Rogen wasn’t sure what she was getting at but felt compelled to say, “If you think it’d be simple for either of us to walk away again, you’re wrong.”
She was quiet a moment, then said, “I wasn’t really looking to rock the boat tonight, Rogen. I didn’t come here to hook up with you.” Her head rose. “You’re just that irresistible.”
He grinned. “So stay the night and let me make you come a half-dozen more times.”
She stared into his eyes and Rogen felt myriad emotions. He wanted her again. Wanted her in his arms when he fell asleep. Wanted her to still be there when he woke in the morning.
But she wiggled out of his embrace and slipped from the lounger. She used one of the towels to tidy herself and then tossed it in the rattan linen basket.
She stood with her back to him, her skin golden in the moonlight.
He didn’t have to see the look on her face to know how conflicted she was. He felt it himself, to the depths of his soul. Watched with a heavy heart as she crossed the patio to their discarded clothes and pulled on her thong. Stepped into her dress and secured it at the shoulder. Put her heeled sandals on.
She collected her purse and retrieved her cell. Phoned her driver to meet her at the house up the hill from the mansion.
Disappointment snaked through Rogen. Coiled low in his gut.
Apparently, it was simple for her to walk away.
“You really have to leave so soon?” he asked as he hauled himself up and wrapped a towel around his waist.
She turned to him. Gave a faint smile. “We’d only make it harder on ourselves if I stayed any longer.”
“Am I supposed to pretend this didn’t happen?” Damn the torment in his voice.
Jewel gave a slight shake of her head. “No. And you know I could never pretend it didn’t happen, either. I just don’t know what it means. What to do about it.” She sighed. “I’m having a very bizarre evening.”
“Yeah, I get that.”
“I would stay,” she confessed, “but I want to speak with my parents first thing tomorrow morning. I haven’t seen them in a couple of weeks. Mother’s visits to the apartment Daddy keeps in the city have become less frequent, since her volunteering efforts now transcend counties and keep her busier than ever.”
“When are you going back to San Fran?”
“Sunday night.”
“Then meet me at Bristol’s before that. Three o’clock.”
She hedged, her teeth clamping down on her plump, tempting bottom lip.
He crossed his arms over his chest. “Three o’clock,” he reiterated. Not taking no for an answer.
Jewel nodded. “All right. I’ll be there.”
Rogen unfolded his arms and stalked toward her. He brushed his fingers over her cheek and she trembled at his touch. Her eyes shimmered with the hint of tears.
His head lowered and he kissed her tenderly, lips tangling, no tongue. Then he pulled away ever so slightly. She moved with him, wanting more.
Rogen bit back a triumphant grin. Instead, he kissed her more fervently. Which she responded to, twining her arms around his neck. Sealing her body to his.
It seemed she couldn’t get enough of him any more than he could of her.
But, inevitably, she broke the kiss. She said, “I really do have to go.”
He let out a low growl of frustration. “What’s the rush, Cinderella?”
Her thumb swept over his furrowed brow. “Not so much Cinderella. More Juliet, don’t you think?”
“I refuse to believe we’re meant to end in tragedy,” he adamantly told her.