Triplets Found: The Virgin's Makeover / Take a Chance on Me / And Then There Were Three. Judy Duarte

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      And she wanted it now.

      A loud clamor echoed in the room, alerting them both to the presence of someone else.

      She tore her mouth from his, only to notice the assistant caterer stoop to pick up a stainless-steel pan he’d dropped onto the polished concrete floor.

      “Sorry.” The young man, his eyes wide and cheeks flushed, clutched the pan to his chest. “It slipped right out of my hands.”

      “No problem,” Lissa said, although the annoying and embarrassing interruption had made her jump like a skittish cat.

      The bungling caterer looked ready to bolt. And she couldn’t blame the poor guy. The heated kiss he’d witnessed belonged behind closed bedroom doors.

      “I…uh…left this pan behind.” The young man nodded toward the door, moving backward for a quick escape. “I’ll just let myself out. We’re leaving now, if that’s okay.”

      “Fine.” Lissa looked at Sullivan, trying to read his thoughts. Had he changed his mind? Not that he’d actually suggested anything, but that kiss had nearly sent her soaring through the rooftop, and she figured it had affected him, too. At least, she hoped so.

      When the caterer shut the door, Sullivan raked a hand through his hair. “I guess I’d better walk you back to the house.”

      “Yours or mine?” she asked, afraid he’d send her home. To bed. Alone.

      He blew out a heavy sigh. “Back to your house, now that I’m thinking straight. I don’t have any more condoms, so that kiss will have to do until I can pick up a box in town.”

      “Remember when I went into town and purchased those little white lights?”

      He nodded.

      She slid him a slow, playful smile. “I stopped by the drugstore that afternoon. Just in case.”

      Just in case? Sullivan should have been concerned about her premeditated purchase, since he really hadn’t wanted their relationship to go any further. But right now, in the blood-pumping afterglow of a hungry, insatiable kiss, he was glad to know they had protection at their disposal.

      The condom they’d used before had been old. Maybe expired. So even if he had another one left, he wouldn’t feel good about using it. He certainly didn’t want to risk a broken rubber in the midst of passion.

      And to be honest, Sullivan was glad that Lissa wanted to make love again, glad that he had the chance to make things right—before any comparisons went into effect.

      “So, where’d you stash the condoms?” he asked.

      “I hid them between the box spring and the mattress in my room.”

      “We’re not making love there.” Not in her parents’ house.

      “I didn’t expect us to.” She crossed her arms. “I couldn’t very well carry a box of condoms with me tonight. And I wasn’t sure whether we’d need them or not.”

      “We’ll need them.” He ran the knuckles of one hand along her cheek, felt the silky-soft skin he’d marred last time with his afternoon stubble. “While you get the condoms, I’ll shave. I don’t want to leave any marks on you this time.”

      “It didn’t hurt,” she said. “And neither did the one you left on my breast.”

      He gently tugged at a lock of her hair, then let the silky strands slide through his fingers. “Well, I’ll be careful this time.” Careful to make sure she enjoyed it every bit as much as he did. Even more.

      Sullivan took her by the hand and led her to the entrance of the winery, then waited while she turned off the inside lights and locked the door.

      As they walked along the roadway, their feet crunched along the pavement, and an owl hooted in the distance. The fertile scent of farmland filled the crisp, nighttime air, and a blanket of stars cast a romantic spell upon the entire vineyard.

      Sullivan slowed his steps near a young maple tree, its branches sprinkled with small, twinkling lights. He drew her to a stop.

      “Tell me something. Were you planning another seduction?” His lips quirked, casting a crooked grin her way.

      “You kissed me first,” she reminded him. “I just wanted to be prepared.”

      “And I appreciate your foresight.” He cupped her cheek. “Come on. Let’s make it quick.”

      She stood on tiptoes and brushed a kiss across his lips. “Good idea.”

      Sullivan sure hoped so.

      The only thing that seemed to matter was taking her back to his bed, bringing her unexpected pleasure, making things right. And after she’d cried out with fulfillment, he’d bury himself deep within her.

      He wasn’t going to worry about business and ethics until tomorrow, after they’d both been sated. Then, maybe he could get pretty Lissa off his mind for good. A heavy-duty relationship with her wasn’t going anywhere. For more reasons than one.

      And she seemed to know that, too.

      Sullivan had a well-established and successful consulting business that required him to travel for weeks on end. And Lissa was firmly rooted on the vineyard. It was the perfect setup for infidelity and heartbreak. And he ought to know. He’d seen it happen to his parents, and he’d experienced it firsthand.

      It was best to keep things light. Unencumbered. And then he’d be on his way.

      They crossed the small bridge and the lawn, but before they reached the steps of her front porch, she paused and said, “I’ll stay inside until I’m sure they’re asleep.”

      “Fair enough.” He watched until she disappeared into the muted light of the quiet house. Apparently, she was determined to keep things a secret between them, as she’d said.

      He was okay with that. It would make things less complicated when he left.

      Taking a deep breath, Sullivan glanced at the crescent-shaped moon. Too bad it wasn’t full. Lissa deserved the best that Sullivan and the night had to offer.

      He turned and walked back to the cottage, where he would wait for Lissa to come to him.

      Like a virgin in the mist.

      An hour later, Lissa slipped out of the darkened house and headed across the lawn, toward the bridge that led to the cottage. She hadn’t wanted her parents to know she was sneaking out to meet Sullivan. Not that she was doing anything wrong. But to be on the safe side, she’d waited until after they’d gone to sleep.

      No need to worry them. Or to provoke any questions she didn’t want to answer.

      She’d taken off her dress, since she assumed it would end up in a wad on the floor. In its place, she’d slipped on a pair of flannel night shorts and a one-size-fits-all T-shirt. Unfortunately, her shopping spree with Jared hadn’t included a skimpy nightie. And this was the best she could do.

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