With His Touch

GAGE MAGUIRE watched Sugar twist the dial on the vibrating water bed so it started up a rhythmic rocking that would have given a stone statue hot thoughts. Lately, around Sugar, even mundane moments did that to him--balancing their budget, clearing a copier jam, accepting a shake of Tic Tacs. Three days with her at the Sextique International Expo checking out erotic products for their resort had been pure hell. And now they lay body to body on a vibrating bed. His usually sturdy defenses were failing him--had been ever since his amicable breakup with Adrienne two weeks ago. It was not the breakup per se, but something Adrienne had said. You're in love with your partner, you big dope.She'd shaken her head at him as though he were blind or stupid. Maybe both. He'd scoffed then. And later, when he thought about it. How could he be in love with Sugar? Sure, they'd been attracted to each other when they met twelve years ago in college, but they'd wisely ignored it. Sugar always had a boyfriend and Gage wasn't interested in elbowing his way to the front of the line. And, yeah, there'd been a flare-up when they became partners six years ago, but they'd sensibly squelched that. Since then, the sparks had been muted, like fireworks through clouds. Nothing he couldn't handle. Until now. Sugar rolled toward him, a breath away on the shivering sheets. "Would that turn you on?" she teased, her green eyes glowing, big and luminous as a cat's. She reminded him of one--sensual and quick, purring with pleasure, then dashing away at the slightest noise. And she never came when you called. "Maybe not you," she amended, "but most guys." She harassed him about his self-control, a trait that had served him well for the six years they'd been partners. "If you're into paint spinners." He fought to keep the tension out of his voice. "Good point." She turned it down a notch, then fell back beside him on the roiling surface, their arms rubbing gently together. "Better?" Just great.The new rhythm suggested serious thrusting. "Fine, Sugar." "I can't tell. Maybe it takes an all-night test." Good Lord, no."I think I'm getting the idea." Maybe the problem was his birthday--tomorrow he'd be thirty-five. A benchmark year and about time for the other shoe to drop in his life. He felt as though he'd been holding his breath for years. "You think so?" Sugar's voice vibrated with the mattress. "Yeah." Just to prove he was still in control, Gage pushed up on his elbow and looked down at her. Just look at her.His heart punched his lungs so hard he couldn't haul in a breath. Her breasts jiggled gently under the clingy top, her black hair brushed his arm, but it was her face that got to him. It was sturdy, yet delicate, with a small nose, soft, mobile mouth and huge green eyes lit with intelligence and a no-bullshit gleam. And fire. Lots of fire. "More like a MixMaster on low, don't you think?" she said, her easy smile going smart-ass in a heartbeat. Sweet with a bite, that was his Sugar--like a margarita with that scorpion sting of tequila whapping you a good one up the back of the head. "Maybe." He couldn't take his eyes off her. What was going on with him?Washe in love with her? "A gentle sway would be better." Sugar turned to adjust the dial, but when she rolled back, she misjudged the wave and landed right on top of him, breasts pressed against him, thick hair a curtain between their faces. She smelled of vanilla and skin and the spearmint gum she favored. "Wow," she said, her face going pink, her eyes flickering with startled heat. She seemed to melt into him. "Yeah. Wow." Emotion rose and rushed through him on a wave of heat and need. And more. Something bigger and more important. Dammit all, hewasin love with her. Now what? He had to think, figure it out, decide. But Sugar shivered against him and licked heAtkins, Dawn is the author of 'With His Touch ', published 2006 under ISBN 9780373792986 and ISBN 0373792980.