Jenna stood a little straighter. "I'll agree to stay on one condition."

Ben cocked an eyebrow, but nodded for her to continue.

26.

"You are a very powerful and obviously influential man. I am, well, just me. To be honest this date is by far the riskiest thing I've ever done in my life. The last thing I want to do is turn tonight into something..."

"Yes?"

"Safe."

Jenna took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She wanted this, didn't she? No, being with Ben would mess everything up. She'd finally gotten back on track, everything was great. Then why the hell couldn't she think with him looking at her that way! Jenna looked back at him and sighed. Why was she cowarding out? She wanted him, didn't she? I can't believe I'm about to propose this.

"I'll agree to stay if you kiss me first. But I have to like it."

27.

Chapter Three.

For some crazy reason Jenna knew he would say no. It was moving too fast for him.

Hell, things were moving too fast for her. This was the first time they'd seen each other in seven years and she was pushing his buttons, trying to get him to kiss her. The last time she'd pushed against his control, she'd lost her project. What would she lose this time if she continued down this path?

She wasn't a match for Ben, at least not in the bedroom. Jenna sucked in a shaky breath and looked into his eyes. She couldn't read the emotion in his hooded eyes, but was surprised at the intensity of his look.

Jenna jumped when he leaned in and cupped her cheek with his hand. Easy now.

She couldn't take her eyes from his, drawing her in like a moth to his bright light.

Everything about him seemed larger than life. A pulse of desire flowed through her, reaching every nerve ending in her body. She licked her bottom lip before lightly biting down on it.

Ben's lips turned up in a faint smile. "I'll agree to your terms if you answer a question."

Jenna's throat was tight, thick to the point of blocking her speech. Not trusting herself, she nodded.

Ben moved his face closer, stopping inches from hers. "How will I know if you like it?"

Her hand automatically moved to his chest, a feeble attempt to protect her sensibilities and to put a small barrier between them for her protection. It didn't matter.

Ben took another half step closer, increasing the contact between them. His words were hot against her skin.

"How will I know? I hate performing below expectations, Jenna. And after you took the time to look so absolutely," his eyes traveled down her body, "stunning, I don't want to be a disappointment to you."

Her brain already screamed her approval, but a mysteriously wicked streak suddenly emerged in her. He was as affected as she was. Ben's heart pounded in his chest under her hand, the muscles tightened as she flexed her fingers against him.

"I'll let you know," she said with a confidence she never quite felt around him. "I would hate for you to work blind."

Ben's wide grin seemed to fill his perfect face. "Aren't you full of surprises? I forgot that little detail about you. I think you'll find that I have a few of my own."

With another half step forward, Jenna's back was pressed against the door she was trying to exit a few moments earlier. Thighs against thighs. The hand that had been 28 caressing her cheek now pressed against the door. His scent surrounded her, intensified by his body heat.

"Close your eyes," he said in a low voice.

Unable to resist such an invitation, her lids fluttered shut. Every nerve in her body was stretched in a vain attempt to anticipate what Ben would do. So when he whispered in her ear, she jumped.

"Now I have a dilemma," his hot breath swirled around her ear. "You didn't tell me where you wanted me to kiss you."

She tried to speak, but he squeezed her hand still held captive on the doorknob.

"Now, now. It's more fun when I have to figure things out on my own."

Jenna's heart couldn't possibly beat any faster than it was at that moment. His hand slid from hers and brushed the neckline of her dress.

"Personally, I would love to place a kiss right here." He brushed his fingertips above her cleavage. "But I don't think that's what you had in mind with your request."

His fingers traced a slow path up her chest to stop at her collarbone. She shivered, goose bumps rising on her skin.

"This looks like it has potential, but I think you would prefer something closer to here."

Again his fingertips journeyed higher, this time stopping at the hollow below her earlobe. Jenna sucked in a small breath.

"Here? Is this the spot, Professor? Should I test my hypothesis?"

Without another word, Ben lowered his lips to her neck. His tongue found her overly sensitive skin, caressed her neck and suckled her earlobe. Jenna flexed her fingers against Ben's chest, encouraging him on. She almost opened her eyes in protest when he pulled back.

"Hmm, I don't think that was quite right. Will you give me another chance?"

"Yes," her voice was almost desperate.

