Part 15 (1/2)

”I'm just Jack. As of tonight, truly honestly just Jack.”

She looked at him in puzzlement. ”I don't understand?”

He tugged her behind the desk and sat her down in his lap. ”Let me tell you a story about a kid with a

pa.s.sion for movies, Big John Johnson and an old theater.””Does it have a happy ending?””That's up to you. And me. It hasn't been written yet.””Ah.” She snuggled against him. ”So tell me.”* * * * *It was dark by the time Jack finished his story, since it was interrupted with frequent kisses and sighs and murmurs from Daphne.

It was a rare moment out of time for him-sharing his life and his thoughts with a woman. He'd never done it before, never wanted to before, and the enormity of it would have made him extremely nervous if he hadn't had such a warm armful of femininity hanging onto his every word.

”And then this happened...” He gestured at his monitor. ”So I'm going to deletethat right away-”

”Wait...” Daphne's hand grasped his wrist. ”Don't.”

”No?” Jack blinked.

”We might...well...perhaps we could...um...” The color flooded her cheeks. ”Are you absolutely

positive there are no other copies of this?”He nodded, watching her.”Then don't delete it. Get it off your computer onto a CD or something. Let's keep it, Jack.””Really?” She was a constant source of amazement to him, this librarian he'd fallen in love with. There seemed to be no end to the ways she could surprise him.”Really. I'd like to watch it again. With you. On that huge TV of yours...””On the couch...” he added.”Yes...that lovely couch...””With both of us naked...”Daphne swallowed and groaned. ”Jaaaack...”She seemed to be having difficulty forming the word. Especially when her blouse was unfastened and a hand crept inside her bra.”Jaaaack...””I'm still a bit dizzy. I need something to hold on to.””You faker.” She grinned up at him and nestled her breast into his hand, making his heart sing.He tried to concentrate on what he'd been saying. ”So we get to this.” He nodded at the papers strewn over his desk. ”My future. Our future.””Huh?””I've resigned from the studio as of today. Chuck's taking over Big John Johnson productions, and you, my lovely, are sitting in the lap of the town's newest realty developer.””At the risk of repeating myself...huh?” Daphne blinked at him.”I read this article in the paper about the Wildwood. How it's gonna be destroyed if someone doesn't do something.”Daphne raised an eyebrow. ”Let me guess. You're 'someone'.”Jack smiled. ”Yep.” He ran a finger over her arm. ”I've got the money, that's no problem. I have ideas, Daph, things I'd like to do with the theater. Make it a viable operational theater. Stuff like special

showings for mothers when the kids are in school. Theme nights. Maybe even adding in small concessions where people can buy the books the movies are based on...stuff like that...”

He bit his lip nervously. ”What do you think?”

”Oh Jack.” She hugged him. ”Yes.””So you'll help me? I'll need someone to research it thoroughly, find out what it used to look like...allthat kind of thing.”

Daphne sighed in contentment. ”Of course. I can't imagine anything I'd like more.”

”I can.” Jack tightened his hand around her soft breast and leaned close, teasing her nipple with his thumbas he dropped tiny kisses over her neck.”Oh...yeah...well...there is that...” Her voice faded away as he kept up his sensual a.s.sault. d.a.m.n, he was hard as a rock, but he didn't want to move. This moment was too precious.

Sadly, it was not one destined to last. A knock on the half-open door made them both jump up andDaphne pulled her blouse hurriedly back across her chest.Jack sighed. ”Chuck, men have been shot for less than that.”Chuck peeked his head around the door. ”Sorry to bother you, Jack...oh. Hi.” He smiled at Daphne. ”

Let me guess. White lace thong?”Daphne's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed.Jack held her tight. ”Chuck...meet Daphne. Daphne, this idiot who happened to see something drop out of my pocket the other night, is Chuck.”

”Ah. Um...nice to meet you, Chuck.” It was a very polite response from a rather delightfully mussedlibrarian who was currently sitting on the lap of Chuck's soon-to-be-ex boss.”Likewise, Daphne. I'll be on my way out then, Jack. I didn't realize you had company...honest...sorry -””Chuck?””Yeah?””Get out.”Chuck grinned at the harsh order. ”You're not my boss any more you know.””Chuck?””Yeah?””Get out and close the door behind you.””You got it. Night.” Chuck left, obediently closing the door tight behind him.Daphne giggled. ”He must be a good friend. You were really rude to him.””Forget him. Where were we?” Jack fumbled around with Daphne's blouse. ”You got the b.u.t.tons in the wrong holes.”

She rolled her eyes. ”We were talking about the Wildwood-oh...that reminds me...I brought you something-”

”Two somethings, actually...” muttered Jack as he bared her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.