Free Just Deserts by Brenda Jackson

them making a baby was the driving force behind it. Did he really care? The answer came quick. No, he didn’t. He loved her and wanted to bring peace and happiness into her life. It was happiness that she deserved.
    He tried to downplay the trembling in his hand when he inserted the card into the lock. How long had he dreamed of this moment, actually thought it would never come after she’d gotten married? Now it seemed he was being given another chance.
    He took a step back so she could walk in ahead of him. And then he entered and closed the door behind him, locking it.
     
    Danielle wished she knew what Tristan was thinking. She breathed in, detecting the sexual chemistry that was heavy in the air. She no longer wondered how in just a short span of time they could move their friendship to this level. The important thing was that they had. And what had her feeling as if she was floating on air was the thought that with him, she could have the thing she desired most.
    “I want to know the name of the perfume you’re wearing.”
    She met his gaze. He was leaning against the closed door with a look on his face that could only be described as downright enticing. Even his smile seemed to be deliberately stroking her.
    “Why?” she asked, taking off the jacket he had placed across her shoulders. She held it in front of her, against her stomach, liking the heat she still felt in it.
    “The scent. It’s different.”
    A smile touched her mouth. She wasn’t surprised that he had picked up on something, which proved he was a passionate man. “It’s called Arouse,” she said, watching the darkening of his eyes when she said it. “It’s supposed to—”
    “No need to explain. I have an idea what it’s supposed to do,” he said, moving away from the door and walking slowly toward her. Her gaze traveled over him and immediately noticed something.
    “And as you can see,” he said, coming to a stop in front of her, “it works.” He reached out and took his jacket from her and tossed it on the sofa. He then took hold of her hand to bring her body flush against his. “But I would be in this state even if you hadn’t put it on.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I ache for you.”
    Tristan knew Danielle assumed it was an ache that had begun recently, probably just that day. Someday he would let her know that in all actuality, he’d ached for a long time. It was an ache he thought he would never get rid of, but tonight he would.
    He regarded her for a long moment, wanting to kiss her, put his hands all over her, trail his mouth across every inch of her skin. He wanted to know the taste of her just like he wanted her to know the taste of him. Going from friends to lovers would be something she wouldn’t forget. Neither would he, and he intended to make it so.
    “You said earlier today that you’re desperate, Dani. I plan to find out just how desperate you are.”
    Dani stared at him and could feel him pressed against her. His voice had a husky timbre now, one that sent soft chills through her body, while at the same time an enticing warmth flowed through her veins, heated her blood. She wasn’t used to such desire, such an ingrained degree of yearning and craving. He wanted to see desperation? She had no problem displaying it to him in living color.
    She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been intimate, and considering the man she’d been with, she didn’t want to remember it. She would welcome any new memories Tristan wanted to make. Tonight was their night. Tomorrow would be their day. For however long it lasted, it would be their time.
    She took a step back out of his arms. “You want to see desperation, Tristan Adams? I will give you desperation.” And before he could react, she reached behind her and with swift fingers undid the catch of her dress. Before he could blink, it slithered down her hips. As a model she’d learned how to get in and out of clothes quickly, and from the look in his eyes she could