The Private Eye

wrist.
    “Hold it. Where do you think you're going?” His voice was very soft as he pulled her around to face him.
    Her face aflame, Maggie turned reluctantly and saw that he was smiling now—a slow, sensually menacing smile that did wild and wicked things to Maggie's insides. The sight of him bare to the waist filled her with a pervasive longing. She wondered if she were actually melting somewhere deep in the pit of her stomach. The warmth was amazing.
    “I didn't mean to scare you,” she muttered, thoroughly embarrassed now, and wishing she hadn't given in to the impulse of a moment earlier.
    “I was working.” Josh tugged her closer. “When you knocked on the door my mind was on something else entirely and I overreacted. Ask me again.”
    She was very close to him now. The heat of his skin flooded her senses. She put her hands on his shoulders and luxuriated in the muscled strength she found there.
    “I can't ask you again. I used up all my nerve the first time.”
    His mouth curved as he tipped up her chin with his forefinger. “How about if I ask you?”
    She smiled. “Okay.”
    “Will you kiss me good-night?”
    “You really want me to?”
    “I really want you to,” he assured her.
    She frowned worriedly. “You're not just saying that?”
    “No.”
    “You're not just trying to make me feel less embarrassed?” she persisted.
    “No.”
    “Because I wouldn't want you to do me any favors, you know. I mean, if you're not as interested in this as I am, just say so up front,” she said firmly.
    Josh swore softly. “At this rate we're going to waken the chaperons.”
    Obviously he just wanted her to get on with it, Maggie told herself. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and stood on tiptoe. Then she raised her face to his.
    Nothing happened.
    “Josh?” She opened her eyes and found him studying her with laughter in his eyes.
    “I'm waiting,” he explained.
    Annoyed, she braced herself with her hands on his shoulders and brushed her mouth quickly and rather awkwardly across his.
    “You call that a kiss?” he asked with interest.
    “It doesn't work if you don't cooperate,” she muttered.
    “Ah. So cooperation is what you want. Damn. You should have mentioned that earlier.”
    Before Maggie could think of resisting, he caught hold of her wrist and pulled her into his room.
    Then he shut the door and crowded her back against it. He loomed over her, his hands placed on either side of her head.
    “Now, then, let's try this again.” Josh brought his mouth very close to hers. “Kiss me.”
    Maggie swallowed a small, choked laugh that was part relief and part anxiety and put her arms around his neck. She gave herself up to the heat of his kiss with blissful enthusiasm. She could get addicted to Josh January's kisses, she thought. There was certainly nothing the least bit cold about the man in this department.
    Josh moved in closer, sliding his bare foot between her slippered feet. She could feel the hard thrust of his leg all the way up the insides of her thighs. When he slipped his hand down her back and cupped her buttocks through the fabric of the robe, she sighed against his lips.
    Her robe had parted and the movement of his leg caused her nightgown to ride up. With a thrilling shock, Maggie realized that she could feel the heat of his body burning hers. She clutched at him, feeling deliriously pagan.
    “Maggie,” Josh whispered thickly. “Maggie, sweetheart, you really want me, don't you?” He sounded dazed. “It took a lot of nerve for you to come here like this.”
    She turned her face into his shoulder. “Yes.”
    “It's okay, love. It's okay. Why are you shivering? It's all right. Everything's going to be all right. I want you, too. Very, very badly.”
    He swept her up into his arms and started toward the bed.
    “Josh.” Maggie was horrified. “Your ribs. Your ankle. Put me down. You'll hurt yourself.”
    “We're not going far, Maggie. I think I can make it. Just remember to be gentle with me when we get there.”
    There was sensual laughter in his voice as he carried her the few steps to the massive, canopied bed. She studied him anxiously as he set her down on her feet and pulled back the covers. “You really shouldn't be lifting anything heavy in your condition. Are you sure you're all right?”
    “You'll find out shortly, won't you?” Josh deftly loosened her fingers, which were clutching the edges of her robe again.
    “Josh?”
    He paused and looked into her