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intimacy in the marriage; merely postponed the decision. She might have stressed her refusal to be pushed beyond certain limits. After all, returning prodigals were willing to be cooperative up to a point, but only up to a point.
    Instead she heard herself say crisply, „We’ll talk about it later. I’m late for that tour of the kitchens and it’s been my experience that first-class chefs hate to be kept waiting.“
    „We’ll talk about it now, Heather. This is my future as well as your own we’re discussing. I want this aspect of it settled.“
    His stubbornness threatened to trigger her carefully buried instinct to rebel. With an extreme effort of will, Heather reminded herself that she had nothing serious against which to rebel. She was in charge here. It was up to her how much territory she decided to yield.
    „You’re the one who’s nervous, aren’t you?“ she challenged softly. „It’s your future here at the Hacienda that’s on the line, not mine. Well, I can understand that.
    After all, you’re not a full-fledged member of my family. Only marrying me can give you that status.“
    „Let’s just say I’m willing to work hard to get the feeling of having roots and a family and a place to call home. All the things you once threw away so casually and have come back to claim.“
    „I didn’t realize marrying me was going to be such hard work!“
    „I’m beginning to think it’s going to be the hardest job I’ve ever undertaken.“ But he was smiling again and Heather was beginning to realize just how much she liked that strange little half smile.
    „Even more of a reason not to add the extra burden of doing your husbandly duty in bed!“ she retorted briskly.
    He sobered. „Heather, I’m not going to rush you into giving me anything you’re not prepared to give. All I’m asking is that we don’t set deadlines on something as private and personal as this aspect of our marriage. You have my word I won’t demand my so-called rights. In return I’d like yours that you’ll let things happen naturally without restrictions and contractual clauses. Is that too much to request?“
    She stared up at him wonderingly, startled by the genuine honesty in his voice. He was so close, so intent and quietly insistent that she didn’t know how to handle the situation. She needed time.
    „Jake – “
    Heather got no further in her demand. Jake lowered his head, a smoky quality invading the gray depths of his eyes, and the next thing Heather knew her mouth was being slowly and deliberately consumed by his.
    His kiss wasn’t quite what she had expected. For one thing she certainly hadn’t anticipated this degree of controlled hunger. Oddly dazed by the experience, she unconsciously sank her fingertips into the fabric of the tailored, pin-striped shirt he wore. His mouth moved on hers, exploring, tasting, learning the feel of her in incredibly intimate fashion.
    She felt his hands slide around her waist to find the gentle curve at the base of her spine. Then he applied a steady pressure, urging her against his thighs. It was a small shock to her body to learn the promise of heat and hardness that awaited her there. Her lips parted in a low moan of uncertainty; a moan that was silenced as his tongue luxuriously invaded her mouth.
    Heather clung to him, her body vibrantly aware of the gathering warmth of both the day and the man who held her. Her instincts responded to both and her fingertips curved around his broad shoulders in a small gesture of budding excitement. He wanted her. And the flickering uncoiling sensation in the deepest places of her body warned Heather that Jake could make her want him.
    Slowly, with infinite reluctance Jake lifted his head. He continued to hold her molded to the length of his lean body, and the gray smoke of his gaze reflected the lingering, heavily restrained desire in him.
    „Don’t fight it, Heather. There’s no reason we shouldn’t want each other, is there?“ he