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.She was sitting at the vanity in a nightgown when he closed the bedroom door.“Shall I draw your bath now?”“Why not?” she answered, smiling into the mirror.Nicole waited until she heard the water stop running.When she opened the bathroom door, he was already in the tub, his knees poking through the surface of bubbles that reached to his chin.“It’s a bit crowded in here,” he warned her.“I’ll find a way to squeeze in.”Nicole eased the nightgown up her legs and then pulled it over her head.She paused with the gown wrinkled across her face to give him her best view.Then she tossed the gown behind her and stepped over the edge of the tub.SEVENTHE SHEETS still felt wet when she woke up.For an instant she was puzzled, but as soon as she recalled the night’s romp she smiled deliciously.They had used the bath for foreplay and then rushed to the bed still dripping wet.She opened her eyes into sunlight that was streaming through the window.A lovely day, she thought pleasantly, but sat up with a jolt when she realized how late she had slept.She was alone in the bed.She looked around for her nightgown and remembered how she had tossed it away in the bathroom.Her robe was still in her suitcase, across the room next to the vanity.She tugged on the top sheet, trying to wrap it around her, but then shook her head at the absurdity of modesty.She bounded up and walked naked to the vanity where she gathered her toiletries and put on a silky black robe.The bathroom was evidence of their abandon.The water was still in the tub, last night’s playful bubbles wilted to an oil slick.There were puddles on the tile floor, one of them soaked up into a bath towel, another blotted into the corner of the bathmat.Her nightgown was bunched up like a wet wash rag, and one of his socks was behind the toilet.Nicole smiled as she took in the damage.Jonathan had either had the time of his life or he was a much better actor than she was.She dressed quickly, hoping to be ready before he returned.She didn’t want him finding her near naked and getting ideas about a rematch.New underwear, a pair of jeans, and a light cotton sweater went on first.Only when she was decent did she reapply her makeup, touch up her hair, and put on her sandals.Nicole poked her head through the door.It didn’t seem that Jonathan had retired to one of the other bedrooms.She crept down the stairs, stealing glances over the banister.There was no sign of him in the living room and the dining room was in darkness.“Jonathan!” she called softly, and when there was no response she tried a full voice.“Jon, where are you?”“In here!”“Where?”“The kitchen.I’m fixing your breakfast.”She walked across the living room, into the dining room, and pushed open the swinging door.He was standing at the counter, lifting doughnuts out of the box and spreading them on a decorative plate.Paper coffee cups still wore their plastic tops.He pointed to the elaborate espresso maker at the other end of the counter.“You have to be a computer genius to work that damn thing.”“I can make coffee,” she said, moving up close for her morning kiss.He pecked at her cheek.“That’s it?” she asked.“Some come down after last night.”He blushed, then chuckled.“You had a good time?”“Incredible!” She was still holding her head back with her eyes closed.This time he brushed a kiss across her lips.“Well, that’s a little better.But it’s still a long way from last night.”He carried the doughnuts to the kitchen table.Nicole followed with the two paper cups of coffee.“I hope you found me worth saving,” she said when they were seated.“I’d hate to think that if you had it to do all over again you wouldn’t bother pulling my parachute.”He looked at her sheepishly.“Skydiving is like a walk in the park compared to you.First I thought I was going to drown in the tub.Later, maybe die of exhaustion.Plunging to the earth isn’t nearly as dangerous as getting into bed with you.”“Does that mean that you don’t want to do it ever again?”“Only if I’m wearing a parachute.”Jonathan was quiet on the drive back to the city, and Nicole knew enough not to interrupt his deliberations.There were several paths he might be pursuing and she was anxious that he choose the right one.They all began with the same premise that Nicole Pierce was a terrific woman.She was attractive, an adornment on any occasion, and personable, a center for any gathering.She, like he, was a free spirit, determined to live her own life in her own way [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]