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  “That’s sweet, Emma. I’d appreciate it.” Before the older woman could walk out, Rina felt compelled to add something else. “Remember that alone’s lonely.” And she wondered if she was speaking for her own benefit, as well.

  Two minutes later, Emma returned with a white oxford shirt, as close a match as she was likely to get. The older woman excused herself, then said she’d meet up with Rina again downstairs.

  Rina locked herself in the bathroom and began unbuttoning the wet blouse, parting the material. She found a guest towel she could dampen and turned on the water to wipe the stickiness off her chest when, without warning, a loud creaking noise startled her. She jerked around toward the sound, which had come from behind, only to discover the door didn’t lead to a linen closet as she’d originally thought, but to the bedroom next door.

  And the person who’d entered wasn’t Emma but a shirtless, breathtaking Colin.

  BEFORE EMMA HAD DOUSED them with champagne, Colin had been trying to get his mind around the concept of how important this job was to Rina and how he could accomplish his goals without hurting her. He’d thought to get close enough to divulge the problems with the paper and see if she could give him insight into bringing Corinne around. But both women seemed to need this direction the paper was taking, and damned if Colin knew what to do about it.

  Then fate had interrupted in the form of an aging whirling dervish and all conversation and thought stopped, especially when he’d seen Rina in that see-through blouse. He’d broken into a sweat at the sight of all that lace and skin.

  By the time he’d stepped into the bathroom to splash cold water on his chest to wash off the sticky champagne, he thought he had himself under control. He hadn’t expected to find Rina there. Now that he had, one look and never mind a splash of water, he needed a full-blown, cold shower.

  He’d wondered what she hid beneath her bulky clothes, and though tonight’s blouse had given him a hint, he hadn’t been prepared for the impact. White lace peeked out from behind a hand towel and, thanks to her bra of choice, small but sensually rounded cleavage pushed upward in a tantalizing, tempting V. He tried to swallow but his throat had grown dry.

  “A gentleman would say excuse me, turn around and walk out,” Rina said wryly, not a hint of sincerity in her voice.

  Even her attempt at covering herself had grown pathetic. Her hands trembled slightly and the towel revealed more than it hid. Her trousers were low-cut, allowing him a glimpse at her creamy skin, and the waist hit just below her belly button, teasing him with a slight indentation tailor-made for a man’s tongue.

  His tongue, Colin thought. He stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind him and pushing the lock shut tight. “I don’t remember claiming to be a gentleman. Especially when you’re around.”

  “I need to understand this,” she murmured.

  He liked her intellectual side, the side that refused to give in to instinct without rationale. “What’s so difficult to understand? You’re a beautiful woman and I’m attracted to you.” He took a step closer, inhaling the scent of champagne, wanting to lick the flavor off her skin.

  “And you don’t care which Rina you’re looking at, the one with makeup or without, the one with the long hair or this shaggy look.” Her voice caught, a hint of awe in her tone.

  “That’s right. And it’s the woman who’s researching your column who’s surprised. But the woman in here—” He touched her chest with his callused finger. “That’s who you really are. And you know me—just like I know you. And I wouldn’t lie just to…”

  “Get laid?” she asked, tongue in cheek. “No, I don’t think you’d do such a dirty, despicable, male thing.” Her lips twitched and a sparkle lit her gaze.

  She laughed, and he was glad she had a sense of humor about something many women would make an issue of. He closed the distance between them. They were alone in the small bathroom, not another guest within hearing distance. If Colin had to guess, even Emma was long gone by now. He was certain she’d somehow set them up or at least allowed them time to take advantage of the proximity she’d provided.

  Something he had every intention of doing if the woman beside him was willing. And he intended to find out.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  SHOULD SHE or shouldn’t she? Rina didn’t want to think any more than she wanted to hesitate. She’d hoped for this moment and fate only provided so many opportunities. She wanted Colin, and it had been too long since a man had made her feel so desired, so needed. Gathering her courage, she dropped the towel and backed toward the vanity, grasping on to the Corian countertops with both hands. Her position had the erotic effect of pushing her breasts upward in silent invitation.

