With No Reservations

by Joan Bramsch

  He didn't want to do anything that might jeopardize Ann's trust in him, particularly tonight. But it wouldn't be much longer. As soon as he got the evidence against his mother's guilty employee, he could tell Ann the whole story. He knew she'd understand why he had to operate undercover.

  As Ann drove she wondered how, when the time came, she'd explain to Jeffrey's satisfaction why she'd spied on him, and for whom. He was an entrepreneur, someone who answered only to himself. Would he understand how important it was for her to remain loyal to the River Regency corporation? Loyalty had always been a virtue she valued. As was honesty, she thought, feeling decidedly guilty.

  At the hotel they met in the shadows of the side terrace. The night breeze caressed their faces, and the throbbing notes of a vintage love song flowed through the open French doors.

  "Dance with me, Ann,” Jeffrey whispered, drawing her into the haven of his arms. “I want to hold you."

  He was an excellent dancer. One hand pressed firmly against her back, just above her waist, easing her ever closer, fitting her torso against him so that his leg slid between her thighs with each step. His chin rested at her temple, and his warm breath feathered the wispy curls on her forehead. Her hand lay curled inside his, resting on his chest.

  He lowered his hand to the small of her back, arching her pliant form as he performed a hesitation step, then whirled her in a tight circle. Wanting, needing to mold her body along the full length of his, he lifted her right hand to his shoulder and began to massage her back with both hands.

  At first his touch was a gentle, gliding caress. Twirling her again, he could feel her breasts press against his chest. His exploring fingers became bold, thoroughly examining her from shoulders to hips. Suddenly his breath hissed out from between his teeth.

  "Do my hands deceive me, Annie?"

  "I seriously doubt it,” she said, laughing softly.

  "Lady, you are absolutely full of surprises,” he said gruffly. “I'm glad I didn't discover you weren't wearing anything under this dress while we were dining.” He dropped his hands to her rounded bottom and pressed her against his burgeoning manhood. “I probably would have made a damn fool out of myself!” he said, groaning. “Kiss me!"

  She lifted her face to his. His tongue searched her mouth with insistent strokes. Satin heat, rough velvet, moist sweetness. Her fingers played through his leonine mane, and her body surged against his. Jeffrey's arousal was so intense, it was almost painful as he caressed her, the heels of his hands kneading the soft rounded sides of her breasts. When the sweet torture ended, both of them were breathing raggedly.

  "My room number is 217,” she whispered.

  "It's etched in my mind,” he said, turning away from her to gaze at the stars.

  "I'll see you there?"

  He gulped back a chuckle. “You bet."

  "Will you be long?"

  Good Lord! he thought, valiantly holding back his laughter. “I'll be there as soon as I'm able, Annie. Believe me, I don't want to stay here a moment longer than I have to."

  "Oh!” she exclaimed softly. ‘.'I'm so sorry."

  "Darling, never be sorry for what your body does to mine,” he said, his backward glance practically singeing her dress. “Will you please get going ... before I drag you into the bushes?"

  By the time Jeffrey arrived at Ann's room, she had opened the doors to the balcony and found some romantic music on the stereo. The room was softly illuminated by one lamp on a bedside table and a fat candle on another table in front of the small sofa. She opened the door for Jeffrey and leaned against the frame, smiling up into his sexy blue eyes. He grinned, winked, and handed her a bottle of an expensive champagne.

  "If you don't have glasses, we can take a bath in it,” he said hopefully.

  "I have glasses,” she assured him.

  He whistled with surprise as he followed her into the room, beautifully decorated in delft blue and ivory. “How does a trainee rate a place like this?” he asked. “You must have had one heck of an agent negotiate your contract.” What was going on? he wondered. He'd just realized the hotel didn't provide employee accommodations. It was against house rules. Ann wasn't a trainee?

  Think! Ann ordered her whirling brain as she walked to the wet bar for glasses. Why hadn't she suggested going somewhere else? Like his room. Well, it was too late now. She'd just have to talk her way out again.

