Shifting into observation mode, he noted the way she had her arms wrapped around her waist, effectively shielding herself from him. She was walking beside him back to the staging area but was being careful not to touch him. She wouldn't meet his eyes. He was doing his best to keep up an animated conversation but she would only lift her gaze far enough to read what he was saying and then drop it again to eagerly look at nothing in particular.

Stepping in front of her, he snaked his hands around her waist, trapping her against him and causing her head to pop up in surprise. "Talk to me," he implored, surprised to see the confusion in her eyes before the shutters came down, hiding her feelings.

"It's nothing," she dismissed, trying to move around him but finding her way blocked. "Jack, we need to change," she tried to remind him, looking pointedly at the tents that had been set up as dressing rooms.

"We don't need to do anything until we fix whatever it is that is coming between us. I apologize for being dense, but when we began with the pictures, all was well. And now, all is not well. What happened? What did I miss?" He waited, his stomach knotting when she stood rooted to the spot, obviously wrestling with what, if anything, to say.

"I'm just being silly." Shaking her head, she squared her shoulders determinedly. "Forget it. I'm okay, or I will be. I promise."

He wouldn't waver. "Humor me."

"Jack," she began with a surrendering sigh.

She was unprepared when he swept her off her feet and carried her past the temporary tents to a secluded cabana on the hotel's lawn. Setting her down gently, he beckoned her to stay while he turned on the gas torches for light. Kneeling before her, he gently took her hands in his. "You can tell me anything, Sue."

She was torn. He was Jack, her best friend, one who would support unconditionally. He was also Jack, the man she loved, the one with more experience in his little finger than she had accumulated her entire life. He was waiting patiently and deserved her complete honesty. "That, um, photo shoot was...was..."

"We don't have to do any more, Sue. I'll let Lucy know that we're through playing dress up." He hoped his words would ease the worried furl of her brow.

Her genuine smile somewhat eased the knot in his stomach even as her words surprised him. "That isn't the problem, Jack, but thank you for the suggestion."

"Then tell me the problem. Let me fix it."

His sincerity was her undoing. "Jack, earlier, on the beach, you said we'd take things slow, and that was good. Then, during the photo shoot, we were close and there were people around, and the way you looked at me, the way you held me..."

"Sue, I'm sorry," he interrupted, misunderstanding her words. "You don't have to be afraid."

"But I am," she exclaimed, reaching out and cupping his face. "I am afraid. But not of you, of me, Jack." Removing her hands and plunging them deep into the pockets of her robe, she tried to explain. "I got totally caught up in what we were doing out there. I forgot all about the people around us, that so many were watching. All I could think about was how badly I wanted you to kiss me." Feeling her cheeks heat up, she covered them with her hands. "How awful is that?"

Jack had to momentarily duck his head so she would not see his smile at her stricken expression. He did not want to make light of the situation but his relief that there was not a real problem was enormous. "I don't think that's awful at all," he finally conceded when he realized she expected a response.

"Jack," she huffed, standing and assuming an incredulous stance. "How can you say that? I...I...I normally don't react this way. I'm normally in full control of myself, except around you."

Standing slowly like a cat stalking its prey, he eased his arms around her waist and unhurriedly pulled her to him. Raking his gaze possessively over her face he did nothing to mask his satisfaction. "Good. I'd hate to think I'm the only one feeling that way." He didn't miss the rolling of her eyes as he settled her more comfortably against him. "What? You don't believe me?"

"I think it's a nice thing for you to say and you are sweet to try and make me feel comfortable, but come on, Jack. We both know your experience far outdistances mine."

"Experience, or lack thereof, has nothing to do with chemistry." Pulling one of her hands to rest above his heart, he challenged, "Feel that?"

She nodded. "It's beating rather fast. Are you okay? Do you need your medication?"

He chuckled. "No, it's because of you. My heart is beating rapidly because I've got you in my arms. And if I do this," he murmured, leaning closer and nuzzling her cheek, "It..."

"It beats faster. I do that to you?" she asked in wonderment? "Really?"

"And so much more," he avowed.

Following her instincts, she kept her hand firmly in place on his chest while she nestled into the aromatic niche between his neck and chest, thrilling to his increased heartbeat. Emboldened by his reaction to her exploratory forays, she closed her eyes and let her lips begin traveling where they may, forgetting her experiment along the way.