The Earl's Secret by Kathryn Jensen

e-mails had stopped, and she’d known that it was over. In a way she had been relieved. Eddie was a dreamer, not the sort of young man she could trust her future to.
    Jennifer lay on her side, still naked, her bottom tucked into the warm male space between Christopher’s muscled stomach and his equally hard thighs. He was relaxed now, breathing deeply, hovering in a shallow sleep. She smiled and wiggled herself in deeper, loving the feeling of his chest pressed to her back, his arm draped up and around her shoulders. Tucking her into him. Keeping her there. Never had she felt so safe and cherished.
    They lay there for another half hour, until she could wait no longer to get up. Showers had to be taken. They would have to drive back to the hotel. A final morning of sight-seeing remained before she could take her group to Heathrow and bid them farewell. Then she had one more day to herself in London, making arrangements for her next tour.
    Christopher stretched and squinted up at her as she extricated herself from his limbs and the warm sheets. “Come back here,” he growled.
    She laughed at him. “If I do, I have a feeling you won’t let me out of that bed for another hour or more.”
    â€œBloody well right,” he grumbled. “Come here, woman. I want to—”
    â€œI know what you want, and it will have to wait,” she retorted lightheartedly. “There’s breakfast at the hotel. Then I’ll be tied up with my clients until I deliver them to the airport around noon.”
    â€œI have to wait that long?” he groaned.
    â€œYup.”
    â€œBullocks.”
    Jennifer grinned and strolled into the bathroom. This was delightful. They had made love most of the night, and Christopher still wanted more of her. She showered quickly, humming happily as the steamingwater splashed over her, then opened the bathroom door to let out the steam.
    â€œI wish I could extend my trip, but my flight leaves tomorrow afternoon,” she called out to him.
    â€œDouble bullocks.”
    â€œBut there’s no reason you can’t come to visit me,” she said, swishing peppermint mouthwash. “I was serious about your coming to Baltimore. You could stay at my place. It would be great fun!”
    She listened for his answer, expecting an enthusiastic Yes! But not a sound came from the other room. Jennifer frowned into the mirror.
    â€œChris, have you fallen asleep again?”
    â€œNo.”
    She didn’t like the tightness of his tone. Turning away from her reflection, she wrapped the towel more tightly around her torso and walked back into the bedroom. “What’s wrong?”
    Christopher had pulled the sheet to his waist and was sitting up in bed, frowning at her. “I believe we’re on two different wavelengths.”
    An ominous chill rippled through her. “Oh? Tell me your wavelength, I’ll tell you mine.”
    â€œI already know yours,” he said in a controlled voice. “Last night…wasn’t just last night to you. It was supposed to be the beginning of something, right?” His eyes were an intense, demanding azure.
    â€œMaybe,” she said cautiously. “I wouldn’t have slept with you if I didn’t think you were very special…if I didn’t like you an awful lot.”
    â€œI like you too, Jennifer,” he said guardedly. His unemotional tone said it all. How could she have been so naive? She had to turn away from him so he wouldn’t see the look of disappointment on her face.
    â€œWhat you’re saying is,” she whispered hoarsely, “for you this was a one-night stand.”
    â€œNot precisely.” Still that careful formation of words, as if he feared she’d become hysterical if he slipped up. “I had hoped to make love to you again, later today and tonight.”
    â€œBut after that?” She risked a quick glance his way.
    He winced. “What am I supposed to