  "Don't start playing detective,” she warned him, setting the glasses down on the table. “I pay rent."

  He raised a brow skeptically.

  "A subsidized rate, I'm sure,” she added hurriedly. “I was told management keeps this room for emergency quarters. And I was certainly in the middle of an emergency. You see, my belongings got lost in transit. I have an apartment leased in town, but until the moving company finds my furniture, I'd be sleeping on the floor."

  Did he look like he was buying her story? she wondered as he poured the champagne. She just wasn't certain. “I sure was lucky no one else was using it."

  "It was nice of the hotel to arrange it,” he agreed, though he was still sure something was not quite right here. But when he handed Ann her champagne and looked into her eyes, his interest in why she was living in this room fled.

  Ann smiled at him as she took the glass, hoping he would drop the subject about her living quarters. They clinked their glasses together and drank the bubbly wine, their gazes locked. Then Jeffrey took her glass and set it down on the table with his.

  "No more talking,” he said.

  He sat on the sofa and tugged her down onto his lap. She went willingly. After all, he was doing exactly what she wanted him to do-forgetting everything else and beginning to make love to her. He kissed her deeply, and almost instantly she forgot too. His kisses had a drugging effect on her.

  Mindlessly she loosened his tie and slipped it slowly from around his neck.

  "Yes, sweetheart,” he whispered. “I want to feel your hands on me."

  She unfastened the first two buttons on his fine cotton shirt, then leaned forward and kissed the warm flesh she'd revealed. Her fingers continued quickly unbuttoning his shirt, uncovering more and more of his bronzed chest.

  "That's it, Annie,” he said. “Touch me.” He took his jacket off and pulled his shirt from his pants. “Your hands set me on fire."

  Excitement swirled through Ann as she smoothed the crisp golden curls on his chest, twirling, designing, then smoothing them in another direction. Her lips followed suit, stringing moist kisses across his warm flesh. When her tongue flicked across one flat brown nipple, he gasped, and one hand cupped the back of her neck, holding her to him.

  "Annie,” he whispered, and lifted her head. He branded her mouth with a kiss so intoxicating and exciting, she dug her nails into his back, hanging on so she wouldn't explode like a Roman candle. When the kiss ended, they both were breathing heavily. Jeffrey stood up, holding her in his arms. “I need more room, Annie. I want to love you in comfort."

  She nodded, then buried her face into the side of his neck, inhaling his cologne and his own heady aroma. She did not speak while he carried her toward the bed. He stopped near the opened door to the balcony.

  "Nice view,” he whispered, sliding her down along his body until her feet touched the floor.

  "The stars are pretty tonight,” she agreed, slowly pushing his shirt from his broad shoulders. “And it's warm too."'

  "It's going to get warmer, love."

  "Shall I bet on it?” she teased softly.

  "You'd be betting a sure thing.” He removed the pins from her smooth chignon, and his breath caught when her hair cascaded like a shimmering waterfall into his hands. “Oh, Annie,” he murmured. “You are so very beautiful."

  ” I was thinking the same thing about you,” she said, trailing her hands lightly over his hard chest.

  "Men are not beautiful."

  "Just proves how special you are."

  ” I want to see how special you are."

  She met his bl
azing blue eyes, standing straight and tall. He brought both her hands to his lips, kissing each fingertip and her palms, then lowered her hands to rest at his waist. His own hands then stroked up her slender silk-clad arms to her shoulders.

  They smiled at each other when, in the distance, they heard the call. of an owl along the wooded banks of the river. Then Ann lost contact with the world as Jeffrey kissed her explosively and slid the zipper of her dress down her back.

  Air swirled across her exposed skin, and she would have shivered if Jeffrey hadn't drawn her into his arms, molding her against his warm body. His fingers grazed along the length of her spine, then he slipped the dress from her shoulders.

  She whimpered with dissatisfaction when he broke the kiss. He pulled back slightly, and his tender gaze drifted across her exposed shoulders, creamy white against the ebony silk. Then his eyes met hers, and he could see how disoriented she'd become.

