The Final Act by Bonnie Dee Page B

and moved his arm behind her shoulders. He cupped the side of her face with his other hand. She felt a warm puff of air against her face and smelled the sharp marijuana smell before his lips settled over hers. His kiss was soft, sweet and light. He didn’t so much as flick his tongue across her lips and pulled away after several seconds.
    Her eyes flickered open to look into his, so close she could see the dark ring and striations of each gray-green iris. He blinked, and his long lashes swept his cheeks.
    Gretchen touched the tip of her tongue to her vibrating lips. Her pulse beat swiftly. She clutched the material of his shirt, feeling the warmth of his body and the rise and fall of his rib cage.
    Jake’s eyes focused on her mouth. His hand slipped into her hair and around the back of her neck, supporting her as he teased her lips apart and kissed her deeper. His tongue stroked hers and his hand moved down her back, pulling her closer.
    She was aware of every inch of his hard body pressed against her. His heat sheared through the fabric of her clothes, enveloping her in warmth and making her skin prickle with energy. Her nipples tingled where they brushed against her shirt, and she moaned into his mouth. This was happening. She was kissing a stranger, and the way her body was reacting to his touch, she could imagine falling into bed with him before the night was over.
    Gretchen barely registered the sound of a door closing in the apartment, then Trinka’s laughter only a few feet away.
    Jake released her, pulling away from her mouth and removing his strong, warm hands from her body.
    She nearly whined in disappointment. Blinking, she focused on Trinka and Rashid grinning down at them. Rashid’s arm was slung around Trinka’s shoulders. Her dark hair was tousled and her blackberry lipstick smudged. “Wanna use the room?”
    Jake glanced at Gretchen with questioning eyes.
    She knew what would happen if they went to Rashid’s bedroom. It wouldn’t stop with a little making out. Not tonight when her blood was racing through her veins and her body ached to slide naked against Jake’s. But she didn’t believe in taking sex lightly so, reining in her lust for a moment, she shook her head.
    Jake looked up at the others. “No thanks.”
    “Where’d Steve go?” Rashid asked.
    “A beer run.” Jake took his arm from around Gretchen, leaving her back cold, but then he slid his hand down her arm and held her hand again.
    She smiled at their joined hands.
    “Wow, is Gretchen baked or what?” Trinka said. “Look at those eyes!”
    “A little,” Jake replied.
    Gretchen’s eyes drifted closed as the others kept talking. She felt tranquil, sleepy and erotically charged, floating in an unfocused daydream.
    Jake nudged her and whispered, “Hey. It’s time to go home.”
    She jerked awake and sat up. She’d fallen asleep with her head on his shoulder. “Mm. What time is it?”
    “About two.” Jake pulled her to her feet and slipped an arm around her waist.
    Trinka slapped her shoulder. “Lightweight. You didn’t drink that much.”
    She zoned out again during the ride back to the hotel and Jake had to rouse her again. He walked her to her room and they paused outside her door.
    “I had a nice time tonight. I’m glad you came out with us,” he said.
    “Oh yeah, I was great fun, falling asleep on you.”
    He just smiled. “Maybe we could go out sometime. On a date.”
    “I’d like that.” Gretchen returned his smile, surprised at how comfortable she felt with him. They’d barely talked, but she didn’t feel like he was a stranger—and she definitely wanted to see him again.
    “Good.” He cupped her face, tracing her bottom lip with his thumb, then leaned in, and kissed her. When he stepped back, his eyelids were still lowered. The contrast of the long, thick brush of his lashes against his angular cheeks was alluring.
    For a moment, she considered asking him into her room, then Jake opened his eyes and