Into the Heat Read online

  “This feels right, Jess. You felt right all those years ago and still do.”

  She shuddered in a breath, fighting a war inside herself. One side wanted her to strip off her clothes and beg. The other told her to run into her room, lock the door and hide; there was no way she could withstand another heartbreak.

  She raised her head to look at him. Just as she was about to move in for another kiss, she heard footsteps on the tile kitchen floor.

  “Why, hello!” chirped the woman in an English accent. It was the guest with insomnia, and Jessica stopped herself from screaming in frustration. Instead, she and Leo looked at each other and moved apart. His hand went to his mouth, wiping the corner of his lips with his thumb. He looked like he was trying not to laugh.

  “I thought I smelled something tasty,” the woman said. “Do we have snacks?”

  “Uh, yes. We do. Can I also get you some tea?” Jessica asked, silently cursing her deeply ingrained manners. She watched Leo pop the muffins out of the tin and hand one to the woman, along with a napkin.

  “Babe, I’m headed to bed,” he said, leaning to kiss Jessica on the cheek. “We’ll continue this tomorrow.”

  He walked out, and Jess maintained her fake smile as her heart sank. Why had he said tomorrow and not later?

  * * *

  “Leo! Leo!”

  He shuddered awake. It had been the nightmare about the explosion, like usual, but now a woman was screaming his name? Was she hurt? Bleeding? Dying?

  Where the hell was he?

  Oh.

  In bed.

  In Jessica’s hotel.

  Exhaling, he turned on the light perched on the nightstand next to the sleek, art deco style bed. He blinked several times and tried to collect himself. Had someone really been calling his name?

  He heard a knock at the door. It was insistent.

  “Leo! Are you okay? Please open up.”

  Shit.

  He groaned inwardly and checked the time. It was three in the morning, so he must have shouted in his sleep to wake Jessica. Only a few hours ago he had chastely kissed her goodnight in the kitchen. It was good that the guest had come in, because he had been poised to take Jessica to bed. And while it was exactly what he wanted, he still wasn’t prepared to tell her about his nocturnal issues. So he’d been proud that he’d mustered the willpower to not bust into her room once the clueless insomniac guest went upstairs.

  He rose to unlock the door and opened it slowly, thankful that he had worn a T-shirt and cotton boxers to sleep.

  “Oh, thank God, you’re fine.” She let out a breath.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “Sorry for waking you.”

  “I was worried that something was really wrong. You were shouting. At first I thought someone was breaking in, but then I realized it was you. And I got concerned.”

  He looked up at her, fearing that his eyes screamed with fear and sadness. Or worse, weakness.

  “You’re having a nightmare,” she said.

  Leo nodded and stared at the floor, embarrassed.

  “Hey,” she whispered. “It’s going to be okay.”

  She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. Hesitantly, he returned her hug, running his hands over the soft cotton of her shirt, up and down her back. She wore a matching sky-blue top and little shorts, and if he wasn’t so drained from the nightmare he would have had a difficult time controlling his desire for her. The little pajama outfit barely concealed her body.

  “Come on,” she said, pulling him back toward the bed.

  “Jessica, I’m okay. I’m going back to sleep, and you should, too,” he protested. He wanted her to leave but was too tired to put up a fight. Or, no, he didn’t want her to go. What he really wanted was her comfort.

  “Hush,” she said. “Get back in bed.”

  She cranked up air conditioner, and a cool breeze washed across his overheated skin. Since it was so warm in the room, why hadn’t he thought of that? He wasn’t thinking straight. He hadn’t been since…well, for a long time now. He slid in between the sheets and tried not to act surprised when she climbed on the bed and sat next to him.

  “Lie on your side,” she said, kneeling close by. “Away from me. And take off your shirt. It’s soaked with sweat.”

  He did as she asked, and she rubbed his back. While his skin was scorching, her hand felt soothing, cool. He flopped onto his stomach, and she caressed him with the long, slow strokes of her fingers.

