Awaken to Pleasure - By Nalini Singh Page 0,51

just stood there, stunned at the image. She'd expectedJacksonto look annoyed, in spite of her instructions. At best, she'd thought he'd attempt neutrality. Instead, the photographer had caught him as he'd glanced down at her, and there was something in his dark gaze that took her breath away.

"What's that?" Still in his pajamas, Nick walked out of his room and hugged her middle. "Cool.Jackson likes you a lot, huh?" He was looking up at her, seeking reassurance.

Reaching out, she stroked his hair. "I think that maybe he does." She wanted to believe it was real, that expression of intense protective care, but more than likely, her own terrifying hunger for his passionate heart was leading her to imagine things.

"What're you two looking at?"Jackson,dressed in slate-grey slacks and a white shirt, unbuttoned at the neck, came to stand behind her. By unspoken agreement, neither of them referred to the powerful intimacy of the night he'd spent in her arms.

His willingness to let her hold him had shaken all ofTaylor's beliefs about men, about him. For such a dominant man to accept her need to care ... it had revealeda sensitivity to her emotions that forced her to confront some harsh truths.Jacksonhad trusted her despite the betrayals he'd suffered in the past. Did she have the courage to do the same? Or would she always be a coward, unable to commit to anything?

She saw him ruffle Nick's hair and he hugged her from behind before playfully biting her neck. "Morning, wife."

Forcing the uncomfortable thoughts from her mind, she said, "Morning, husband."

He reached out with one hand and shifted the paper so he could read the article. "Well, there's nothing too objectionable in it."

Nick had wandered off to get ready for school, soTaylorindulged herself. "Did you notice it describes me as your beautiful new wife?" She peered over her shoulder, taking the same light tone as him. Surely he would've said something if the picture had revealed what she'd thought it had. Disappointment hit her hard, shocking her with the strength of her desire for his love.

Smoldering dark eyes met hers as he turned her around. "Just as well he doesn't know of your temper."

She made a face at him and got herself thoroughly kissed for her trouble, his hands slipping under her thick terry-cloth robe to touch skin.

"I have a meeting," he rasped against her lips. A minute later, "Maybe, I can postpone it." He nuzzled her.

"Hush." Her body was already itchy for him and he was only making it worse. "Do you want coffee?"

He grinned. "I want you." He reached up to cup her breasts, teasing the tips with the pads of his fingers.

She swallowed at the gleam in his eye and tried to concentrate on his mouth rather than his clever hands.

But, looking at his lips only made her want to haul him down to her for a scorching kiss. He removed his hands from her robe just when she was about to start whimpering.

"Coffee!" She shoved a cup into his hands to stop him from doing further mischief.

After breakfast,Taylorwaved off her men and spent the majority of the day on the final organization for the dinner party. That accomplished, she got on the phone with her network of secretaries and other administration staff, inviting them to a very different kind of party.

"A party at JacksonSantorini's ?" one of them whispered, "Are you sure he'll want the riffraff around?"

She rolled her eyes. "He married one of us, you dolt."

"Yeah, but you were always classier than average. I'll be at your barbecue with bells on. See you in a week."

"Bye, Tina."

After hanging up, a hint of disquiet infiltrated her mind. She'd thought she had carte blanche withJackson

's home but maybe he would mind. Nothing in their bargain said that she had the rights an indulged and loved wife would have. Feeling uneasy for the first time, she rang him.

"Cara?"

That warm tone put her at ease. "Jackson, I'm inviting several of my friends, including studio people, to a barbecue, a few days after the dinner party." There was no response. "Is that all right?"

"They are your friends?"

She wondered at the odd note in his voice. "Yes."

"Then they are welcome in our home." He sighed. "The secretaries aren't going to lynch me are they?"

So, that was the problem, she thought in relief. "No, I'll protect you."

"Don't everstop, piccola ." The request was quiet but her heart thundered. Had she imagined the incredible tenderness in that deep voice?

"I won't," she promised. "Have you heard