Star of His Heart by Brenda Jackson Page A

with his tongue as he drove into her. His hard thrusts made her bed shake, the springs squeak and the headboard hit against the wall. Not only was he drawing out a need and desire within her, he was fulfilling it to a degree that had her meeting him, thrust for thrust.
    With one final thrust into the depth of her, her body spun into an orgasm of gigantic proportion. As she reveled in her climax, he kissed her with an intensity that elicited moans from deep in her throat.
    At that moment, there was only one thing she could think of. So much for them being just friends.
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    Ethan eased from the bed and slipped into his jeans. Once he had snapped them up, he glanced back over his shoulder at the woman asleep in the bed. Never had any one woman touched him the way she had, in and out of bed.
    And that was the crux of his problem.
    He pulled in a deep breath and leaned down to brush a kiss against her temple and then quickly pulled away when he breathed in the scent of her, which had the power to render him helpless.
    He rubbed a hand down his face. What the hell had he gotten himself into? Rachel had made it clear, exceedingly so and on more than one occasion, that she had no intention of getting involved with anyone she considered to be in the spotlight, anyone who would put the media on her tail. If she became involved with him, she ran the risk of that happening. He knew if there was any ounce of decency within him, he would grab his stuff and leave and when he saw her tomorrow he would pretend last night never happened.
    Easier said than done.
    He couldn’t do that.
    Something was forcing him to not only acknowledge that it happened but to do whatever he could to make sure it happened again.
    He shook his head in dismay as he left the bedroom, closing the door behind him. Wasn’t it just a little over two weeks ago that he’d made the vow to focus on his career more than anything else, certainly more than anywoman? But there was something about Rachel that called out to him at every turn.
    He had gone back into the bedroom he should have been occupying to freshen up when his cell phone on the nightstand rang. He released a deep, annoyed breath when the caller ID indicated it was his agent. “Yes, Curtis?”
    â€œEthan, where are you?”
    He rolled his eyes. “Is there something you need, Curtis?”
    â€œThe paparazzi can’t find you.”
    â€œThat’s too bad,” he murmured with agitation clearly in his voice. “And how did you know they were looking for me?”
    His agent paused a second before saying. “It’s my job to know everything that’s going on with you.”
    Ethan frowned. Was Curtis somehow responsible for the media hounds hanging around outside of his house last night? It wouldn’t surprise Ethan, since his agent liked keeping him in the news. In the spotlight, as Rachel termed it. The thought that Curtis could be connected didn’t sit well with him. “Your job is to advance my career, not fabricate lies about me and my love life.”
    â€œIt’s never bothered you before,” his agent countered.
    The man was right. It hadn’t bothered him before. “It does now, and it would behoove you to remember that. Talk to you later, Curtis.”
    Ethan then disconnected the call.
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    The sound of a ringing telephone worked its way into the deep recesses of Rachel’s sleep-shrouded mind. Without lifting her head from the pillow, she reached out and grabbed her cell phone off the bedside table. “Hello,” she said in a drowsy voice.
    â€œI can’t believe you’re still in bed.”
    Rachel forced one eye open upon hearing her sister’s voice. “What time is it?”
    â€œAlmost noon. You weren’t at church today, and Aunt Lily wanted to make sure you were okay since it’s not like you to miss service.”
    Rachel moaned, which was followed by a deep yawn. “I’m fine,