  “Just go back to sleep,” she whispered. “You’re okay now. Safe.”

  He felt her lean over and turn out the light, the movement bathing him in her floral, feminine scent. He rolled onto his side, anticipating that she would leave now. It was only right. This had been no way to sweep a woman off her feet. Who would want to deal with issues like this? She was just being nice before she made her escape.

  But she didn’t leave. Instead, she slipped in between the sheets and spooned him, her back to his chest. She wrapped his arm tight around her waist and snuggled close, her body soft and wonderful. For a few seconds he held his breath, not quite believing the joy he felt at being so physically close to her, and the last thing he remembered before drifting off to sleep was her contented sigh.

  He woke up several times that night, worried that he was going to talk in his sleep and inadvertently reveal his dark secret. Fearful that he would wake up screaming, or worse, that he’d get out of bed and do something stupid.

  By the time the sun came up, he’d been awake for hours but hadn’t stopped holding Jessica in his arms.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Jessica’s eyes fluttered open then widened with panic. What time was it? Where was she? The sheets were white and crisp, not soft and flannel like hers, and the bed was smaller.

  She rolled over.

  Leo. This was his bed.

  She sat up, glancing at the bedside clock, and exhaled. It was six in the morning, later than she usually rose but not too late to attend early-rising, hungry guests. Stretching, she felt warmth sweep through her body when she realized that she had slept next to him all night. He hadn’t tried to get sexy with her, either, which surprised her. Did it leave her in doubt of his affections?

  In an early-morning haze, she padded into his bathroom. A vague memory of him kissing her neck and cheek and then leaving the bed washed over her. His lips had lingered on her nape. He had nuzzled her with his nose. And of course he had held her, tight and possessive, all night. She didn’t think she could doubt his attraction or affection.

  Her smile faded as she thought about how hesitant, how scared he had looked when he’d flung open the door last night. She couldn’t have left him by himself. The urge to comfort him was too strong, and she’d given in to it. And was glad she did, especially because he hadn’t tried any delicious shenanigans. He was a true gentleman. Now, however, where was he?

  It didn’t take long to find him. He was in the kitchen, buzzing around, drinking coffee and baking what smelled like bread. He had a bag of oranges on the counter and had found the juicer. His surplus of energy was impressive considering the night he’d had.

  “You’re up early,” she said. “What are you making?”

  “Banana bread. And juice.”

  It was remarkable how her insides still seemed to liquefy when she heard his New Orleans accent, and she grinned. “You didn’t have to do all this.”

  “It’s no big deal. I wanted to let you sleep in a little. I figured I’d help with breakfast prep. I found your list of guests and a menu.” He pointed to the fridge, where she kept a detailed whiteboard of the week’s schedule. “You’re very organized and it’s impressive.”

  She must have looked skeptical, because he laughed.

  “Jess, I can handle it, so you go back to bed. I’ve got this covered. It’s the least I can do for waking you up in the middle of the night.”

  He wrapped her in his arms, and she felt a zing of desire rush through her when he kissed the top of her head.
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  “Seriously, thank you for last night,” he said huskily. “It meant a lot to me. Just you being there.”

  The way he said those words made Jessica’s throat tighten. She almost wanted to weep from the tenderness in his voice, and she was glad she could give him a little comfort. What would he have done if she wasn’t there?

  “I couldn’t let you be alone,” she murmured. “I know what it’s like to be alone.”

  After a few moments in his arms, he broke away with a groan. “I don’t want to stop holding you, but I have to check the oven.”

  Jessica smiled. “Okay. I’m going back to my apartment to finish washing up. I’ll return to put the food out for the guests.”

  “Are you sure?” Leo asked. “You can take it easy. I don’t mind. Really.”

  Wow. She really was shocked. Jacob would never have offered to jump in and help serve guests, but then she should have learned her lesson and stopped measuring real men against him long ago.

  “Leo?” she said.

  He flashed a glance at her. “Yes?”

  “Thank you for helping me this morning.”

  “Anytime.”

