Jacquie ’Alessandro - Holiday Inn Bed

“Well, bite the bullet. Cover your mouth with duct tape if necessary. I love you, kiddo, but I really don’t want to hear from you.”

“I know. And I love you, too. Most of the time. I’ll just feed my chocolate addiction and try not to cave and call you.” Her voice softened. “I know I can be a little…”

“Overbearing?” he supplied in a teasing tone.

She laughed. “Yeah. Sometimes. But believe it or not, I only want you happy. And Jessica, too.”

“I know.”

“I already said this at the lodge, but I’m sorry Jessica got so upset. I’ll put on my halo and say that the fault was mostly Carol’s, but I can see I didn’t help matters. When it comes to overbearing, that woman makes me look like a preschooler.” She hesitated. “And speaking of overbearing…how did things go at the bar with Marc?”

“I think ‘overprotective’ describes him better. Culling him from the Hayden brother herd was…enlightening. I think he may actually be human.”

“Oh? Are you saying you…like him?”

“Like might be a bit too strong a word at this point, but I do think he’s a decent, hardworking guy who cares about his family. Obviously he’s misguided where I’m concerned, but as much as that irks me, it stems out of love for his sister, and being a brother, I can relate. I don’t agree with him, but our conversation gave me some hope that things might turn around.”

“I…see. Well. That’s…interesting.”

“You okay? You sound weird.”

“I’m fine.”

“Good. In that case, I’m hanging up. Don’t call us, we’ll call you.”

“Words I’ll try to live by. But be warned-Carol and Marc might not be so accommodating. You better lock your door and take the phone off the hook.”

“Good plan. Bye.”

He disconnected then switched off the phone’s ringer, although with his sister literally only yards away and his future in-laws not much farther, he wasn’t sure how helpful that would be. Note to self: next romantic getaway will not be within driving distance of family. Or anywhere it snows.

Right. Miami sounded good. Of course that didn’t help him now. Damn. Snowed-in with the in-laws. Could it get any worse?

The instant the question popped into his mind he shoved it aside. “Don’t jinx yourself, man,” he muttered, then crossed the room to make sure the door was locked. He debated whether to tell Jess the latest development, but decided not to, at least not unless it became necessary-like if her mother banged on their cabin door. Without even trying he could think of about three hundred other things he’d rather do with Jess than have the “Kelley, Carol and Marc are snowed-in here” conversation.

He once again headed toward the bathroom. It was time to continue getting him and Jess back on track and do a couple of those three hundred things. Or four or five of them.

At least.

“You realize the score is now five to two.”

Wrapped in one of the soft, white terry cloth robes provided in the cabin, Jessica sat on the blanket in front of the crackling fire and gazed down at Eric whose head rested in her lap. Dressed in a robe that matched hers, which afforded her tantalizing glimpses of his broad chest and muscular legs, he looked sated and sexy and more than a little smug.

“Yup,” he agreed.

“Which means I now owe you three.”

“Yup.”

“You don’t look particularly unhappy about that.”

“Nope.”

“Hmmm. You’re very monosyllabic.”

He curved one hand around her neck and dragged her head down for a lush kiss. “Your fault. You render me speechless.”

“At this rate I’ll be in your debt for the next seventy-five years.”

“Guess I’m stuck with you.” He heaved an exaggerated sigh. “I’ll try to take it like a man and not complain too much.”

“Good. ’Cause no one likes a whiner.” She plucked a grape from the platter of goodies on the blanket and lightly traced the fruit around his lips. Eyes glittering, Eric snagged her wrist and sucked the morsel-and two of her fingers-into his mouth. After she slowly slipped her fingers free, he said, “Yum,” then took a grape and held it up to her. Mimicking him, she held his wrist and slowly drew the fruit and his two fingers into her mouth, swirling her tongue. Then sucked. Hard.

His eyes darkened. “You keep doing that and in no time you’ll only owe me two.”

She slowly eased his fingers from between her lips. After chewing and swallowing her grape, she said, “Oh, I’m going to pay my debt. In full.” She slipped her hand inside the V of his robe and smoothed her splayed fingers back and forth over his chest, lightly grazing his nipples. “I have plans for you.”

“The surprise you mentioned?”

She reached for her glass of champagne with her free hand. “That’s right.”