  "He's calling his mate,” he whispered.

  "Who?” she asked dazedly.

  He smiled. “That's right, love.” Slowly he eased her dress down her body to the floor. “Oh, Annie,” he breathed. “You're a goddess."

  Though her bathing suit had concealed little two days before, he still wasn't prepared for her magnificent beauty. Her long dark hair cascaded down her straight back. The black velvet ribbon at her throat was enchanting, and its white flower gave her features an ethereal quality.

  But when he let his gaze burn over the rest of her-her firm breasts and soft belly, her flaring hips and trim thighs, which cradled the dark nest of her femininity-he knew Ann was all woman, and very much real.

  He pulled her to him and ran his hands over her black silk stockings. Then slowly he stripped them from her, kneeling to slip her high-heeled shoes off. He stood, and she watched his eyes darken as he gazed at her. Again he slid his hands up her arms to her throat, then lowered them to her breasts. He lifted each creamy globe, molding, fondling, rubbing his thumbs across the hardening peaks.

  "You are exquisite,” he said, and leaned down to kiss one nipple. He lavished attention on it until it was a dark rose and pebbly-hard, then turned to the other, drawing it deep into his hot mouth.

  Ann arched against him as she felt a throbbing sensation in her womb. Her fingers threaded through his hair, massaged his neck, trailed over his shoulders. She felt the strength drain from her legs and clung to him.

  "Jeff, I can't stand."

  "I've got you, love.” He swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed, then gently laid her on the cool satin spread.

  Ann almost fainted with the force of a new thought. Perhaps Jeffrey did have her. Perhaps she had already fallen in love with him.

  "Can you take this off, Annie?” he asked, toying with the flower beneath her ear. “We can't be sure if it's poisonous."

  "But it's not real, Jeff,” she said, her gaze drawn hypnotically to the golden hair arrowing into his trousers.

  He chuckled softly, tipping her head so she'd look at his face. “I was teasing, though I do want you to take it off. I don't want anything between your lovely soft neck and my lips."

  Looking at Jeffrey's handsome face didn't help Ann's concentration much. He had the sexiest, bluest eyes she'd ever seen. Without looking away from him, she unfastened the little hooks under the flower and handed the velvet choker to him. He placed it on the night stand, then stood to strip off his clothes.

  "I've been waiting for you,” she said as he lay down beside her, his naked body hard and hot against hers. “A long time."

  "Sweetheart,” he murmured, gathering her in his strong arms. He dipped his head to nuzzle her neck, nibbling gently. When she sighed and arched her head back, giving him greater access, he chuckled. “You have such a succulent throat, Annie.” He comically bared his teeth and widened his eyes. “Makes me feel like royalty just to be near you."

  "Listen, Count. If you do, I will too,” she warned, laughing.

  "You're no longer under my spell,” he said sadly, trailing kisses down into the fragrant valley between her breasts. “Oh, well, I'll just have to find something else to do.” He drew one nipple deep into his mouth and inhaled deeply. “Mmm. You smell wonderful."

  ".'Thank you,” she said primly, then giggled and patted him on his head.

  She knew the teasing was over when he captured her mouth with his and kissed her passionately, without reserve, sending her little-girl giggles right out the window. Her arms encircled his neck, bringing him ever closer to her. His hands smoothed over her, gliding across silken belly to silken thighs, then back to silken curls. She writhed beneath his touch, her body opening to him, fluttering, pulsating.

  "I feel like I'm falling,” she whispered, clinging to his shoulders.

  "Shhh, baby,” he murmured. “Just let it happen."

  "But..."

  "We're falling together ... in love. Remember?"

  She sighed, then kissed him. “I remember, darling. Please. Please, Jeff, come to me."

  He held her close. “Be patient a little while longer, my love,” he said. “I promise, it will be worth it."

  "I want you,” she pleaded. “I need you."

  But Jeffrey resisted the temptation. He wanted to make their first joining one Ann would always remember. He already knew he'd never forget.

