Her Secret Thrill Read Online Free Page B

to find out?
    And this little moment she thought they were sharing could be in her sleep-deprived head, too, she thought with a silent laugh. Or she could just come out and ask him what he meant by this. No. No, she couldn’t. This was fun and even exciting. But no. She had a life to return to, a plane to catch late tomorrow. Later today, actually. And he had business. In Wyoming of all places. She was never in Wyoming—
    Which suddenly made this sound perfect.
    She was wanting. He looked to be willing.
    She wanted to clamp a hand over her mouth. A one-night stand? Natalie Holcomb? But in the next breath, she thought, and why the hell not? Maybe she’d been repressing more than she thought. Because the idea scandalized her. And turned her on so much, she thought she might come just thinking about it.
    Oh…my…God. She wouldn’t. She couldn’t.
    Liza would.
    She looked at him, then down at those hands of his. When she looked back up, that amused twinkle was back in his eyes.
    â€œWe’re not— This is just—” She couldn’t look away from his eyes. “Coffee,” she finished, almost breathlessly.
    He nodded. “Best coffee and conversation I can remember having. Maybe ever.”
    He glanced down at his coffee but it was the look in his eyes when he lifted his gaze back to hers that did it. Not smug, not aggressive, not pleading. Simply…honest.
    â€œWould you like to extend this conversation?” he asked.
    Her throat closed over. Her nipples were so tight now that they actually hurt. He wanted her. Right now. And there was no denying she wanted him. Right now.
    And frankly, right now, that was all that mattered.
    It was that simple. That thrilling.
    â€œYeah.” She cleared her throat, her heart began to race. “I mean, yes. Yes, I believe I would like that. Very much.”
    â€œMore coffee?”
    Natalie jerked her gaze from Jake and looked up at the waitress. “Um, no. No thank you. Just the check.”
    The waitress laid the bill on the table. Natalie nervously fished out a ten and tossed it on the pile, not caring about the change.
    Now what?

3
    I N THE MOVIES , this was where it always segued to the two lovers groping inside the private confines of their room. Lovers . She swallowed. The movies never dealt with that awkward transition sequence.
    Then Jake was standing beside her holding out his hand, that charming grin crinkling the corners of his blue eyes. And it was as easy—and as hard—as just reaching out and taking that hand. She took it.
    He let her hand go as soon as she stood, but there was that electric brushing of his warm hand on her bare lower back as he guided her to the front door and out into the New York sunrise.
    She stopped and turned, an awkward laugh escaping her. “Um, I guess the standard ‘your place or mine’ is out of the question?” She wanted the adventure, but she wasn’t taking him back to her place.
    He laughed. “Yeah. I had forgotten about that.”
    Her heart was pounding, but Natalie relaxed a little. It was obvious that he wasn’t used to this, nor had he planned it, any more than she had. That relieved her.And somehow made this all the more erotic and exciting.
    â€œMaybe another room at The Maxi?” she offered.
    â€œActually, I know a place. Uptown. I’ve stayed there before. It’s quiet, out of the way.” He caught her gaze. “Private.”
    She liked the sound of that. “Okay.” She stepped to the curb to whistle for a taxi. The streets were pretty quiet; only the early risers and workaholics were out.
    He reached for her hand and tugged her back.
    She whirled, liking the contact of his hand on hers. When he went to drop it, she instinctively tightened her grip. He paused, looked at her, then tightened his grip as well. She liked the assurance it gave her that they were both in this together.
    â€œWe have another stop to make