From the Heart by Nora Roberts Page B

waitress.” She frowned and pushed her glasses up on her nose. “What was I trying to say?”
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œHow is it you can be so clear-eyed and annoying this morning when you didn’t have any more sleep than I did?”
    He smiled at that as he rose and walked to her. “Because I’ve been sitting here listening to you spout information on the Arapaho and various Plains tribes and thinking that the thing I want most to do is make love to you again.” He pulled her to her feet. “Right now.”
    She accepted the kiss with a murmur of agreement. If she had one disappointment, it was that she had been unable to wake beside him that morning. But there had been Alison to think of. Last night, she thought now as her mouth heated under his, had been much too short. And the night to come was too far away.
    â€œI don’t think we’re going to get much work done this way,” she murmured.
    â€œWe’re not going to get any done.” Jordan slipped the glasses from her face and put them behind him on the desk.
    â€œCome on.”
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œUpstairs.” He was already pulling her to the door.
    â€œJordan.” Kasey laughed and tugged on her hand. “It’s eleven o’clock in the morning.”
    â€œTen minutes of,” he corrected, glancing at the clock as they passed through the parlor.
    â€œJordan, you’re not serious about this.”
    â€œTell me that in half an hour.” He was propelling her up the stairs. “Alison’s in school, my mother is at one of her famous committees and I want you.” He opened the door to his room. “In my bed.”
    She was inside and locked in his arms. There was no denying his hunger. She was already dizzy from it. His mouth was ravaging hers as if he had been starved for the taste.
    â€œJordan.” Kasey managed to breathe when his lips sought her throat. “We’re hardly alone here.”
    â€œI don’t see anyone else,” he murmured as his lips trailed up to her ear.
    She moaned and tried to keep her balance. “There are servants all over the house this time of morning.” He pulled her to him for a brief, hard kiss, then released her. Kasey felt the earth tilt.
    In two strides, Jordan was beside the phone. He lifted the receiver and pressed a button without taking his eyes from her. “John, give the staff the day off. Yes, the entire staff. Right now. You’re welcome.” Jordan replaced the phone and smiled at her. “Fifteen people are about to be very grateful to me.”
    â€œSixteen,” Kasey corrected. “Thank you, Jordan.”
    He crossed back to her. “For what?”
    â€œFor understanding that I needed to be alone with you. Really alone. It’s important to me.”
    He lifted a hand to her cheek. She was becoming important to him, he realized. Very important. “You will have to make your own coffee, now,” he murmured.
    â€œWhat coffee?” With a smile, Kasey began to unbutton his shirt. “Would you like to hear my opinion of coffee?”
    â€œNot now.” Jordan felt the need pushing at him as she moved to the second button.
    â€œWell, I suppose I might bore you with it,” she mused, loosening the third button.
    â€œThe one thing I don’t think you could possibly do is bore me.”
    Kasey’s fingers stopped, and her smile spread slowly. “Thank you, Jordan. That’s a very nice thing to say.”
    Deliberately, he took his fingers to the top button of her own shirt. “But if I were to tell you that you were the most generous, the most genuine, person I’ve ever known, you’d change the subject.”
    The warmth filled her and clouded her brain. She didn’t know how to answer, was terrified she would overreact and spoil the moment. Being in love, she discovered, made it more difficult to harness the emotions—and more necessary.