She pulled back.“Uh, yes… just like that.”.
“Then what happened?”he whispered, sliding a skosh more in her direction.
When he reached and touched the ends of her hair, Claire lost her train of thought, flustered by a dozen different emotions.
"Well, then we… I-I don't remember.”
“Come on…” he coaxed, his voice low and husky.“You remember.Just say it.”
"Then we kissed."Her gaze fell to his lips.Full lips.Jude Lawlevel lips.Perfectly shaped and so kissable.
Jay clutched his chest in mock surprise.“You kissed me?But you didn’t even know me.”
“For the record, it wasyouwho kissedme.”
“Oh?”His mouth curved into a slow grin.“You mean like this…”
She hadn't stopped his advance in her dream, and she wouldn’t stop it now.He leaned into her and his name fell from her mouth as a whisper, just before she felt those full lips on hers.The kiss lasted only a few seconds before he pulled away and their eyes connected.
"I thought I'd never see you again, Claire,” he said, his fingers returning to her hair.
"I shouldn't have left the way I did.It was rude and?—"
"No, you had every reason to do what you did.You thought I was married.I saw your ring and thought you were too, yet it didn’t stop me from flirting with you.Doesn't say much for my character, does it?”
“I’m not married and I never have been.”Claire glanced down her left hand for a moment.
"If I'd only been able to convince that bartender at the resort to tell me your last name.”
Her eyes widened.“Wait.You asked the bartender for my last name?”
“And your room number, and how you settled up your tab—cash, check, or charge.”
“You did not!”She gave his shoulder a playful punch.
“Short of getting down on my knees and begging, I tried every angle,” Jay said.“That bartender wouldn’t budge.”
"Cinderella didn't have a last name, yet the prince found her."
"Yes, well, you didn't even give me the courtesy of leaving a glass slipper now did you?"he countered.
Claire grinned."You were looking for a glass slipper?Well, there's your problem.My slippers are pink.And fuzzy.With little whiskers and pointy ears."
She stood on the brink, about to lose herself in all things Jay.Seconds later, his mouth claimed hers and Claire’s insides flamed.Bodies pressed against one another, they fell back on the sexy, green sofa, picking up right where they left off earlier.His lips left a trail of soft kisses along her neck.Her fingers moved through his hair.She’d just turned her head to grant him greater access when he suddenly stopped.He sat up and scrambled back away from her.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled.
"What's wrong?"she asked, confused.
"It's not you.I-I just need a moment.Will you excuse me?"
He raked the collection of coins he’d dropped on the coffee table into his hand before disappearing down the hall.Claire sat frozen, unsure of what happened and how best to proceed.After a sixty-second reevaluation, she decided on the only plan that made sense.She stood and adjusted her dress into its proper position then brushed her mussed hair back into place.She'd just secured the belt of her trench coat around her waist when Jay re-entered the living room.She didn't give him a chance to explain, but looked at him with the friendliest, most understanding smile she could form.
"I've had a wonderful time, but I think it's best we call it a night,” she said.
“Listen, I’m really sorry,” he began.“It’s just that I?—”
She held up a hand, halting his apology."Hey, there's no need for that.Dinner was amazing.Your place is fantastic.But maybe this wasn't… well, what I mean is… I think it would be better if I took a cab back to the hotel."
