Business Affairs

by Shirley Rogers

  Swallowing hard, Alex nodded and she disappeared inside. A few minutes later she came out, her hair all around her shoulders, her sweat suit still on.

  He froze in place when she started pulling off her clothes. First came the bottoms. He whooshed out a breath when his gaze swept over her long legs. When she reached for the zipper of her top, he started choking.

  “What are you doing?” he demanded.

  Jennifer gave him an innocent look. “I’m getting ready.” She took off the top to her sweat suit and tossed it on a chair. “You know, Alex,” she said, crossing the room and stopping in front of him. “I’ve been thinking about what you said.”

  His brain went into panicked overdrive. Hell, he’d said a lot of things. “Could you be more specific?” Alex asked, his pulse racing at the sight of her in her bikini. She was standing so close he could see the pucker of her nipples beneath the cups of her top.

  “You know, the part where you said you think I’m hot.”

  “Oh, yeah, well, I—”

  “Did you mean it?” She reached for the zipper to his sweatshirt, dragged it down, then slid it off his shoulders. Licking her lips, she rested her hand on his chest. “Did you mean it?”

  Alex gulped. Oh, yeah, he’d meant it. “Yes.”

  She gave him a deliberate I want you look. “Why don’t we order room service?”

  “What?”

  “On second thought,” she told him as she moved closer and put her other hand on his waist. “Let’s wait awhile. We’re gonna be really hungry—afterward.”

  Alex kept his hands by his side, his body rigid from restraint. She was still touching him and hot flames licked his body. His eyes locked on hers. “Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked. He didn’t dare touch her. Not yet. If he did, he’d never be able to stop.

  Jennifer ran her finger down his chest. “Oh, yes, Alex, I’m sure.”

  “Thank God.” His breath came out in a rush as he pulled her to him and captured her mouth. Everything he’d been feeling, his jealousy, all of his pent-up desire, went into his kiss.

  Jennifer’s arms went around his neck, his heat seeping into her, drugging her. The kisses they had indulged in until now had been playful and teasing, a reminder to keep a tight rein on her emotions. Controlled kisses that kept Jennifer from inviting Alex into her room for a night of careless passion.

  But this…oh, this sensual assault was different. Their bodies touched and Jennifer melted against him. His body was hard, his muscles taut. She wanted to run her hands all over him so she would remember this moment for the rest of her life.

  Hot fire raced along her nerve endings as his mouth claimed hers. She’d wanted to seduce Alex, but in that instant, her plans went up in smoke. Sensations poured through her. Searching. Destroying. Reducing her to putty.

  His lips were like a drug she couldn’t get enough of. Her mind spun as his mouth devoured hers. Then he was lifting her. She clamped her legs around his waist as her mouth mated with his. He lowered her to the edge of the bed, then moved to stand between her thighs.

  “You’re gorgeous,” he whispered as his gaze drifted over her body. He kissed her chin, her throat, her shoulders. She smelled so…female, so absolutely fantastic, he thought he’d die if he didn’t touch her. Somewhere. Anywhere. Everywhere. Reaching for the ties behind her, he loosened them, and the scrap of material covering her breasts fell, baring her to him. Alex tossed it to the floor. Then, for one long, intense moment, he just stared at her.

  He reached out and touched her nipple with his thumb, watched the soft peak harden right in front of his eyes. Going down on his knees, he slid his hands behind her back, urging her toward him. She felt like velvet, delicate and so tender. Was her skin so soft all over?

  Jennifer squirmed on the bed, scooting closer, wanting to give Alex what he wanted, what they both wanted. His tongue touched her nipple, the roughness of it creating a burning sensation deep inside her. Then he took her in his mouth. His teeth gently nipped at her, and something wild and wonderful ignited deep inside her.

  Alex’s hands slid across her thighs and she shifted her hips, wanting him to touch her. His fingers grazed her skin, burning her everywhere they touched her. She needed him—oh, yes, wanted him more than ever. His hand slipped between her legs, warm and so gentle that she caught her breath.

