Star of His Heart by Brenda Jackson Page B

Sofia.” Am I really? “I overslept.” That wasn’t a lie.
    She slowly pulled herself up in bed, surprised she had the energy to do so. Taking part in lovemaking marathons wasn’t something she did often, and thanks to Ethan, her muscles had gotten one heck of a workout.
    Ethan…
    She glanced at the rumpled spot beside her in the bed. It hadn’t been a figment of her imagination. He had been there. His masculine scent was still in her bedcovers. And she could hear him moving around downstairs, which meant he was still there.
    She closed her eyes as memories of their lovemaking flowed through her mind. There were the memories of his hands all over her body, his tongue licking her nipple, his head between her legs, his—
    â€œRachel?”
    She snapped her eyes back open. “Yes?”
    â€œI asked if you wanted to do a movie later.”
    Sofia was a workaholic and any other time Rachel would have jumped at the chance to do something fun with her sister, but not today. But she knew better than to tell her sister the real reason. “Can I get a rain check? I want to finish this painting so it can be ready for the gallery’s opening day.”
    â€œSure, just let me know when.”
    They talked for a few more minutes and then Sofia had to take another call. Rachel disconnected the call and stretched her body in bed, thinking that as much as she had enjoyed making love with Ethan, it couldn’t happen again.
    She eased out of bed, knowing they needed to talk.
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    Few people knew that cooking was one of Ethan’s favorite pastimes, so he wasn’t taken aback by the look of surprise on Rachel’s face when she walked into her kitchen. Her sexy-pixie expression was priceless.
    Something else that was priceless was the way she was dressed. She had showered and was wearing a printed sundress with spaghetti straps at the shoulders and a cute pair of sandals on her feet. On anyone else the simple outfit would have been so-so, but not on her. It gave her an “at-home” look that couldn’t be captured any day on the set.
    There were a number of reasons for him to make that conclusion. Heading the list was the fact that this was the first time he’d seen her out of bed since they’d madelove, so in his book she could have worn a gunnysack and she still would have looked good to him.
    â€œEthan, what are you doing?” she asked, glancing around her kitchen.
    â€œI’m preparing brunch. I figured you’d be hungry when you finally woke up.” He didn’t have to say why he’d expected her to sleep late. Last night had been quite a night for them. He doubted either of them had gotten a full hour’s sleep.
    â€œBut where did you find the stuff to prepare this spread?”
    He smiled. “I went to that grocery store on the corner, and before you ask, no, I wasn’t recognized. I wore my disguise and quickly went in and out.”
    â€œBut your car…”
    â€œI drove yours.” At the lift of her brow he said, “I left a note just in case you woke up while I was gone.”
    â€œOh.” The thought of his male scent infusing the interior of her car was almost too much to think about. Now she would drive her car and think about him.
    â€œYou like cooking, I gather,” she said moving across the room to the coffeepot. The coffee smelled good but she smelled even better. There was a sensuality to her fragrance that could reach him on a masculine level each and every time he took a whiff of her.
    He chuckled. “You gathered right, although I didn’t get an interest until college. It was a quick and easy way to get a girl up to your dorm room.”
    She glanced at him over her shoulder. “I’m sure getting a girl up to your room wasn’t hard, Ethan.”
    A grin formed on his lips. “Should I take that as a compliment?”
    â€œYou should take it for whatever you want. I know it