now will you get out of my apartment and my sight?" "That's not what I said, Jade! I said…" "I know what you said and I know what you meant. And let me make myself clear to you. I would never abort a baby, … even yours. But don't worry, Reed. You are the last person I'd ever ask for anything. So you can go back to whomever you're dating with no worries. I'm a big girl. I made my bed and I'll lie in it alone. Whatever happens. Now please get out." "Dammit! You're being unreasonable!" "Get out!" she screamed at him, fresh tears falling down her cheeks. "Oh, God! This was one big mistake! Look, I'm going, but I'll call you. We have to talk. I never said I wouldn't stand by you. I'm not a heel." "Get out!" With a muttered curse, he turned and left the bathroom. She leaned back against the wall, listening to his moving around in the bedroom. Then she heard the bedroom door open. Moments later, she strained her ears to hear the sound of the apartment door opening and closing. Only then did she step into the shower and begin sobbing.

Chapter Seven

The first thing Reed noticed when he walked into the classroom was that Jade wasn't there. He hadn't really expected her to be. She probably couldn't face him.More like she can't stand the sight of you , he told himself. And he couldn't blame her. Not after the way he'd behaved. He almost hadn't made it himself. He'd spent a restless night, castigating himself. The moment she'd told him she was a virgin, he should have left her alone. At the very least, he should have been satisfied with making love to her once. Touching her a second time, without protection, had been sheer insanity and something he hadn't done since he was a sixteen-year old fool who thought he was immune to sexually transmitted diseases and fatherhood. He didn't know how, but he was going to have to make Jade understand how he felt. Make her see reason. He'd call her after class. He glanced at his watch and saw it was time to start. He got up from the desk and walked in front of it. "Okay. I'll take roll, then we'll get the show on the road," he said and picked up his class list. He took roll and sat on the edge of the desk. "I hope you all completed your assignment." He waited for several affirmative murmurs and many nodding heads before he went on. "Good. Let's have a volunteer for problem one." He was sitting at a desk in the first row, watching Rona put problem number four on the board when he heard the room door open. He looked around, expecting to see someone from administration coming with a revised class list. But it was Jade coming into the room. She looked tired, but determined. She glanced in his direction without actually meeting his gaze. "I'm sorry I'm late, Mr. Daniels. I got caught in a traffic jam," she said. He nodded. "No problem. As you can see we've doing the assigned problems. If you didn't get a chance to do them…" "I did," she said coolly, cutting him off and slipping into her seat. "But thanks so much for your concern." He forced himself to ignore the obvious snideness in her voice. This wasn't the place to air their differences. He nodded curtly and turned back to Rona. "Sorry. Go on, Rona." After the last problem was on the board and explained, he moved back to his seat behind the desk. He spent the next twenty minutes discussing the next two chapters. By sheer force of will, he kept his gaze off Jade, his thoughts on accounting. Finally, it was time to end the session.

"Okay," he said, getting to his feet. "Do problems 3, 5, 7, 9, and 12 for next class." He allowed his gaze to rest briefly on Jade, who quickly looked away from him. "If you have any problems or need any help, you have my number. See you." He watched as everyone stood up. "Jade, I need to see you for a moment," he said as she started toward the door. About to sling her backpack over one shoulder, she paused and slowly turned to look at him. Or rather through him. "Yes?" He waited until they were alone in the room before he spoke. "We need to talk." He nodded toward the seat she was standing behind. She shook her head. "There's nothing to talk about. I made a mistake – a big mistake and I'll handle any consequences resulting from it myself. I don't need or want anything from you, Mr. Daniels." He clenched his hands into fists. "Listen, I'm not interested in fatherhood. I told you that." She nodded. "Very loudly. Fine. I won't ask you to be one. I don't need or want anything you have. I have a successful business. I won't need any financial support, if that's what you're worried about." "It's not!" he snapped. "You think this is about money?" "You know what? I don't care what it's about. It's your problem. You handle it. But get this straight. If I get pregnant, I am having the baby, but not to worry. I'll put the father down as unknown. Satisfied?" He stared at her, longing to grab her and shake some sense into her. Did she really think he'd be satisfied knowing he had a child who didn't know he existed? He glanced at his watch. The students for his next class would be coming in soon. "Look, whether you like it or not, we have got to talk." She shook her head and headed for the door. Once there, she turned to look at him. "I don't want to talk to or see you again. I'm dropping out of this class and…" "Wait a minute! That's not necessary. Annie will be here soon. You…" "I don't want to see you and I don't want to talk to you – about anything." She bit her lip and closed her eyes briefly. "I am so sorry I ever met you! Just stay away from me!" She pushed the door open and ran from the room. He sank down on the edge of the desk and covered his face with his hands.Oh, God, but I've made a mess of things. How could I have been so stupid and irresponsible? Thinking with my cock rather than my head. What the hell am I going to do if she is pregnant?

Jade had just managed to doze off when the phone on her nightstand buzzed. Groaning, she rolled onto her side and squinted at the clock. It was nearly midnight. Too late even for Janny to visit on a weeknight. Must be a mistake, she decided and rolled back onto her stomach as the phone buzzed again. "Oh, sugar!" Without turning over, she snatched the receiver off the hook. "What?" There was a short silence, then: "I know it's late, but we really do have to talk." The sound of Reed's voice sent her scrambling into a sitting position. Her heart began thumping in her chest and she felt breathless. "No. Just go away. I…" "I'm not going away! Buzz me in, Jade. I have to talk to you." "No! I told you…" "I know what you told me! I have to talk to you! Please." She hugged her knees against her chest and leaned back against the headboard. "It's late. I'm already in bed. If you insist, we can talk after Monday's class." "I need to talk to you now. I can't let you think I'd just sleep with you and then leave you to fend for yourself. Buzz me in." The thought of having him in the apartment again after what they'd done the night before was too much. "I don't want to…" "Please. Buzz me. I won't stay long. I promise." "Fine." She punched in the code to release the lobby door and hung up the phone. She scrambled out of bed and ran into the bathroom, pulling curlers out of her hair as she did. She combed her hair, picked up her makeup case, then put it back on the vanity. The face that stared wide-eyed back at her was bare of makeup and that's the way it was going to stay. She glanced down at the short pajamas she was wearing and sighed in exasperation when she saw that her nipples had begun to harden. Just talking to him turned her on. Going back into the bedroom, she pulled off her pajama top, put on a bra, then slipped the top back on. She closed the bedroom door and started down the hall as the bell outside her apartment door sounded. She flicked on the living room lamps and went to the door. "Yes?" Her voice came out as a breathless whisper. "It's Reed."

She unlocked the door, opened it, and backed away. Reed, wearing the same clothes he'd worn hours earlier in class, came in. He looked tired and she saw that he needed a shave as he leaned back against the closed door. His eyes met hers briefly before moving to and lingering on her breasts. She folded her arms across them and stared at him. "It's late, so I'd appreciate it if you got to the point so I can go back to bed." He sighed and raised his gaze to hers. "I'm not ready to be a father, Jade, but if it turns out that I'm going to be one, then…" "Then what?" "I've spent the last few hours driving around and thinking. There's no way I'd let you go through having a baby alone. If I'm going to be a father, I'll be the best one I can." He pushed himself away from the door and moved to stand within a foot of her. "Maybe I was out of line to mention … alternatives to having a baby, but…" "There is no alternative. Not for me. I'm an orphan, Reed. I've always wanted to have kids. There's no way I'd ever even consider your … alternative." "Fine. I just wanted you to know that I wouldn't desert you." "Fine. I know. Now you can leave." His eyes flicked slowly over her and her face flooded with heat. There was no mistaking that look in his eyes. Well, he was mad if he thought she was going to let him touch her again. She backed away from him. "Good night." He stepped closer and she clenched a hand into a fist when she felt the sofa touching the back of her legs. "If there's nothing else…" "Last night…" "Last night was a big mistake," she said quickly. "For both of us. I don't want to talk about it." He stepped even closer until their bodies were touching. She caught her breath. He was aroused. And so was she. "I don't want to talk about it either," he said, his voice husky. He lifted a hand to cup her neck. "I want to repeat it." She shook her head and fought back the urge to press against him. God, she was so shameless. How could she still want him with this consuming hunger? "If you think I'm going to let you touch me again, you're…" "I don't just think it." He bent his head and brushed his mouth against hers, sending thousands of tiny sparks of desire shooting through her body. "I know it." She jerked instinctively away and stumbled backwards onto the sofa behind her.