  She held his head in her hands, pressing him to her, encouraging him to suckle her as his hands explored her body. Each touch, each stroke of his tongue fueled her desire for him.

  “Alex.” Jennifer held her breath when he tasted her once more, then lifted his face to look at her. She couldn’t wait. Didn’t want to. His hands on her body, his tongue on her breasts, was all it took for her to reach the peak of her desire. “I need you inside me.” Falling back on the bed, she beckoned him to her.

  “In a moment, honey,” he whispered. Pulling the bottoms of her bikini off, he slid his hand up her thigh, between her legs. She moaned and moved against him, begging for more. Alex watched her and was stunned by her passionate response to his touch. He stroked her until she was panting and writhing on the bed, until she cried out his name and pleaded for him to make her his.

  His. He wanted to brand her his, to make sure no other man touched her like this. Alex didn’t have that right, but, hell, it was what he wanted. It didn’t make sense. No woman had ever made him feel like she belonged to him.

  “Please, Alex, now,” Jennifer whispered, biting her lip, holding back her climax. She’d waited a long time to be with him. So long. She wanted everything, every part of being with him.

  Aching for her, he shed the remainder of his clothing and shoes before covering her body with his. When his mouth found hers, he gave a guttural groan.

  She thrashed beneath him, her hips pushing against his. Alex cupped her bottom, held her to him, loving the feel of her skin beneath his fingers.

  Her hands slid over his shoulders, her fingers digging into his skin. He lifted his mouth from hers, his breathing ragged. Positioning himself between her legs, he hovered over her. “Are you using protection?” he rasped. It was too fast, he thought absently. He wanted to slow things down. But he couldn’t stop. He had to have her. He willed her to say yes.

  In a fog, Jennifer heard him whispering to her. But then she felt him probing her, and she gritted her teeth. Oh, please, yes. Unable to stop herself, she lifted her hips, pushing against him.

  “Jennifer, sweetheart, I can’t wait much longer. Do we need to take care of you?” he murmured.

  His words vaguely registering in her mind, Jennifer tried to concentrate through the haze of desire. Now, her mind whispered. You have to tell him now. But deep in the recesses of her mind, she was only aware of her need for him. She wanted Alex so badly she couldn’t breathe. “No.” The word slipped out before she could stop it.

  Alex pushed himself partially inside her, testing her readiness for him. “You’re so perfect,” he whispered.

  Perfect.

  Reality permeated her mind at blinding speed. No, she wasn’t perfect. Guilt built inside her. She couldn’t do this. “Alex!” she murmured.

  But then he drove deep inside her, stretching her, filling her, and her ability to speak evaporated. And, oh yes, he was moving. “Alex,” she cried, but her words were lost when he covered her mouth with his.

  Jennifer couldn’t think about anything except the pleasure he gave her, the absolute wonder of being with him. She moved with him, matching his pace, and they reached ecstasy together.

  You lied to him.

  Lying in Alex’s embrace, Jennifer faced the awful truth. Oh, God, she had. She’d told Alex she didn’t need protecting.

  No, you wanted to tell him the truth.

  Oh, she had, but her admission had come too late. Regardless of whether she’d had second thoughts, the fact remained that she’d misled him. She’d been trying to confess to him, but then he was inside her, moving, his hot body giving her so much pleasure she couldn’t think.


  If you tell him the truth now, he’ll never believe you.

  The damage had been done. It was irreversible. She could be pregnant right now with his child. To tell him now would only ruin things between them.

  What should she do?

  Don’t say anything.

  What could she say? If she told him they needed to use protection the next time, he’d know she lied.

  She leaned back and raised her head, her gaze traveling slowly over his face until she met his eyes. Without speaking, she moved out of his embrace, reaching for something to cover herself the moment her feet hit the floor.

  Alex watched her movements with a mixture of frustration and surprise. Becoming fully alert, he asked, “Where are you going?”

