Fever by Kimberly Dean Page B

She knew he’d gotten special permission for her to come up here. He’d liked it when she’d indicated interest in more than just than the number side of the business.
    “We’ll do that later,” he said abruptly. Reaching behind her, he jabbed the up button for the elevator. “Right now, we need to go to my room.”
    “Jack!” Delia gasped. The doors opened, and he started nudging her inside. She tripped over her heels and caught his shoulders as he backed her up against the wall. “What are you doing?”
    “The security boys can wait.” His eyes took on a gleam that she recognized. “ I can’t .”
    She couldn’t either, but this was so unlike him. Where was his focus? His sense of responsibility? They had a job to finish. As much as she wanted to be with him, they needed to fulfill their obligations first.
    Jackson seemed more interested in nibbling on her ear. She pushed at his shoulders. “We can’t run off like this,” she said, trying to convince herself as much as him. “You have to be there for the final walk through.”
    He punched the button for the seventh floor with relish. “Berkshire hotel management signed off on the project an hour ago.”
    Her jaw dropped in surprise. They’d signed off early? That was unheard of. “Are you saying we’re done? We’ve completed all our contractual work?”
    “Done, completed, finished, crossed-off and double-checked.” He pulled back and looked at her with that penetrating gaze of his. “I wasn’t going to spend another night without you.”
    “Oh, Jackson.” Her fingers bit into his broad shoulders. The project had been a major undertaking for the whole company. It had taken months, and they’d had more than a few set-backs. To hear that they were really and truly done stunned her.
    It also made her a little uneasy.
    His look didn’t waver. “This is a big milestone for us, Delia.”
    “I know,” she said, her throat going tight. In a way, she’d tried not to think about it. They’d gotten together on the night before the bid, but now the project was over. “What happens next?”
    “We celebrate,” he said, firmly squashing any doubts about their future.
    The elevator doors opened, and he grabbed her hand. Delia followed happily as he led her through the maze of stark, utilitarian hallways. Just when she was completely turned around, he opened a door and they walked into another world. The lush surroundings of the guest portion of the hotel were disconcerting, but Jackson knew exactly where he was going.
    “I figure two more days in this hotel room should take the edge off.” He stopped in front of Room 715, the room she’d called repeatedly just to hear the sound of his voice. He pulled her into his arms for another quick kiss. “Then I thought we’d go on vacation.”
    “Vacation?” She blinked. She hadn’t been on vacation for years. Unemployment tended to do that to a gal.
    “Anywhere you want to go. Hawaii, Florida, the Caribbean—somewhere I can get you into a bikini. Preferably with a thong.”
    Delia couldn’t help it. She blushed. She’d asked him once if he thought her backside was shapely.
    He did.
    Jackson’s eyebrows drew together. “What’s the matter? Don’t you want to go away with me?”
    “I do.” She moved closer and brazenly rubbed her hand against his crotch. “I was just thinking that somewhere with snow might be fun.”
    He made a strangled sound and jabbed his key card at the door lock. It took him three tries before he got it open. “Stupid security,” he grumbled.
    She nipped at his earlobe. “That security will be paying for my thong.”
    “Good point.” He tugged her inside and slammed the door behind them. “Get out of those clothes.”
    Delia laughed and reached for the tie at the side of her dress. She’d come prepared. She pulled on the belt, and the wrap-around dress gaped open to reveal the sexy lingerie she’d bought just for him.
    He nearly went down on his knees before her.