Free Intimate by Kate Douglas Page B

around the outdoor lamps, but it wasn’t cold. She shut the door and tossed the rest of her belongings into her overnight bag, setting aside the tote with her makeup. That bag went next to her handbag on the end of the bed.
    A knock on the door startled her. “I’m dressed,” she said, but then she had to bite back the giggles. He’d seen everything there was to see last night. It was a little late for modesty.
    Jake stepped into the room, looking pleased that she was ready to go. “Leave anything you don’t need here,” he said. “I got the room again for tonight. Reservations at the B and B start tomorrow night.”
    â€œWhat do I need?” She held up her makeup bag. “I left the tote with my clothes for the shoot in the car. Anything else you can think of?”
    â€œYou’ve still got the scarf?”
    She pulled it out of her bag and handed it to him.
    â€œI’ve got everything then, but yeah, take your makeup.” He stared at her a moment. “Are you wearing makeup now?”
    â€œNo. Wasn’t sure what look you wanted.”
    His sexy smile curled her toes. “You look pretty darned good right now.” Then he tilted her chin with his fingertips, as if he was checking the different angles of her face, but he leaned close and kissed her before she realized what he was planning.
    â€œYou ready?”
    She nodded, licking her lips. It was truly gratifying, the way his dark eyes tracked the sweep of her tongue across her upper lip.
    After a moment he blinked, almost as if he’d lost track of what he was supposed to be doing.
    That was sort of gratifying, too. She picked up her small tote and handbag, and slung them over her shoulder. She loved how sexy he made her feel. Sexy and feminine.
    Perfect for the job ahead.
    â€œLet’s go.” He held the door open and stayed beside her as they walked to the elevator. The lobby was empty this early in the morning. Neither of them spoke as they reached the ground floor, exited, and went out the back door to the parking lot.
    Jake unlocked the car and held the door for Kaz. She got in, tossed her bags on the floor, and buckled her seat belt as Jake took his seat behind the wheel. He turned and gazed at her a moment, his expression lost in shadow.
    Then he leaned over and kissed her once again, a slow, lazy kiss that had her leaning into him, tugging against the safety belt to wrap her fingers around the back of his neck. His lips were firm and he tasted of minty toothpaste and memories of last night, and when he ended the kiss, Kaz sighed.
    And then she blushed, because Jake must have heard her. She opened her eyes and looked directly into his. He stared at her for a long moment. Then he blinked and the spell seemed to snap, like a rubber band pulled past the breaking point.
    â€œI’ve wanted to do that all morning.” He smiled, drawing the edge of his finger across her cheek. “I wasn’t sure if it would be as good as it was last night.”
    She tilted her head. “Well? Was it?”
    Slowly he shook his head. “Nope.”
    She touched her fingers to her lips. They felt swollen and tender, and she thought it had felt pretty damned good to her, but Jake was still staring at her. She cocked one eyebrow in his direction.
    â€œNot at all.” Slowly he shook his head. “This was way better.” The smile was back. “Damn.”
    With that enigmatic comment, he turned the key in the ignition and backed out of the parking space. The sky was showing the first hints of light through the morning mist as they headed out on the two-lane road to the vineyard.
    *   *   *
    They made a quick stop for coffee and a couple of muffins on the way out of town. Kaz sipped from her cardboard cup and nibbled on the blueberry muffin, but even the beauty of dawn over the vineyards couldn’t stop her from catching quick glances at the man sitting beside