Seven
Jen woke a little after five in the morning. It was pitch-black in the room. Not wanting to wake Marsh, she refrained from lighting the bedside lamp, but to no avail. He woke while she was carefully disentangling herself from him.
"What are you doin'?" he mumbled, reaching for her.
Tossing back the covers she escaped his reach by slipping from the bed. "I'm going to the bathroom. I'll only be a moment. Go back to sleep."
Once inside the bathroom, Jen knew she would be in there longer than a moment-the shower looked so inviting, and she felt so pleasantly achy.
After cleaning off what was left of her makeup and brushing her teeth, she stepped into the shower, sighing with pleasure as the warm water cascaded over her body.
While she was drying off, Jen noticed a shirt of Marsh's hanging on the back of the door. Now feeling a little awkward walking around nude, she pulled on the shirt before leaving the room. She stopped dead at the sight that met her eyes on her first step into her bedroom.
Stark naked, Marsh was leaning back against the headboard amidst the tangle of bedsheets and covers that had slid out of place during their rather hectic bout of sensual exercise.
"What are you doing?"
One browed arched. "Waiting for you." His voice was both wry and dry. "More to the point, why are you dressed?"
"I'm not fully dressed," she returned, every bit as wryly and dryly. "I'm only wearing a shirt."
"Not for long," he retorted, a sly smile crossing his face as his gaze traveled up and down her body.
"Indeed?" Jen said, trying and failing to ignore the tingle along her spine.
"Yes, indeed." He clasped his hands behind his head.
"Aren't you going to shower?" she asked the first thought that swam into her squishy brain.
"I think there's plenty of time for that later." He offered her a blatantly sexy smile. "Lose the shirt, lady mine, and come back to bed."
Jen was surprised to discover just how happy she was to toss off the shirt and crawl into the bed next to him.
As before, Marsh pulled her tightly against him. Then, to her surprise, he gave her a soft, sweet kiss, settled into his comfort place and whispered, "Sleep in tomorrow."
She felt a moment of disappointment, and then suddenly felt as if she couldn't keep her eyes open. Resting her head on his chest, she was asleep within seconds.
Jen woke later to discover she was alone in the bed and it was past ten in the morning. It was Sunday, a perfect day for sleeping in. For a moment, she considered snuggling deeper into the comforter but a rumble in her stomach made the decision for her. She was hungry.
Yawning and luxuriously stretching, she was quickly reminded of the exercise she and Marsh had indulged in during the night. She ached in very delicate places.
It felt amazing.
Pushing herself up, groaning at the pull in her thigh muscles as she slid her legs off the bed and stood up, Jen winced as she took a slow step.
Wow, she thought, moving slowly to the bathroom. She'd had no idea she'd hurt like this after reveling in so much unbelievable pleasure.
Can anyone say ecstasy?
Jen laughed softly at the wayward thought that swirled through her mind. But, in truth she had achieved ecstasy, or at least that was how she'd describe the shattering, mind-bending sensation Marsh had given her.
So she ached here and there...especially there! But oh, it was so worth it. Heaving a sigh of longing, Jen filled the tub with hot water.
She caught her breath as she slid into the tub, releasing it in relief when the heat of the water slowly began to ease the soreness from between her legs. Leaning back against the end of the tub Jen luxuriated until the heat dissipated. Then, draining the water, she stood and had a quick sluice down with warm water.
Forgoing makeup, she stepped into lacy panties and a matching bra. Wincing from a twinge of pain, she pulled on well-worn jeans, a cotton knit top and beaded-strap flip-flops.
Glancing around, Jen considered cleaning the apartment even though she had cleaned it Friday evening. She knew what she was doing, of course-marking time, looking for an excuse, any excuse, to stay inside the apartment and hide out.
Because Jen didn't want to face Marsh. What could she say to him? Hey, you're a terrific lover, let's do it again sometime. No, she most certainly couldn't say that, although that was the way of it. Even with her very limited knowledge she could tell he was an excellent and talented lover.