Before she could scramble to her feet, he was lying on the sofa between her thighs, his face buried in her hair. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "Last night I lost my head. Let me make it up to you." She closed her eyes, gasping for breath. The was no feeling in the world as wonderful as having an aroused Reed Daniels lying on top of her. Wanting. Needing her. Except having him in her. Loving her. "We … can't." He brushed his lips across her cheek until he could press sweet kisses against the corner of her mouth. "Why not? You make me feel like … no other woman ever has. I want you. I need you. Let me stay with you." "No!" Fighting against the rising tide of passion, she pushed against his shoulders. "I might not be pregnant. But if I let you spend the night…" "Not to worry, my lovely," he whispered, raining kisses along her neck. She shivered. Her whole body felt hot and ready for him. "I came prepared this time." He came prepared? She shoved angrily at his shoulders and he reluctantly lifted his head to look down at her. "What? You came prepared? I thought you said you came to talk! You think because I was a fool last night that I'm some … some tramp you can sleep with whenever you're not sleeping with your other woman? Get off of me! Now!!" He stared down at her, his silver eyes wide. "No, dammit! I don't think that! And I'm not sleeping with anyone else. I told you that!" "Well, you're not sleeping with me either! So get off me!" He scrambled to his feet and stalked away from her. She rose quickly, moving around the back of the sofa and gripping it for support. She wanted him so much her legs felt weak. He turned to face her. "Okay. I'm going to level with you." Her grip tightened on the sofa. "You are sleeping with someone else." "No, I am not! I'm not, but…" He ran his hands through his hair. "There is someone who…" "You've cheated with me on?" "No! There's no real … relationship. No commitment. She's … we've … she's more interested in me than I am in her. She's the daughter of one of the partners at the firm where I work." "So you're using her to get ahead?"

He stared at her. "I'm not using her. I've been out with her a couple of times, but we have never slept together. Never. I'm not sleeping with anyone." He sighed and held a hand out to her. "I have no desire to sleep with her or anyone other than you. I know you feel the same way. Come to me, my lovely Jade. Let me make love to you. Let me feel your sweet body opening for me. Let me taste paradise with you again." She shook her head. "I'm not sharing you!" "I'm not asking you to!" "Yes, you are. That's exactly what you're doing when you ask me to sleep with you before you've decided which of us you want. You can't have us both." "I don't want you both. I want you." "But I can't do anything to help your career, can I? So I guess we both know what that means." "No, you don't." He took a deep breath. "Okay. You win. I'll tell her the truth." "Which is?" He advanced slowly to stand behind her, putting a hand over hers on the back of the sofa. "I'm involved with someone else. You." She withdrew her hand and moved away from him, ignoring the need to turn in his arms. "Fine. You do that and then maybe we'll talk. Now, it's late. I want you to leave." "All right." He hesitated, then reached out to touch her hand. "I'll tell her and then I'll call you." "Good night." He leaned down and kissed her on the corner of her mouth. A wave of longing washed over her. It took all of her self-control not to lean into him and return his kiss. "Good night."

Chapter Eight "You realize, of course, that both Lina and I are very disappointed." Reed ran a hand around the inside of his collar and met Jim Leighton's angry gaze across the older man's desk. The look in the other man's eyes told him that he could

kiss any chance of an early partnership at Leighton and Krauss goodbye. "Lina's very fond of you. She thought … we both thought you felt the same way, Reed. You led her on. That was unkind." He understood Lina's father's anger on her behalf, but he had to know that Lina had not been led on. "I certainly never intended to lead her on or to hurt her. I … this other relationship wasn't something I planned. It just happened." Leighton sat forward, his eyes narrowing. "Then there are no real feelings involved? If that's the case, I'm sure Lina is prepared to … overlook your little … indiscretion, shall we say? That's fortunate, because I can see your future with the company taking off, provided you make the right decisions." Reed knew he was being given another chance. If he dropped Jade, he and Lina could proceed as if he'd never slept with Jade. Just for a moment, he was tempted to grab the olive branch being extended to him. Until he thought of the consequences: severing his relationship with Jade and leaving her to face a possible pregnancy alone. He shook his head. "She might be pregnant. I have an obligation to stand by her. I…" Leighton waved a hand in dismissal. "There are remedies for unexpected pregnancies, Reed." "No. That … remedy is out of the question. She won't have an abortion." "How do you know that?" "We've discussed it." "Then you make arrangements for child support. There's no need to let this unfortunate episode destroy Lina's happiness." He sat back in his seat. "I'm sure something can be arranged." "No." Reed shook his head, aware that he was all but insuring he never got a partnership at Leighton and Krauss. "I never said I had no feelings for her. I'm going to stand by her." "You're standing by her? What about Lina? Are you aware that she's in love with you? For the love of God, man, if you couldn't keep your dick in your pants, why didn't you at least exercise good sense and use protection?" "Because I never intended to sleep with her!" And he hadn't. At least not on their first date. But from the moment he'd kissed her, he lost his head and his commonsense. Even now, he couldn't swear that given the chance to relive that night, he wouldn't behave in the same manner. Jade was like a drug and he couldn't get enough of her.

Jim Leighton sat back in his chair. "I suggest you take a few days to think things over before you make any rash decisions that will effect your future here, Reed." The thinly veined threat annoyed and angered Reed. He sprang to his feet. "I'm sorry if Lina's hurt, but there's nothing to think over. I've already made my decision." "Then we have nothing else to say, Daniels. Close the door on your way out."

Reed headed straight for Jade's apartment after work. He needed to see her before his resolve to stand by her and ruin all chances for a partnership dissolved. He went prepared to have to beg her to let him in. But she readily allowed him in. He sat on the loveseat and she sat opposite him on the sofa, her dark eyes trained on his face. "I didn't expect you." He shrugged, staring at her. She was wearing a dark trouser suit that clung to all the right places. Just looking at her made him want her. But was she really worth what he had just given up? Especially if it turned out that she wasn't pregnant? "You're staring." He shrugged again. "I … I spoke to Lina and her father today." She bit her lip and sat forward, an anxious look on her face. "What … what did you tell them?" "That I wasn't interested in Lina because I'm interested in you." "Oh." Her shoulders relaxed and the anxiety vanished from her eyes. "How … how did they … she take it?" He remembered Lina's tears and recriminations. "She wasn't happy." "Oh … and you? How are you feeling?" On the verge of telling her that he'd ruined his career at Leighton and Krauss, he shrugged. "I'm okay. How are you feeling?" "Okay." She smiled suddenly. "It's okay, Reed." "What's okay?" "Me … us … I'm not pregnant. I got my period this morning."

So it had been for nothing. If he'd taken Jim Leighton's advice and waited a few days, he'd still have a shot at a partnership. "Reed?" She sat forward again. "Why are you looking like that? I thought you'd be pleased." He was aware of what was almost a sense of disappointment. He'd spent the last week reconciling himself to the possibility that he was going to be a father. He'd mentally started thinking about a college fund, sleepless nights trying to quiet a cranky infant, and endless afternoons spent at the park. "Reed?" He shook his head. "Ah, … yeah. I am. Are you?" "No. Not really. I was sort of looking forward to having a baby. Someone of my own. Someone who'd love me unconditionally. Someone who would need me." The longing in her voice struck a cord in him. He got up and moved to stand in front of her. "I need you." He extended his hand. "And I'm yours … if you still want me." "Are you sure it's over between you and her?" He nodded. "I told you there was no real relationship. We never slept together and I didn't love her. Hell, I'm not even sure I liked her. You, I like. You I want. You I need." "Oh, Reed!" She stood up and slipped her arms around him. He lifted her face and kissed her, his mouth hard and hungry. Her lips parted readily under his and she leaned into him, her body soft and supple. Just the feel of her in his arms, made him hard. He cupped her face and stared down into her eyes. He saw his desire and need mirrored in her brown eyes. "I need you. Now." She wrapped her arms around his neck, rubbing her lower body against his aching cock. "Are you … do you have…" "Yes. I came prepared." He tensed, remembering her reaction the last time he'd made that statement. "Then I need you too." He lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom.