"Thank you. I promise I'll get it right this time. Now I think I was close last time. I was close, wasn't I?"

She couldn't help it. Jenna opened her eyes to look at her tormentor. His hazel eyes were almost swallowed by the blacks of his pupils. His lips were wet, parted slightly, poised for further contact.

"Yes, you were close."

"I see." Reaching up he brushed her lips with his thumb. "I wouldn't want to be accused of being traditional, but I would very much like to kiss your lips. Would you like that?"

As if on cue, her eyes closed and she tilted her face towards his. If he didn't kiss her soon she was going to scream.

Ben chuckled, "I see I've found the spot."

29.

Her body couldn't handle any more and she began to tremble. Her breasts ached, her skin burned, and her cunt was wet and ready for him. She gasped when finally his lips brushed against hers. Too light. She needed more and she needed it now.

Jenna opened her lips, inviting him closer. His growl rumbled against her as he pressed his body hard to hers. His tongue entered her mouth to seek out its mate. She tried to taste him by sucking his bottom lip and performing her own explorations of his mouth. It wasn't enough for her. She wanted everything.

His hand moved from her neck to slowly caress the side of her breast through the thin barrier of her dress. Jenna gasped when his forefinger and thumb captured her nipple, squeezing lightly.

"Do you like that?" He spoke the words against her lips.

"Ben," she managed to say as she sighed.

He didn't release her nipple, rolling it between his thumb and forefinger, stoking her passion higher and higher. Her hips bucked against his groin, the length of his cock straining against his pants pushed hard against her.

Jenna reached up and raked her fingers into his hair, pulling him closer for another kiss. Refusing to release his lips, she increased their contact. Her hand on his chest pulled at his buttons, sending one flying as she uncovered his tanned skin underneath.

No longer able to breathe, Jenna pulled back from their kiss. Panting, they stood locked together in a half embrace. Jenna's gaze searched his face looking for a sign that he was leading her on. What she saw was pure animal desire, barely contained within a shell of self-control.

He was perfect. Her fantasy lover, willing to let her play with his body. Wanting her. Jenna began to feel overwhelmed by the sudden turn of playfulness to intensity.

She refocused her attention on his chest.

"I see you work out, Mr. Hawthorn."

"All eccentric recluse millionaires do. Part of belonging to the club."

She cocked an eyebrow as she brushed the newly revealed crinkly hair that covered his skin, causing him to chuckle.

"I'm kidding."

"Well, as you are the only eccentric millionaire I've ever met, I wasn't sure," she said, smiling.

"Do you approve of my kiss? Will you stay?"

Jenna looked up in time to watch Ben's emotions, the passion he'd so clearly displayed a moment ago, slip beneath a mask. The sudden change shocked her.

"Are you okay?"

He smiled the same half grin he gave her in the limo earlier. "Yes. But we had a bargain. I want to make sure I've lived up to my end of the deal."

Jenna broke eye contact. "I think you've more than lived up to your end. However, 30 there is one small problem."

"What's that?"

"I'm not interested in supper anymore."

Ben took advantage of the access to her earlobe and nipped her skin lightly. "Oh?

What are you interested in then?"

"I..."

"Tell me," he said with a degree of urgent seriousness in his voice.

Her hand found his arm and slowly she ran her fingers over his sleeve.

"I want you to take this damn shirt off."

He licked her neck lightly before placing kisses over the damp spot. "And then?"

"This is too fast." She slid her hand over his shoulder to his neck.

"And then."

She shook her head. "Ben."

His lips found her collarbone, placing kisses along it.

"I want you to fuck me. Right here against the wall," Jenna blurted out.

Ben stopped moving. After a few seconds, Jenna began to panic.

"Ben? Did I say something wrong?"

He took a deep breath and rested his forehead on her shoulder.

"Nothing's wrong. I needed a minute to get control of myself. That particular image was quite potent."

Jenna lightly brushed his hair with her hand. The pressure from the door against her back reminded her that she was blocking her escape route. Not that she was sure she even wanted to escape anymore. She tried to get her logical side of her brain working again.

"I think we may want to slow down. All we know of each other are a few tidbits of information from a dating service and a not-so-pleasant run-in seven years ago. Shit, for all you know I'm a sex-crazy psycho who will stalk you after this and try and get money out of you."