Meg licked the remnants of chocolate mousse from her spoon and leaned back in her chair. She closed her eyes and sighed. Dinner had been amazing, their conversation funny and enlightening. The only thing that could top it off now would be if Jack took her back to his room to remind her why she'd had so much trouble leaving him the last time.
"You look like you're about to orgasm right there in the chair," he said from the other side of the table.
She opened her eyes and let out a breathy laugh, sweeping her tongue over her lower lip to check if there were any leftovers. "It was so good I almost did."
His mouth twitched as he watched her, his gaze hovering on the spot she'd just licked. "Want me to take care of that for you?"
Meg smiled and glanced around the restaurant, wondering too late whether she should be embarrassed by her behavior. "I really want to say yes, but I think I'm all set now."
"Don't say I didn't offer."
The amusement in his voice drew her attention to him again, and the warmth in his eyes... God, it just did things to her.
He'd been this way with her all night. Friendly and laidback, never too pushy or obvious. Even then she'd still picked up on the sensual undercurrent, leaving her with no doubt that he wanted to get her naked again.
She just wished the hours between now and whenever that turned out to be would move a little quicker.
Twenty-four hours in the company of a near stranger, and her whole outlook on holiday flings had started to change.
With their plates emptied and the wine long gone, they settled the bill, then Jack pulled her to her feet and kept hold of her hand as they made their way across the room.
When they stepped outside onto the street, the wall of humidity stole her breath.
Spicy aromas drifted from the food vendors' carts, mingling with the ever-present incense in the air. Tourists moved to and from the nightclubs and eateries, some looking happy and full of energy while others were stumbling drunk.
The constant sound and movement created a beautiful, colorful kind of chaos, pulling Meg's attention one way and then another.
As they set off in the direction of the hotel, Jack's thumb swept over the back of her hand, keeping her aware of his presence even when her focus had shifted elsewhere. They walked in silence for a while, then he squeezed her hand. "Are you planning on running away from me again tonight?"
His words were nearly lost amid the raised voices, but she couldn't miss the teasing note there. "Are you asking me to stay with you?"
"Would you say yes if I did?"
She thought about the conflicting feelings she'd experienced last night, the ones that had her desperate to curl up next to him and run away as fast as she could at the same time. They didn't seem to be there anymore, and she wondered if they were gone for good. "I think my arm could be twisted."
His eyes narrowed and he slanted her a look.
She laughed. "Yes, Jack. I'd love to stay with you. I appreciate your offer so very much."
A dozen or so women were headed their way, the blonde in the middle wearing a veil and a bride-to-be sash. The moment the group set eyes on Jack, a couple of the more vocal members let out whoops to try to get his attention.
When he merely spared them a distracted smile and pulled Meg off to one side, her fascination with him climbed to a new level.
He slipped in behind her and wrapped his arms around her chest, pulling her back against him.
While they waited for the group to pass, a stunning brunette locked eyes with Meg and scanned her from head to toe. She didn't even try to be subtle about it, and when her gaze lifted to Meg's again, she smirked and took her time looking away.
Jack's body jolted with what Meg assumed was the shock of recognition, and it hit her at the same time.
Beach. Leopard print bikini.
She didn't appear too happy about seeing Meg with Jack, but if what he'd told her was accurate, the two of them had no connection other than the brief time they'd spent together at the beach.
"Hi, Jackie," the woman said in a silky tone, giving him a wave with the tips of her fingers.
A silent groan rumbled against Meg's back. "Anna."
She felt a quick stab of jealousy hearing Jack remember the woman's name, but pushed it away just as fast. Meg waited for the group to pass, then turned in his arms and tilted her head to look up at him, relieved to be alone with him again.
They'd been having a nice time together, and she didn't want to ruin it by letting her insecurities take over.
Jack's body shielded her from the commotion around them, tucking her away in a world where just the two of them existed. He clasped her face in his hands and looked down at her. "Please tell me we're going to pretend that never happened."
"Can we pretend I didn't sneak out of your room last night as well?"
He smiled and leaned in, rubbing his stubbled cheek against her smooth one. He couldn't possibly know what it did to her, but it seemed as if he'd already figured out her turn-ons and planned to use all of them to his advantage. "On one condition: Tell me why you disappeared, then it's wiped from my memory."