During the next five weeks, Reed spent all of his free time with Jade. A lot of their time together was spent making love. He was delighted to find that her sexual appetite was a match for his. Sex with her was frequent, hot, and completely satisfying. To his surprise, he found that he enjoyed just getting to know her. They went to baseball games, dancing, and walking along the riverfront at Penn's Landing. He even allowed her to talk him into window-shopping at the mall and into going roller-skating. He didn't really care what they did or where they went. As long as he was with her and got to slide his aching cock into her sweet, heated body at the end of the day, he was happy. Reed, who'd only sent Michelle flowers when she complained that he never did, was surprised to find how much he enjoyed showering Jade with roses. She loved receiving them and he loved sending them. He began to suspect he was in over his head when he repeatedly found himself losing his train of thought in the middle of important meetings because he was daydreaming about her, was hard pressed not to spend every moment in class staring at her, was never tempted to do a double take when a beautiful woman walked by, and felt an annoyance akin to jealousy whenever he saw one of the men in class watching her. But it wasn't until he found himself kneeling at her feet one Saturday at a mall shoe store, happily slipping endless pairs of shoes on and off her feet, that he knew he was in danger of falling completely and hopelessly for a woman for the first time. There had been the occasional woman he'd been a little in love with, but nothing like he knew he could very easily feel for Jade. Nevertheless, he was no more ready to marry her than he'd been Michelle. So he should stop seeing her – now – while he still could. Before they were both in too deeply to get out without one or both of them getting hurt. But every "last" date, left him longing for just one more night out with her. Finally, he admitted that he couldn't stop seeing her. Still, he managed to convince himself that they could go on just as they were. Everything would be fine as long as he kept a tight rein on his emotions and she didn't fall in love with him. Women in love invariably want to get married. Sooner rather than later.

Jade was happy. She knew Janny was probably right about Reed only staying with her until he tired of their sexual relationship. But judging by the passion that flared whenever they touched each other, she was sure that wouldn't happen for a long time. She wasn't worried.

Until she walked into class early one Wednesday night and found Reed holding hands with a pretty, gray-eyed brunette with a cast on her left leg. He was sitting on the edge of the desk. The woman was standing in front of him, smiling. Jade stood in the door, staring in disbelief until Reed looked up and saw her. Then she was confused. The smile he turned on her was as warm and intimate as the ones they shared when they were alone. He extended a hand to her. "Hi, Jade. Come meet Annie." "Jade, this is Annie Certo," he said, still holding the woman's hand. There was a noticeable pause before he continued. "Annie, this is Jade Johnstone, one of your students." "Hi, Jade." Annie Certo smiled. "I'll be taking over class on Monday, so I thought I'd drop in tonight and see how the class is doing – where we are." "Oh. Good." Without looking at Reed again, Jade went to her seat in the back of the class. Annie Certo sat on the front row where she and Reed exchanged smiles all evening. After class, Jade slipped out of the room while one of the other students was talking to Reed, and headed for the parking lot, angry tears stinging her eyes. "Damn. There go my chances with him. Did you see the way they kept looking at each other?" She looked up to see Rona, the blonde from class, walking beside her. She blinked at her. "What?" "Reed and that Certo chick. Didn't you notice the intimacy between them? They must be lovers." "No!" Rona stared at her in surprise. "No? You think not?" "I don't know. How should I? Oh, I don't care," she said wildly. "Good night." Instead of yielding to the temptation to head straight for Janny, she went home. While Janny wouldn't say I-told-you-so, she would probably insist that Jade confront Reed. That was her inclination, but she was too afraid of what he might admit if she did. At home, she changed into shorts and a tee shirt before she began cleaning the apartment. It didn't really need it, but cleaning always helped her focus on her problems. She was scrubbing the tub when the phone rang. She glanced at the clock over the bathroom door. Nearly ten o'clock. About the time Reed usually called when they weren't together. But it wasn't likely to be him. He was probably somewhere making love to Annie Certo.

It was probably Janny. "Hello." "Hi, sweetheart." "Reed!" "You sound … upset. Is something wrong?" "No. Yes. Reed, I need to talk to you." "I'd like to do more than talk to you," he said softly, "but go ahead. Shoot." His obvious good humor annoyed her. "In person," she said shortly. "Okay," he said slowly. "We're still on for dinner tomorrow?" "Not tomorrow. Tonight." "Tonight? What's wrong, Jade?" "I told you," she said angrily. "I need to talk to you tonight. In person. Here." "What about?" "Come and find out." "Jade, I'm tired. I have a report I need to read for work tomorrow and it's a forty-minute drive to your place. Can't this…" "You come tonight, Reed! Do you hear me? Tonight or don't you bother calling me or coming at all!" she said and hung up the phone. Oh, sugar, Jade! Why did you do that? What if he doesn't care enough to come? What are you going to do then?

Chapter Nine Two hours later, convinced that he wasn't coming, she was lying in bed fighting back tears when her doorbell rang. She scrambled out of bed and nearly tripped in her haste to get to the door. When she looked out the peephole and saw that it was Reed, her eyes filled with tears and she muttered a silent prayer of thanks before she opened the door. One look into his gray eyes told her he was furious. He had his briefcase and a garment bag. He silently walked past her and put them in the living room before turning to face her. "You came," she said weakly. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't."

"You were almost right," he said coolly. "There's something you'd better understand. I am not some lovesick boy you can get away with issuing ultimatums to, Jade! This had better be good." His irritation rekindled her own. What did he have to be angry about? "How could you? Why didn't you tell me? I thought you cared about me!" "How could I what? What are you talking about, Jade? I'm not in the mood to play games. Stop yelling and spit it out." "Fine! How long have you two been lovers?" His eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?" "You know!" "No, dammit, I do not know! You either tell me what this is all about or I'm out of here. For good. You're not the only one who can issue ultimatums." "How long have you and Annie Certo been lovers?" She saw his eyes widen and he stared at her for several moments with a stunned look on his handsome face. Then he closed the distance between them and jerked her against him. "You silly, little dimwit! Annie and I are not lovers." She tried to pull away, but he wouldn't allow it, so she glared up at him instead. "You expect me to believe that?" "Yes, dammit, I do! For two very good reasons. First, in case you missed the rings on the third finger of her left hand, she's happily married. And last, but most important, she's my little sister." About to scornfully dismiss his assertion as nonsense, she saw again Annie Certo's gray eyes and dark brown hair, both the same color as Reed's. "Your … but … you might have told me," she finished in a small voice. "And you might have trusted me." "Maybe I would have if you'd given me a reason to." She tugged at her arms and this time he released her. "You really are a dimwit," he said in an amazed voice as if he'd just realized it. "When have I given you any reason to suppose I'm interested in any other woman? I've spent every free second of the last five and a half weeks with you. When do you imagine I had the time, energy, or the inclination to take on another lover?" She should have been relieved, but she wasn't.So why did he introduce you to his sister as just another student? Simple, dimwit, because that's all you are to him. He doesn't care about you. He likes having sex with you, but he does not care about you as a person.

"I'll see you out," she said flatly, moving away from him. "Oh, no you won't! I did not drive all the way over here just to turn around and go back," he told her. "I'm spending the night." With her hand on the apartment door, she turned to face him. "What?" "You heard me." "Fine," she gestured toward the sofa. "You know where the extra pillow and covers are. If I don't see you in the morning before you leave, have a great day." His eyes narrowed. "Don't worry, Jade. I know when I'm not wanted. I won't be here in the morning." She fought hard to hold back the tears stinging her eyes. He sounded almost as if he was telling her they were through. If he had given her the slightest encouragement, she would have apologized and flung herself into his arms. He didn't, so she turned and hurried to her bedroom. She buried her face in a pillow and let her tears flow freely. Long after Jade stormed out of the room, Reed sat at her dinning room table with the unread report he needed for a meeting on the following day spread out in front of him. What the hell did he see in her anyway? Granted, she was beautiful and sexy and he enjoyed being with her almost as much as he enjoyed making love to her. What mattered was the fact that she didn't trust him. He hadn't even thought of another woman since the moment he woke and found her in his bed, but she thought he was capable of sleeping with another woman. I am not some lovesick boy you can get away with issuing ultimatums to, Jade! Then why did he feel like one? And what was he doing there? While it was true that her call had angered him enough not to come, he'd been unwilling to risk being kicked out of her life or her bed just to save his pride. After nearly six weeks as her lover, he had a feeling no other woman would ever be able to completely satisfy him again. The feel, taste, and smell of her were indelibly burned into his lips, skin, and heart. When he was inside her, he felt mentally as well as physically happy – content. She had ruined him for any other woman and now she thought she could just throw him out of her bed when it suited her? And for what? Because she was too silly to realize just how deeply she had managed to work her way into his life. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been able to spend more than a few hours away from her without longing to see or talk to her. He glanced at the sofa. He wasn't likely to get much sleep, knowing that she was only a few feet away with her bedroom door closed to him. Damn her if she thought she could get away with treating him like that inexperienced

boy who had hurt her so long ago! He slammed his briefcase closed, stood up, and undressed quickly, dropping his clothes on the living room floor before heading for the bedroom.