  His smile caused her to practically skip to her apartment like a girl, and as she readied herself for the day, she considered what it would be like if Leo’s presence in her life was permanent. She reminded herself that he’d said he was eventually returning to Louisiana, but she fantasized for hours about running the hotel with him. Kissing him. Sleeping next to him, naked, all night. Waking up each morning in his arms after hours of delicious lovemaking like they’d enjoyed all those years ago. Could she ever allow herself such happiness? Was it even possible?

  She’d thought the same thing about Jacob when they first started dating.

  * * *

  Damn this guava paste.

  Jessica was trying to wrangle the sticky substance out of its package when Leo stuck his head in the kitchen door.

  “Hey,” he said. “I wanted to tell you again that if you need help with anything tonight for dinner, I’m here for you.”

  He had offered to help earlier, but she had demurred, not wanting to impose on him or press him into working when he had so much to do for his own business. Now, however, she was falling behind.

  She shot him a pleading look. “Would you mind putting together these guava and cheese appetizers while I check the roast? I thought I’d be further along than this.”

  He grinned and strode over to the sink to wash his hands. “No problem.”

  Today he wore a tight-fitting white T-shirt and blue jeans. Just the act of him washing his strong hands, his forearm muscles flexing and tensing, made Jessica flush with such intense heat that she had to turn away, otherwise she’d stare inappropriately. She wasn’t used to such a sexy, masculine presence in her kitchen. Or her life.

  After a few moments of assembling the little appetizers, he walked over to her and held out his hand. “It’s the last of the guava,” he said, wagging his finger that was coated in pink, sugary fruit paste. “It’s all yours.”

  Grinning, she opened her mouth. He offered his finger. She quickly licked it, like a hesitant feline, then took his finger all the way in and sucked. They each simultaneously raked in a breath and locked eyes. Swallowing, she caved first. She turned away from him, her cheeks aflame. Maybe being in a hot kitchen with a scorching man wasn’t such a good idea. She certainly didn’t feel like cooking.

  Over the next hour, her libido on a slow boil, they prepared dinner and talked about everything from their favorite foods to books to movies. They had talked about so much, and yet it always seemed like there were new topics to explore. Like how they both wanted to see the Grand Canyon someday, how neither understood the appeal of a certain presidential candidate, and how they each loved The Black Keys.

  “Do you know how many nights as a teenager I thought about how much we had in common? And it’s still true,” Leo said as he cut limes into little wedges.

  “Does that surprise you?” Jess retorted.

  He shook his head. “Not really. We had the same likes and dislikes five years ago, too. Now we’re just a bit more mature about them.”

  “Is there anything ‘mature’ about loving Pixar animated movies?” she asked, laughing.

  “Probably not, but I don’t really care.”

  Smiling, Jessica excused herself to get ready. Leo said that he, too, had to shower, but before he walked out, he stopped in front of her and kissed her full on the mouth. The kiss was hungry but soft, his tongue exploring, demanding, promising.

  He stopped himself with a groan. “This isn’t the time, I guess. Later? I’m ready. Are you?”

  She nodded vigorously and he laughed. She tilted her face to brush her lips over his once more. And when she got back to her apartment, she closed the door and grinned with happiness.

  * * *

  Jessica had originally planned on wearing regular clothes because, after all, it was just her family and Catalina who were coming over. But she wanted to put in a little more effort now, so she donned one of her more form-fitting maxi dresses—the light green one that matched her eyes—and tamed her curls with a flat iron.

  When she walked into the kitchen to pick up the first tray of appetizers, Leo was already there. His biceps tested the seams of his white, button-down oxford, which was paired with well-fitting khakis and interesting tanned leather shoes.

  She was happy at how he reacted to her—with a downward sweep of his blue eyes so that his long lashes almost skimmed his cheekbones. She always melted when he looked at her like that, all languid and sexy, as if all he wanted to do was slowly peel off his clothes. Like he would be doing in a few short hours.

