Just Add Spice

She clenched him tight, making him groan. He rode out the cl

imax, holding her firmly against his body.

Heat to rival the burn of her martinis consumed her.

Reminding her… “Thanks for taking care of me last night, Rafe.”

He nuzzled her neck. “Thanks for letting me.”

She considered that little nugget. She’d actually been okay with him getting her the aspirin and water. Helping her through a disparaging part of her evening.

Yet another interesting development. Normally, she would have brushed him off to fend for herself. But last night—

“Hey,” she said as his sinfully delicious body still covered hers and he nipped gently at her throat.

“Hmm?”

“How’d you end up here, anyway?”

“Tad called me. You cried yourself to sleep on his sofa.”

“Ugh. How humiliating.”

Rafe said, “No. You clearly had to get it out of your system.”

“So if I was asleep, why didn’t he just leave me there? Why call you?”

“Why do you think he called me?”

“Oh.” Jenna’s eyelids fluttered closed. “Right. Cupid wanted you to see me all vulnerable and in need of someone to comfort me. You, specifically.”

He chuckled. “Okay.”

“He’s so sneaky. Taking advantage of the porcupine and exposing her soft underbelly.”

Rafe’s laugh was much heartier this time. “Do porcupines have soft underbellies?” He rubbed her stomach. “Hmm…indeed they do.”

“Funny.”

He said, “I already know you have a soft side, sweetheart. You helped my cousin Margaret through her last year of high school French when you were hellaciously busy.” He paused, then added, “Speaking of… Aunt Zelda said you haven’t stopped by the bakery yet.”

“I did just get into town, Rafe.”

“Yes, but Mags has taken over because Aunt Rose Marie is helping Lucy with the twins while Tonio’s at the restaurant. And you know how Mags looks up to you…”

“I’ll go see her. But first…” She shifted slightly. He withdrew from her and she rolled toward him.

“Yes?” he asked, eyeing her curiously.

“I’m having one small problem with Sampogna’s. I don’t want to alarm you,” she was quick to say as she lifted a hand when he opened his mouth to speak. “It’ll work itself out. But… I’m not envisioning a color scheme, Rafe. The décor is a complete mystery to me right now.”

His brow furrowed. “That’s always the first thing you see.”

“I know. But the remodel isn’t completely gelling in my mind. The layout and the big-ticket items that need to be upgraded or replaced or fixed, yes. Those are easy to identify. The palette and linens, however, aren’t clicking in my mind. I don’t have a niggling of a direction to take.”

His fingertips brushed along her temple. “It’ll hit you. Out of the blue. You always nail the décor, sweetheart.”

“Oh, my God.” She gasped as realization dawned. “You watch my show.”