Jade came awake with a start to find herself lying nude under Reed's naked body in her moonlit bedroom. His erection, hard and throbbing, rested against her stomach. He was sucking gently on one of her breasts, while one of his hands was between her legs, stroking her already hardened body into unwilling excitement. She shoved at his shoulders and he lifted his head from her nipple to look down at her. "What do you think you're doing?" "Isn't it obvious?" he demanded roughly. "I'm taking what's mine. You are mine, aren't you?" He dipped his head to kiss her breasts again and she shivered as his lips brushed the hardened tips of her nipples, sending pleasure radiating through her whole body. When she didn't immediately answer, the hand between her thighs stilled. He lifted his head and looked down at her. "Aren't you?" She hated the confidence in his voice, but she knew it was justified. She'd known she was his for the taking the moment she set eyes on him. And now, in addition to the overwhelming sexual desire she felt for him, she was in love with him as well. "Yes," she admitted helplessly. Resting most of his weight on his knees, he kissed her gently. "Don't sound so miserable, my lovely Jade. I'm yours too." She could feel him pulsing against her. Her breath caught in her throat. She closed her eyes and slipped her fingers in his hair. Would she ever not ache with this insatiable hunger every time she thought of him – felt him? There was nothing else in the world half as exquisite as feeling his large, silken penis slowly gliding into her body. "Oh, Reed! Reed! Take me, I'm yours. All yours. Always." His weight lifted off her and she turned her head in time to see him rolling onto his side. "I'm sorry, sweetheart." She shrugged, confused. She didn't want apologies. Not then. All she wanted was

him. Deep inside her. But she could see he meant to have his say. "What about?" He brushed his fingers against her cheek. "For calling you a dimwit and for the misunderstanding about Annie. I thought I mentioned she was my sister the first night of class." "You didn't, but you were right. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions." He cupped her face with the palm of one hand. "Why did you? Don't you understand yet how it is for me?" "Have you looked in the mirror lately? You're very good looking. The kind of man women want, and there you were holding hands with this gorgeous woman, smiling so intimately at her; just when I was beginning to think you were mine." With a hand on her shoulder, he pulled her forward until their bodies were touching again, still on their sides, facing each other. "I wasn't seeing anyone before I met you. And now I have no desire to see any other woman. You have all my . . . interest, time and attention. There isn't anyone else. And there isn't going to be. Iam yours, Jade. All yours. Every part of me. For as long as you want me." "Oh, Reed!" She stretched up and kissed his lips. "I want you forever." Feeling brazen, she reached out and encircled him in her hand. She loved the way he pulsed and throbbed against her fingers. "Especially this part of you." She gently squeezed him and parted her thighs. "Then I'm all yours, my lovely," he whispered, returning her kiss. "Forever. All of me. You want me?" She nodded happily and sighed in delight when he eased into her body. He made love to her so tenderly that her eyes filled with tears. Afterwards, he kissed her tears away and cuddled her close. "I'm yours forever, my lovely," he assured her, pulling the covers over their damp bodies. Physically, satisfied, she fell asleep with his whispered love words echoing in her ears. She was happy and satisfied. So why was she afraid to tell him she loved him?

A week later, Reed found himself fending off one of Annie's attempts to fix him up. It was a newly acquired habit of hers that he found highly annoying. "Oh, come on, Reed. I'm not asking you to marry her. I'm only asking for a few hours of your time."

He looked up from the report he'd been reading when Annie had unexpectedly walked into his office. "Forget it. I have plans for tonight and the whole weekend that don't include being a blind date for one of your friends." "She isn't just one of my friends. Lea was the third runner up in last year's Miss Pennsylvania pageant. And she's working on her bachelor's in psychology. She finished high school at fifteen. She has a lot going for her." "Then she shouldn't have any problem getting a date for herself! I hope she does because I am unavailable." "Reed, come on," she began in a cajoling voice. "It's not as if you're seeing anyone." She paused, took a long look at him and smiled slowly. "You are seeing someone!" He nodded. "Yes." She leaned forward in her chair, her eyes boring into his. "Who is this someone? Is she special?" "Depends on what you mean by special." "What doyou mean by it?" she countered. "It means that I'm not interested in meeting anyone else. No matter how beautiful, intelligent, or talented she may be." "Okay," she said, conceding defeat. "Forget Lea. Why haven't I met this special woman of yours?" He hesitated. While telling Annie about Jade wouldn't be quite the same as telling his mother, it was still dangerously close to that invisible line of commitment that he was unwilling to cross. "Actually, you have. Her name's Jade." "Jade," Annie repeated. "Nice name, but the only Jade I know is one of my accounting students. Jade…" "Johnstone. She's the one," he said and watched his sister's eyes widen in surprise. "Reed! She was one of your students." "Wasbeing the operative word," he said, running a hand through his hair while continuing to watch her. "Mom will be pleased. She's coming for a visit soon. She'll take one look at you, see how happy you are, and want to meet her. Is she going to approve?" He shrugged. "Mom doesn't consult with me on her husbands and I don't see why I should consult her on my choice of companions. Besides, I'm a very big boy. I know what I like in a woman and who I want to spend my free time with. And that's Jade. I like Jade."

"Like her? Or love her?" He shook his head. "I said I liked her. There's a whole lot of room between like and love, Annie." "I don't know about that, Reed. You look so content. As if you've finally found the one woman you've been waiting for." She smiled, her eyes warm. "Oh, Reed, I'm so happy that you've finally found someone who makes you as happy as Frank makes me." He arched a brow. "Thanks, but you're jumping to conclusions, honey." "I don't think so. Well, I'd better go. I still have to find a date for Lea." She got up and kissed his cheek. "I'm with you all the way, big brother," she said softly. At the door of his office, she turned to look at him. "You know, if you and Jade don't have any plans, why don't you come to the party next week? It's time your family and friends met your special lady." He smiled noncommittally at her. Not only didn't he want to subject Jade to Annie's pointed and never ending questions, but he also didn't want to give Jade any ideas. There was an undeniable permanence attached to introducing a woman to your family and friends, which was why neither Annie nor his mother had ever met Michelle. Or any of the other women he'd dated. "No promises. Maybe we'll stop in if she hasn't made other plans," he said.

Chapter Ten Jade was sitting in her small office, running the computer program that generated the payroll checks when her part-time secretary, buzzed her late in the afternoon. She flicked her intercom. "Yes, Kay?" "It's Mr. Daniels on line two, Jade." "Thanks." Smiling, she picked up the phone. "Reed. Hi." "Hi, sweetheart. How's your day going?" "Never ending. I'm longing to see you." "And I you," he said softly. "I hope you're not calling to tell me you can't make it tomorrow night." "No. Actually, I'm calling about next week. I know we agreed to go take in a play on Saturday, but…"

Her smile vanished. "But? Don't tell me you're going on a business trip or…" "What a woman you are for jumping to conclusions," he said. She could tell he was smiling. "Actually, I was wondering if you'd like to go to a party with me instead. At Annie's house." Her heartbeat quickened. "At her house? You want me to meet your sister? Really meet her?" "I believe that's what I said. Are you interested?" "Depends. Does she know about us already or are you planning to spring me on her? I'm not real big on being sprung on people." He laughed. "What an imagination you have. Yes, she knows about us. You and me." "And she doesn't mind?" "What's to mind? You're completely beautiful and utterly delightful. She'll love you." She had to bite back the urge to ask him ifhe loved her. "I'll take your word for that. How shall I dress?" "It's not very formal. Wear that black dress you wore the last time we went out to dinner." She grinned at him. "I didn't think you noticed. You didn't let me keep it on very long." "I notice everything about you. Especially how beautiful you look in black with your hair hanging around your face in a cloud. Thanks for letting it grow." "You're welcome," she said shyly. "Of course, you look even better in nothing, with or without hair." "So do you." "I'm glad you approve of my birthday suit, ma'am," he drawled. "Oh, I do; especially when the most delightful part of your anatomy is standing at attention." "I love it when you talk, dirty," he said. She flushed. "I don't! I wasn't … talking dirty. Not exactly." She cleared her throat. "I can't wait to see you tomorrow night." "That reminds me. About tomorrow…" "Reed!"