“If it’s anything like this fantastic chest rub you’re giving me right now, I’ll love it,” he said in a distinctly drowsy-sounding voice.

She looked down at him and saw that his eyes were closed. “Hey! You’re not getting sleepy, are you?”

He peeked one eye open a slit. “Um…no.”

“Uh-huh. Well, you look sleepy. And you sound sleepy.”

“Your fault, sweetheart. Between the sex, the hot shower-complete with more sex, the food, the wine and now the chest rub, you have no one but yourself to blame.”

“Then I guess I’ll just have to revive you.”

“Shouldn’t prove too difficult. With one touch you pretty much do to me what rocket fuel does for the space shuttle.”

“Excellent. Then my surprise should really send you blasting into orbit.”

He peeked open his other eye. “Okay, that got my attention.”

“Good.” She lifted his head, eased out from beneath him and stood. “On your feet, lazy bones,” she ordered, holding out her hands to help him up.

Once he stood he yanked her into his arms. “Anyone ever tell you you’re really bossy?” he asked, nuzzling her neck.

“All the time. I deal with those individuals very harshly.”

He bumped her pelvis with his. “Sounds…kinky.”

“Hmmm. Feels like you’re already more than halfway to being fully revived.”

“Again, all your fault.”

She laughed and eased from his arms. Nodding to the chair by the desk, she said, “All you need to do is set that by the fire, then sit back and relax. I’ll be right back.”

“Sitting back won’t be a problem, but relaxing?” He shot a pointed look at the bulge beneath his robe. “Not likely with you around.”

“Don’t worry,” she said, blowing him a kiss. “I’ll take care of that for you.”

“I think those are my new favorite seven words.”

He made a playful grab for her, but with a laugh Jessica eluded him. After a quick stop at her overnight bag, she headed into the bathroom to ready herself for Eric’s surprise. When she was done, she cast a critical gaze in the mirror. The black lace push-up bra definitely gave her cleavage a boost and the low demi-cup allowed just the tops of her nipples to peek out. Like the bra, the black lace boy-cut bikini panties covered just enough to tease. Perfect.

Or at least she hoped so. She’d never done anything like this before. But then no other man had ever owned her heart and soul so completely. It wasn’t until she met Eric that she realized she’d always held part of herself back in previous relationships. But not with Eric. They just clicked on every level, their personalities and goals meshing perfectly together like letters in a crossword puzzle. Even the topics upon which they didn’t agree made for interesting debates, but they agreed on all the important stuff. Besides, he was the most honorable man she’d ever met. And he made her laugh. And he was great in bed.

Definitely an irresistible combination.

Now if only this damn family feud would end-

She cut off the thought. Tonight, this weekend, was about her and Eric. No one else. They were going to concentrate solely on each other and their relationship.

After slipping on her black strappy four-inch heels, she donned her robe, then slipped the last of her props into her pocket.

Let the score-evening begin.

When she reentered the main room, she found Eric sitting in the chair, half-empty champagne glass dangling from his long fingers. With his hair tousled from her fingers, the trace of evening stubble darkening his square jaw and his robe gaping open at the throat to reveal his muscled chest, he looked deliciously rumpled and more sexy than any man had a right to.

She put some extra sway in her hips as she approached him, which he clearly noticed based on the way his gaze heated. When she stood directly in front of him, she leaned down and settled her hands on his forearms, which rested on the chair’s wooden arms.

“Ready for your surprise?” she asked in her sultriest purr, then leaned forward to lightly run her tongue over his bottom lip.

“Are you trying to get me to say yes?”

“Absolutely.” Another brush of her tongue along his lip. “Is it working?”

“Absolutely.”

Straightening, she took his glass and set it on the floor, then slipped her hand into her pocket and withdrew two silk scarves.

“What’re those for?” he asked, eyeing the material with interest.

“Remember how I said you need to keep your hands to yourself and allow a girl to pay her debts? Well, this is to ensure that you do just that.” She looped the length of silk through the arm of the chair.

“You’re going to tie me?”

“If that’s okay.” Her gaze wandered down his body in a full-blown ogle. Then she met his eyes. “Unless you want me to stop?”

“Hell, no. But you know I’ll be paying you back for this.”

She smiled. “I’ll look forward to that.” When she finished securing his hands to the chair’s arms, she stepped back until two feet separated them. “Ready?”

“Oh, yeah. I have a feeling I’m going to like this.”