Picture Me Sexy by Rhonda Nelson

most—focusing on restraint. He’d need every ounce of willpower he possessed and then some to keep his hands off her.
    Grimly determined to do just that, Sam led her back into the living room where cozy gas logs burned in the fireplace and emitted a little light as well as some much needed heat. He made a mental note to thank his father the next time he saw him for suggesting the gas heat, gas stove and gas hot water heater.
    While the electric blower wouldn’t kick on, the logs would still generate enough heat to keep them moderately warm. Given the fact his blood had been boiling with need since the moment he first saw her, Sam knew he wasn’t in any immediate danger of freezing to death. Still, he’d have hot water for ashower, and the stove would still work, so he’d be able to pull together a quick dinner for his unexpected guest. That was something, anyway.
    Sam conjured a smile and gestured toward the couch. “Why don’t you sit down and I’ll see if I can scare up a few candles?”
    Delaney nodded and did as he suggested. “Sure.”
    Sam padded into the kitchen, riffled through his junk drawer and finally located a pack of emergency candles and a box of matches. He made a quick run through his bedroom and snagged his clock radio from his nightstand before returning to the living room. Thankfully he’d backed it up with batteries for occasions such as these.
    He handed the radio to Delaney. “Would you mind scanning the radio for some news while I light these? See what we can find out about this power outage.”
    â€œGood idea,” Delaney told him.
    By the time he’d lit the last candle, she’d located a station and upped the volume.
    â€œâ€¦a jackknifed eighteen-wheeler struck a substation at 5:37 this evening, knocking out power to almost the entire city and turning rush-hour traffic into an extremely dangerous affair. Emergency crews have been dispatched, but officials at Memphis Power are predicting the outage to last at least until the early morning hours, if not longer. Citizens are encouraged to stay at home, as traffic lights are out as well. Stay tuned to WCBX for futureupdates. All news, all the time. Now let’s take a look at the weather….”
    At least the early morning hours… Resignation added more weight to the ball of dread rolling around Sam’s belly. He glanced at Delaney and pushed his lips into a facsimile of a smile. Good news, he’d be sleeping with her. Bad news, he’d be sleeping with her. He stared at the top of her head and watched his career disintegrate. “Well, I guess we need to get comfortable. Can I get you anything to drink?”
    Seemingly distracted by her thoughts, Delaney returned his grin. “No thanks, not at the moment, anyway.”
    â€œWhat about a blanket?” He considered asking her if she wanted to go change, but for some wholly self-serving reason, he didn’t. The idea hadn’t occurred to her yet, and he perversely hoped that it didn’t. If he were suddenly going to turn into a glutton for punishment, he might as well enjoy it.
    She nodded. “That would be nice, thanks.”
    Sam pulled a quilt from the back of the sofa and handed it to her. Having fulfilled his gracious host duties for the time being, he sank down onto the couch as well. He laced his fingers together, laid them on his belly and expelled a long silent breath. The firelight cast dancing shadows on the walls and floors, and the candles pierced the darkness around the spacious room, lending an even more intimate feel to the atmosphere. He cast a surreptitious glanceat the woman seated next to him and felt another vicious jab of lust land in his midsection.
    Delaney’s pale blond hair seemed to glow and move like some living thing as the flickering flames bobbed and climbed in the grate. In the golden glow, in that barely-there gown, she looked like a wood nymph or a fairy,