His gaze caught hers in the blinking red and green glow. He gently found her center, and her hips flexed in reaction.
Then his mouth was on hers, kissing her passionately, his tongue delving deeply into her mouth as his finger entered her body.
She moaned, and her thighs twitched apart.
He stretched his leg over hers, pressing her into the mattress. His hand set up a rhythm, and the world shifted to the apex of her thighs.
She tried to hang on, but he hit all the right spots. She dragged in a breath, inhaling his scent. She flicked out her tongue, tasting sweet brandy on his lips. She twisted the comforter convulsively between her fingers.
He had to stop.
This was crazy.
She was out of control.
She opened her mouth, but her words turned into a cry, and sensation shattered around her.
He held her tight, slowed his kisses, whispered something that she couldn’t begin to hear around the roaring in her ears. But it sounded nice. It sounded soothing. It sounded like she didn’t have to worry that she’d just let go under his caress.
And then the lights blurred and the soft bed turned into a cloud, as a warm peace settled into her very bones.
In the morning, Jack hauled himself out of bed at 6:00 a.m. He’d nearly given in to temptation last night, and he didn’t want to think about what he’d do if Kristy woke up sleepy and pliant in his arms. It could go one of two ways, neither of them good, and he owed it to her to at least try to keep his word from now on.
He left her sleeping and showered down the hall. Then he took coffee into the study. It was too early on the west coast even for Lisa, so he logged on to the Sierra Sanchez computer server and hunted around himself. It took nearly half an hour to find a number for Zenia Topaz.
Jack wanted to make contact with the one person who might be able to help him help Kristy. Zenia Topaz was a top fashion designer, and her contract with Sierra Sanchez gave Jack a little leverage. Plus, they’d grown to be friends over the years.
He’d already ordered what he could think of for Kristy last night from the Manchester area. But he didn’t know anything about international fashion design. He had no idea what was in and what was out, what kinds of things Kristy would need to have a running chance at the Breakout Designer Contest.
Hopefully, Zenia could give him some advice.
And he wasn’t only doing this for Kristy, he assured himself. He had the best interests of Sierra Sanchez in mind, as well.
“Topaz Fashion,” came the cheerful answer.
“Zenia Topaz, please.”
“She’s expecting your call?”
“No. It’s Jack Osland.”
“One moment please, Mr. Osland. I’ll see if she’s available.” The line clicked.
Jack listened to elevator music, tapping his fingers against the desktop as the minutes ticked by. He realized as he waited that he didn’t spend very much of his life on hold. Other people must. Although he had to remember that Zenia hadn’t been expecting his call.
The line clicked again. “Mr. Osland?” came the same voice, sounding a bit breathless and flustered this time.
“Yes?”
“Ms. Topaz will be right with you. I’m sorry, sir.”
“No problem,” said Jack.
Another click.
“Jack,” Zenia’s voice singsonged.
“Good morning, Zenia. How are things in New York?”
“Things are fabulous. The city’s lit up. We’ve been out skating already. Are you in town?”
“I’m in Manchester. I was wondering if you could help me out.”
“Absolutely, Jack. Whatever I can do.”
“Sierra Sanchez is sponsoring a designer in the Breakout Designer Contest at Matte Fashion.”
“Umm-hmm.”
He swiveled his chair to face the window. “She’s working here over the holidays, and I’d like to pick up a few things for her.”
“What kind of things.”
“That’s the problem. I’m not sure.”
“Okay…” Zenia’s voice was searching.
“Fabric, notions, shoes, I don’t know. I was hoping you’d have some ideas.”
“Do you have her sketches?”
“Not really.”
“Jack—”
“It was a last-minute thing. I think she might be building on something she has, or she might be coming up with something brand-new. Gramps met her—”
“Ahhh.”
“Oh. No.” Jack automatically shook his head. “It’s not like that.” Well itwas kind of like that. “Listen, my jet is at your disposal, as is my credit card. Can you make a few calls to your suppliers? Just send one of everything.”