  His gaze slid down to her chest and he let out a slow groan. “Honey, that’s going to have to mean yes.”

  Yes to what, she wasn’t certain, and at the moment she didn’t care. Moisture settled low and dampened her panties, excitement a companion she barely recognized, it had been so long. “I’m so glad you’re a man who knows how to read a woman’s signals,” she said at the same moment he dipped his head, nestling his face between her breasts.

  He exhaled slowly, the warmth of his breath hitting her skin as he began to taste the champagne with luxurious laps of his tongue. Starting in her cleavage, he worked his way outward, teasing her with nibbles and tastes until her nipples tightened into rigid peaks begging for equal treatment. He was tormenting her, taking his time, making a slow feast of her flesh until every nerve tingled and desire so overwhelmed her, she whimpered aloud.

  He lifted his head, his blue eyes glittering with banked desire. “Tell me what you want.”

  “Is that what men like?” she asked. “To be told?”

  “I’m not going to answer so I can be the subject of some damn article.”

  His jaw clenched and Rina realized she’d stepped over the line or, at least, he thought she had. The article was the furthest thing from her mind. Without thought, she ran her fingers through his hair, settling her hands in the silken strands. “That’s not why I asked.”

  He cocked his head to one side. “Why then?”

  “Because…” How did she explain what she barely understood herself? “Because I’ve never…” She grappled for the right word. “I’ve never played that way. With a man, I mean. It’s always been pretty straightforward, them doing what they wanted and it either felt good or it didn’t.” Her past consisted of a satisfying sex life. Satisfying but nothing like the intensity and steam she was experiencing with Colin. She shrugged. “I never had the courage to ask for what I wanted.”

  And no man had ever asked. Another contrast brought to life by Colin. Another place where Colin stood head and shoulders above the rest. In one breath, she wished he weren’t so compelling, in another, she thanked her lucky stars she’d found him and they’d share whatever moments fate allowed.

  “So I was wondering. Did you ask what I wanted so you could please me?” She rolled her eyes, embarrassed by her naiveté. “Or because you just liked to hear, oh, I don’t know, sex talk. Which I’ve never done and don’t know if I’d be good at. Any more than I’m good at this.” She gestured around her. “God, I’m killing the mood, aren’t I?”

  He laughed, but she inherently knew he wasn’t laughing at her. “Trust me, there’s nothing you could do to kill this mood.” He grasped her hands and brought them to his lips for a kiss, then he replaced each hand by her side on the counter once more. “Now we’re back where we started. Now you need to know that I asked because I want to please you. But—” His lips twitched and he grinned. “I wouldn’t mind hearing some sex talk from your lips.”

  Settled back with her breasts thrusting upward, Rina felt a little wanton and a lot daring. He picked up where they’d left off, his tongue embarking on another sensual exploration, and her body responded immediately. Hot darts of desire flickered through her.

  “Now tell me what you want.”

  His roughened voice hit her already sensi
tized nerves and made her bold. “I want you to stop teasing me.”

  In response, his tongue swirled in circles around one nipple, heightening her arousal and causing her body to shake and her hips to pivot back and forth in search of something even more fulfilling than the treatment she was receiving now. But he didn’t give in, didn’t offer her what she desired. Instead, he just slowly teased her distended nipple, never providing her the relief she sought.

  He lifted his gaze, stopping the arousing sensations, and she wanted to cry out in frustration. “Trust me enough to tell me what you want,” he coaxed, holding her gaze.

  “Take me into your mouth.” She struggled for an even breath. “Hold my breast in your hand and take my nipple into your mouth.”

  His pupils dilated and his eyes burned hot, as hot as the flame he ignited inside her. “Like this?”

