Call It Destiny

Jake felt a surge of eagerness. It was just barely possible she was going to accept the sensual attraction between them without any fuss. It would make things a hell of a lot simpler if she did. Firmly he guided her onto another path; one that led in the direction of his cottage.
    „You were the queen of the evening,“ he said after a moment of silence. „Your parents were very proud of you. Liz and Ann were delighted. They got a kick out of the way you charmed the socks off everyone in sight.“
    Beside him Heather exhaled softly. „Everyone who showed up tonight did so for two reasons. One, they like my parents and wouldn’t want to offend them, and two, they wanted to see how I’d turned out.“ Her tone was dry but not bitter. „Since I will be taking my place here in the business community, I had to put on a good performance.“
    „I don’t think it was all a performance. You’re in your element dealing with people, Heather. It comes naturally to you. You make them feel at ease, get them to talk. That’s a valuable talent. I wish I had some of it.“
    „From the way my father talks about you, your own talents in finance and business administration more than make up for any lack of social skills you feel you have.“
    „Very diplomatic,“ he approved. „Will it bother you, Heather?“
    „Will what bother me?“
    „Being married to a man who’s not as at ease with people as you are?“
    He watched her consider the question, her face drawn in surprisingly contemplative lines. „No. To tell you the truth, I think the combination of two people who were overly social might be a bit much.“
    „Brains as well as charm,“ he murmured, silently acknowledging that her answer came as something of a relief.
    „Was that a compliment?“ she asked lightly.
    „It was an observation your father made earlier this evening.“
    „Ah, my father.“ She nodded, pleased. „He’s satisfied with the way I turned out, isn’t he, Jake?“
    „Very.“ Wisely he decided not to add that he himself was pleased. She might find the remark patronizing. Hell, he was sure trying to watch his footwork these days. Trying to be so careful, so restrained. It was a strain, to say the least. Unable to resist, Jake put his hand on Heather’s waist, seeking the feel of her silky warm skin where it was bared by the plunging cut of the gown in back. She didn’t move away.
    They walked the rest of the way to his place in a companionable silence. The warm night enveloped them and the scent of the gardens was rich and enticing. Almost as tantalizing as the scent of the woman beside him, Jake thought. His fingers moved almost unconsciously on her back, tracing the beautiful line of her spine to the point where it disappeared beneath the fabric. Below that the womanly flare of her thighs beckoned. It required an effort of will not to let his hand stray inside the jewel-colored silk.
    „I have some cognac,“ Jake began as he unlocked the front door and ushered her inside.
    „That sounds delightful. Good heavens, I’m exhausted.“ With a delicately stifled yawn Heather dropped down in the black leather love seat that faced the fireplace. The hearth had been filled for the summer with dried flowers. It was nothing unique. The same maids who put the flowers on Jake’s hearth had put them on all the cottage hearths. In the winter, wood would be provided for the nippy evenings. The advantages of living in a fine hotel.
    Out of the corner of his eye Jake watched as Heather slipped off the incredibly high-heeled sandals she had been wearing all evening. The small faintly intimate act told him that she seemed to feel at home in his living room. A distinct flicker of satisfaction went through him as he poured the cognac and carried it across the Navaho rug.
    Heather curled into the love seat, drawing her stockinged feet up under the hem of the silk dress. She reached for her glass, her hazel eyes meeting Jake’s over the rim.
    „To us,“ he said, gently tapping the side of his glass against hers.
    „And to the Hacienda,“ she returned, sipping luxuriously. „It’s been a long evening.“
    „Yes.“
    Jake sat down beside her, casually allowing his thigh to come in contact with her curving knee. The sensation stirred the already circulating restlessness in him but he craved the contact. Like an addict, he told himself grimly. The more I’m around her the more I want of her.
    One more week. That thought seemed to be moving around