It wasn’t a wise thing to get all heated up, not tonight. She needed her sleep and he needed to get himself back on track.

The truth was, he didn’t want to rush this thing. He wanted to complete his research, and do right by her. There was no rush. She wasn’t going anywhere.

The limo turned the last corner and pulled in to the hotel. She woke when it came to a stop, sitting up with a little shake of her head. “We’re here.”

“That we are,” he said, sorry that the ride had ended.

The door opened, and Dan got out, offering Jessica his hand. She took it and smiled as she got out. He tipped the driver, then put his arm around her shoulder as they made their way inside.

She didn’t say anything on the ride up, and he felt just as comfortable in the silence. After a slow walk down the hall, they entered the suite. She stood quite still while he turned on some lights. When he walked back to her side, she reached out and grabbed his lapel, pulling him down to eye level. She kissed him softly on the lips, just a peck, really. “Thank you,” she said.

He wanted more, but all he did was smile as she let him go. “You go ahead and use the bathroom first,” he said. “You need to get to bed.”

“I have to be up at seven,” she said.

“Ouch.”

“I’ll say. But the only thing I have to do tomorrow is a photo shoot. Shouldn’t be too bad.”

“That sounds interesting.”

“It won’t be. But you can always watch the models change if you’re bored.”

“I’d never be that bored.”

She gave him a half smile. “That’s it. I’m falling asleep on my feet.” She headed to her bedroom, weaving a little.

Dan watched her until she shut the door, then he reached up and undid his tie. He was glad the pullout bed was comfortable, because he needed his beauty rest, too. His jacket came off next, and then his cummerbund. Although he felt like tossing them all on a chair, and worrying about it in the morning, he hung them up like a good little guest. By then, Jessica had appeared in her kimono and hurried to the bathroom.

He stopped on his way to making his bed, staring at the bathroom door. Was she naked underneath that robe? He could picture her so clearly it was painful. He wanted to walk in on her, lift her up and sit her on the edge of the counter. Spread her legs apart and stand real close, so that the heat of her could warm his already hot body. Kiss her until she forgot about sleep, forgot about work. Run his hands over her stunning breasts, feel the heft of them, the rigid peaks of her nipples. He’d take his time tasting her, sucking each nipple until her fingers clawed his back.

And then he’d get on his knees, pulling her forward until her hot center was open before him. He’d work his tongue slowly, teasing all around her clit until she begged, and then he would be relentless. To make her come until she couldn’t stand it another second. When she was almost to the point of madness, that’s when he’d stand up. Hold her right there at the edge, and he’d enter her in one hard stroke, filling her, making her come yet again.

The bathroom door opened and he spun to his left, acutely aware of the bulge in his tuxedo pants. He didn’t want her to think sex was all he ever thought about, although with her, that was mostly true.

“All yours,” she said, and she made her way to the bedroom.

“Thanks,” he said over his shoulder. He didn’t relax until he was alone, and then, the relaxation only went as far as his shoulders.

He grabbed some pajama bottoms, which he didn’t much care for. He slept in the nude, but his mother had gotten him the blue cotton pair two Christmases ago and he figured it was only right to put them on now.

Once in the bathroom, he turned on the shower, peeled off the rest of his clothes and stepped inside. He probably should have made the water cold, but that idea seemed excessive when there was a perfectly acceptable alternative.

He grabbed the soap and after a quick wash, he took matters into his own hands. Well, hand. Eyes closed, he thought about picking up where he’d left off, but he’d liked the foreplay too much. The venue changed to the living room. Right out there, with the couch already made into a bed. And Jessica wasn’t in the kimono. No, she was wearing that incredible scarlet dress. He placed her in front of the sliding glass door. Behind it, Manhattan glittered like a jewel, but his gaze would be squarely on her reflection, so clear he could read her eyes as he stood close behind her. Close enough to nibble on the soft curve of her neck, right where it became shoulder. He’d run his fingers softly over the expanse of her back, giving her goose bumps, making her quiver. Then he’d find the soft little lobe of her ear and run his tongue up into the shell, then nip again at the lobe as he grasped her zipper and pulled it down, down.

His breathing got heavier as the images spilled in front of him, each more erotic than the next. But he didn’t want it to end, not yet. There was still too much to see.

JESSICA SPREAD her legs, and ran her hand down her stomach as the images in her head went from hot to scalding. She’d tried to sleep, but it was useless. Not while Dan was on the other side of that door, and not with the memory of his kiss still on her lips.

My God, what he’d done to her. It was crazy. She hardly knew him, and she wasn’t one of those fickle females who’d drop her panties at the first sight of a good-looking guy. Okay, so Dan was more than good-looking. He was incredible, and the way he kissed.

Her fingers found the fold of her sex, and she didn’t waste any time going for the magic. She’d learned years ago to take care of her own needs, and saw nothing wrong with it. In fact, her ability to pleasure herself had kept her out of trouble on more than one occasion. Tonight, for the first time she could recall, she felt how incredibly lacking it was. Not that she couldn’t get herself off, that was just a matter of imagination and persistence, but oh, how she wanted to feel him next to her. To see his body, to see what he would do with her.

His creativity, she felt certain, ran to more than just computer software. No, this was a man who would take his time. Who would use everything at his disposal to bring her pleasure. His kiss had told her so much…too much. And she wanted more.

She fixed an image in her head while she increased her speed and pressure. Dan, walking in right now, naked, hard. Big and hard. So hard. Throwing back the covers, catching her with her hand in the cookie jar. Giving her that wicked grin of his. Climbing onto the bed, pulling her hand away. Telling her to relax, and let him do the driving.

Her nipples hardened as she pictured him taking each one between his lips, circling, sucking, while his hands explored her body. She’d reach out and find that hard length of his and do her own exploration. There was something so intoxicating about the softness of the flesh encasing something so rigid. She loved playing with penises, although she didn’t often get the chance.

But then she’d let him go as he slid down, licking her every inch of the way from her breastbone to her nether lips.

Oh, God, she had to slow down…If she didn’t she would…

…COME. He wasn’t ready yet, but dammit, the picture in his head! He had her up to the glass, so cold she’d cried out when her naked back had pressed against it. His hands holding her ass, holding her up so that her body was perfectly aligned for his entry. He’d taken her mouth with his, and kissed her deeply, and then he’d thrust inside her so hard he’d nearly lost it that second.

But he’d held on and now, in a picture so vivid he could practically taste her, he continued to thrust, pretending it wasn’t his hand.

It was too late, he couldn’t hold back another second. He pumped, fast, and his pelvis pushed involuntarily until there…there…“Jessica!”