Excerpt of Hold Me by Lucianne Rivers

Jane’s scream woke him.

He shot off the bed and collided with her trembling form."What is it?" he asked, gripping her arms.

Moonlight reflected in her terrified eyes. She pressed against him.

"Something was crawling on me," she said, her voice a hoarse whisper.

Her breasts rubbed against his bare chest, the sensation exquisite. Her breath warmed his chin. His eyes adjusted to the moonlit room as he scanned her bed for insects. "There’s nothing there that I can see."

Jane looked at the rumpled mess of sheets and gradually relaxed. She put her hand to her chest and took a shaky breath. "Sorry for waking you like that."

He’d only been dozing. Having a hot woman in the next bed had made sleep impossible.

As if reading his mind, she gently put her hand on his bicep—her fingers a brand, her eyes a question.

He didn’t need this. He had sworn off well-dressed American women, and for good reason. What benefit would come of taking her to bed?

Beyond the obvious, of course.

Jane must have sensed his indecision, because she did something from one of his wildest fantasies. She released his arm then slipped her fingers beneath the smooth spaghetti straps of her nightgown, pushing them from her shoulders. The silky fabric fell away from her body to her waist, revealing round, pert breasts and hard, pink nipples.

He stopped breathing. He could have her right now?hot, wet and hard?and he could rationalize his actions. Yes, the woman had just lost her mother, was alone in a strange country, and had consumed three margaritas. She wanted a temporary release, affirmation, validation, and was practically begging him to make love to her.

If she looked down, she’d see how eager his body was to oblige.