  Barely glancing at him, Jennifer edged toward the bathroom. “I’m going to, um, use the bathroom. Why don’t you order us something for dinner? I’ll be out in a few minutes.” Not waiting for him to answer, she rushed into the bathroom and closed the door behind her.

  Practically growling, Alex climbed from the bed and pulled on his sweatpants. What the hell had just happened? If he didn’t know better, he’d have thought Jennifer was trying to distance herself from him.

  Why?

  You know why.

  Alex sucked in a breath, then blew it out hard. He’d felt her hesitation. Right before he’d taken her, he’d sensed her indecision. Instead of pulling back, instead of letting her speak, he’d kissed her. A long, drugging kiss meant to seduce her.

  Hell, he hadn’t wanted to give her a chance to ask him to stop. Because if she’d asked him to stop, he would have. And he would have regretted not sleeping with her for the rest of his life.

  Feeling lower than scum, he stared at the closed door. He heard her turn off the faucet. His heart in his throat, he waited for her to come out so he could apologize.

  Apologize. As if a few remorseful words could make amends for what he’d done. She was probably furious with him, and rightly so. He deserved so much more than her anger. Snatching up the telephone, he called room service and ordered dinner.

  Still, the bathroom door remained closed. The woman who was assertive and confident in a conference with some of his toughest customers, the woman who had been an energetic and exciting partner in bed, didn’t want to face him.

  Cursing under his breath, Alex paced to the bathroom and knocked on the door. “Jennifer.”

  “Just a minute.”

  Alex tried to judge what she was thinking from the tone of her voice, but he came up blank. He wanted to see her face, needed to know he hadn’t ruined everything between them.

  There was a click, then the doorknob slowly turned. Seconds later Jennifer came out, wrapped in his robe.

  His robe. She looked so right, so absolutely breathtaking, he’d never forget this moment. Her hair was wet, slicked back from her face, her skin glowed.

  God, she was beautiful.

  She looked at him then, her hazel eyes soft and so endearingly shy. His breath dammed up inside his lungs. Fascinated, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. “Are you all right?”

  “Of course, Alex.”

  Her eyes brightened for just an instant, but then she turned away. As if she wasn’t even aware of him watching her, she retrieved a pair of slacks and a sweater from her suitcase. Then she looked at him. Well, looked in his direction. Her eyes avoided his.

  “I need to dress. Do you want the bathroom?”

  She didn’t say anything more. Alex didn’t want to push her. But he did want to talk about what happened between them. Clear the air.

  Beg her forgiveness.

  “Sure.” But not just yet. Right now he’d give her a few minutes alone. Give her the time she needed.

  He’d search for the right moment.

  And he’d pray that he’d find the right words.

  Seven

  “We need to talk.”

  Alex’s senses went on alert. He hadn’t expected Jennifer to confront him. His gaze met hers and she didn’t look away. Hell, she didn’t even flinch. He had a feeling he wasn’t going to like what she had to say.

  When he’d finished his shower and come back into the room, the food he’d ordered had arrived. Jennifer had taken the time to place it on the coffee table. Following her lead, he’d sat across from her and they’d eaten.

  They’d talked, sure. About work. A little about his family. More about hers.

  Just not about what had happened between them. Because he’d never garnered the nerve to apologize. Now it was too late. She’d taken the bull by the horns.

  “All right.” Alex studied her guarded expression. Every muscle in his body tensed as he waited for her to speak.

  “Alex…” Sitting on the edge of her seat, Jennifer hesitated, searching for the right words. She’d rehearsed them over and over again in her mind, but saying them out loud wasn’t as easy as she’d hoped.

  She couldn’t tell Alex the truth. Now that she knew what it felt like to make love with him, she was selfish. She wanted more. As soon as the road was clear, they would be headed back home. She was going to make the most of her time alone with him. If she had her way, she’d never leave this room.

  But if this was going to work, she had to be sure Alex had no knowledge of her feelings for him. He had to believe she wanted the same thing out of their weekend he did.

  Sex and nothing more.

