Heated Rush Part 9

The woman was completely, utterly feminine. Every inch of her was soft and perfectly defined. And so close to being his, he could almost taste her.

Peaches.

"You know," she said, interrupting his lazy, hungry musings, "I can't help thinking about how different things might have been if the program hadn't been messed up."

Oh, she had no idea. "Me, too."

"I was genuinely attracted to your picture. But your real real bio might have made me try harder for one of the earlier guys-the nice guy, hero types." bio might have made me try harder for one of the earlier guys-the nice guy, hero types."

"You saying I'm not a nice guy?" When she gasped in embarra.s.sment, he chuckled, letting her know he wasn't serious. "Kidding. I know what you meant."

She gave him a little glare, reminding him of how she responded to teasing. Then she continued. "I mean, an all-American rescue worker would probably have scored points with my family. I don't think I would have read about an international traveling businessman who loved women and considered him a suitable match for a freckle-nosed day care center operator from Green Springs, Illinois."

He said nothing for a second, knowing she hadn't been fis.h.i.+ng for compliments. She was just open and honest...the only way the woman appeared to know how to be.

He could be no less.

"And what a loss that would have been," he murmured, meaning it with every fiber of his being.

She licked her lips, falling silent, as if she was replaying his words. Hearing, too, the ones he didn't say.

That he was glad they'd met, glad she'd chosen him. And very anxious to see what came next.

All the same thoughts echoing in his own head. None spoken, but there just the same.

"I'm glad we met, Sean," she finally whispered.

"So am I." He reached across the table and brushed her fingers with his, lacing them together atop the crisp white tablecloth. "Whoever messed up that program might have done me a terrific favor."

"I think they did me a favor, too." She kept her right hand where it was, touching his, but lifted her winegla.s.s with her left. Raising it in salute, she added, "Here's to the person who screwed up."

Sean didn't hesitate to join in her toast. "May he be in heaven a half-hour before the devil knows he's dead."

BY THREE O'CLOCK Friday afternoon, Sean knew there was no way he was going to be able to wait until the next morning to see Annie again. Maybe if they were going to head off to a romantic hotel for their weekend holiday, he'd be able to stand it. But the thought that they'd be surrounded by her nosy, overprotective family for two days, without a moment alone, made the prospect of a getaway a whole lot less appealing. Friday afternoon, Sean knew there was no way he was going to be able to wait until the next morning to see Annie again. Maybe if they were going to head off to a romantic hotel for their weekend holiday, he'd be able to stand it. But the thought that they'd be surrounded by her nosy, overprotective family for two days, without a moment alone, made the prospect of a getaway a whole lot less appealing.

Considering how much he'd enjoyed her company last night, he just wanted to spend more time with her. Hearing her laugh, watching her eyes light up when she smiled. Seeing the amazement on her face when she tried something new-like the limo ride or the caviar he'd persuaded her to sample. Their relaxed, low-key after-dinner walk along the water to see the stars had ended one of the most pleasant evenings he'd ever enjoyed in this city.

His impatience had everything to do with how much he'd enjoyed being with her...and nothing to do with him dying for that third date-and its conclusion.

Well, almost almost nothing. nothing.

Yes, he enjoyed spending time with her. But he had to admit, after having her in his arms-tasting her, caressing her before they'd left for dinner, then gently kissing her again when he'd escorted her to her door late last night-he was dying dying to make love to the woman. to make love to the woman.

And he would.

He'd have her, get the wanting out of his system and move on. He had places to go, jobs to complete, and staying in Chicago after this weekend was out of the question.

So, why did the thought of leaving her so soon suddenly made his fists clench? But the fact that it did merely reiterated his need to get going, to move on, stick to his mantra that it wasn't good to stay in one place for too long. Nor to form connections that would last more than a few weeks at most.

"Time to go, mate," he muttered. After After he'd had her. he'd had her.

