“I’d prefer to say I was defending my honor.”
His mildly offended tone made the tension ease from her body. This time, she’d give him the benefit of the doubt. But actions spoke louder than words, so she hoped his lived up to his explanation. “In that case, I’d say you wore a white hat tonight.”
“Our helmets are black...” His voice faded as he made the connection with their conversation about good guys wearing white hats when they’d toured the gyms. The tips of his ears turned pink. “Yeah.”
As the meal segued from entrée to dessert, Jake’s arm returned to the back of her chair. When coffee was served, she took the opportunity to lean back. The warmth against her shoulders made her system dance with anticipation. The gentle, circular trail of his fingers on her upper arm teased her heightened senses. The press of his thigh against hers fired her cheeks and made her skin tingle. Desire shimmered within her, like moonbeams caressing the surface of a crystal clear pool.
“You’ve hardly touched your tiramisu,” Jake murmured huskily in her ear.
“I seem to have lost my appetite for dessert.”
“I can’t tempt you with one bite?”
“Not of tiramisu.”
The banked flames in his eyes flared to life, becoming hot enough to melt steel. The air around them seemed charged.
“If you’re done, we can leave.”
“What about Emily and Tracy?”
His crooked grin made her heart flutter. “Didn’t your sister offer to take Emily home if we had other plans?”
“She did.” Maggie smiled. “Let’s go.”
The goodbyes passed in a blur as her attention narrowed to a single point: the heat of Jake’s hand on her back. Her pounding pulse picked up speed with each step toward the door. Then they were outside, in the cooling night air.
Alone.
A huge full moon overhung the parking lot, providing a soft light. She could almost hear Dean Martin singing. The giddiness filling her made her believe she, too, was moonstruck.
Jake took her hand in his, entwining their fingers.
The walk to his car was both too long and too short. She wanted to savor the closeness their joined hands created, but she wanted to be with him, too. Away from prying eyes.
The SUV was parked next to a towering oak tree. Jake opened her door, but she didn’t make it inside the car.
He pulled her beneath the oak’s dark canopy. Hidden by the leaf-laden branches, he leaned back against the rough bark and drew her to him.
Her arms wound around his neck, drawing them closer still. Her breasts were pressed to his solid chest, her thighs trapped between his long, muscled legs. His hardness nestled tantalizingly against her, making her ache and yearn.
Slowly, his head lowered to kiss her.
Too slowly. Maggie thrust her fingers through his thick hair, tugging him toward her. She raised her mouth to meet his descending lips.
Their mouths found each other with unerring accuracy.
Their lips parted; their tongues danced.
Her nerves fizzed. Her pulse raced.
Dangerous, decadent, delicious, he tasted darker than chocolate, bolder than champagne.
What was it about this man who enticed her beyond all reason?
“We should go,” Jake murmured against her mouth.
She gave a soft moan of protest.
“I want to see you, touch you, taste you.” He nibbled her lower lip. “All of you.”
Yes, please.
“Not here.” Jake’s fingers were unsteady as they brushed a curl from her face.
Why not? “Of course not.”
They pulled apart. Slowly. Reluctantly.
The journey to his home was quiet, their silence comfortable. Soft rock played. Jake’s thumb caressed the back of her hand.
Yet as his Victorian came into sight, Maggie found herself having second thoughts. Was she really ready to take the next step? To sleep with him.
She should have known doubts would surface, given time to think. Why hadn’t she insisted he continue?
“I can hear your mind whirring,” Jake teased as he pulled into the driveway. “You’re not ready, are you?”
Maggie wasn’t sure what surprised her more—that he’d read her mind, or the understanding in his voice.
“It’s not that I don’t want to. It’s just...it’s been so quick and I’m not sure...” Her voice trailed off. Pathetic.
“It’s okay.”
“It is?” She studied his expression in the dim light.
Intense. Earnest.
“There’s been a lot of change in my life. I’m not ready for a relationship right now, but I don’t want a casual fling with you, either. Plus, dating a hockey player is not like dating a nine-to-fiver. The hours, the schedule, the commitment, the travel—it’s rough on couples.”