Joan Hohl - A Man Apart

“You know what?” She pulled his trick of forging ahead without waiting for a response. “I’m hungry, too.”

He flashed his most sexy smile. “Good. Let’s grab some lunch.”

Within ten minutes, again working easily together, they sat down to a meal.

Where before they had cleaned up the kitchen in compatible silence, this time they chatted away about this and that, nothing earth-shattering, simply kitchen talk.

From the kitchen they returned to the bedroom to gather the dirty laundry. They had no sooner set foot inside the room when Justin placed a hand on her arm, stopping her in the process of bending to start collecting clothes.

“You know what?” he asked again, and once more going on without pause, “I think it would be a waste of that invitingly rumpled bed.” He raised that brow and flashed that wicked smile. “Don’t you?”

Hannah wanted to say no. She really did. But her vocal chords and tongue wouldn’t cooperate, and what came out was a hushed and breathless “Yes.”

Later, lying replete and boneless beside him, Hannah silently marveled at the sexual prowess of the man holding her firmly against him. She loved the feel of his warm skin against hers, his breath ruffling her hair, his hands smoothing, soothing her back with long strokes of his hand. She gave a soft, contented sigh. Could she possibly love…

Don’t go there. Hannah repeated the order she had given herself once before. This was merely fun and games. A few days out of the ordinary.

Allow yourself a few more days of physical indulgence, then run for home as though your very emotional stability depended on it…for it just might.

Spurred by her introspection, Hannah rolled out of Justin’s arms, off the bed and grabbed up her robe. “I’m taking a shower,” she announced, making a bee-line for the bathroom.

“Hey, wait,” Justin barked, coming after her.

He was too late. She flipped the lock jut as he reached for the doorknob.

“Hannah,” he pleaded with a soft laugh. “Let me in.”

“You’ve been in,” Hannah dared to playfully remind him. “A lot. And I loved every minute of it,” she conceded, smiling at his exaggerated groan. “Now I want to have a long shower and shampoo my hair. I’ll see you in about a half hour…if you’re lucky.”

“A half hour?” Justin shouted. “What the hell am I going to do for a half hour?”

“I’m sure you’ll figure something out.” She turned the water on full force to drown out any reply he might make.

Hannah felt wonderfully clean as she stepped from the shower. She also was rather proud of herself, as she had finished five or so minutes faster than she had promised Justin.

Holding her robe around her, she entered the bedroom. The room was empty, not a half-naked, too-attractive man in sight. To her surprise, not only was the floor clear of their clothes, the bed had been stripped and remade.

The man in question continued to amaze her. Whoever thought Mr. Philanderer would turn out to be so domesticated?

Taking advantage of the moment or privacy, Hannah dug in her suitcase for a clean set of clothes. When she was dressed, she stepped into her slippers.

Feeling warmer, and relatively protected by the clothing, Hannah plugged in her blow dryer and went to work on her hair with a round brush. She was making progress, the long strands no longer dripping, when Justin breezed into the room.

“The sheets are in the washer. It’ll shut off in about fifteen minutes.” He went to a dresser to remove fresh clothing. “As you’ll note, I remade the bed.”

“And now you want applause?”

He grinned. “No, a kiss will do for a reward.”

“I don’t think so.” She shook her head.

Up went the eyebrow. “You don’t trust me?”

“Not for a heartbeat.” Trying not to laugh at his sorrowful expression, she grabbed her brush. “You get your shower, while I finish drying my hair.”

He heaved a deep, noisy sigh. “You’re one tough lady, sweet Hannah. You know that?” Grumbling loudly, Justin strode to the bathroom.

Never in a million years would Hannah have believed she could have so much fun with a man. She had hardly even laughed with-Well forget that one. He had been much too serious and full of himself, among other things.

Giggling Hannah decided on the spot that she would stay on, perhaps until the end of the week with Justin. She felt relaxed and happy. Why not enjoy his company, the fun and laughter, if only for a few more days?

After all, once the few days were over, she’d be flying back to her real life in Philadelphia. Justin would be heading back to his ranch in Montana.

They’d probably never see each other again.

The thought was oddly depressing.

Hannah was home in her apartment in Philadelphia. It was Sunday. She had flown into the airport late the previous Friday and had been home for a week and one day.

She had yet to hear a word from Justin.

Well, what had she expected? Hannah asked herself, making a half-hearted attempt to dust the living room. They had spent five days together. Five wonderful days that had left her so relaxed, her assistant had noted it the moment she had walked into the small suite of offices Monday morning.

“You look positively glowing,” Jocelyn had exclaimed. “Were you in South Dakota, or did you hide away somewhere in some exclusive spa?”

Hannah had to laugh. Actually, she felt terrific. “No spa, I promise I was in South Dakota the whole time.”

Jocelyn leveled a measuring look at her. “Well, something put that sparkle in your eyes. A man?”

Hannah knew her soft sigh and satisfied smile gave her away. The warmth spreading up her throat and over her cheeks was answer enough. Damn her new propensity to blush.

“Aha!” Jocelyn crowed. “Was he handsome? Was it romantic? Was he great in bed?”

“Jocelyn, really. ” Now Hannah’s cheeks were burning. “You know I’m never going to answer such personal questions.”

“Sure.” Jocelyn grinned. “But I don’t need a blow-by-blow-” she giggled “-pardon the pun. Your expression says it all.”

Hannah blinked, startled. “It’s that obvious?”

“Yes, boss. I’m sorry, but it is. You needed a break.”

That was Monday. This was Sunday. Hannah was no longer amused, or glowing. She was hurting inside, and she feared the tiny lines of tension were about to make another appearance.

But then, she had known all along that their moment out of time couldn’t last. What had she been secretly hoping for, that Justin would be on the very next flight east, following her back?

No, she hadn’t hoped for that, even secretly.

But one phone call just to find out if she had arrived safely would have been nice, not to mention thoughtful. Had she really believed Justin was thoughtful? Hannah chided herself. Just because he helped her prepare meals, pick up their clothes that were forever flung without care to the floor, smooth the bedding that was inevitably rumpled? Because the last time they had made love there had been a sense of desperation? And because his goodbye kiss had been deep, lingering, as if he couldn’t bear to stop?

Hannah knew better. At any rate she should have. They had played house, she and Justin, like little kids. Okay, not exactly like kids.

Hannah shivered at the memory. It had been fun, playing house together. It had been more than fun, it had been wonderful, an awakening of her senses and sensuality.

Tears misted her eyes. Why the hell had she gone and done something as stupid as fall in love with him? For she had fallen in love with Justin, no strings for me, Justin, philanderer extraordinaire.