Playing for Keeps/A Tempting Stranger Read Online Free PDF

become his wife.
The wall of control completely burst as Jason moved to

 

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let his body possess hers in a way it never had before. Jessica became lost in a white sphere of fire and delight, demanding to know the full joy of her body's new awakening. Rising to unbelievable heights, Jason and Jessica hung suspended in air, soaring together on a swelling tide of rapture, before drifting back gently, lightly, to earth.
As they lay in the afterglow she clung weakly to him, her face buried in his moist chest, tears of joy falling like soft summer rain against his skin. A low throaty chuckle rumbled in Jason's chest as he held her, lovingly stroking her damp, raven hair.
''See, I told you, Mrs. Rawlings," he teased softly.
"Told me what?" Jessica whispered shakily.
Bringing his mouth back down to hers, he whispered softly against her lips. "I just had a hunch you'd learn fast!"
"Oh, Jason," she murmured tenderly. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be like this."
"Then I gather you have no complaints, Mrs. Rawlings?" Jason pulled her close, the sweet languidness of their lovemaking still holding them prisoners.
"No complaints, Mr. Rawlings."
They drifted off into a contented slumber, only to awaken toward early morning to search hungrily again for each other, their young bodies eager and ready for each other, the newness of their love overriding all else. They watched the sun come up together, lying in each other's arms, happy, secure, and content in their new life together.
At the sound of a horn honking sharply behind her Jessica abruptly forced her attention back to her driving. The truck seemed to have taken on a life of its own, and by the time she came screeching into town, mothers were frantically gathering their children in off the street. She came roaring up the drive of old Judge Baker's house in a cloud of dust, the engine dying a jerky death as she reached down to turn off the key. The elderly man stand-

 

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ing on the other side of a hedge watering his flowers and trees looked up quite calmly.
''Afternoon, Jessica," he greeted her. "Goin' to a fire?"
"No." She smiled timidly. "Just having a little trouble with my gas pedal," she told him sweetly. She got out and in retaliation slammed the truck door with a forceful blow. "That was very funny," she told the truck sarcastically.
Coming around to the front of the house, she heard a voice calling her name.
"Jessica! Jessica, is that you?" She saw Maureen Winters running toward her excitedly.
"Maureen?" she cried and ran over to meet her halfway. They threw their arms around each other and dissolved in a fit of giggles.
"I haven't seen you in ages," Maureen was scolding. "Why have you stayed away from home so long!"
"Oh, I've really been tied to my job," she answered vaguely. They had been best friends all during high school, and Jessica had flown back to be maid of honor when Maureen had married Pete Winters four years ago.
"I'm sorry that I didn't get to talk to you the other day at the graveyard," Maureen apologized, "but Pete had to go straight back to work. You know how sorry we both are." She reached over to hug Jessica again.
"I know, and thank you," Jessica murmured, precariously close to tears in this good friend's comforting arms. "My goodness, Jamie is growing so, I hardly recognize him," she said, bending down to talk to the little boy who had just skidded up on his Big Wheels.
"Hi, Jesseeka," he called, giving her a radiant smile.
"Hi, Jamie," she said. "Are you being a good boy?"
Large solemn brown eyes met her gaze as he nodded his head in an earnest affirmation. "You got any puppies I can play with today?" he asked hopefully. The last time Jessica had seen him, Uncle Fred's beagle had just given birth to a new litter. Jamie had played happily with them all after-

 

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noon and left screaming his protests in the arms of his mother.
''No," she said sorrowfully for the benefit of the small boy, "they've all gone to live