Body Contact (24 page)

“If that's all you can give me. I mean, I know how important your career is to you.”

She nodded. “Dad taught me to be the best. I wanted to live up to the standard he set. But I realized when I was with you that there are other goals in life. Like building something important with the man I love. I mean you—if
I'm
not being clear.”

His green eyes blazed with astonishment. “You love me?” he asked in a halting voice.

“Jack, I wanted you for years. Then that first time we made love, I realized what I felt for you wasn't just lust. I mean, it was that, too. But a whole lot more.”

“Thank God,” he whispered, lowering his lips to hers for a long, drugging kiss. Then he whispered, “Maddy, I love you so much. If I asked you to marry me, what would you say?”

“I'd say yes,” she answered.

“Thank God,” he said again. Then he brought his mouth down to hers once more. And when he finally lifted his head, they were both breathing hard. As his hands began to move over her body, she responded as she had to him every time. Strongly. Deeply. Incredibly.

“It was hell being on that boat with you—being so close and not having any privacy,” he growled.

“Oh yes.”

“If I'd tried to talk to you then, everybody would have heard us. Or if we'd tried to make love.”

“But we're alone now. Like we were that first time. When you were such an arrogant bastard,” she added for good measure.

He grinned at her. “Yeah, I was, wasn't I?”

“It turned me on,” she murmured.

“I kind of figured that out,” he said, a cocky grin spreading across his face.

“Watch it, or you're going to get a punch in the gut.”

“How about letting me make amends for my arrogance?” Taking her hand, he led her into the bedroom. With soft kisses and warm endearments, he began to undress her. And while he removed her clothing, she did the same for him.

Bodies brushing. Hands touching. Hearts melting.

This time it was so different from all the others, she marveled.

This time as they aroused each other, they were sealing a commitment. No more uncertainty. Only the wonder of knowing that this man loved her, and she loved him.

He had brought her pleasure before, pleasure beyond imagining. But now as his hands and lips moved over her body, she felt something more. A deep abiding certainty that she belonged with him. Belonged with him in every way that a man and woman could bring meaning to their lives together.

There was no need to prove anything. No need to hurry. Instead there was a long, slow loving that ended with a soul-shattering climax.

She called out his name—and heard his words of love as he poured himself into her.

Emotionally and physically spent, she slept then.

Some time later, she woke to find him lying on his side, looking down at her.

“How long have you been awake?” she asked, reaching to stroke his cheek.

“A while.” He moved his lips against her forehead. “I was lying here wondering, what would you think of a job change?”

She lifted her head and looked at him inquiringly. “To what?”

“To a partnership in Connors Security.”

“I…I'd love it,” she answered immediately. Then just as quickly had a second thought. “But I'd feel like a rat leaving Stan Winston in the lurch.”

Apparently he'd been working out a plan, because he answered at once. “We don't have to. When you're ready to make the move, we could offer to take over security for him—on a contract basis. He already knows we're a great team.”

She grinned. “Yes.”

“And, uh, you could work part-time, if you want to. After our vacation—which is going to be our honeymoon.”

“Are you rushing me into marriage?”

“Yes. Before you come to your senses.”

“There's no danger of that.” She snuggled against him. “Your offer of part-time employment. Is that while we're raising the kids?”

“I was thinking that would be a good plan.”

She angled her head, giving him a serious look. “Dad was so wound up with his job, he didn't have much time for me and Mom when I was growing up. So I'd…want…” She stopped, swallowed. “I'd want us both to make family as important as career.” She giggled. “And then there's my poor cat waiting for me at home. Can you make room in your life for a cat, too?”

“Yeah. Any cat of yours is a cat of mine.” Then his face turned serious. “I think giving family top priority is a good plan. I admired your father enormously. But I knew he had one serious defect. He didn't know how to enjoy life.”

“But we do,” she said, sliding her hand down his body, feeling his response.

He grinned at her. “Yeah, and with the bonus Stan Winston gave us, we're not going to need to pour on the heat at work to make ends meet.”

She giggled. “I think there are more rewarding ways to pour on the heat.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, pulling her against him, and began to show her all over again how much he loved her.