Page 63 of Jacques

He chuckled, kicked off his shoes and sat on the opposite bed. “Okay. Although I’m not tired.” He lay back on the pillow. “Is that better?”

She scrubbed her hand through her hair. “No. It’s not.” Danny turned on her side. “Forget that stupid bed. I want you...” She flipped over onto her other side. “Oh, to hell with it. I’ll shut up now.”

A moment later, the mattress behind her sank.

“Is this what you wanted?” Jacques asked, his voice warm, deep and sexy.

Danny hesitated, embarrassed but unable to resist. She turned to find Jacques facing her, leaning up on his elbow, a slow smile spreading across his face.

“Well, yes...sort of,” she whispered. “Only closer.”

He scooted closer, still not touching her. “Better?”

She shook her head. “Closer.”

He reached out and brushed a strand of her hair from her cheek. “Show me.”

Danny, her pulse quickening, slid closer until her body pressed into his.

He slipped his arm beneath her.

She laid her cheek against his chest and sighed. “Better.”

“Much better.” His breath stirred the hair across the top of her head. “Now rest.”

She wanted more, but having him hold her would be enough for the moment. Danny willed herself to relax and accept the comfort of his arms.

As promised, Jacques woke her with plenty of time to get ready for an early dinner with her brother. In the bathroom, she changed into a dark green skirt and a matching sweater she’d purchased in New Orleans on a whim and had never had the chance to wear in Bayou Mambaloa. Now she was glad she’d bought it. It fit perfectly and made her feel pretty. She brushed her hair back and secured it in a messy bun.

Jacques stood at the window wearing black trousers, a black button-down shirt and a black blazer. When she stepped out of the bathroom, he smiled. “You’re beautiful.”

Her cheeks heated. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

He crossed the room and stood in front of her, staring down into her eyes. “That color brings out the green in your eyes.” He leaned in and brushed his lips briefly against hers. “Ready?”

Heat burned through her. She was ready, all right. But not to go to dinner with her brother. If she could cancel, she’d stay in the room and do some more kissing.

Instead, she nodded.

They took the elevator to the ground floor.

As they emerged into the hotel lobby, Caleb and Anton waited at the elevator doors.

“I’m sorry. I forgot my cell phone in my room,” Caleb said. “I’ll only be a minute.” He stepped into the elevator.

Anton followed. “Beau went to get the car,” he said as the doors closed.

Jacques and Danny walked slowly across the lobby and stood inside the glass doors, killing time until Caleb and Anton returned.

A van parked in front of the door. Porters helped unload passengers and their luggage.

“There’s Beau.” Jacques pointed at the large SUV pulling into the driveway and stopping on the far side of the van, leaving enough room for other vehicles to pass between them.

After the luggage and passengers were discharged, the van drove off, leaving a clear view of Beau seated in the SUV.

“Want to wait in the vehicle?” Danny asked.

“We can do that.” Jacques rested his left hand at the small of her back and walked with her into the revolving door. Jacques moved ahead of Danny and opened the rear passenger door.