The sudden sound of flirtatious laughter not far away broke the spell that held them. Some other couple had left the lounge and ventured outside. Parr couldn’t see them or hear the words of their low conversation. He and the beautiful strawberry blonde were safe enough from discovery for now. He held her quivering body in his arms, shielding her from view, almost angry that their solitude had been intruded upon.

“I want to make love to you,” he whispered. “But this obviously isn’t the time or the place.”

“I . . . I don’t know what to say.”

He had the feeling that she’d never done anything like this before, for all that she seemed so willing. As for himself—Parr realized that he had never been so ready to initiate an encounter that they might both regret by morning.

Fiercely, he pushed the thought away. The time was now. And if now was all they had, he would make the most of it.

Her hand rested on his chest, over his heart. Just the sensation of that was something he found wildly erotic. He wanted there to be nothing between them at all. Bare skin, bared souls.

“Is there something wrong with me?” she asked hesitantly.

“No. Good God, no,” he muttered.

“But I’ve never reacted to a man like this before.”

“You’ve never been with me before.” He wasn’t bragging. He’d never felt like this either.

“Please. I should go back inside.”

He stiffened visibly, seeming even taller as she stepped back, breaking his close hold. “I’ll go with you.”

She stared at him, puzzled by his statement.

Parr smiled reassuringly. “I don’t want that idiot fiancé talking you into forgiving him.”

She blew out the breath she’d been holding. “There’s not much chance of that. I wish I never had to see him again.”

Parr was gratified to hear her say it so emphatically. “My offer to take you away tonight is still good.”

She laughed, as if she was suddenly feeling very giddy. “Hmm. Thanks. But I’m afraid I can’t. You see, there’s always tomorrow.”

“Things won’t be any different then. We’re still going to want each other.” Even as he spoke the words, a sense of foreboding came over him. There was trouble ahead. He’d gone too far and said too much. But at least he hadn’t lied.

“There are other people besides my fiancé waiting for me. People that I care about. People who shouldn’t be left to worry.”

“I suppose so.”

Their voices were low but the feelings were running high again. The fiery look he loved shimmered like an aura around her when she spoke again. The woman he’d kissed so ardently was no one he ever wanted to cross.

“That black-hearted cheater ran to my father, I just know it. And Dad’s probably called the police by now.”