Chapter 2

Lester's idea to turn on the sprinklers was stopped just in time by Connor. Somehow, Jess, Becker and Lester had forgotten that there was a lot of electrical equipment in the ARC, and water from the sprinklers would ruin millions of pounds of equipment.

Jess was gratified that she wasn't the only one the heat wave was making dumb.

She slumped in the ADD chair. She was so hot! The fabric of her top and the cushion of the chair conspired to make her back very sweaty.

So, she took the top off.

"Ok, Lester's sent most of the crew home," said Becker, facing away from her. "It's just too hot to work. He's gone to check on the mammoths. That leaves you and me running the control room." He turned and stared at her. "Where is your top?"

Jess looked up at him. She didn't even register how he was looking at her.

His eyes were stuck on her bra and he knew he was in trouble. His mouth began to water, and his heartbeat increased. Her skin was pink, and soft, and he could make out peaks underneath the pale peach bra.

"I'm sorry," said Jess. "Did you say something?"

"Huh?" said Becker. Lack of focus was catching. He shook his head. "Yeah, um, you're kind of not wearing anything...on your...top half." He looked away, finally.

"Yes, I am. I'm covered. Just pretend it's a bathing top."

"It's not a bathing top, Jess. It's...beautiful...I mean, put your blouse on, please."

Jess whined, "But I'm hot."

Becker chuckled. "That's an understatement, Jess. You're breathtaking, and I've never wanted you more in my entire life, but we can't, so please stop torturing me and put your clothes back on."

There was a long moment of silence so Becker turned back around to look at her. She was staring at him, her face even more flushed than before.

"What did you say?" she whispered.

"I...I didn't say anything." It slowly donned on him that he had said it all out loud. "Heat stroke," he said finally, turning quickly to leave.

"Cold shower?" she asked after him.

"Cold, cold, cold shower."

Jess couldn't get over what he had said. Yes, they were both affected by the extreme heat, but that couldn't be totally to blame. What he said had to come from somewhere.

She dared herself to hope. Could it be? Becker wanted her.

Damn him. She had little resistance to him on normal days, but today she had none. Would she be able to control herself when she saw him again? Maybe she should take a cold shower too.

A while later she felt his presence back in the room. In fact, he was right behind her.

"How are things Jess? Any anomalies?" he asked.

Jess didn't turn. Just the sound of his voice had her hot. "No, none, zero, nada," she said, as lightly and unaffected as she could.

He chuckled. "So that's a 'no,' then?"

She nodded. She wished he would move. She couldn't stand to have his body so close to hers.

She sighed with relief when he did move. That is, until he popped up in front of her. In fact, he sat on the edge of the ADD, between her and it.

"Sorry about earlier," he said. His hair was wet and he was much more composed. "I shouldn't have...it was the heat and I'm better now. Sorry." He smiled gently.

Jess stared, too hot and…excited to move. She could see his muscled chest through a new, light blue, light weight tank. She had to mentally restrain her fingers to keep from reaching out and touching him.

Then there were his legs: bare and naked thanks to a pair of shorts he had changed into. Her eyes couldn't help staring at the skin, the hair, and those tight muscles. Her eyes slowly followed his legs up to the hem of the shorts.

Then she stared at his crotch. She couldn't help it.

"Move away please," she said suddenly.

"What?"

"I'm sorry. Get away from me, please."

Becker looked concerned and confused.

Jess was about to touch his abs when she quickly pushed back in her chair and bolted from the ADD.

"Jess?"

"Cold shower!" she screamed as she ran.

End of Chapter Two