When his mouth took hers in a heated kiss, she didn’t resist. Instead, to his utter surprise and relief, her hands slipped up behind his back and pulled him even closer to her. Groaning, he gave in to the passion that ignited between them, his tongue meeting hers, testing, tasting, wanting everything he knew she had to offer.

His body hardened in response, and he heard her sharp intake of breath as she arched into him, creating sweet, sweet pressure as his body pressed against the cleft between her legs. He was fighting the urge to strip her of that utilitarian yoga outfit and fuck her on the wet tiles, the way she was tempting him.

But he wanted better than that for her, and for himself. So with a supreme effort, he stepped back and released her, breathing hard.

He would never forget the look in her eyes: Desire. Passion. And wonder. She looked exactly like what she was: a woman who had been thoroughly kissed and was eager for more.

“I wanted to give you something to remember me while I’m in Boston,” he said, his eyes full of meaning. “Because I sure as hell will be thinking of you.”

For the first time since he’d met her, Jessica Hart was speechless.

Chapter 19

She walked into her condo, carrying two bags of groceries. Heading into the kitchen, Jessica plopped the sacks on her countertop and unpacked all of the fixings for the perfect spring dinner: fresh rack of lamb, garlic, sea salt, rosemary, asparagus, and fingerling potatoes.

Her body was still tied up in knots from Gavin. Even now as she took out a mortar and pestle, and ground up the garlic with the herbs, salt, and Dijon mustard, she thought about how he appeared fresh out of the pool like a Calvin Klein magazine advertisement.

He looked hot. Not just gorgeous, powerful, male, and sexy, but hot. She had only glanced at him as he climbed up the ladder, but it was enough that her mouth went dry. The water had slicked back his dark hair, plastering it to his scalp. As a result his chiseled features appeared even more pronounced: those cheekbones, his nose, that sensual mouth.

The water trickled down his torso, and she saw his wet biceps flex as he got out of the pool, his muscular legs tighten, and his chest muscles contract down to those washboard abs. And then when he kissed her, it was just like before. Hot, hard, wet…

She swallowed hard and reached for the Pinot Noir, pouring herself a generous glass.

Damn.

Taking a good pull of the luscious wine, she spread the garlic mixture all over the rack of lamb, and then set it aside and preheated the oven. Next she turned to the vegetables, scrubbing the potatoes until they were clean and putting them in a pot to parboil. With the asparagus, she snapped off the ends, marveling at how the sandy Jersey soil produced such tall, thick stalks so early in the season.

She put the asparagus into a frying pan along with some shallots, butter, and olive oil, then sprinkled a little of the sea salt on them and let them sauté gently until the stalks were tender.

Cooking was her outlet, her way of de-stressing and getting out of her own head. Although she found meditation and yoga calming, preparing a meal allowed her to tune in to that same energy and produce a terrific dinner at the same time.

It was a two-for-one.

She tested the potatoes and found they were just starting to get soft. After draining the pot, she spooned them around the lamb rack, tossing the remaining rosemary and sea salt over them. She put the rack into the oven and set the timer, and then checked on the asparagus.

Perfect. The stalks were beginning to tenderize, so she turned the heat down low and covered the pan.

She took out a plate and silver, and then, as a balm to her frazzled nerves, she added a cloth napkin, a water glass, and a candle, and placed them on the table. But as she eyed the elegant setting, she saw that it appeared a little sad.

Table for one.

Gavin, she knew, would love this. Zach wasn’t much for good food; burgers and fries were his speed. But she knew from the way Gavin enjoyed her coffee that he would thoroughly appreciate this meal, and would reward her after…

An involuntary shiver went through her. She had to stop thinking about him that way, fantasizing. He was taking over too many of her thoughts. Luckily, he would be in Boston for almost a week, and that would give her some time to get her act together…

Right.

A knock on the door interrupted her reverie. Checking on the timer, she saw that she had five more minutes before the lamb was done. Racing to the door, she opened it and saw her next-door neighbor standing outside apologetically, holding up an empty wineglass.

“Hey, sweetheart. Any chance you have some Cabernet? Jules is out of town and I thought I had an extra bottle…” He sniffed the air appreciatively. “Oh my God. What is that smell?”

“Rack of lamb, rosemary potatoes, and asparagus. Want to join me?”

“Oh, I couldn’t impose…” But without second thought, Terrell sashayed into the room, and Jessica eyed him with amusement.

Her neighbor was openly gay, and she had to admit that not only did he dress better than she did, but his makeup was perfect. She admired his amethyst eye shadow and beautifully drawn eyeliner. A diamond earring twinkled from one lobe, while a gold hoop adorned the other. Garbed in an elegant black tank top and jeans with a multicolored scarf wrapped around his neck, he made her feel positively tomboyish in her sportswear.

“Impose away.” Jessica smiled. “I’ve got plenty. And by the way, love the scarf.”

“Well, thank you, girlfriend.” He fiddled with the silk fabric, and then his eyes went to her outfit. “One of these days you are going to let me style you, and then watch out!”

Jessica laughed, and brought out another plate. She filled Terrell’s glass, then handed it to him as he took a seat just as the buzzer went off. When she took the broiling pan out of the oven, he was practically salivating.

“You are going to make some fine boy so happy,” he said appreciatively as she put the meat and potatoes on a platter, joined by the sautéed asparagus. “Cheers.” He tipped his glass to her as she took the other seat and carved up the rack.

He put a bite of lamb in his mouth, closed his eyes, and sighed in ecstasy. “This is the best damn meal I’ve had in forever. My boyfriend will be so jealous.”

“Thanks. It actually worked out really well that you came by. It’s too good not to share.”

“You got that right,” he said, taking a big sip of the wine. “And the wine goes perfectly with the lamb. This is one hell of a dinner.” He sat back when he had devoured most of the meal, and patted his stomach contentedly. “Now why don’t you tell me what’s wrong?”

Refilling his glass, she looked at him in surprise. “What are you talking about?”

“You know what I’m saying. You cook when you are troubled. Now what is it, or better yet, who is it? And I want details.”

“Okay.” She sighed, aware he wasn’t about to drop the subject. “Of course, it’s a guy.”

“Oh, thank God. I was afraid you were going to say it was work or something. Not that I wouldn’t have listened after that meal, but this sounds much more interesting.”

He actually rubbed his hands together in anticipation while Jessica laughed.

“In a way, it is work related. It’s a guy I’m rehabbing. Gavin King.”

Terrell’s mascara-laden lashes popped open. “No, you didn’t! Not the Cosmo boy? All tall, dark, and scrumptious…” He kissed his fingertips.

“That’s him.”

“Well, do tell! I’m not surprised at all. Good thing he isn’t playing for our team, or we would have a real problem.”