Free Deliciously Dangerous by Karen Anders Page A

whispering her satisfaction. One more flex of thick muscle and his own climax roared overhim, joining hers. And she felt it, accepted the power of him, the brutal honesty of the moment.
    Jammer threw his head back, caught, the wild grip of her flesh wringing him. Splintered rapture shredded his composure. Yet in the throes of release, he was aware of her smooth skin, the scent that was quintessentially Gina, the soft gasp as she absorbed the pleasure he was giving her. “Damn, Gina,” he murmured, slipping his arms around her, the last threads of passion dissolving under a slow, thick kiss.
    Seconds passed as they held each other. Darkness had fallen outside the window and the rumble of Gina’s stomach broke the silence.
    He chuckled and let her go. “Sounds like you need some food.”
    “I’m starving. Those cherries made me a little tipsy on an empty stomach.”
    “Let’s quickly finish this bottling and we’ll head into the house. I’ll make you a meal.”
    She looked at him with one eyebrow cocked. “Oh my God, don’t tell me you cook.”
    “I do.”
    “If you also iron, I’m going to keep you.”
    He laughed and felt that same constriction in his chest. He told himself it wasn’t possible. He dressed quickly, handing Gina her clothes, then made quick work of bottling the brandy, stoppering it and setting it on a shelf with the others to receive the special Craving Brandy label.
    Holding hands, they left the shed and walked to thehouse. Gina stopped suddenly and said, “Wow, check out the stars. The night sky is gorgeous.”
    Jammer looked up and took in the beauty of the smudged blue sky dotted with lights. She was right.
    “Let’s eat outside. It’s so pretty,” she exclaimed.
    “No problem. There’s a patio by the kitchen door that overlooks the pool and the vineyards.”
    “Sounds simply wonderful.”
    They entered the house and headed upstairs, where they took a quick shower that soon got out of hand. Once again Gina’s stomach rumbling sent them back on course. Sitting at the island, she flipped open her cell phone. “Let me make some calls and see if I can put something together while you cook.”
    He nodded and went to the fridge, pulling out what he needed. He set water to boil and when it was ready added lasagna noodles.
    He started off with olive oil in a pan, followed by onions, mushrooms, garlic, basil, chicken broth and cornstarch. Once it was simmering, he added cream cheese, stirring slowly as it melted, releasing mouthwatering aromas.
    “That smells heavenly. Is it going to be ready soon?”
    “Nope. Got to layer it together and put it in the oven. You’re going to have to pull that patience out again.”
    “Well, hurry it up.”
    Jammer added sour cream, artichokes and crab meat into the pan, seasoning with salt and pepper. Next, he spread some of the mixture along each lasagna noodle, rolled it up and set it in a shallow casserole. When thedish was full, he covered it with foil and popped it into the oven, setting the timer.
    “Let’s go outside until it’s done. Enjoy the night,” he said as he opened the French doors and stepped out. The patio was tiered, gently sloping down to a sparkling turquoise pool. He walked to the second tier and settled into a chaise longue and pulled Gina into his lap. She curled against him, snuggling her head under his chin.
    “So where did you learn to cook?” she asked.
    “My mother taught me.” He lifted a hand and stroked it over her hair. His heart constricted at the thought of his mother.
    “Oh,” Gina said, a cautious tone to her voice.
    She knew as well as he that they were getting into personal territory, and he wasn’t sure that they should.
    “Are they still alive?”
    “No, they aren’t. It’s better that they’re not,” he said, then regretted the words.
    “Because of what you do for a living?”
    He shrugged, as if it was unimportant, when it was far from that. “Yeah,” he answered, but that wasn’t the truth