Baby, It's Cold Outside

Baby, It's Cold Outside - Chapter 7

Jenna woke up Saturday morning to find the power back on, and reality providing the cold air. She'd bored full steam ahead, just like her Marine sergeant father had always advised her to do. But instead of conquering the enemy, she'd been captured by him. She looked at him sleeping, his naked body warm and glowing against the navy sheets. What a body. An instrument of the finest pleasure. And so much more.

A character that was kind and considerate. A good sense of humor. A generosity of spirit that she hoped would allow him to forgive her if he ever uncovered the truth.

But she couldn't fall for him. She remembered Kate's words. Don't lose your heart.

What, in a weekend, Jenna had retorted.

If anyone could, you could, Kate answered. Just remember, he doesn't need people.

Jenna took one long last look.

She wanted to see him wake up. To watch him turn that grin on her, to see his blue eyes light up with amusement or desire. And the more she wanted it, the more she knew it was time to get out of that bed.

She eased backwards across the mattress. His eyes opened directly onto hers.

"Hey." His sleep-thickened voice curled around her. But he didn't reach for her. "Where're you going?" His blue eyes were pale in the white light stealing around the blinds. The overnight growth of his beard made him look tougher than he had last night.

"I'm getting up." She was proud of her cool voice that matched the temperature in the room. She knew all the rules about not clinging. She couldn't say she regretted the hot sex they'd had last night. But she was getting the feeling she was going to regret the aftermath today. Mr. Grant McNeil did not look pleased this morning. Maybe he didn't normally let a woman stay overnight. But she'd foisted herself on him, so he hadn't had any choice.

"Get over here." He flung back the sheet. "You don't want to waste this perfectly good morning erection, do you?"

"There's a romantic invitation."

"Romance?" He raised his brows. "Let's not confuse sex with anything else, okay?"

Ouch. That stung. Not that she expected an avowal of love everlasting when it was in reality 'the morning after', but his words slammed home the foolishness of her easy acquiescence last night as nothing else could.

She felt naked way beyond the fact of not having any clothes on. She scooted over to her side of the bed, reluctant to stand up, but determined to put some space between them.

Clutching the sheet, she sat up and glanced back at him over her hunched shoulders. "What's wrong with you? You seem…different this morning."

His jaw tensed as he rubbed the stubble. "I'm not used to having women sleep over."

Double ouch. Reality blew through her mind with the force of the wind-driven snow. It was definitely the morning after. He'd scored; they'd had fun; it was time for her to go. Right after he banished his erection with a quickie.

Not that she intended to accommodate him on that desire.

"Sorry," she mumbled. "I know I forced myself on you."

Something flickered in his eyes. Anger? Regret? She couldn't guess.

"But you didn't object last night," she added. "So I don't know why you're so hostile this morning."

His mouth tightened and then he dropped his bomb. "I found your sweater."

Shock flooded her brain. Speech deserted her as she stared at him in horror.