Read Stroke of Midnight for Free Online Page A

stood. He held out his hand to Jaye, hoping the jet really had outrun the turbulence that had threatened her equilibrium. As much as he wanted her, he wouldn’t coax an unwilling woman.
    Her gaze warmed, her attention focused on him and the ease of relief ran along his veins. She placed her oh-so-skilled hand in his and rose from her seat.
    Her eyes sparked with humor. “You know what I think?” she asked.
    “I have no idea what’s going through your mind. Except for sex, of course.”
    “I think we should just get down to business.”
    “Business?”
    “Yes.” She blew a breath aimed for her bangs, ruffled them and went on. “For people so intent on spending two weeks in the sack, we’ve done a lot of not having sex.”
    “I disagree. Since our first eye contact we’ve been doing nothing but.”
    The mirth in her gaze left him dazzled. “You’ve got a point. I wanted you at first sight.” She smoothed a hand across her flat belly. “I was getting hungry, but I’m not now.”
    “I’ll get us some cheese and crackers. Grapes?”
    “Yes, I’d love that.”
    “Do you need anything else?”
    “My bag.”
    He opened the overhead bunk and took down a carry-on sized wheeled suitcase he hadn’t seen until now.
    “Thank you,” she said and took the handle. She walked through the galley and crossed the foot of the bed, heading for the bathroom.
     
    Jaye found a tiny shower, commode and sink complete with a lighted mirror over the vanity. There was just enough space on the floor to open Tina’s suitcase.
    On top of her borrowed clothes, she found an item wrapped in tissue. The gold foil seal holding the edges together was stamped with the logo of the lingerie shop from the hotel back in Scottsdale.
    “Tina,” she murmured. “Bless you.”
    She pulled off the seal and spread open the tissue. Inside she found a black nightie. She pulled it out and held the gown up to her reflection. Not a nightie, she realized when she saw the length. Exquisitely cut on the bias, the gown was a delicate, cut velvet black negligee in her size. The pattern would cover her nipples and crotch with black velvet, and leave her waist area sheer. Very sexy. The quality and style of the gown left her speechless. She hoped it had the same effect on Alex.
    Quickly, she gathered her toiletries and showered. The hot water danced off her skin, hit her beaded nipples and slid down her body through her pubic curls. All she could think of was Alex’s tongue following the same path.
    She dried her skin slowly, patting herself all over with the luxurious Egyptian cotton towel. Thoughts of Alex and what they’d soon be doing to each other left her skin looking rosy. She’d worn a shower cap, so needed nothing more than a brief brushing to style her hair.
    Her heart thrummed in her chest, her fingers shook and her loins melted at the thought of spending the next few hours locked in carnal delight with Alex Carmichael. Emphasis on the carnal, she thought with a giggle.
    She looked at her reflection and pursed her lips in a prim moue. “Adult women with teenage sons don’t giggle,” she told herself. “Especially not about sex.”
    She slid the gown on and adjusted the bodice to drape across her nipples. She marveled at how hard they were. How, erect, they made her breasts appear perkier. She was rosy with sexual need, but didn’t care. He knew damn well what he’d been saying would make her blood sing.
    And now, she was going to make him pay.
    She grabbed her bottle of body lotion, hid it behind her back and stepped back into the bedroom.
    Alex was propped against the pillows, his chest exposed to his waist. His chest hair covered his nipples and trailed a line south. His eyes lit at the sight of her and she stood still, let him drink his fill.
    He patted the bed beside him, lifted the duvet in invitation and said, “Let’s get down to business.”
    “My skin’s dry from the shower. Dry and hot. I need to cool down first, get all