CHAPTER FOUR

"You have only two days to see all of what's hot in New Orleans, right? We don't have a moment to lose," he answered.

Serena swallowed, her gaze riveted on Nate's long fingers as his hand inched from her breasts to her belly, then stopped. He rested there with casual comfort, as if touching her, naked, after fast, furious sex was something he did every day.

"You always were an impatient man." She playfully slapped his hand away and stood, taking the sheet with her. "The feature I'm doing is called Sexy City Nights." She emphasized the last word. "We've got a good eight hours of daylight before we can do serious exploring."

Nate shook his head as he pulled on his boxers. "Just admit you need some space, Serena. Let's not undo my heartfelt apology with silly lies now, okay?"

She raised her right hand, palm out. "Nothin' but the truth. And the truth is, I need to visit the powder room."

As she walked away, Nate admitted one thing—okay, two. First, the woman had a backside built to squeeze tears from a stone-faced man. Second, without him and her family around to chart or influence her every move, Serena had indeed bloomed into a strong-willed, independent, incredibly responsive, and fearless woman. Letting her go hadn't been his crime. His biggest mistake was never going after her.

Well, Nate Archibald never made the same mistake twice.

"Eight hours, huh?" He interrupted her retreat by throwing an arm in her path. "We could always leave the 'City Nights' part for later and focus on the 'Sexy' again."

She dodged his block with a sassy smirk. "Who says there will be an again?"

Her expression might have deflated the confidence of a less arrogant man. Luckily, Nate still had the echo of her climax to spur him on. "I do. No lies, remember?"

"Let's just get dressed and maybe tour some of our old spots. Help me get my bearings." Serena disappeared behind the bathroom door. "Sound reasonable?"

Nate lay back on the bed and folded his hands beneath his head. "That's me—good, ol' reasonable Nate Archibald." Despite her bravado, Nate suspected their unexpected, wild and passionate reunion had Serena as emotionally and physically off-kilter as he was. And when the dizziness subsided, he intended to catch Serena— possibly for good.

Nate led an exciting life, ran a profitable business. But no matter how he tried, he couldn't fill the emptiness inside him— the expanding void of dissatisfaction that plagued his days and haunted his nights. Even before Carol's phone call, Nate had been thinking about Serena, hence, the card on her birthday. He'd also been obsessing over the love she'd once so freely offered—the same love he'd carelessly tossed aside.

He missed her. He wanted her back. Maybe at one time she needed to leave him to find herself, but now that she'd returned—stronger and sexier than ever—he couldn't pass up the chance to show her how he'd changed, as well. Or at least, how he could change with her in his life.

When he heard the rush of the shower, Nate wasted no time. He grabbed her knapsack and pulled out the books she'd marked with slips of paper. The places she wanted to go. The sexual images that had sprung from her fantasies— dreams he'd turn into reality. Studying them would give him the edge—the secret he needed to coax Serena back into his bed—and back into his life.


Serena turned on the water, needing the noise. Frenzied and disoriented, her thoughts banged in her head so loudly, she feared Nate would hear.

What the hell am I doing?

Her legs wobbled, her skin still thrumming from where he'd touched her. Never in her life had she allowed her passions to overwhelm her, rule her. She still felt high in the aftermath, her body primed. But no matter how much her mind and body wanted Nate, she had to keep her heart protected. Off-limits.

In the shower she reminded herself to be strong. Nate's touch would drive her insane with wanting. Not the wanting of sexual desire—that he'd satisfied once and would again if she allowed him. But in the past, she'd wanted more from Nate than just sex. She'd wanted his heart, his love. A future. Now she knew that was impossible.

She showered quickly, freshened her makeup, then brushed her teeth, and reclipped her hair while she forced her brain to accept hard facts. Her life was in New York City. Her job was more than just important; it was her greatest life accomplishment. She'd worked hard and was only now attaining the payoff. Nothing, not even Nate's love, would make her give up her dream.

And so far as she knew, not one member of the Archibald family had ever left New Orleans. Not counting Nate's club, the family owned and operated 12 restaurants, a bed-and-breakfast, and a specialty food shop. He'd rooted his life in New Orleans as firmly as she had hers in Manhattan.

But what would an affair with Nate cost her? So long as she kept her heart out of reach and her expectations focused on the sensual, one wicked weekend with Nate would pay out with only pure pleasure. Some erotic memories. Wasn't that the very same premise as "Sexy City Nights"? Wild passion and intimate behavior amidst the bright lights and swelling crowds? Love affairs as fast and furious as an exciting city lifestyle?


Nate was stuffing a few necessities into Serena's bag when she emerged from the bathroom.

"What are you doing?"

He slung the knapsack over his shoulder. "Just making sure you have all the things you need. We won't be back here until much, much later."

"What about my books?"

Nate chuckled at the pile he'd made on the coffee table. After reading all her notes, and stuffing a few in his pocket, he'd committed all he needed to memory. "Who needs maps and tour guides? You have me, remember?"

"How could I forget?"

He closed the space between them in two broad steps. Without warning, he snagged her around the waist and pulled her against him. He grinned. The possibilities were as endless as the nightlife in New Orleans. "If I play this right, Rena, you won't be forgetting much about this weekend."