That certainty made the desperation to see her even more frustrating. He didn't want to waste the little bit of time they had left by twiddling his thumbs in his hotel room all evening. And another solitary j.a.c.k.-.o.f.f. session in the shower would do absolutely nothing to cure him of his insane need for the s.e.xy blonde.

Though, honestly, given the way he could still see her sprawled on her back on the couch-her bare b.r.e.a.s.t.s jutting toward him in welcome, her entire body s.h.i.+vering with need-he was going to have to do something something.

So see her.

Easier said than done, since she was working tonight. He had had to wait. to wait.

"h.e.l.l," he muttered. He was no good at waiting.

Giving up any pretense that he was going going to wait, he started calling Annie's cell number, which he'd programmed into his. He had a good excuse. After their conversation at dinner last night, he'd begun thinking about the ordeal ahead. Her comment about how much easier things would be if he'd truly been some kind of blue-collar rescue worker had put him on edge, made him wonder about this charade they were going to try to pull on her family. to wait, he started calling Annie's cell number, which he'd programmed into his. He had a good excuse. After their conversation at dinner last night, he'd begun thinking about the ordeal ahead. Her comment about how much easier things would be if he'd truly been some kind of blue-collar rescue worker had put him on edge, made him wonder about this charade they were going to try to pull on her family.

It had sounded so simple at first. Now, though, the whole thing seemed more daunting. Maybe because he knew Annie enough to know how much this meant to her. And because he already liked her enough to feel the pressure of wanting it to go well.

Whatever the reason, he didn't want to screw this up. Meaning they should should work on their story. If they'd been dating for two months, he'd at least know the woman's middle name and the way she took her coffee. work on their story. If they'd been dating for two months, he'd at least know the woman's middle name and the way she took her coffee.

In any normal situation, after two months, he'd d.a.m.n sure know her favorite s.e.xual positions and her most erogenous zones, too. But that might be pus.h.i.+ng it for a simple weekend with the folks.

The phone rang and rang, but Annie didn't answer. Remembering that she said she rarely did while at work, he waited until six, figuring she'd turn the phone on then, even if she was working late. But still nothing.

Finally, at eight, when she still hadn't responded, Sean began to worry. She had joked about being surrounded by babies tonight, but he hadn't taken her seriously. Day care centers didn't stay open late at night. He'd figured she just had meetings or paperwork to take care of. So there was no reason for her to remain unreachable.

Annie's comment about her family expecting her to turn up violated or murdered had been ringing a little too loudly in his ears for comfort.

He'd lost her card, but remembered the name of the center, and the area where it was located, if not the actual address. So he could could have tried information for her work number. But some impulse-half worry, half impatience to see her-drove him from the hotel. Hailing a cab, he had it take him to Lincoln Park. have tried information for her work number. But some impulse-half worry, half impatience to see her-drove him from the hotel. Hailing a cab, he had it take him to Lincoln Park.

Fortunately, they only had to drive about twenty blocks before he saw the brightly colored Baby Daze sign in front of a small, well-kept brick building.

"There," he said, pointing the place out to the driver. Parked outside the front door was a green minivan.

Good Lord, no wonder she'd liked the limo.

Waving the driver on, Sean walked to the front door, cupped his hands around his face and peeked inside. What he saw relieved him-since Annie sat there, safe and sound. But it also terrified him.

Because she was not alone. She sat on a child-size chair, in the middle of a mob of chattery, cookie-clutching, milk-mustached kids.

Every one of whom began to scream when they saw him watching them through the gla.s.s-plated door.

ON TWO F FRIDAY NIGHTS a month, Baby Daze held a "Mom And Dad's Dinner Out" event. Three members of the staff would work late, keeping no more than twelve children-age three and up-until nine o'clock. The event had proved so popular, they now had a waiting list stretching into next fall. a month, Baby Daze held a "Mom And Dad's Dinner Out" event. Three members of the staff would work late, keeping no more than twelve children-age three and up-until nine o'clock. The event had proved so popular, they now had a waiting list stretching into next fall.