  He cupped her breast in his palm, kneading the soft flesh and plumping it in his hand.

  “Mmm.” She leaned her head back and moaned. “More.”

  And then finally, he drew her nipple into his hot, wet, greedy mouth, biting down lightly with his teeth. Alternately grazing, then soothing with his tongue until the fire he lit exploded in a haze of passion. Her hips began gyrating of their own accord. She needed to ease the ache and he understood.

  This time he didn’t wait for her to ask, just lifted her so she could wrap her legs around his waist and thrust the most needy part of her against his thick shaft. Her body soared at their first intimate contact, which felt so good yet wasn’t nearly enough. She bucked against him, her hips pushing, writhing and gyrating into him until her world exploded in a sensational climax she hadn’t expected. One unlike any she’d experienced before.

  She hadn’t made love to him, but the contractions shaking her body were as strong and vigorous as if she’d taken him inside her. She was still trembling as he set her down on the counter between the sinks. “Oh, God.”

  He ran a hand through his hair. “That about sums it up.” He stepped back and leaned against the flowered wallpaper behind him. “You sure know how to knock the wind out of a guy.”

  Glancing down, she realized that although she’d been satisfied, he’d been far from it. “Colin…”

  He waved a hand in the air, cutting her off. “Don’t even suggest it. The first time’s going to be the right way, honey. Not with you trying to give me something back just because I made you come.”

  She blushed at his blunt words, but before she could conjure a reply, he picked up the shirt she’d left on the corner counter, holding it out for her to slip into.

  Her heart pounded in her chest and her legs felt like Jell-O as she stood and let him help her dress. As he buttoned her blouse, the act of him dressing her felt more intimate than what he’d just done to her, and the incongruous thought made her smile.

  “Something funny?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “I’m just thinking.”

  “About?”

  “Just that I picked the right guy to get back into the swing of things again.”

  He tangled his hands through her hair, groaning as he fingered the tousled strands she’d taken great pains to create. “Why’s that?” he asked.

  “Because you cared about what I wanted. No man’s done that for me and it’s a gift I’ll always remember.”

  “Rina, I—”

  A loud knocking sound interrupted them. “We’ll be right out,” she called.

  Colin clamped his hand over her lips. “I’ll,” he mouthed, obviously wanting to protect her reputation. “I’ll be right out,” he whispered.

  “I’ll be right out,” Rina called, a heated blush rising to her cheeks. “Do you think anyone will know what we’ve been doing?” she asked softly.

  “It’s Corinne. Emma said I could find Colin upstairs.”

  He muttered a curse. “I don’t want her finding us like this. It’s not fair to you.”

  Rina cared more about how much she liked the sound of us rolling off his sexy lips than she did about what Corinne thought. But she appreciated that he cared.

  He started for the door she’d thought was a linen closet. “I’ll catch up with her in the hall.”

  “It’s about Joe,” Corinne called when no one answered her.

  “Uh…Colin’s in the room next door,” Rina replied.

  “You get dressed and I’ll meet up with you downstairs.” He offered her a quick wink and he was gone.

  But her body reminded her, he wouldn’t be forgotten.

  HE SHOULDN’T HAVE touched her. Knowing they were on opposite sides, knowing he had to convince Joe to ax her beloved job, Colin should have walked out of the bathroom without looking back. He couldn’t, of course. He wanted to be with her too damn badly.

  And now that he had, he was shaken. During their intense conversation at the party, they’d connected as though no one else was in the room. Once they were alone, that connection had deepened, both physically and emotionally. When she’d admitted that she’d never asked a man for what she wanted, not even her deceased husband being the implication, Colin had been compelled to put her feelings before his own. He wanted to be the first man she trusted in such an intimate way, and she hadn’t disappointed him.

  But now he faced a more difficult truth. Rina was the first woman he was scared to lose.

  A knock sounded loud again, drawing him from his thoughts. Buttoning the shirt he’d grabbed from Logan’s closet, Colin stepped into the hall to head off Corinne.