"Keep your dress on, honey," he said, laughing. "We're still on. It's just that I have an expected meeting late tomorrow afternoon. I'm going to be a little late. But I will be there." "I'll be waiting."

She told Janny about the party the next day during their early morning run. "So he's finally tired of hiding you from his family." Janny kept running along the park path, but Jade stopped abruptly. After a moment, Janny turned and jogged back to her. "Okay. Okay. So I shouldn't have said that." Jade sighed and began jogging again. Janny matched her stride. "Why are you always so negative about him?" Jade asked wearily. "It's not like we've been involved for years or even months. It's only been six and a half weeks." "I know that, Jade, but let's face it: this guy is not thinking long-term commitment." "I know he's not looking to marry me. I don't need you always telling me that." This time it was Janny who stopped. Next to a bench. They both sat down. "Oh, honey, I know you love him, but I'm afraid you're going to get hurt." "Why are you so sure of that? I know he's not in love with me, but he does care about me. Janny, he gave up all chance of a partnership at his firm to stand by me when he thought I might be pregnant." "Big deal! It was what he should have done!" "Maybe so, but lots of men wouldn't have. I know he cares about me, Janny. It's not just sex." "Did he say that?" "Not with words, no." She told Janny about her ultimatum. "He was really angry, but he came anyway and later apologized." Janny wasn't inclined to be impressed. "Did the apology come before or after sex?" "Janny!" "Okay. Okay. I know it's none of my business, but if he's not interested in marriage, you're going to end up hurt."

Jade had no answer for that. "You might be right." "Then stop seeing him. Before it's too late." "It's already too late. I can't walk away from him. I have to follow this through to the end. No matter how it ends." "If he hurts you…" "He won't," she insisted, but she could hear the uncertainty in her voice.

Before going home that night, Jade stopped at the video store and rented a movie. She spent the next hour and a half cooking. By the time Reed arrived at eight-thirty, dinner was warming on the stove. She met him at the door, kissed his cheek, and took his briefcase. "Hi. You look tired." "I'm fine now," he said, smiling down at her, but he didn't object when she told him to go sit in the recliner. She stood behind him, massaging his shoulders. "You're so tense. What's wrong, Reed?" "Nothing important. Just a couple of little things." She bent and brushed her mouth against the back of his neck. "Is there anything I can do to help?" "You're doing it, darling." He turned his head and kissed the hand resting on his shoulders. "What would you like to do tonight?" he asked. "Stay home," she said. "I picked up a movie. I thought we could stay in and cuddle on the sofa while watching it after dinner." He half turned to look up at her. "Are you sure?" "Positive." He cast a cautious look up at her. "Okay. What movie did you rent? Not another musical, I hope." She grimaced. "Now who's jumping to conclusions? I rentedTerminator 2 ." "You hate the Terminator movies." "I know, but you like them and I like you," she said, dropping a kiss on his cheek. "Now you relax while I lavish you with all the attention you could ever want." He allowed his head to roll back against her. "Whatever you say, my sweet."

After dinner, they sat together on the reclining sofa. While he watched the movie, she lay with her head in his lap, occasionally stroking his thighs, thinking how nice it would be to cook dinner for him every night. Say for the rest of their lives together. He was smothering huge yawns by the time the movie ended. "Why don't you go to bed?" she suggested, getting to her feet. He reached out, caught her hand and pulled her back down, this time on his lap. He trailed a series of soft kisses against her neck and ear. She felt him began to harden under her buns and wiggled against him. "That's nice," she said. "Very," he agreed, kissing her lightly. "Let's take a bath together. Then we'll both go to bed." She tingled with excitement at the thought of taking a bath with him. She loved the feel of his wet, naked flesh rubbing against her. In her. In and out. God, how she loved him. Here was her chance to love him in the manner she'd been fantasizing about. "Reed, would you like me to…" She stared at him helplessly and trailed off, unable to put her desire into words. "Would I like you to what?" he asked, tracing lazy circles against her neck with his tongue. "I want to kiss you … suck you … here." She put her hand down between their bodies and rubbed her palm gently over his groin. "Jade! Are you sure? Have you ever…" He lifted his head and stared into her eyes. "No, of course you haven't." She felt the blood heat her whole face. "You don't want me to?" "Of course I want you to, but only ifyou really want to." He brushed the tips of his fingers against her cheeks. "Not because you think it's what I want." "I do want to, Reed. When you love me like that, it's so incredible. I want you to feel that way too." "I do feel that way, sweetheart. Nothing feels as good as being inside you. That's good enough for me. I don't want you to do it because I've done it for you and you think you have to return the pleasure." "I do want to do it. I want to … feel you in my mouth. I want to taste you when you…" "When I what?" She blushed. "You know." "When I come?" he suggested.

She lowered her head. "Yes." With a hand under her chin, he tipped her face up so he could look into her eyes. His own gaze had darkened. "You're turning me on, sweetheart. What do you plan to do about it?" "I told you what I want to do about it … how I want to do it." He nodded, slowly. "I know, but that's … big league action." "You don't think I'm big league?" "I think you're perfect … just as you are. I love making love to you." "So you don't want me to? You don't like it … like that?" He kissed her lips. "I prefer intercourse with you. I enjoy performing oral sex on you. For me oral sex is just an appetizer. It leaves me wanting intercourse. But if you really want to, I'm sure I'll enjoy having you … suck me." She rubbed her cheek against his chest before looking up at him. "I do want to suck you. I want to taste you." He cupped a hand over the back of her head. "Then by all means, suck me, sweet." "I will … yeah … so … will you teach me how to love you like that?" "What?" "I'm not sure what I should do to get you aroused." "I'm already aroused," he said, sounding amused. "I know that, but … I don't know how to … proceed. I was going to rent an adult movie to see how it was done, but when I got into the video store, I was too embarrassed to go into the back room." He laughed and hugged her to him. "You are a real sweetheart!" "Does that mean you'll teach me how it's done?" She felt his lips caressing her ear. "Yes, but not tonight." "Why not?" "Because I'm tired." He lifted his head and looked at her. "I wouldn't last more than a few minutes in your mouth. And you'd be left dissatisfied." "I wouldn't be dissatisfied." "This is not going to be a multi-orgasm night, Jade. I'm bushed. I'm not going to waste what energy I have in your mouth and leave you with nothing but my mouth

and fingers." "I love your mouth and fingers!" she protested. "Oh?" He placed her hand on his groin. "More than this?" "No," she admitted. She shuddered just thinking about his slow, languid slide into her body. She ran her fingers through his hair. "There's nothing in the world that good." "No," he agreed, "There isn't. Every time we make love, I feel like…" "Like what?" she asked eagerly. He shook his head. "Like being with you … being in you … you complete me." "That's how I feel too, but I want to learn to love you in every way. Don't worry about my satisfaction. I'll be satisfied if you are. I … I love you, Reed." Even before she felt him stiffen and saw the startled expression on his face, she knew she'd made a mistake. Still she waited, hoping that he would reciprocate or at least show pleasure at her admission. He didn't. He just sat motionless, staring at her. "I'm sorry," she said miserably. "You didn't want to know that, did you?" He closed his eyes briefly, then took a deep breath. "Jade, I … please don't misunderstand. I'm not ready to…" His lap was suddenly the last place she wanted to be. She got to her feet and moved away from him. "You're not ready to what?" "I'm very fond of you, Jade." "But? You don't love me? And don't intend to fall in love with me? Is that what you want to say?" "I didn't say that. I'm just not…" "I want an answer, Reed," she insisted. "Do you love me?" "Jade…" "Yes or no, Reed. That's all I want. A simple yes or no." He ran a hand through his hair. "It's not that simple, Jade. I do…" "Yes or no, Reed!" He closed his eyes again, took a deep breath, and shook his head silently.