  He watched her carefully as he stroked her, and smiled with satisfaction when she caught her breath. She began rocking her hips, and he increased the intensity of his caresses, coaxing a response. Finally she cried out, surrendering, her body arching off the bed in ecstasy. Desire shot through him as he felt the throbbing pressure around his fingers, but still he waited. When the pulsating beat subsided and she collapsed back onto the bed, he lifted his body over hers.

  Sighing contentedly, she embraced him. “That was lovely,” she said breathlessly, and kissed him.

  "I'm coming to you now, Annie."

  She smiled and smoothed a golden lock of hair back from his blazing blue eyes. “But I'm all worn out."

  "You'll catch a second wind,” he promised, and kissed her until she begged to be let up for air. Then he slid inside her, savoring how her soft, hot tightness gloved his length.

  "How does that feel?” he asked.

  "Mmmm, marvelous.” She stroked his back languidly. “But I'm still too tired to move."

  "Wanna bet?"

  He pulled back, then thrust into her with such surging force, her eyes opened wide and she gasped with surprise. She was so filled with him, she felt she might burst ... but in a most compelling, vital way. Then she could no longer think as her greedy body began to match his rhythm, lifting and arching to meet his strong thrusts as he carried her higher and higher into the stars.

  "That's it, love,” he whispered, his arms tightening around her. He squeezed his eyes shut, struggling to maintain control for a while longer. “That's it. Move with me."

  "It's ... it's...” She cried out. “Jeff ... it's happening again!"

  She clung to him as her body seemed to explode into thousands of brightly colored pieces. Jeffrey felt her tighten around him, and let himself go. Together they burst into the heavens, wrapped securely in each other's arms.

  "I'm flying!” she cried in awe.

  "I'm with you, Annie!"

  Afterward they lay exhausted, sprawled across the cool, slippery spread as they slowly fluttered back down to earth.

  "I can't believe it,” Ann said.

  "I wanted you to be completely satisfied, sweetheart."

  "But that wonderful feeling. And twice!"

  "It never happened before?"

  "I don't kiss and tell,” she murmured sleepily. It was difficult to find the strength simply to form words, much less whole sentences. “What would you think of me?"

  "Hey, Annie, you're among friends here."

  "Well..."

  "Come on, Annie, tell me. Has it ever happened to you before?"

  She drew in a deep breath, then exhaled on a sigh. “Only in my dreams."

>   Smiling tenderly, he kissed her lips, then her closed eyelids. “I'm very glad it happened for the first time with me, honey."

  "You are."

  "I just said I was."

  "No, no,” she mumbled. “I wasn't asking a question. I was making a statement. You are."

  "I are what?"

  "Special."

  "So are you, love."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Seven

  Jeffrey awoke in his own bed. He glanced at his watch and discovered it was very late in the morning. Smiling, he stretched and rolled to his feet. What a night! he thought, recalling every moment, the way Ann had felt in his arms, beneath his body. Each little cry, each little sigh. He couldn't remember another time when he'd been so happy.

  "Ah, Annie, you're truly amazing,” he whispered, stretching again. He had no idea where she got so much energy, though he'd bet she was feeling stiff and sore this morning. They'd made love most of the night. As soon as he showered and shaved he'd call her, he decided, strolling into the bathroom.

  Downstairs in the accounting office, Ann covered a yawn, then squirmed to a more comfortable position on the hard desk chair. Her job today was to provide secretarial services for any of the hotel's guests requiring them.

  But, oh, she thought, last night had surely been a night to remember. In one evening's time she'd become knowledgeable, experienced. Had learned how to please and be pleased. She had had no idea lovemaking could be so wonderful.

  She'd try to call Jeffrey later, she decided. She'd been so sleepy when he left at dawn, she'd forgotten to tell him where he could find her today.

  She yawned again, then rose from her chair. She had to move around a little or she was going to fall asleep at her desk. The trouble was, she felt awfully stiff. Into how many positions had her body been molded? she wondered. Each one had given different sensations to different parts of her anatomy. All had left her satiated, yet eager to learn more.