Free Wild and Wonderful by Janet Dailey Page B

mine for your father?" His recognition of the name was instant. He asked only for her confirmation.
    "Yes. Bruce and I have become close friends since my father had his first attack. Since dad has to restrict his activities, Bruce comes to the house a lot to discuss things with him," she explained.
    "He's been like a brother to you then, another member of the family," he deduced.
    "Something like that," Glenna agreed.
    His hand continued to massage her fingers, rubbing them in a sensuous manner that aroused all sorts of tremors. "Do you think he regards you as a sister?"
    She started to say yes, but when she met his knowing look she knew that wasn't true. After a pause she admitted, "I don't think so."
    "Neither do I."
    Jett released her hand to let his fingers seek the mass of hair at the back of her head. By the time Glenna realized his intention she had lost the will to resist. The searing possession of his mouth parted her lips to deepen the kiss with the intimacy of his exploring tongue. Hot flames shot through her veins, melting her bones and burning her flesh with a feverish heat.
    Her hand slid under his arm to circle the back of his waist, her fingers spreading over the taut muscles of his spine. When he uncombed his fingers from her hair, he cradled her head on the flexed muscle of his upper arm. She let her fingers glide up the front of his shirt to slide inside his collar, discovering the exhilarating feel of his tanned throat beneath her hand and the wild tattoo of the vein in his neck.
    Glenna shuddered with intense longing. The quiver continued when she felt the touch of his fingers pushing their way under her sweater to the bare skin over her rib cage. The breath she took became lodged somewhere, time standing still as he cupped a ripe breast in the circling cradle of his hand.
    Through the spinning recesses of her mind a voice came to ask if what she felt was real. Or whether it was simply natural desire that had been suppressed, too long and was now being uncovered by an expert. Her conscience rejected sexual involvement with the accompaniment of emotion.
    Trembling, but with growing strength, Glenna began to strain away from his drugging kiss. At the first sign of resistance Jett began to seek control of his own passion, not attempting to overpower her.
    When he lifted his head, both were breathing raggedly. Glenna sat up, shakily tucking a strand of auburn hair behind her ear. Silence stretched between them for several seconds. Then Jett rolled to his feet and held out a hand to pull her upright.
    "Have you had breakfast?" he asked when she was standing.
    "No. I wasn't very hungry." She watched him bend to scoop up his suit jacket. "I thought the fresh air might wake up my appetite."
    "Are you hungry now?" His fingertips touched her elbow to start her in the direction of the inn.
    "A little."
    "For food?" His downward glance noted the very faint blush in her cheeks. "I guess I didn't have to say the obvious, did I?"
    "No."
    "Glenna."
    Something in his voice raised her head. He was looking at her with an intensity that she found a little frightening.
    "What?" she prompted when he didn't immediately speak.
    A tiny frown appeared between his eyebrows as his gaze swung to the front. "Never mind. It wasn't important." He seemed suddenly very remote. Lifting a hand, he rubbed the side of his jaw. "I need a shave…and some sleep."
    There didn't seem to be any comment for Glenna to make, so she fell into an uneasy silence. Jett made no attempt to break it during the walk back to the inn. Shortly after they had entered the lobby Glenna spied her father.
    "There you are, Glenna." He hurried toward them. "I wondered where you were. Have you had breakfast?" A frown clouded his expression when he recognized Jett and took in his slightly disheveled appearance. "Good morning, Jett."
    "Good morning, Orin," he replied and immediately excused himself. "I'll talk with both of you later today."
    It was left to Glenna to