It was one of the little services that had helped make Baby Daze such an early and decisive success. Things were going so well that Annie suspected she might be able to replenish that emergency savings account within a few months, rather than the year it probably would have taken her before.

"A strange man!" someone shouted. The chorus was quickly taken up by all the children. "A man, a man, a man!"

Startled into dropping the wet naps she'd been using to wipe off a dozen pair of sticky hands, Annie jerked her attention toward the locked front door, toward which twelve little arms were already pointing. She immediately recognized the surprised-uncomfortable-looking-face of Sean Murphy.

Willing her racing heart to still, she called for Tara to come finish supervising the kids' bedtime snack, then approached the door. Unlocking it, she stepped out into the summer evening, wondering if the warmth she felt was simply because her body was adjusting to leaving the air-conditioned room. Or because, as always, she just found Sean Murphy so incredibly hot. hot.

"Hi."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to intrude. You weren't answering your cell phone and I got a little worried."

He was worried about her. When her family acted that way, it infuriated her. But Sean? Well, Annie couldn't prevent a pleased s.h.i.+ver at the realization that he'd been thinking so much about her. As she had him.

"I was running late this morning and I forgot my phone. It's still on the charger at my place."

"Ahh." He looked past her, into the room, where the kids were cleaning up their snack tables, licking tiny crumbs off the tips of their fingers. They'd already exhausted their curiosity about the stranger at the door, who they obviously figured was not not a bad guy since Miss Annie was standing outside talking to him. Graham cracker crumbs were much more interesting. a bad guy since Miss Annie was standing outside talking to him. Graham cracker crumbs were much more interesting.

"I'd better go. I didn't mean to intrude."

"Why were you trying to reach me?"

"I thought maybe we should work on our story before we got to your parents' place tomorrow."

"Our story?"

"You know...how we-you and Blake Blake-met. That type of thing. We never really covered that last night."

Annie felt the blood rush out of her face, and she leaned back against the door. How they met. How they met. G.o.d, she did G.o.d, she did not not want to think about how she'd met Blake. Especially want to think about how she'd met Blake. Especially here, here, where her guilt and humiliation were at their highest level. where her guilt and humiliation were at their highest level.

"I'm sure we can work it out on the drive tomorrow," she muttered, already regretting having to wait until then to spend more time with him.

Hearing a shout behind them, Annie spun around and peered through the window. Dylan McFee had just tackled Jessie Sims, trying to steal a toy he wanted. Tara leapt into the fray, as did Ellen, the other worker who'd volunteered for tonight's s.h.i.+ft.

"I should go, you're busy."

"Yeah," she whispered. Then, looking back at him and seeing the amus.e.m.e.nt dancing in those s.e.xy eyes, she found herself saying, "There's a restaurant up the street. Maybe you could go have a drink or something and wait for me to finish up? Then we can...talk?"

Holding her breath, she couldn't help smiling in pure relief when he nodded his agreement. "What time?"

"Pick-up is no later than nine. Someone will be late and apologetic. But I should be able to get out of here by nine-thirty, nine-forty-five at the latest."

"Perfect. I'll see you then." He cast one more glance at the melee going on inside, wearing a childless-single man grimace so pained it made her chuckle. Then he strode down the block, his thick, black, unbound hair flowing loosely over his shoulders. Lord, why was the sight of one man's hair enough to send all the strength from her legs and set all her feminine parts tingling?

She shook off the reaction, needing to get through the rest of the work night.

Once back inside, she immediately saw the excitement on Tara's face. It was echoed by the curiosity on Ellen's. But they were all too busy getting the children ready for their parents' arrival to talk about it. By the time the last ones did did arrive, at nine-twenty-eight, Annie had already sent Ellen home and was just waiting for an explosion of questions from Tara. arrive, at nine-twenty-eight, Annie had already sent Ellen home and was just waiting for an explosion of questions from Tara.

