“So, it sounds like you’re planning to fall in love sometime. What are you looking for these days? Are you playing the field? Trying out relationships? Just want to be friends? You don’t have to answer, but I try to be upfront whenever possible, and just so we’re clear, thisisa test.”
He leaned back and laughed. “Well, I appreciate your candor.”
“Have you ever been in love?”
His expression turned somber. “I thought I was in love once,” he said softly.
“Oh, what happened? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“No, I don’t mind. Baseball can take a lot of time away from relationships. Things were shaky anyway and it affected my game. And then I was traded to Boston. She didn’t want to leave Minnesota and I didn’t have a choice.” He took a deep breath and continued.
“I’ve already played the field and that wasn’t very satisfying. I guess I’m trying out relationships. Friendships are nice too. I have nothing against going that way if you’re not ready to get involved with anyone—especially the first person you met after moving to the city.”
She grinned. “I like friendships too, but I have nothing against relationships, either. We could always begin as friends and see where it leads.”
“That sounds okay to me. Friends are nice—but…” He heaved a sigh and muttered, “Oh hell,” then pulled her into his embrace and lowered his lips to hers. They shared a long, deep kiss. Merry felt her body weaken. Her temperature rose as their tongues sought each other and explored. A deep longing built in Merry’s gut, and she craved his touch. She slid her hands over his broad, warm back and he caressed hers in kind.
He lowered her to a supine position and never removed his lips from hers. For several minutes, Jason continued his drugging kiss and Merry lost all track of time. Their kissing and caressing may have gone on for an hour or more for all she knew. His tongue occasionally left her mouth and suction fused them together, then she found her tongue chasing his. Her insides liquefied as she realized they were lying next to each other. Anything could happen from there. Anything…
“Jason!” His aunt’s voice invaded her dreamlike state.
He sat up. His body leaving hers abruptly chilled and surprised her.
What the…Merry lifted herself to a sitting position. Sure enough, his aunt hovered in the doorway with a keycard in herhand.
“I didn’t expect you two to be here. Um…” She smiled and her pale skin took on a rosy blush. At last, she added, “Well, I thought you’d be downstairs.”
“No, we had dinner up here. Is there something you wanted?”
She cleared her throat. “Um, yes. I was going to leave you a note about the women in apartment 3B. There’s a terrible racket going on down there. All kinds of hooting and hollering. Even screaming. I want you to talk to them.”
He stood slowly and put both hands in his pockets. “Why don’t you talk to them, if it’s bothering you? I can’t even hear them.”
Dottie jammed her hands on her hips. “I already did. They obviously don’t care if they’re disturbing me.”
“How about Uncle Ralph? Is he upset by it?”
She rolled her eyes. “Your uncle isn’t upset in the least. In fact, he thinks it sounds like they’re having sex, and he seems to be enjoying it.”
Jason chuckled. “I’ll see if they can keep it down—when they’re finished.”
“Please do.” His aunt spun on her heel and left.
Jason sighed, then looked down at Merry and smiled. “I’m sorry about that.”
“Don’t worry. It was probably a good thing we were interrupted or who knows what…” She flushed as she realized what she had just revealed about herself, then checked her watch. “Oh, look. It’s getting late. We should probably call it a night.”
Jason looked disappointed, then said, “Okay. I’ll walk you to your front door. Do you mind stopping one flight down? It might bea littleless embarrassing for me to talk to Gwyneth and Morgaine if you’re there.”
“If they’re really having sex, do you honestly think anything will make it less embarrassing?”
He winced. “I doubt it, but will you come anyway? As a friend supporting a friend?”
She shot him a teasing grin. “Sure, I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Oh, so you’rethatkind of friend, are you?”
“Don’t tell me you can’t take a little innocent teasing?” She elbowed him in the ribs.