Part of her had known that he didn't love her. But to have him confirm it! She felt her eyes fill with tears that quickly spilled down her cheeks. He groaned, got to his feet, and took a step toward her, his hand extended. She shook her head and stepped back. "No. Don't touch me, Reed." "Jade, please. Don't cry," he said in a low, anguished voice. "Let me explain." She gulped and wiped angrily at the tears streaming down her face. "What is there to explain?" "I'm sorry, Jade, but I can't help how I feel. You're the last person I'd ever want to hurt." "Then why are you hurting me?" "Jade, if I were going to fall in love with anyone, it would be with you." "Knowing that you haven't fallen in love with anyone else is not a consolation, Reed!" "I'm sorry." "Is it because of what I do for a living?" "No! I don't care what you do for a living!" "And why is that, Reed? Because you never intended to be any more than my part-time, no-strings-attached lover?" His lips tightened and his eyes narrowed. "I never meant to hurt you." "Then why? Why?" "I'm not ready to … settle down. I told you that." "I know, but that was before we … before we became lovers. When we make love, you're so … so … tender and loving! I thought things had changed." "I never said they had." "Couldn't you have decided that before you made me fall in love with you?" He looked uncomfortable. "I … didn't want you to." "Oh. I see. You just wanted us to continue having sex with no commitments. Indefinitely." She shook her head. "I'm sorry I ruined your plans by falling for you." He sighed. "Look, I think I'd better go." "No. You're too tired to drive," she was amazed to hear herself say. "You can sleep on the sofa tonight and leave in the morning."

He shook his head, looking weary. "That doesn't work for us, remember? There's no way I'm sleeping on the sofa with you just feet away." "Well, there's no way you're getting in my bed this time!" "I know, so I'm going home. I'll be fine." He collected his jacket and his briefcase. "I'll call you tomorrow morning." And drag out the inevitable heartbreak? "Don't bother, Reed." In the process of opening the door, he paused and turned to face her. "What?" "I said…" She bit her lip. "Don't call me." "Don't call you tomorrow … or not at all?" "At all," she whispered and felt fresh tears fill her eyes. He leaned back against the door, looking stunned. "Are you saying you … what are you saying?" She stared at him silently, all her energies concentrated on holding the tears at bay. "Are you saying you don't want to see me again?" She nodded. He dropped his jacket and briefcase and started toward her. "Jade, please. Don't overreact." She backed away. "Don't touch me, Reed. Please. Don't." He stopped less than a foot away from her. "Please. I know you're hurt and disappointed. Believe me, I'm sorry, but it's not as if I don't care about you. I do. You must know that I do. I'm not just interested in sex. I meant it when I told you there wouldn't be anyone else as long as you wanted me. There hasn't been and there won't be." "I thought that assurance would be enough, but it's not. I need more, Reed." He blanched. "You need more?" "Yes! More!" "How … how much more?" "A lot more. I want a commitment from you." "Fine. I'm committed." "You call telling me you're ready to sleep with me as long as I like a commitment? Well, it's not, Reed!"

"Fine! Fine, Jade! You want a commitment? Fine. Is marriage enough of a commitment for you? Is that what you want? Fine. Marry me!" For one wild moment, she was gloriously happy. He was willing to marry her!That's right, Jade. He's willing to, but he doesn't want to. What good is a forced proposal? "Thanks, but no thanks," she muttered. His gaze widened and he stared at her in silence for several moments. "You're saying no? You won't marry me?" "No, I won't." "I'm not following you. You said you wanted a commitment. I just offered you the ultimate one. You are the only woman I've ever asked to marry me. I've never even been close to asking anyone else. That has to mean something." She shook her head. "You didn't ask me, Reed. You offered as if you were conferring some magnanimous favor upon me." He shook his head impatiently. "I did not mean it that way!" "Didn't you?" she challenged. "You don't really want to marry me." "I'm ready and willing to marry you, Jade. Now." "Not for the right reason, Reed! That's what counts! It's not for the right reason!" "What difference does it make why I want to marry you? I want to marry you! Isn't that enough?" "No! No, it's not. When I get married, it'll be to a man who loves me to distraction. Not to one who just wants to keep sleeping with me! So there's no point in our seeing each other again." "Please, Jade. Don't do this." She shook her head and wiped at her wet cheeks. "I don't want to be just someone you care about. I want more than you're willing to give." "Jade, I can't do this. I can't not see you." "You don't have any choice, Reed. I don't want to see you again. If you don't love me, I'd just as soon end it now." He raked both hands through his hair. "Jade, I … dammit!" Without warning, he reached out and caught her arms, jerking her body against his. "I'll be a good husband. I will never give you cause to doubt my fidelity. Marry me. I'll make you happy."

"Not without love!" "Not without love?" His fingers bit into her arms and he looked as if he'd like to shake her. "You've been sleeping with me for the last month and a half without love! What's the difference?" She pressed her face against his shoulder for a few sweet seconds, allowing herself to breath in the heady scent of his body before pulling away from him. "Believe it or not, I wouldn't change the last six or seven weeks for anything. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. I've enjoyed being with you more than I can say, but the difference is, I always thought there was a chance that you loved me too. But now that I know you don't and never will…" "Jade, I didn't say I never would. We've only known each other for a couple of weeks and…" "That's long enough for us both to know how we feel." That seemed to anger him. He reached out again and pulled her back against him. He glared down into her eyes. "Don't tell me that! I need more time, Jade." She pulled away. "Fine, Reed. Take all the time you like. Just don't expect me to wait around for you." "You mean you're content for everything to end between us like this?" he demanded. "Yes. "Well, I'm not! It doesn't have to be this way, Jade! We could go on as we are for a while. I … I just need a little time to adjust to the idea of…" "No," she said firmly. "You either love me or you don't. I'm not waiting for you to decide." "So this is all about you? What you need. What you want. What about me? What about what I need? What I want? You came into this relationship with your eyes open." "Well, I'm leaving that way too!" "Fine! It's over!" He turned abruptly, snatched up his jacket and briefcase and walked out of her life.

Chapter Eleven "Don't you think it's time you admit defeat?"

Reed put down his half eaten sandwich and squinted across his dining room table at Annie. Agreeing to have her over for lunch had not been a good idea. He was not in the mood. But then he hadn't been in the mood for much of anything lately. "What are you mumbling about, Annie?" "Reed." She reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "Face it. You're miserable. You have been for the last four weeks. Since Jade refused to see you." He pulled his hand away. "I know how I feel, Annie." "Then why won't you admit it? She's in love with you. You're in love with her." "I'm not in l…" he began. "Oh, yes you are in love with her. You wouldn't have asked her to marry you if you didn't love her. You do love her." She reclaimed his hand. "There shouldn't be a problem here." "Try telling her that." He sagged back in his chair. "She said my proposal wasn't enough. She wants too much. She wants…" "To love you and have you admit that you love her. What's so bad about that? If you were willing to marry her, why can't you admit that you love her?" She frowned. "You did mean it, didn't you? If she'd said yes, you really would have married her. Wouldn't you?" The question shocked him. "Of course I would have! You think I just asked to get her into bed?" Her face cleared. "No, of course not. It's just that some men aren't above dangling the possibility of marriage to…" "I would have married her, Annie! I would never have proposed just to lead her on and risk hurting her." "Then what exactly is the problem? What are you waiting for, big brother? For some other man who isn't afraid of commitment to come along and take her from you? Is that what you're going to do? Wait until she's no longer interested in you before you admit that you do love her?" Her questions annoyed him. She was making him sound like an idiot who didn't know what was in his own best interests. "Look, Annie, I know you have good intentions. The best intentions, but I don't want to talk about her." "Fine!" She threw her hands up in the air. "We won't talk about her anymore. Have you seen anyone else since you broke up?" "We didn't break up! She's being unreasonable."