She got it as soon as the door swung shut behind the last child and his stammering, apologetic parents.

"That was him, right? d.a.m.n, I didn't get a good look."

Rus.h.i.+ng around to pick up the few remaining toys scattered in the room, Annie nodded. "It was him."

"What did he want?" Looking fierce, her friend snapped, "He'd better not be bailing out on you, not the night before you're supposed to go away together!"

Fierce, fiery and flamboyant. That described Tara.

"No, he's not. He just wants to get together and make sure we have our stories straight."

"Smart move." Tara grinned. "You might want to do do him, too, just to make sure you're totally comfortable with each other. Or at least kiss him, because, you know, if he's a sucky kisser, you don't want to be surprised into gagging or something." him, too, just to make sure you're totally comfortable with each other. Or at least kiss him, because, you know, if he's a sucky kisser, you don't want to be surprised into gagging or something."

She hadn't told Tara about her two dates with Sean. Though she usually told her friend everything, this whole thing was just too new-too private-to be girl-talked about.

"Doing him is out of the question," she said. him is out of the question," she said. At least until Sunday At least until Sunday. "And he's definitely not not a sucky kisser." a sucky kisser."

It was only when she heard a smothered male cough behind her that she realized they were no longer alone. Casting Tara a glare that promised extreme retribution, she slowly turned around and saw Sean standing inside the door. He'd probably heard every word she'd said.

Unfortunately, the tables in Baby Daze were much smaller than the ones at the hotel had been. So there was no ducking beneath one of them to escape the humiliation of the moment.

"Door was unlocked," Sean explained, his eyes twinkling. Yeah, he'd definitely overheard.

"That's fine, we were just finis.h.i.+ng up," Tara said as she strode toward him, extending her hand. "I'm Tara. I was at the auction, too. So I know who you are, meaning, uh, if you try any nasty stuff, I'll turn the cops on you like a hunter loosing his dogs."

"Go away, Tara," Annie mumbled, not even sparing her friend a glance.

"Well, then, now that you've been warned, it was nice to meet you." Tara gave Sean a big smile, as if she hadn't just threatened him with bodily harm. Before she left, however, she turned back to Annie. "You're right. The earring is way s.e.xy." Then she walked out the door.

Annie followed her out, avoiding the moment when she'd have to face Sean and see the laughter on his face. Locking the door, she flipped off the main lights, which killed the sign outside, as well as the overhead fluorescents in the building. Finally, when she had no more reason to delay, she turned around to face the music.

The large playroom in which they stood was plunged nearly into darkness, remaining dimly lit by the spillover from her office and the kitchen. No longer bright and welcoming, the room became a shapeless cave of shadows, interrupted here and there by the sunny yellow of the doll house or the colorful plastic b.a.l.l.s piled in the enormous ball pit the kids loved to play in.

"So I'm not a sucky kisser, eh?" He'd moved close-close enough that she could feel his warmth, though she hadn't spotted him as her eyes adjusted to the change in lighting. "I'm relieved to know I don't make you gag."

Dropping her head, Annie sighed and closed her eyes.

He touched her chin, brus.h.i.+ng his fingertips across her skin as if savoring its softness, then tugged her head up and murmured, "But why, may I ask, is 'doing me' out of the question?"

"You weren't supposed to hear that."

"The question remains."

"Third date, remember? We're practically strangers."

That was true, but she had to be honest with herself. She already felt sure she knew his character very well...and she wanted him with a desperation that made her burn down to her core.

"I'm holding you to the third date promise," he said. "And I'm here to remedy the strangers issue. Even you won't be able to argue that for much longer..."

Argue? Was she arguing? No, she was just putting up a few minor defenses, knowing that if she didn't, she'd be throwing her arms around his shoulders, begging him to get to know her in the most elemental way possible.