A/N- Had to revise this chapter a bit. Please leave feedback. No reviews, no updates

Chapter 7 "Heat"

Teresa watched Fox joke with Dylan through half closed eyes. Her heart had literally stopped when he'd walked into the kitchen earlier and only the manners ingrained into her since she was a child had allowed her to remain cool and collected and greet him with a semblance of politeness. He'd been equally polite though she read the cool disapproval in his eyes. He didn't like her and he made no bones about it though he was careful not to be overly rude. Wishing she could just get up and leave but knowing that would be insufferably crass, she sighed.

"If I'm stuck here all afternoon I might as well enjoy myself," she though rising gracefully and diving into the deep end of the pool. Swimming was as good of a way as any to release some of the tension and restlessness that plagued her.

Fox watched her dive into the pool with a scowl on his face. He'd been damnably aware of her all afternoon and the inconvenient attraction he felt for her had put him in a foul mood. The sight of her curvy body in that teeny, tiny yellow bikini had kept him uncomfortably aroused the entire day and even as he cursed himself for a fool he knew that if she gave the slightest sign that she was interested he would be on her like white on rice, that's how bad he wanted her. It wasn't about love for the finer emotions didn't enter into it at all. His attraction to her was purely physical. He'd loved Chelsea and had been faithful to her and he'd been perfectly satisfied with her in bed. Had she lived they would have grown old and gray together. What he felt for Teresa was completely different. She was so cool and composed, so completely unto herself and it was her very aloofness that attracted him to her. Fox loved puzzles and Teresa was an enigma he'd yet to solve. The ice-queen manner she used disappeared when she was around people she trusted and she became vibrant, lively, and vivacious. It was as if she were two different people and the paradox she presented intrigued the hell out of him.

Shifting painfully in his chair he realized that Dylan had joined Teresa and Leslie at the other end of the pool while he'd been daydreaming. Teresa lay on a fluffy white towel on the cold marble tile while Dylan rubbed suntan lotion on her slender back. Dylan's movements were leisurely and unhurried and from the sublime expression on Teresa's face he knew that she was enjoying every second of the impromptu massage.

"Damn her, Ethan isn't even cold in the ground yet and she's already looking for a replacement," he though peevishly, though he knew that he was being ridiculous.

The sound of their laughter had him grinding his teeth and with a muttered oath he jumped to his feet and dove neatly into the pool.

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NYC

"Nurse Thatcher any change in J. Doe?" Kym Morrison asked her nurse as she stared at the chart in her hand.

J. Doe had been brought to the clinic five months ago and try as they might no one had been able to discern the patient's true identity in all that time. The police had investigated heavily at first but as the months passed and no one filed a missing person's report they'd moved on to more pressing matters. NY was a city filled with crime and the cities finest had no time to worry about a comatose burn victim at a local clinic.

"No, Dr. Kym," Nurse Thatcher replied with a heavy sigh. Janet Thatcher might not have been a beauty queen but she was a dedicated nurse with over 30 years of experience and she cared deeply about all her patients but she was especially fond of strays. And J. Doe definitely qualified as a stray.

"We might have to change the meds J's been given to see if that changes anything," Kym replied briskly, her eyes narrowing as she walked into the room and saw the patient's frail body lying like a lump on the bed.

"I won't give up on you yet, J. Doe. And sooner or later I'm also going to figure out who you are," she thought determinedly.

Banning Mansion

Teresa lay on the cold, marble floor, her eyes closed and her body utterly relaxed. Dylan and Leslie had started a rousing game of beach volleyball with Fox earlier but she'd begged off, claiming to want to work on her tan. The truth was she wanted to stay as far away from Fox as possible. She'd been disturbingly aware of him all afternoon and the sight of him in the black trunks he wore reminded her of the night they'd spent together. Not that she needed much reminding when that night was forever imprinted on her mind but keeping her distance helped her maintain control of her fragile emotions. With a little sigh she turned over on her back, reminding herself that she ought to rub more lotion on her sensitive skin in a few minutes.

