"That isn't what I-" She stopped and dropped her chin to her chest.

"I never want to leave a woman angry at me for not finishing what I started."

She slowly turned and looked at him.

He smiled at her.

"We're really going to do this, aren't we?" she whispered, her breath catching.

He dropped the cloth and cupped his hands around her face. She really wasadorable. "Yes, we really are," he replied...and touched her lips with his tongue.Her mouth was lush and smooth to his touch. He settled his mouth over hers,fighting to control his passion until she was as ready as he was.

If he could.

She placed her hands tentatively on his chest and leaned closer, her mouth openingto him like a rosebud blossoming.

He dropped his hands and stepped back, breathing hard. "I think our shower isover, don't you?"

She looked at him and nodded. Dean reached around her and turned off the water. Heled her out of the shower, picked up a towel and quickly dried her off. He swiped the towel over himself, dropped it and picked her up.

She leaned her head against his shoulder, closed her eyes and sighed.

He placed her on his bed, slid the covers from beneath her and yanked them off the

bed before he lay down beside her.

"I brought protection," he whispered and nodded toward the bedside table. Her eyeswidened at the number he'd brought with him. He grinned. "Just in case," he said.

He kissed her again while he explored the curves and hollows of her body with hishands. He wanted to memorize every inch of her. She shifted and reached for him.

Dean quickly caught her hand. "No fair. This is for you, not me." He trailedkisses along her jaw, down her neck, and touched her nipple with his tongue.

She groaned and he glanced up to see her face. Her eyes were closed and her facewas flushed, but it was the soft smile of pleasure that encouraged him. He pulledher gently into his mouth while he played with the other tip, then eventuallyshifted his mouth to her other one, his hand gliding over her stomach and abdomenuntil it rested in her nest of blond curls.

Jodie pushed against his hand in invitation and he moved downward, feeling hermoist heat. Dean shifted and knelt between her legs. She reached for him, and hetook her hands in his before he lowered his head and kissed her curls.

She jumped as though she'd been electrocuted, and he murmured soothing words toher while he explored. She quickly climaxed, crying out, and Dean moved over her,sliding deep inside.

Jodie hugged him to her and fell into the slow rhythm that was costing him a greatdeal. His body hummed with urgency and he finally gave up all pretense of control.They moved together, uttering soft sounds and breathing heavily.

When she tightened around him in a spasmodic rhythm, he quickly climaxed with herand, in one final lunge, buried himself deeply inside.

He collapsed on his elbows, careful not to put much weight on her, before herolled onto the pillow next to hers.

They lay there on the bed without speaking, catching their breaths.

Finally Jodie murmured a soft, "Wow."

He turned his head and gazed at her. "At the very least," he replied.

She turned onto her side and stared at him, which made him a little nervous.

"What are you thinking?" he finally asked as the silence went on.

"My brain shut off much earlier this evening," she replied.

He got up and went into the bathroom, wondering if she was already regrettingtheir intimacy.

Jodie watched the bathroom door close behind Dean, forcing herself to face whathad happened just now, what she had triggered by her earlier remarks.

If she'd given the matter much thought, she would have known that Dean would bewonderful in bed. When it came right down to it, she realized now, she'd expectedsex. What she'd experienced with him was making love.

A little later he opened the door and peered out. "Want to try that shower again?"

She smiled. "All right."

Despite the fact that he'd seen all there was, she felt shy. She slipped her robearound her.

When she reached him, he immediately removed the robe before cupping her breastsin his hands. He kissed each one and looked at her quizzically. "This isn't what Iexpected."

"What is that?"

"I want you just as badly now as I did before."

She glanced down at him. "So I see."

He moved reluctantly away and turned on the shower. "However, I don't want you tothink I'm some kind of animal." He held out his hand and guided her into theshower.

She took the washcloth and carefully soaped him, enjoying his reaction as she slidher hand along his hardened length. Eventually she soaped his back, as well,discovering the view was equally enticing on that side.

When he rinsed off, he quickly covered her with suds and as quickly rinsed her offbefore he slid his arms beneath her hips and lifted her, guiding her legs aroundhis waist.

The position left her open to him, and he slipped inside her, leaning her backagainst the wall.

She closed her eyes, her arms around his neck, and gave herself up to theexperience.

"Jodie?""Hmm?""We need to get up. It's almost six."Her eyelids flew open. "Already? How did that happen? I feel as though I just fell asleep."

"Probably because you did. I'm afraid I kept you awake most of the night." Herolled out of bed and walked to the door. "If we hurry, we can get something to eatbefore we go to work."

Jodie wasted no time getting out of bed once he closed the door behind him. Shequickly dressed, dismayed that her hair stood out everywhere. That's what she gotfor going to bed with wet hair. She shook her head at herself. Her hair was thelast thing she'd been thinking of last night.

She did what she could with it, forcing it back into a tidy bun, and prayed thather hair would not give her trouble today, of all days.

Dean was waiting in the sitting area when she walked out of the bedroom. He wore asports jacket and slacks, his shirt collar open.

They decided to eat at the coffee shop in the hotel. Once they'd ordered, Jodiesipped on her coffee and stared out the window. When she glanced at Dean, he was watching her intently, making her feel more self-conscious than she had before.

Finally she asked, "What are you thinking?"

"I'm concerned that you're already regretting what happened last night."

"It's too late for regrets," she finally replied.

"But you're sorry that it happened."

"It complicates matters."

"In what way?"

She raised her eyebrows. "You know better than I do that this relationship isn'tgoing anywhere."

"I don't know that at all." He sipped his coffee. "Where do you want it to go?"

He'd given her the perfect opening to tell him that she wanted marriage, a home,family and a husband who loved their life. Dean Logan would not want to be thatman.

When she didn't answer, he said, "I would never hurt you, you know. What's wrongwith us spending our leisure time together? We're both consenting adults. Neitherof us has any obligations to someone else."

Thankfully their breakfasts arrived, interrupting the conversation. While theyate, Jodie asked him about the job they'd be doing and what they would do first.

By the time they finished eating, caught a cab and arrived at Steve's office, eachof them was concentrating on getting the job done as quickly as possible.

Jodie couldn't help but notice how well they worked together, speaking to eachother in a shorthand that they'd developed when she was his secretary. By the endof the day Dean appeared to be pleased with their progress.

"If tomorrow goes as well as today has gone, we'll be ready to fly back to theStates day after tomorrow."

"Sounds good," she said. The day had taken its toll on her energy, particularlysince she had not gotten much sleep last night. They took a cab back to the hotel.Once there, Jodie said, "I think I'll order in tonight and go to bed as soon as Ieat. I'm beat."

"I really worked you today. You did a fine job, by the way."

She clasped her hands in front of her. "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to take abath before I eat."

He frowned. "Of course. Did I overwork you today?"