"Okay. Okay. She's being unreasonable. Have you spent any of your time recently with anyone who's more reasonable?" "No." "Tell you what. Since Jade doesn't matter to you, maybe you'll consider going out with Lea. She's back in town for a couple of days. I showed her your picture and she'd like…" He slammed his hand down on the table so hard his palm stung. "I do not want to be fixed up, Annie! Not with this Lea or with any other woman!" Her eyes darkened and he waited for her to snap back at him. Instead, she squeezed his hand. "It's because of Mom, isn't it?" she asked gently. He stared at her, startled by the question. "What?" "I should have realized that. The same thing happened with Frank and me. For months after we started seeing each other exclusively, I was content for things to stay like they were, but he wasn't. He wanted marriage." "And you didn't?" She smiled. "I know. You're surprised." He nodded. "I thought you said you fell in love with him almost immediately." "I did, but let's face it, Reed, Mom isn't exactly a poster girl for martial bliss. It's difficult to believe in marriage when you consider her … example. As I did. Even though I really loved Frank, I was afraid of the unconditional commitment involved in marriage. I kept thinking what if he was like Mom, unable to keep his promise to love and cherish me? Or worst, what ifI was like her, not satisfied with one man's love? But Frank kept pushing me. He said it was marriage or nothing. "So I said okay – make it nothing. We went our separate ways for three long, agonizing months. I was miserable, like you are, but I kept thinking he'd come around. Until I ran into him one night at a club. He was with this gorgeous, statuesque blonde who looked like she was ready to marry him on the spot." "What happened? He saw you and knew you were still the one for him?" She laughed, shaking her head. "I wished. He looked right through me as if we'd never met. I couldn't wait to get home, call him and beg him to marry me." She grinned. "I didn't learn that the blonde was his sister until after we became engaged." Her smiled vanished. "Frank had no intentions of coming back to me, Reed. He loved me, but he wasn't going to be with me without the commitment I found so hard to give. I was lucky, Reed, that he was with his sister and not some other woman. You might not be as lucky. Don't leave it too long. She might not wait like Frank did."

"What makes you think she's waiting now?" "I don't know, but I do know that there's only one way to find out. If you think she's worth the effort, and you must or you wouldn't have burned your bridges at Leighton and Krauss for her." "I had no choice. I wasn't about to leave her alone and pregnant." "But you didn't leave, even after you knew she wasn't pregnant. You didn't leave until she told you to. And she didn't tell you to until you refused to admit that you love her. Admit it, Reed. Tell her you want, need,and love her."

"Why is he still sending you roses?" Jade looked up from polishing her living room coffee table to where Janny was standing in front of the sofa, holding a vase of roses. During the last four weeks since she'd refused to see Reed, he'd continued to send flowers and call her. But she had remained firm. It was all or nothing. Either he loved her or he didn't. She shrugged at Janny's question. "I don't know. He just keeps sending them." "And you keep accepting them." "I shouldn't. I know that, but … I…" She took several deep breaths. "It doesn't matter." She smiled up at Janny. "Let's go away." "What about your class?" "I've dropped out." "Why? You were doing so well. Is his sister being difficult?" "No! Of course not, but I just couldn't stay in that room. Sometimes I'd look up and catch her watching me. I think she blamed me." "For what?" "I don't know. I don't even know any more if I'm not being paranoid. I just couldn't stay in that class." "But, Jade, all your hard work." "I'll pick it up when I take Accounting 101 again, but not at Community College. Reed and his sister are two of only three instructors teaching the next course at night. I've enrolled in the fall semester at Pierce College." She flashed Janny a quick smile. "So there's time. Let's go away."

"Where?" She shrugged. "Oh, I don't know. The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, some place warm and friendly with lots of single guys." Janny sat next to her on the floor. "Jade? Are you ready to start dating again so soon?" "No. No, but if I wait till I'm ready…" She shrugged. "…I'll never date again. Oh, Janny, I love him so much!" "I know!" "But I have to make a start at forgetting him. He doesn't…" She clenched her hands into fists and stared down at them. "He's not going to come around. I … I thought he would. He looked so miserable when I said I didn't want to see him. I thought he'd realize that… He's never going to love me." "So?" "So? You were the one who said I should end it." "Yeah, but that was before he asked you to marry him, Jade. When the man you love asks you to marry him, you don't say no." Her eyes filled with tears. "You do if he doesn't love you back." "No, you don't. Not even then. And anyway, how do you know love wouldn't have come in time? You said yourself he'd already demonstrated that he did care about you." "That's not enough!" She bit her lip. "If you only knew how much … how much I love him! His caring isn't enough. I need so much more." Janny squeezed her hand. "Sometimes that's all you get and you have to take it until you can do better." She shook her head. "All I know is that I want to get away. Are you coming or must I go alone?" She looked up to see tears shining in Janny's eyes. "Don't cry. I'll be all right. I just need to get away from here and all the memories associated with Reed and our time together." She reached out and gripped Janny's hands. "Come away with me." Janny nodded and they sat and cried quietly together.

Reed spent the next week, after his talk with Annie, trying to convince himself that if he waited long enough, Jade would relent and see him again. After all, she was in love with him. But she didn't. And he finally admitted that if he wanted to see her again – and he did – it would have to be on her terms. If he were honest with himself, he could easily imagine a happy future built entirely around her. He'd send her flowers regularly, buy her jewelry, allow her to drag him to an endless succession of malls, and wake each morning with her sprawled across his chest, telling him that she loved him. He ached with the need to see and be with her again; more than he'd imagined possible. He found that he missed the little things they did together most, like watching baseball games and experimenting with new culinary dishes. The days were long and unrewarding without her. The nights were an agony of need and frustrated desire. His so-called freedom wasn't worth the anguish of living without her. He finally admitted what he hadn't been able to confess to either Jade or Annie: that he wanted Jade so much for one reason – he was in love with her. It was time he crossed that invisible line. Before he lost the only woman he'd ever loved so much that it hurt. It was time for the first step. He picked up and the phone and began dialing. She answered on the third ring. "Reed, darling! This is a lovely surprise!" He smiled. "How are you, Mom?" "Couldn't be better, darling. How are you?" "I'm fine, Mom. How's everything with you?" "Just great, darling, but you've already asked that." "I know. Mom, I need you to come to Philadelphia." "Well, darling, I'm coming in another five or six weeks." "I know, but I'd like you to come sooner. There's someone I want you to meet." "Oh, darling! A woman?" He nodded. "Yes, Mom. A woman." "She's special?" "Yes. Very special." "Oh, Reed, darling! I'm thrilled for you. And so relieved. I was beginning to think you'd never settle down. Now, I know I haven't set a very good martial example for you and Annie, but…"

"That wasn't it, Mom," he said quickly. There was no need to make her feel guilty. "I was just waiting for the right woman to come along." "And you've found her?" "Yes, I have." "Of course I'll come. This weekend, if I can get a flight. Darling, tell me all about her." "She's twenty-five and is an only child." "And? Tell me more, darling. Is she very beautiful? Does she dress well? Will she be an asset to you? Oh, darling, I'm so happy for you!" "She's very beautiful. She's sweet, kind, successful, and she cleans houses for a living," he said deliberately. He counted to ten and wait for her reaction. There was a long silence on the other end of the line. "I beg your pardon? Did you say she cleans houses?" "Yes. Yes, I did. Houses. She cleans them. I want you to come and meet her, Mom." "Oh, Reed! Darling, are you sure about her?" "Positive," he said firmly. He was not going to make any apologies for how Jade made her living. "Oh, but I'd hoped that … when you're ready to have children, you'd provide them with the right sort of mother. It's so important for both parents to understand and posses the social graces," she began. "Children need…" "They'll need the woman I love as their mother. They'll need her – just as I do." "But how can you be so sure? Reed, you're a very handsome man, with wonderful prospects. I'm sure you're fond of this woman, but there are so many you could choose from. Women who share your background and…" "I've already met the only one that matters, Mom." "Don't you have the slightest doubt?" "No, I don't. But don't worry, Mom. She knows how to use her utensils properly and she hardly ever drools during meals." "Reed! That's not fair! Why is it so wrong for me to want what's best for my two children?" "It's not wrong and I know you're motivated by love. But Mom, you need to understand that what you feel is best for us and what makes us happy may not be

the same thing." "Reed!" "Mom, I've waited a long time to fall in love. I don't just love her. I'm in love with her and nothing else matters. I just need to know if you're coming to meet her." "Yes," she said in a subdued voice. "If you're sure." "I am." "Oh. Well, darling, then … then I'm happy for you. I am! I'll get the first flight out." "Thanks, Mom."

Chapter Twelve Jade and Janny had decided on a ten day trip to Holland. Jade was doing her last minute packing the night before their departure when the doorbell rang. She glanced at the living room clock. It was nearly nine o'clock. Probably it was Janny coming to make sure she hadn't decided to stay home in the hope that Reed would come begging to be taken back. But she'd made up her mind. She glanced quickly around the room, filled with the smell of the roses Reed was still sending her. When she got back, it would be time for a clean and final break. She would toss out the remaining flowers and wouldn't accept any more. The bell rang again and she got to her feet. "Okay, Janny, hold your horses," she called as she pulled open the door. "I told you he's hist… – Reed!" Her heartbeat began to pound so hard that she felt breathless. She stared up at him. "Reed!" she said again. His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Hi, Jade. May … may I come in?" "I'm … no. I'm busy. I'm going away tomorrow. I'm in the middle of packing." He glanced over her shoulder at the pile of clothes spilling off the sofa onto the floor before looking down into her eyes. "Jade, I need to talk to you. Please." "What about?" "May I come in?" "No." She looked away from him. If she kept looking at him, that pleading glint in his eyes would wear her down. "Reed, it's over between us. I'm trying to come to terms with that. Please just go." He reached out and caressed her cheek. "You've cut your hair again."

