Desiree Holt

Jessie was trying very hard to keep her mind on business and be wary of the stranger, but she was sure the Fates sent him as her Valentine’s Day present. He was well over six feet tall, with slightly shaggy dark blond hair, a broad-shouldered, lean-hipped body that his jeans and shirt did little to hide and when he looked at her she almost melted into his chocolate brown eyes.

Cool it, Jessie. You know nothing about this guy.

Except that he was gorgeous and almost made her come just by standing near her.

“So. In case I die of hypothermia, were you planning to tell me your name? I told you mine.”

She stared at him.

“Your name. You do have one, don’t you?”

“Um, yes. It’s Jessie. Jessie Rawlins.”

“Well, Jessie Rawlins, if you’re the last thing I see before I expire, you’re a wonderful vision to take with me.”

She suddenly realized he was doing his best not to shiver.

“Your clothes are soaked. How far did you walk, anyway?”

“However far away that thing you call a road is.” He began rubbing his hands up and down his arms. “My rental car crapped out on me and I don’t think there’s such a thing as a cell phone signal in this part of the world.”

“No. I’m sorry. And the regular phone service is out, too.”

She couldn’t stop staring at him. If anyone was going to rape her, she’d choose him. With a sigh, she laid the poker on the coffee table. “You should get out of those wet clothes before you catch pneumonia.”

The corners of his mouth turned up in a grin. “Well, that would be a great idea, if I had something else to put on.” His grin turned wicked. “Of course, I could always sit around naked. Like you were doing when I banged on the window.”

Jessie felt herself blush over every inch of her body. “I don’t think we need to discuss that.”

“Why not, sugar?” His gaze raked over her. “That was one fine body you were, um, whatever you were doing.”

“I’m quite aware of my flaws, if you don’t mind, so you can keep the phony compliments.” She hurried into the bathroom and pulled two huge towels from a shelf, then handed them to Riley. “Here. Take a hot shower, then wrap yourself in these. They should cover you nicely. And we can pull the blanket off the bed, too. I’ll dry your clothes by the fire.”

“Why, thank you, Jessie. You make a great hostess.” He winked at her as he headed for the bathroom.

In a minute his wet clothes came flying out. Jessie pulled a chair up close to the fire and draped them over the back. Then she paced. While the shower ran. When it stopped. While she heard faint movements behind the door.

Then suddenly he was next to her, smelling of soap and maleness, one of the towels slung low on his hips. She felt liquid flood her pussy and she hoped it wouldn’t drip down her legs and embarrass her. At least any more than she’d done already.

“Thanks for the shower. It really helped.”

“No problem.” She moved to the tiny kitchen area. Standing next to him was dangerous. “Would you like something to drink? Coffee?” She yanked open the door to the fridge. “I have some wine if you’d rather.”

“Wine?” Golden lights flashed in his eyes. “Were you planning to drink yourself into a stupor?”

“I…That is…Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. I was planning a little celebration.”

Riley looked around. “So where’s the lucky guy? I don’t want to cramp his style.”

She shook her head. “No lucky guy. Just me.”

He raised his eyebrows. “You’re celebrating by yourself?”

Jessie shrugged. “I’m beginning to think that’s the best way.”

He looked at the heart-shaped chocolate cake on the counter. “A cake and everything? Come on, Jessie. Someone was supposed to join you, right?”

She bit her lip and looked away. “No one. How pathetic is that? I seemed to get dumped just before every Valentine’s Day.” She twisted her lips in a bitter smile. “Saves them buying presents, I guess.”

His eyes took on an amazed look. “I can’t believe this. Who in their right mind wouldn’t want to spend Valentine’s Day with you?”