  “Damn, you’re gorgeous,” he said. “Just when I think I’ve seen you at your most beautiful, you go and surprise me and look even hotter.”

  She beamed. Leo had a way of complimenting her that didn’t seem fake or contrived. No, the way he treated her seemed genuine, and with each shared moment she became less skeptical of the possibility of a future.

  “Thank you,” she said, curtseying. “Oh, um, we’re eating upstairs on the rooftop tonight.”

  They busied themselves with carting the appetizers and drinks into the hotel’s small elevator up to the rooftop, which Jessica had decorated with tropical plants. This had always been her mom’s favorite spot in the whole building, and Jessica knew she would have loved how it looked now, like a lush oasis in the sky, what with the view of the ocean and setting sun, and the little twinkling star lights that Jessica had strung around some of the larger potted palms.

  “We have a couple more things to grab,” Leo remarked as she straightened the punch bowl on a nearby table. “I’ll handle it.”

  Jessica looked up. “No, I’ll ride downstairs in the elevator with you. I think I need more club soda.”

  They got into the small elevator, and Leo slid the grate shut and pressed the old-fashioned button. He was tall and broad, and the elevator so tiny that Jessica felt as though she had nowhere to stand but close to his body. When he glanced over, she detected a hunger, a look of pure lust, and that’s when she surged toward him, stood on her toes and slid her hand to his neck, her thumb stroking his strong jawline. His lips parted into a small, expectant smile.

  “I think I just wanted to be alone with you,” she whispered, then tilted her lips to his.

  They kissed: a fiery, passionate joining. There was no hesitancy this time, just pent-up want. It was too much, their need for each other, and they’d denied it too long. They could deny it no longer.

  Leo’s big hands slid down her back and cupped her ass, drawing her forcefully into his hips. She gasped a little when she felt his hardness pressing into her body, then rested her other hand on his chest as their tongues mingled. She shuddered, desiring him right here and now. No one, not even the Leo of five years ago, had ever built a heat in her like this.

  “I want you. Tonight. I can’t hold off anymore, Jess.”

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nbsp; His words made her hot and desperate. She wanted to drown in his voice, wanted to beg him to whisper the details of every wicked thing he’d like to do.

  “What do you want?” she murmured.

  With a groan, his hand cupped her jaw, and he spoke soft against her cheek while the other slid slowly to her breast. “I want this,” he whispered, caressing her. “I want you.”

  She pressed her mouth against his, unable to listen more. Hell, he could have her right there if he wanted.

  They hadn’t noticed as the elevator stopped, they were so consumed with tasting each other’s tongues, but they broke away abruptly when the door slid open to slowly reveal Nicole and Grace.

  “Oh!” Jessica said, flustered. She stepped away from Leo, but Nicole still might have seen them kissing. It was obvious enough what they were doing, since Leo’s hands had been roaming her ass and under her dress. She awkwardly pulled at the fabric of her clothes, and Leo cleared his throat.

  “Hey,” he said.

  Nicole arched an eyebrow. They’d been caught.

  Jessica and Leo disentangled themselves and stepped out of the elevator. Nicole and Grace stepped in.

  Jessica said, “Oh, uh, hi. Where’s Daniel?”

  “I told you about five times earlier. He has a Florida Department of Law Enforcement training in Tallahassee.”

  “Guess we’ll have leftovers,” Jessica muttered.

  “Mommy, they were kissing,” Grace whispered.

  Nicole just smirked as the door closed.

  By the heat in her cheeks, Jessica knew her face must be bright red by now. “I guess our secret’s out,” she said.

  “Is that a bad thing?”

  “No. Not at all,” Jessica said. Then she beamed, because she didn’t care who knew about her and Leo. As long as he didn’t, she didn’t. They were both adults this time.

  In the kitchen they tried to gather the rest of the food but paused twice to kiss. Two more blazing exchanges.

  Leo cupped her breasts again, and she moaned. “We have to stop,” she said weakly. “I hear the elevator. It’s probably Catalina, and we’ve got to serve dinner.”