Chapter 14

'Just a little of that human touch…'

"Oh, John…yes!"

Evangeline clutched his shoulders as he plunged deeper inside her. His thrusts vibrated through her body. From her head down to her toes, she felt him everywhere. Penetrating and invigorating. When her release came, she cried out in sheer rapture.

Her thighs gave one last involuntary squeeze. Then, he collapsed on top her. Rolling onto his side, he pulled her within the curve of his embrace.

"Wow."

"Yeah," he agreed, sliding his fingers through her hair. "I'm amazing."

She slapped his chest. "You are?"

"Do you doubt it?" He cocked an eyebrow.

"You weren't here all by yourself, you know."

"Sounds to me like you're pushing for a compliment."

"Of all the nerve." She moved to leave his bed.

His arms wrapped around her waist, dragging her back beside him. The warmth of his breath tickled as he nuzzled her neck. "I'm just kidding. We're great together." His voice lowered to a husky murmur. "Better than I ever imagined possible."

She leaned against him, her back to his chest. His hold tightened. She'd never felt so safe and secure. No man ever held her the way he did. Like she was precious and fragile. Like he never wanted to release her. The possessive and emotional implications of that thought begged for thorough investigation. But she wasn't ready to delve that deep. This was just too new to be analyzed and tampered with.

"How was dinner with Nora?"

"Okay. It's always fun spending time with her."

"She's a good friend," he said.

"Yes, I've been thinking about inviting her to a girls' night at my place. Keri could use a break, and I want Nora to meet Keesha and my new assistant. Dawn's a sweet girl, but she doesn't seem to get out much. She's a workaholic and that means a lot coming from me."

He grew still. "Dawn, huh? So that's the name of your new assistant. I wonder why I haven't met her."

"I told you she's busy. If I need something, she's Johnny on the spot." She laughed and smiled. "No pun intended."

"Yeah, right. You trust her, don't you?"

Frowning, she shifted to read his eyes. "Why wouldn't I? I checked her references. She came highly recommended."

His mouth twisted in a wry smile. "I bet she did."

"John, what is it?"

"Huh?" He gave her a dubious look as he pointed to his chest. "Who me? Nothing. Except I'm worried about this girls' night out thing. If you're planning on strippers, I'm canceling it."

"Spoilsport," she jokingly complained.

His eyebrows lifted. "I have your spoilsport! If fact, I think it's right here."

His hands skimmed her body in all the right places. She squealed and everything was perfect between them again.

- - -

He really had no business there. Standing at her cousin's door, waiting for her to let him inside. What would Keesha think of his seeking her out? Of course, he had an excuse. Jason Morgan, former Fed, was full of excuses and explanations. At the drop of a dime, he could create a reason for any and everything and venture nowhere near the truth in doing so.

God, what would she do if she knew I still love her?

Just then, the door opened. Keesha's almond shaped brown eyes stared, missing nothing. He willed the mask back into place. Man, how he wanted to remove it permanently and just be the man she loved or would want to love.

"You're staring," he said quietly.

"I know. I'm sorry." She stood aside and opened the door wide. "Come in."

He moved into the center of the living room and waited for her. Watching her hands tremble as she locked the door tugged at his heart. Was it nervousness that caused her to shake or was it excitement? There was a time when he knew her so well. They were halves of one whole. Together, they vowed to take on the world. On a bridge in Paris, they declared their love. Once a year, he visited that bridge just to relive the memory.

She smoothed her hair into a ponytail and crossed the room. Dressed in sweats and a t-shirt and void of make up, she appeared ethereal and just as beautiful as the day they met. It was hard to believe that their first meeting took place almost ten years ago. Where had the time gone? How could it be that an abyss separated them? Reclaiming their friendship was no easy task. After everything that happened when he became Jason Morgan, would she be able to forgive him and trust him again?

"I'm a little surprised that you're here."

He glanced around. Papers littered the floor. A laptop sat open on the coffee table. A mug sat nearby. He gestured toward her workspace. "You're busy."

"I'm working on a few articles. The readers are curious about Augustico Santi. He agreed to an interview. Right now, I'm doing a little research."

"You know I'm working at Lion's Hart. Maybe I can help." Without waiting for an invitation, he sat on the sofa.

After a moment's hesitation, Keesha joined him. "This is another step toward that thing called friendship, right?"

He nodded once. "I meant it. If you want, I can leave--"

"Why are you here?"

Because I miss you…

"Your car and the flat," he said instead. "I was wondering if you got it fixed."

Her brows drew into an adorable frown. "You're asking about the flat tire? Um, yeah, it's fixed. Ryan had someone do it for me."

Ryan? Jason's gut clenched. He forced himself to maintain a stoic expression. "He sounds like a great boss."

"He's more than that." She grabbed a notepad and pen. Before he could react, she said, "Tell me about Tico. Is he as mysterious as he appears or as honest? He seems generous and accommodating. Is he really like that?"

Dammit! Ryan Lavery again. Jason ran a hand through his hair and slid back to rest against the sofa. He answered her questions all the while his mind worked. He hadn't given up his career to miss reconnecting with her now. Definitely not because of Ryan Lavery.

Nope. No way. Lavery was just an obstacle. A love like his and Keesha's didn't just die. Persistence and ease would help him reclaim her. That was all there was to it.