  Her gaze rested on his handsome face, and oh, God, she fell in love with him all over again. Tears sprang to her eyes. Dammit, she was going to cry. She sniffed, willing them away. She didn’t want Alex to know just how much making love with him meant to her.

  “What happened between us…” She began again, “Well, I don’t know what you think of me, but I don’t make a habit of inviting men to my bed.”

  “I didn’t think you did, Jen.” Alex held her gaze, saw the tears in her eyes, hated knowing he was the one who caused them.

  Jennifer wanted to cry even more. He’d shortened her name once or twice over the weekend while they were skiing. But in bed, while he was inside her, he’d said it over and over again. “Neither of us meant for this to happen, but—”

  “I don’t think I want to hear what’s coming next.” He knew she was wrestling with something, and it was killing him not knowing what was going on behind her beautiful hazel eyes. Leaning toward her, he took her hand. “I don’t think I could stand it if you had regrets.”

  “Regrets?” Smiling at him through the tears that crested her eyes, she shook her head. “I don’t. I mean, not like you think. I still want—” she gestured toward him “—this to happen. I mean again. If you want to.”

  Relief flooded Alex. Oh, he wanted to. Right this second wouldn’t be fast enough. Before she could say anything more, he leaned forward and took her hand. “That’s a relief, because you were sounding like you didn’t.”

  At his touch, Jennifer’s skin grew hot. He had that effect on her. “Oh, no. Don’t think that. It’s just…I need you to promise me something before we, um, have sex again.”

  Wondering where she was going, he gave her a long, searching look. “Anything.” He frowned, not liking the way the word sex sounded when she said it. It had a passing tone to it that made him feel uncomfortable and just a little bit irritated. All right, maybe he wasn’t interested in anything permanent. Why should he be surprised to learn she wasn’t, either? And why did it bother him?

  “Alex, when we talked about coming here, I think we were both a little naive. We thought nothing could happen between us. But being in each other’s company for a few days, I guess it’s only natural we indulged in a brief affair.”

  Brief affair. So if he had any other thoughts about them making love, she was telling him straight-out exactly what it was. Not just an affair, but a brief affair. There was more behind those eyes, though. More she wasn’t saying. “What aren’t you telling me?” he asked, annoyance creeping into his tone.

  “This can’t go on beyond right here
and right now.”

  “Because…”

  Because I’m in love with you. Sheesh! She couldn’t say that. “My job!” she blurted. Yes, she’d use the fact that they work together. It was a solid reason, something he’d understand.

  “If you’re worried about having a job when we get back—”

  “My career is important to me.”

  Alex let himself off the hook. He’d been worried because even though she’d initiated intimacy between them, while they were making love he’d suspected she’d had second thoughts. Now he knew the real reason for her hesitation. She’d been afraid of losing her job. So she’d wanted him, but not if it would cost her career. Nice to know. “Your job isn’t in any jeopardy.”

  “That’s what most people think when they work together and become involved. The only way I can be sure is to have your word that when we get back, we’ll forget this weekend ever happened.”

  “What?” Okay, he hadn’t seen that coming. He wasn’t sure what the hell to say. He stroked her hand as he thought about her suggestion. He could promise her that she’d always have her job. He could act as if he didn’t know her body intimately. But there was no damn way he could promise he’d ever forget what it felt like to make love to her. “Is that really what you want?”

  No, her mind whispered. But she said, “Yes.”

  “And the rest of the time we’re here?” he asked. His gaze slid down her body, then back to her face, his intentions implicit. He wanted her. If she was intent on keeping their relationship relegated to the next day or so, he wasn’t going to waste any more of their time talking.

  She stood and went to him, stepping between his legs. Her heart was beating so hard she could feel it banging around inside her chest. She ran her finger across his forehead, then rested her palm on his cheek. “The rest of the time, we spend in bed if you want.”

  Alex stared up at her. He couldn’t say he agreed with her proposition, but her idea of spending the rest of their time in bed made his temperature soar. “You’re a tough negotiator.”