A Christmas Rendezvous. Karen Booth

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СКАЧАТЬ have no reason to be anything less than ridiculously open and bare my soul.”

      “You’re a therapist, aren’t you? One of those people you pay hundreds of dollars an hour to, just so you can reveal the most humiliating things you’ve ever done.”

      She shook her head. “Hey. That’s against the rules. We said we weren’t going to talk about work.”

      “So I’m right. You are a therapist.”

      “No, you aren’t right.” She flashed her wide, warm eyes at him. “You aren’t wrong, either.”

      Jeremy had to laugh while he marveled at the puzzle of Isabel. He wanted to peel back her layers, one by one... He suspected there were a lot of surprises to be found. “I suppose you want me to tell you my three truths now, huh?”

      “It’s only fair.”

      He had to think for a moment, knowing he had to match the clever balance she’d struck between revealing all and piquing his interest. He would not allow himself to be completely outdone by Isabel. “I believe that taking yourself too seriously is a trap. I believe that apologizing for making a lot of money is stupid. And I believe that there’s nothing wrong with having fun.”

      She nodded, seemingly digesting his words. “Those are all very interesting.”

      “You’re definitely a therapist.”

      “And you are definitely not good at following rules.”

      He shrugged. “Most rules are arbitrary.”

      “Like what?”

      “Like the one that says you shouldn’t invite a woman wearing her pajamas on a New York City sidewalk out for a drink.”

      She pointed her finger at him. “Yes. You’re so right. That is a stupid rule.”

      He downed the last of his drink, sensing this was the moment when he had to decide whether he wanted to angle for an invitation upstairs. Fear was a big factor. He didn’t want to endure a rejection from Isabel. Something told him she could deliver one in a particularly devastating way. “And yet I went there, didn’t I? I took the chance.”

      “Yes, you did, didn’t you? Which makes me wonder what you’re after, Jeremy. A drink? Conversation? Or something more?” Isabel sat forward and drew her finger around the rim of her glass, looking at him, unafraid to confront him with her gaze.

      He had to break the spell she had him under, but when he let his sights wander, it only got worse. The front of her robe had gaped open, revealing the gentle curve of the top of one breast. Jeremy felt the heat rising in his body, starting in his belly and radiating outward, up to his chest and down to his thighs. It would be so easy to blame it on the drink, but that heat was all created by Isabel. She pulled it out of thin air with her pouty lips, with her dark and sultry eyes, and with her sharp conversational skills. He was not the type to ask for more. Asking for anything only made things messy. It put you at a disadvantage, and he hated not feeling as though he had every weapon imaginable at his disposal. What was it about Isabel that made him want to lie down and give her everything?

      “I want whatever you might be willing to give me,” he admitted.

      She smiled and the faintest blush crossed her cheeks. Good God, she was so beautiful he had to wonder if all of this was really happening. “So I’m in the driver’s seat. That’s what you’re telling me.”

      “Of course. As it should be, right?”

      She nodded, arching her eyebrows in a way that suggested she hadn’t quite been prepared for the way their conversation had turned. He loved feeling like he could surprise her, even if the boost to his ego might be completely unwarranted. “So, Jeremy. Since I’m in charge, let me just share one more thing about myself. I don’t know how you feel about good views, but I have a spectacular one of the city. Upstairs in my room.”

      Jeremy felt as though Isabel had just rolled Christmas, his birthday and Super Bowl Sunday into one day. “Funny you should ask, because I am a huge fan of views.” He leaned closer and lowered his head, his heart thundering away in his chest like a summer storm.

      Isabel drifted closer to him until their noses were almost touching. The rest of the room had faded away. Other people and their surroundings were a distant thought. It was just the two of them, their breaths in sync and their intentions apparently aligned, as well. “Truth or dare,” she whispered.

      “Dare,” he answered without hesitation.

      “Good answer.” Her lips met his in the slightest of kisses. Her mouth only teased him, softer and more supple than he’d dared to imagine. She angled her head and took the kiss deeper, grasping his shoulder and digging her nails into his jacket. Her lips parted and her tongue skated along his lower lip, making every testosterone-driven part of him switch into high gear. The blood was pumping so fast it was hard to know which way was up.

      He reached for her hip, the silk of her robe impossibly cool and soft against his skin. He pulled her closer, clawing at the tie at her waist, needing her. Wanting her. Like he needed to breathe or eat or drink water. This whole business of not knowing much about each other was so hot. It left him wondering what the night had in store, when he hadn’t been willing to gamble on the unknown in a long time.

      “You never gave me my dare,” he said, coming up for air.

      “I dare you to come upstairs and take off your suit, Jeremy. I dare you to rock my world.”

       Two

      It took every ounce of self-control Jeremy had to discreetly walk across that hotel lobby with Isabel. His gut was telling him to take her hand and run as fast as he could, jab the elevator button and get things going between them the instant they were inside. As long as they were alone.

      Unfortunately, the elevator was not cooperating. “This thing is so slow,” Isabel said, jamming the button a second time. She subtly leaned against him and rubbed the side of his thigh with her hand.

      Everything in his body went so tight it felt as though he was strapped to a piece of wood. Blood drained from his hands and feet and rushed straight to the center of his body. He swallowed back a groan and strategically held his briefcase to obscure anyone’s view of his crotch. His erection felt like it had its own pulse. He needed Isabel, now.

      Finally the elevator dinged and they rushed on board as soon as the other passengers were off. He’d hoped they’d be able to ride alone, but at the last minute, someone shoved their hand between the doors.

      It was an older gray-haired woman. “I’m sorry. Thought I’d catch it while I could. Otherwise you end up waiting forever.”

      “So true,” Isabel said. She leaned against the back wall, standing right next to Jeremy. She looked over at him as her hand again caressed his thigh. She bit her lower lip and he thought he might faint. She was too hot for words.

      Mercifully, the woman got off the elevator at the fifth floor, but being alone with Isabel only opened the floodgates. He dropped his briefcase as they smashed into each other, kissing hard, tongues and wet lips, insistent hands everywhere. He yanked at the tie on her robe, then fumbled with the buttons СКАЧАТЬ