He apparently had plenty of experience.
She wondered if she'd passed the "compatibility test."
Jen sighed. Here she was, standing in the middle of her bedroom, dying for a cup of coffee and a big breakfast and afraid to go down the stairs and face him.
It was then that a shocking thought slammed into her mind.
Marsh hadn't used protection...and she had never had a reason to go on the pill.
What if...? Was it possible he had deliberately tried to impregnate her?
Jen mentally blocked the very idea, telling herself she wouldn't think of the possibility. Nevertheless, she did some quick mental tallying, relieved at the realization that it wasn't the right time of the month for conception.
Still, she knew the timing wasn't always reliable. She began to tremble. Should she run to a pharmacy for a morning-after pill?
Jen didn't run-she didn't even walk. She vacillated, uncertain, gnawing on her lip.
Oh, for pity's sake, move, she chided herself. You're an adult woman, intelligent and strong. You can handle whatever fate throws at you. Now go get yourself a cup of coffee and something substantial to eat.
But what if Marsh brought up the subject of marriage and babies again? What if that's all last night had been about for him?
Don't go looking for trouble, she told herself. Deal with it if it comes looking for you.
Squaring her shoulders, Jen left the room.
So her breathing was a trifle uneven, her heart rate a bit fast.
She'd live.
* * *
Marsh was in his office, sprawled lazily in his large butter-soft leather desk chair, the back of the seat facing the computer. His long legs were stretched out in front of him, crossed at the ankles, his feet bare. He had left the door open a few inches, waiting.
After the singular intensity of his release both times at the shattering climax with Jen, Marsh had almost immediately fallen into a deep sleep. Yet he had awakened less than four hours later, wanting more of her. She had been so tight and warm and...
Marsh felt certain Jen must be sore and aching. Only a brute would demand more, and he was no brute. His own body full, hurting with need, he'd slid her off his chest, chilled by the loss of her warmth, and settled her onto the mattress, tucking the comforter around her.
Scooping up his clothing he'd quietly left the apartment.
He had shaved, dressed, then went straight to his office, where he had been ever since. He hadn't eaten. His stomach was empty. He needed a gallon of coffee. He waited.
It was while he waited, aroused and ready, wanting her so bad it hurt, that memory stirred.
He had not protected her. Damn...and he had had a package in his pocket, just in case he got lucky. And he had gotten very, very lucky. She was magnificent...and he hadn't protected her.
Marsh was unconcerned for himself. Truth to tell, he would love to have a child with her. But he hadn't deliberately left the condom in his pocket, not even subconsciously. He had too much pride to stoop to impregnating a woman in an attempt to bind her to him.
If it happened again-and he sure as hell hoped it did-he'd be sure to use protection.
Marsh didn't hear a sound, but he caught the scent of Jen when she reached the bottom of the stairs and headed for the kitchen. Exhaling a soft sigh of relief, he pushed himself out of the chair and followed her. Jennifer and coffee...what more could any man want?
* * *
"Coffee ready?"
Startled, Jen flipped the coffee scoop, sending the grounds flying to the floor.
"Good grief, Marsh!" she cried out, spinning around to glare at him, gasping for breath. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
"I'm sorry." His lips twitched, making a lie of his apology. "I'll clean up the mess."
"You're damned right you will." She slammed her hands to her waist. "Meanwhile, can you be quiet long enough for me to make the coffee?"
"My lips are sealed," he said, turning away but not quickly enough to hide his smile from her.
Jen refilled the basket with fresh grounds and poured water into the pot. "Okay, the coffee will be ready in a few minutes." She turned back to him, raising her voice over the sound of the vacuum he was using to clean up the grounds. "Have you eaten?"
"No," he answered, shaking his head. "And I'm starving."
"Right," she drawled. "But then, when aren't you?"
Flipping the switch on the vacuum, he flashed a grin at her that caused a hitch in her breathing and a warm, exciting sensation in every cell and nerve in her body. "I can't deny it, I do love to eat."