"You're going to burn if you stay out here much longer," a slightly amused voice warned her.

Startled, Teresa looked up and saw Fox towering over her. His brown eyes usually cool and mocking when directed her way, glittered with a fierce desire he made no effort to hide.

"He wants me," she thought wonderingly, a shiver of awareness running over her back as those dark eyes ran over the length of her body appraisingly.

"I was just about to, umm, put on some more lotion," she murmured breathlessly.

"Let me," Fox replied grabbing the small bottle and drizzling it over her smooth back. Teresa let out a soft sigh as his hands began to caress her silky skin. His caressing fingers stroked her sleek skin lovingly and slowly; of their own volition they began exploring her soft, silken curves. Teresa offered no protest, her body once again lost in a haze of sensuality. Time and place lost their meaning, there was nothing but the spiraling need that had erupted between them, unexpected and out of control.

"Turn around," he murmured huskily, his eyes glittering with desire. Teresa obeyed without dispute and when Fox undid the straps of her bra and poured the creamy lotion on her bare breasts she remained silent. The feel of his hands on her body, on her breasts, had her crying out in need. No words of protest erupted from her lips at the liberties he was taking with her; she couldn't have protested even if she'd wanted to because his teasing caresses were driving her wild. When his lean fingers slipped to her smooth thighs and began to intimately stroke her she let out a soft moan, unaware of anything but how sweetly satisfying it was to feel his hard hands caressing her slim body.

Fox watched her, his eyes smoky with suppressed desire. He wanted her, wanted to feel her slim body underneath his as he pounded into her. She was driving him wild. Watching the expression on her face as she neared her climax, made him even harder and with one smooth stroke he sent her over the edge. Teresa felt the pleasure wash over her body but before she could recover she felt Fox settle himself against her. Bending his head to capture her mouth in a savage kiss, he cupped her soft bottom to press her tighter against him when the slam of the screen door brought him back to reality. Lifting his head he saw Leslie and Dylan strolling their way with two heavily loaded trays. Cursing under his breath he rolled off Teresa and she looked at him uncomprehendingly. Looking into those wide startled eyes he felt himself drowning in their depths and with another savage curse he bent to kiss her again. Teresa responded wildly, pressing her soft body against his hard muscles and Fox let out a groan.

"We've got to stop. Dylan and Leslie are on their way over," Fox muttered against her soft mouth. "We can continue this later," her added, pulling away from her and hastily tying up her bikini top.

Teresa looked up at him in horror. What the hell was she doing? She and Fox barely knew each other and here they were rolling on the floor like two animals in heat. Sex wasn't something she took lightly, Ethan had been her only lover and despite his constant unfaithfulness she'd remained true to her marriage vows. The night she'd shared with Fox had been an aberration, and despite the feelings he inspired in her she'd never meant to start an affair with him.

"There's not going to be a later. This was a mistake," she replied briskly, hiding her conflicted feelings behind a mask of indifference and staring at him coolly.

Fox, who'd been doing his best to keep his hands off her, regardless of the consequences looked at her in shock. She couldn't possibly mean what she'd said. He knew she'd wanted him; she'd been a little hellcat in his arms, giving as well as she got.

"What kind of game was she playing?" he wondered running a frustrated hand through his hair.

"Well, you sure do blow hot and cold, don't you baby?" Fox replied scathingly. "You couldn't get enough of me a few minutes ago, you were begging me to take you but since you obviously got what you wanted, it's ok to leave me wanting isn't it, you little tease? Well, I've never begged a woman for sex and I'm not about to start now. But you better be careful, baby. The next fool you play with might not be as understanding as me," he added before he walked off.

Teresa stared after him; her eyes filled with unshed tears and her soft mouth trembling. Fox had every right to be angry, she'd teased him unmercifully and it was logical for him to assume that they would finish what they'd started when they were alone.

"I'm sorry Fox, so damn sorry," she murmured.