  “I could hear you banging from in here.” He left the bedroom door open so she could glance inside and see he was alone. Although he wished he wasn’t…But he meant what he’d said to Rina, and any satisfaction he received wouldn’t be found at her hand. “What’s wrong with Joe?” he asked Corinne before his damn erection became obvious again.

  “He had a ministroke.”

  Colin’s stomach plummeted. This wasn’t news he wanted to hear.

  “The hospital called my cell phone and I’ve been searching all over the house for you.”

  For a brief minute, Colin softened toward the woman who not only looked extremely upset but who’d bothered to take the time to find him before heading out for the hospital. “Thank you. Can I give you a lift there?” he asked.

  She nodded. “I’m too upset to drive.”

  He grasped her elbow and started for the stairs. Corinne was an enigma, a woman he didn’t understand. One minute her feelings for Joe seemed genuine, the next she acted erratically without thought for Joe’s wishes. Colin groaned, knowing Corinne and his feelings about her weren’t important. Joe’s health was. “What did the hospital say?” he asked.

  “Just that he was stable,” she said as they rushed down the long, circular stairs.

  He retrieved their coats. “Wait here,” he told Corinne.

  Colin sought out Emma and Logan to make sure one of them let Rina know why he’d disappeared and covered her ride home. Though he could wait and tell her himself, he didn’t want to waste a minute getting to Joe, nor did he want to give her some explanation that was bound to be awkward after what had just transpired between them.

  He couldn’t spare the time to make her feel as special now as she deserved, and he would have to make it up to her later for leaving. She deserved it. But Corinne had given him an excuse to run now and he grabbed the chance.

  Because Joe’s scare came at an opportune moment, at a time when Colin needed space.

  He was a man who always left before things became intense, and he didn’t know what to do with his craving to be closer to Rina now. He felt crowded by his emotions because never in his life had he connected with a woman on such an elemental level.

  Rina humbled him. He’d had more invested than just sex in that one encounter, all the while knowing he’d hurt her in the end. Hurt himself, as well, since losing her was inevitable.

  For himself, it was better he build in some emotional distance now. For Rina, it was better she know up front that she could
n’t count on him for the long run.

  RINA ACCEPTED another glass of punch from the server and turned to the good-looking man who’d approached her, then proceeded to talk about his portfolio for the last fifteen minutes. He bored her to tears but at least he was paying attention to her.

  Unlike Colin, who’d ditched her. He could have waited and told her about Joe himself or taken her with him to the hospital. He could have done many things. Instead, he’d opted to leave her at the party alone. His actions spoke volumes about something she’d known all along. Colin Lyons was the love-’em-and-leave-’em type. As hurt as she was, she reminded herself she’d wanted a fling and Colin had just proven he was the right man for the job.

  Rina squared her shoulders, determined to make the best of the party and gather information for her column. “So tell me,” she asked Edward Worthington III. “Is your portfolio really as large as you claim?” She leaned in closer and batted her lashes.

  He leaned closer. “Come home with me and I’ll show you,” he said, his implicit meaning obvious.

  “Rina already has a ride home,” Emma said, grabbing her by the hand and pulling her away. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “Research. And tonight I’ve discovered that men like outgoing, friendly women.”

  “Men like to think they’ll get lucky, and Edward is out to prove himself ever since his fiancée ditched him because his mother took over their wedding plans. Now wave goodbye and let him move on to someone who’s really interested.”

  Knowing Emma had a point—she always did—Rina waved goodbye to Edward. She’d only been flirting to take her mind off Colin anyway. The column was the last thing on her mind.

  “Research my patootie,” Emma muttered. “You’re sulking because Colin left, and that’s completely unbecoming.”

  Rina agreed with the unbecoming part, but since she refused to enlighten Emma as to what had transpired in the bathroom, she clenched her jaw shut tight and followed the older woman into the foyer.