She tilted her chin defiantly. She'd cut it just last week when she decided not to waste any more of her time waiting for him to come back into her life. "Did you come here to talk about my hair?" He shook his head and dropped his hand. "It's not over, Jade. At least not for me. I was wrong." She bit her bottom lip. "Wrong? About what?" "You. Me. Us. How I feel about you. I do love you." One look into his eyes, warm with love, and her knees began to shake.He did love her! She backed away from the door and stared at him through tears. "Reed!" He moved into the apartment, pushed the door closed, and pulled her into his arms. He hugged her so tightly, her ribs ached. "I do love you! I do! I love you. I love you," he chanted, the words spilling from his lips as if he couldn't say them fast enough. She buried her face against his shoulder, clinging to him. "Oh, Reed! Do you mean it?" He cupped her face in his hands and began covering it with warm, hungry kisses. "Yes! Yes! I love you. Oh, Jade! I'm sorry. Forgive me." Her eyes filled with tears, but she smiled up at him. "For anything!" He swept her off her feet and swung her around, then kissed her on her mouth – a long, warm, gentle kiss. "Good, because my mother is coming to meet you," he whispered against her lips. She pulled back a little so she could see his face. "Your mother? She is?" She wiggled in his arms until he set her on her feet again. "When? I mean … will she approve of me? Of us?" "Probably not. She's a little on the snobbish side, but that doesn't matter. Nothing does. She's flying here this weekend to meet you." "Why? You said she wouldn't approve. Why is she coming?" He cupped her face between his palms and kissed her gently. "Because she is my mother. And you two do have to meet." "Why?" "She's my mother," he said again, as if that explained everything. But it didn't. Not to her satisfaction. She pulled away from him. "But if she doesn't approve?" "Too bad," he said coolly. "I didn't approve of her last three husbands, but she

married them anyway. And, if you'll have me, I'll marry you anyway." She watched in amazement and anticipation as he began discarding his clothes. In a moment, he was standing before her naked and fully, gloriously aroused. She licked her lips as her eyes dropped to his arousal. It was as large and thick as she remembered. How she had missed it – missed him. A slow fire started burning in her stomach, sending flaming need through her body. Part of her said she should be angry. He'd made her suffer through close to five, long, miserable weeks. Now he just waltzed back into her life, taking off his clothes as if she should be ready to be bedded the moment he dropped his pants. And she was. "Why, Reed?" He drew her gently into his arms. She was naked under the oversized Phillies nightshirt. She shivered and pressed closer to him, moving her hips until she could feel through the shirt his heated flesh nestled between her thighs. She closed her eyes briefly, savoring the feeling. It was so good. "You and my mother don't have to love, like, or even approve of each other, but you do have to meet because you are the woman I love to complete and utter distraction." He kissed her softly on her lips, then gently removed her nightshirt. She closed her eyes and sighed with satisfaction as he began placing warm, sweet kisses against the undersides of her breasts and on the tips, which immediately hardened at the gentle touch of his lips. "I am so sorry it took me so long to realize it. I know I hurt you and I'm sorry." His gaze and words were so tender, her knees bucked. "Oh, Reed. I thought I'd lost you." "Never!" His arms tightened around her, and she felt his fingers brushing against the creamy dampness between her thighs, gently parting the lips of her vagina before slipping an exploring finger inside. "Reed! What … what are you doing?" "What does it feel like, my lovely?" She shivered in response, clamping her thighs around his probing fingers. "I'm making sure you're ready for me." He grinned down at her, a lustful gleam in his eyes. "I'm going to slide my aching dick deep into your tight, hot, juicy cunt and fuck you until you cum all over my dick. And then, my sweet, Jade, I'm going to teach you how to suck my cock until I cum in your lovely mouth." The vulgar words sent a lecherous thrill through her, so she was surprised to see the look of dismay on his face. "Reed?"

"I'm sorry. Damn! I can't believe I talked that way to you! I didn't mean to be crude. I…" She pressed her fingers against his lips to silence him. "It's all right. Where there's love, nothing we say or do together can be crude. Besides, I kind of like hearing you talk that way," she admitted. "It makes me feel sexy." "You are sexy, but are you sure? I wouldn't want you to think I think of our love making as fucking. I…" "I don't care what you call it, Reed. I love it. I love you. I love everything about you." She felt her face flush. "I like the idea of you wanting to … to fuck me." "Oh, I want to fuck you all right." Her smile turned into a murmur of encouragement as he lifted one of her legs and brought their bodies together. Before sanity left her completely, she pressed a hand against his shoulder. "Reed, don't you think you should use a condom? I stopped taking the pill after we broke up. You said you weren't ready to be a father and…" He silenced her with a long, warm kiss. "I said lots of things that no longer apply. I love you and I'm ready to be your husband, the father of your children, and any and everything else you need or want me to be. Are you ready to be my wife and the mother of our children?" A wave of heat washed over her. "Oh, Reed! Yes! Oh, yes!" He bent his head and kissed her again. Seconds later, she felt his big, condomless cock plowing deep into her body; stretching and filling her with an erotic tension that was absolutely exquisite. They both shuddered and moaned at the sweetness of their second completely naked flesh to naked flesh coupling. Then he cupped his hands on her rump, withdrew slightly, and surged even deeper inside her, filling her again to the point of bursting. She clung to him. "Oh, Reed! I missed this! I missed you! Yes! Yes, that's it! That's the spot. Oh, yes. Hit it again." "Yes," he echoed, burying his face in her breasts. "Sweet, Jade! It's been so long, sweetheart. So long since I felt your sweet pussy on fire for my cock. Oh, God! This is good. You feel like a hot, velvet vice. And I've missed you. Oh, God! You're so sweet." He shivered against her and moaned as she deliberately tightened her feminine muscles around him. "You're so tight. So hot. Ahh. I can feel your hot juices gushing like liquid fire all over my dick. You have no idea how good it is to be in

your sweet, sweet pussy again. Oh, God, I love you so much!" "I love you too!" she moaned as her body greedily convulsed around the hard, luscious flesh pumping steadily into her causing the muscles in her stomach to contract almost painfully. They both began trembling so violently that when Reed's legs buckled, they tumbled to the floor, still locked together. "And I love your big, beautiful body!" she cried helplessly as he rolled her onto her back and began pounding into her. "Oh, yes! I love you! I love it! Please give it to me." "Cock," he whispered. "And it's yours. Say it. Cock. Say it. Tell me how my cock feels inside your pussy. Is it good?" "Cock," she repeated, getting an unbelievable thrill as she mouthed the lewd word into his mouth. "Your cock feels so good … so good … so hard … so big … so delicious … my cock. All mine." "All yours. Always, my lovely. This is where I belong," he moaned, slamming his hips against hers, sending an incredible, mind-numbing shock of delight through her that almost made her come on the spot. "With you, my lovely, Jade. With you. Inside your hot, delicious pussy. Always." "Always, Reed," she gasped and clutched hungrily at his rump in an effort to force his big, hot shaft even deeper into her quivering mound. "Oh! Reed! That's … it! Oh! Oh! Do it to me! Do it to me. Harder. Give me more. Please, darling!" "I'll give you as much as you like, my lovely, my darling, my life. This is what we were made for. Me … fucking you." She dug her fingers in his rump and trembled uncontrollably as her organism began. It washed over her, making her lose control. "Reed! That's it … oh! Oh! Oh, oh … oooh! Fuck me! Fuck me! Please. Oooooh!" "Oh, sweetheart! My beautiful, sweet, Jade! Oh, God! I can't hold out anymore. I'm coming too!" Groaning, he began to lift away from her, but she wrapped her arms around his hips and pulled him back, deep into her. "Then come, darling! Come inside me!" "Oh, God, Jade!" He shoved back at her and, sobbing his name and clinging to him, she gave herself up to the utter bliss of being fucked into mindless oblivion by the man she loved and who loved her.

Finis