She lifted her lips to his ear. Her breath was hot. “Kiss me.” She closed her eyes, and he watched her for just a moment before lowering his lips to hers. Pliant under his, her mouth easily opened to him, and her body molded to his. Her breasts pressed against his chest, her thighs against his thighs. The negligee was so thin he could feel the heat of her against his already aroused body.

He slid his hands up the sides of her body, enjoying every curve she offered under the satin. Wanting to taste her, need burning through him, he moved his kisses from her lips to her neck. Her pulse quickened under his tongue, and he felt the tightening of her hands on his arms.

Zach turned her toward the bed and gently lowered her beneath him. He moved his kisses from her neck to her silk-covered breasts. Her nipples peaked beneath the white cloth. Gently he teased them with his thumbs as she arched against him.

His hands moved from her breasts and he began to gather up the silky fabric at her waist. He was happy to find the negligee was all she wore. Time was theirs, and he meant to enjoy every moment thoroughly, kissing her stomach and down her legs, taking time to nibble at her knees and ankles and back up again.

Regan squirmed with delight as Zach savored her body inch by inch. She tangled her fingers in his hair as she moved against him. He cupped her, and a gasp escaped her throat. When he slid his fingers inside her, she pulled him closer to her as he licked and teased and drove her to the peak of climax, then again.

Zach watched her as he pleased her. It drove him mad to see the smoky change in her eyes as she gasped in pleasure.

Regan sucked in breaths, and her eyes softened in color. Then she reached for his shirt, releasing buttons as quickly as her fingers would allow while he slid his pants to the floor. She opened up to him, pulling him inside of her, urging him deeper.

He said softly as he rocked against her, “Tell me you love me.”

Her eyes fluttered up to look into his. “I love you.”

“I want to always please you, Regan. I love you.” He continued to push them both to where their bodies blended into one.

He felt the piercing of her fingernails in his back and her legs wrapping around him, pulling him tighter to her. He moved his mouth over hers, searching for the warmth of her tongue. She was moving with a rhythm that mimicked his. He felt his body tighten as she pulled him deeper.

He buried his face against her neck as he released, and she shuddered beneath him.

He wanted to take that moment and save it. He wanted to push away all plans, give her the ring he’d bought her, and convince her to marry him.

Instead, he lay there above her, catching his breath.

“I don’t ever want to move,” he said once he could speak.

“You’ll have to sooner or later.” She laughed huskily. “But for now, hold me tight.”

Zach slept for the first time in weeks. When he woke and the sun peeked through the curtains, he sighed. Regan lay beside him. Her white negligee lay discarded on the floor. Her hair fanned over her pillow, and her chest moved with the slow rhythm of her dream.

He touched her shoulder and ran his fingers slowly down her arm as he kissed the back of her neck.

She stirred, rolling slowly toward him. He pushed back her hair and gazed at her.

“God, you’re beautiful in the morning,” he said.

“You look like you finally slept.” She looked up at him, her eyes still hazy.

“Finally.” He kissed her gently. “I’m going to take a shower and then order us up some breakfast.” When she lazily closed her eyes and nodded, he added, “I’d enjoy someone washing my back if you’re up for it.”

“Ah, I think that’s something I could manage.”

When Regan emerged from the bedroom dressed in a new black suit and black sling-back pumps, she was ready for the meeting. She took in the view of the room and laughed aloud. She wasn’t sure what Zach had been thinking when he ordered breakfast.

There were plates of eggs and pastries. There were bowls of fruit and cereal. A pot of coffee and two different juices sat in the middle of the table.

Zach looked up from a piece of toast that he was picking apart. “I’m nervous.” He wore a custom-made dress shirt with his initials embroidered on the cuff in a deep blue, which made him look even more sophisticated.

Regan kissed him gently on the lips and brushed a crumb from his tie. “Zachary Benson, how many times have you gone to the table and signed contracts?” She tried to keep her calm for him, but inside her stomach fluttered like a jar full of butterflies fighting for their freedom.

“I know. It’s this investor. He’s…well, he’s a piece of work. I just don’t like the way he conducts business and the condescending way he treats his trophy wife.” He picked up his coffee and sipped. “If you don’t walk out of the room and quit today, I’ll be surprised.”

“Why would I do that?”

He set down his mug and pushed it back and forth across the table in front of him. “Because if you stay on as my assistant, you’ll have to become very involved with this man and his associates.”

“I’ll be fine and so will you.”

“When this meeting’s over, you and I are taking a long walk on the beach.”

“Now that sounds like a great idea.” Regan helped herself to a few bites of food from each plate. She too wasn’t very hungry. Seeing Zach’s reaction to meeting with the man made her nervous too. But she knew he’d be fine. He always was. Though he was worried, Zachary Benson was an exceptional businessman with an eye for detail and the skill to close any deal. Besides, she and John would be by his side. Nothing could go wrong.

The clock had ticked toward nine o’clock when there was a knock at the door. Regan stood from the table and answered it. John stood before her, smiling broadly. “Let’s make this happen!” He’d dressed casually for Tyler’s funeral; a dress shirt and a tie. But today he wore a suit with a jacket and a full Windsor knot in his tie. It was painfully obviously it wasn’t his preferred choice of clothing. She smiled as she watched him adjust his tie.

Regan grabbed her purse and bag full of notebooks and contracts. John started for the elevator, and Zach held the door until she had walked through. There were nervous smiles between them.

When the elevator door opened, Regan took one step inside, then she realized what she’d forgotten and her stomach dropped.