Free Forbidden Fantasies by Jodie Griffin Page A

later, he was out cold.
    * * *
    “A date?” Jess stared at Alex, who looked like he was holding a secret and was dying to tell about it. After the week they’d had, one where she’d been second—and third, and fourth—guessing herself, it was kind of hard to wrap her head around his words. “A real, honest-to-goodness date? Where?”
    He shook his head as he practically bounced in his chair at the table. “Nope. Not telling. It’s a surprise.”
    “But the kids…”
    “Are both feeling better, but just in case, Mom and Dad are coming over here to spend the night.” He got a serious look on his face, but the amusement in his eyes didn’t fade. “All you need to do is pack.”
    She blinked. “I don’t understand. Pack what? Why?”
    “Okay, I’ll tell you this much. We’re staying at a bed and breakfast in Lovettsville. You’ll need clothes for tomorrow.”
    “Just you and me?” A smile escaped. “Really?”
    He came around the table and backed her up against the kitchen counter. “Really,” he murmured, whispering in her ear. “Just us. You game?”
    Her heart sped up as he pressed his hard body against hers and nipped at her neck. “Oh, yeah,” she said, but it came out as a sigh.
    Alex just laughed.
    * * *
    “Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Meyers.” The inn’s owner, an attractive man Jess guessed was in his late forties, handed Alex an old-fashioned key. “This is for your room. I’ll take your bags up, if you’d like.”
    “Thank you. Have you made the arrangements I asked about when I made the reservation?” Alex asked.
    Jess slid a look at Alex. Arrangements ?
    The man nodded and smiled broadly. “Yes, sir. I hope everything is to your satisfaction.”
    “I’m sure it will be.” Alex pocketed the key and handed over their bags. “Come on, sweetheart. I’m starving.”
    She wanted to know more about the mysterious arrangements, but her stomach rumbled, and they laughed. “I guess I am too.”
    Dinner was at a quaint Italian restaurant connected to the bed and breakfast by a vine-covered pergola over a brick walkway. Inside, it smelled heavenly, the aromas of fresh bread, tomatoes and basil wafting through the air. The lighting was soft and muted, the tables intimate. Jessica fell in love with it even before tasting the food.
    “This way, signore e signora. ” They were led to a table in a dim, quiet corner near the stone fireplace, by an older gentleman who bowed after he placed their napkins in their laps. “Enjoy your meal.”
    After a waiter brought over a basket of bread and a plate of olive oil, Alex slid his chair closer to hers and looped an arm around her shoulders. He dipped a piece of bread in the oil and brought it to her lips. “Open,” he said, his voice husky.
    Her eyes widened at the roughly uttered command, but she opened her mouth and took a bite. And proceeded to moan at the taste of warm bread and rich, tangy oil. “Oh, that’s good.”
    “Let me taste.” Instead of picking up a slice of bread for himself, Alex leaned forward and kissed her. “Delicious.” He smiled and sat back in his chair, picking up his menu.
    It took Jess a minute to recover from that innocent yet devastating kiss. Her pulse fluttered wildly, and every coherent thought but one flew out of her head. She wanted her husband, and she wanted him now. But, she thought wryly as her stomach rumbled again, she needed food first.
    Every bite of the dinner tasted as good as the one before it. They lingered over their meal, talking about everything under the sun—everything except Alex’s job and last weekend’s emotional rollercoaster. When she said she couldn’t eat another bite, Alex put down his fork and held out his hand.
    “Dance with me.”
    Once again, he wasn’t asking, but she wasn’t arguing. It wasn’t often Alex liked to dance, and she wasn’t passing up this opportunity. Several couples were dancing to romantic Italian music, but there was plenty of room left for the two of