The drive into Los Piños seemed to take an eternity, especially after Harlan placed her hand on his rock-hard thigh and covered it with his own. So much heat, she thought as her senses spun wildly. So much strength. So much barely contained passion.

His blatant desire fueled hers, until by the time they reached her house, the last of her uncertainties had been stripped away. They rushed through her front door, barely taking the time for Harlan to kick it shut behind him before he dragged her into his arms. He kissed her with all of the pent-up hunger that had been held in check on the dance floor, on the long drive and for who knew how long before.

The kiss was commanding and all-consuming, wiping out every thought except for some primitive understanding of its wicked effect on her senses. Never in her life had she experienced such raw, untamed lust. She was suddenly trembling from head to toe with anticipation.

She was fumbling with the buttons on Harlan’s shirt just as urgently as he was stripping away the blouse they’d searched all over Dallas to find just yesterday. Then his mouth was covering first one breast, then the other, teasing, suckling in a way that sent shock waves ricocheting through her.

His skin was on fire beneath her touch, but her own was hotter. The caress of his tongue cooled, then inflamed, then cooled again in a devastating cycle. A moan of pure pleasure escaped, shattering their previously silent, passionate duet.

The sound brought his head up, leaving her feeling bereft. As if he had suddenly found his bearings, he tucked her tightly against his chest and sucked in a deep, calming breath.

“Whoa, darlin’,” he murmured softly, as if gentling a skittish mare.

“No,” she pleaded. “Don’t stop.”

He chuckled at the urgency in her tone. “I will not make love to you on the floor in the foyer,” he said. “Not that I’m entirely sure I can get us both out of this tangle we’ve made of our clothes and into the bedroom.”

If that was the only delay, Janet was more than willing to help. She shucked what was left of her clothing, kicked it aside and headed down the hallway stark naked. Only when she realized Harlan hadn’t followed did she turn back. He was staring after her, looking stunned. The thoroughly masculine appreciation in his eyes made her knees go weak.

“You take my breath away,” he said in a hoarse whisper.

“Ditto,” she said in a voice only faintly louder. “If you get over here, though, I’ll give you mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.”

Amusement danced in his eyes at that. “You certified?”

“No,” she admitted, then grinned. “I’ll need lots and lots of practice.”

Practically before the words were out of her mouth, he had joined her, scooping her up and carrying her into the bedroom with long, anxious strides.