Stifling a groan, he strode into his cottage, his gaze immediately landing on the phone sitting on the coffee table of the elegant living area. Jane had gone back to her room to change, so he still had time to fix this. To tell her he’d decided he wanted to be alone.

Only problem was he didn’t want to be alone.

He wanted to be with Jane.

The groan he’d been holding slipped out. He kicked off his flip-flops and stared at the doorway leading into the bedroom. Before he could stop himself, he imagined Jane lying on the king-size bed, her naked body stretched across the silk sheets, her red hair fanned over the stark white pillow. His c**k instantly hardened.

Damn it, why did he want this woman so badly?

Turning away from the bedroom, he sank down on the leather couch situated in front of the electric fireplace and switched on the flat-screen TV mounted on the wall. He channel surfed for a while, but his attention was elsewhere. His gaze kept moving to the front door, anticipating Jane’s arrival. By the time she finally sauntered up to his door a half hour later, his entire body was tense, every muscle taut with barely restrained desire.

He opened the door before she could even knock, causing her to grin and raise her delicate reddish-brown eyebrows. “Have you been waiting by the door this entire time?”

“No,” he lied.

Jane’s strappy sandals clicked against the floor as she walked into the cottage. Her blue-eyed gaze swept around the room, from the living area to the kitchen and dining room, then the bedroom door. Then she turned to look at him, her eyes narrowed. “Are you a drug dealer?” she asked.

“What?”

“You can’t possibly afford this place on a SEAL’s salary. I know, I researched it once,” she said frankly.

Becker couldn’t help a laugh. He should’ve been insulted, both by the fact that she was asking if he was a drug dealer and also because she was inquiring about the finances of a stranger, but somehow it seemed completely normal coming from Jane.

“I am not a drug dealer,” he told her. “And since you’re so curious, I can afford this suite because I come from a wealthy family. Ever heard of BCI?”

She wrinkled her forehead. “The pharmaceutical company?”

“Yeah.” He shrugged. “My family is the B in BCI.”

Jane looked impressed. “Can you buy me something outrageously expensive?” she said suddenly, an impish smile curving her lips. “You know, so that I can tell everyone the B in BCI is my sugar daddy.”

He barked out another laugh. “I really hope you’re kidding.”

“Of course I am,” she said as she dropped her purse on the arm of the couch. “I don’t need outrageous gifts.” Her voice suddenly grew husky. “Everything I want is standing right in front of me.”

A jolt of arousal sizzled down to his crotch. He knew what she meant. Everything he wanted was standing in front of him. Jane had changed out of the sexy bikini into an even sexier knee-length sundress that clung to her curvy frame. The vibrant yellow dress looked amazing with her red hair, and the way the material swirled over her shapely legs sent another spark of heat to his groin.

“Are we going to keep ignoring it?” Jane asked.

He swallowed. “Ignore what?”

“The fact that we want to rip each other’s clothes off.” She took a purposeful step toward him. “Tell me the truth—have you ever felt anything like this before?”

“No,” he admitted.

He could swear he saw a flicker of vulnerability on her face. “Me neither.” Whatever he’d seen in her gaze was burned up in the seductive fire that filled her eyes. “I don’t quite understand it, but I know I don’t want to fight it.”

“What about dinner?” he said roughly.

“I’m thinking we satisfy the other hunger first.” She tilted her head to look at him, making him realize just how petite she was. “What do you think?”

He stared at her sensual mouth, his throat becoming dry. He could just say no. Tell this hot little seductress that he had no interest in being seduced.

But that would be a lie.

“I think,” Becker said in a measured tone, “that you really need to take that dress off.”

Chapter Three

There. He’d said the words, and there was no turning back now. Becker couldn’t tear his eyes off Jane as she slowly reached for the straps of her dress. She slid one over her shoulder then arched a brow. “You’re sure?”

He licked his dry lips. “Yes.”

With a satisfied smile, she pushed the straps down, tugged on her bodice, and peeled the dress down her body. The bright yellow material pooled at her feet, leaving Jane in a sheer white bra and a pair of skimpy panties between her tanned thighs.

Shit, she was gorgeous. With that long, wavy hair cascading over her bare shoulders and her endless supply of curves, she looked good enough to eat. The thought made his c**k jerk against his fly. Lord, he wanted to eat her. He hadn’t gotten the chance to taste her in the elevator, and he was dying to lick her up, lap up her sweet juices.

“Take off the bra and panties,” he said gruffly.

Jane did as he asked, removing the undergarments and tossing them aside. She stood completely naked before him and he took a moment to feast his eyes on her. Her skin had a pinkish hue to it, as if she’d stayed out in the sun too long. Her cherry-red ni**les were rigid, demanding attention. But it was the thatch of red curls at the juncture of her thighs that called out to him.