When they drew apart, he set her on her feet and took her hand. “Let me know if you get tired,” he said, as they started up the sidewalk. At the far southern end of the strip, the crowds were relatively thin. They’d make good time for the first few blocks. “It’s only about a mile and a half to the fountain.” She loved to walk along the strip, look at the extravagant casinos, and watch the menagerie of ever changing people. “ “A mile and a half is a long way in those shoes.” “If you weren’t so tall, I wouldn’t have to wear them.” He wrapped an arm around her back, his fingers pressing into her waist. “It’s times like these I wish I was shorter like Jace. We’d be more height compatible then.” Height compatibility did have distinct advantages, but so did the strength of a big man. She admired the wide cut of his shoulders for a long moment before the name Jace sank into her addled thoughts. “Damn. Speaking of Jace, I’m supposed to give him a message from a friend of mine. I keep forgetting.” Sed fished a cell phone out of his pocket. “Do you want to call him?” Jessica shook her head. “I’ll tell him tomorrow. I don’t think Aggie is working tonight anyway.” “Aggie?” “She’s a dancer at the club I used to work for.” “Dominatrix chick with long black hair?” Sed pointed to his head. He also had black hair, though he kept it very short—like a military recruit. “How’d you know?” He laughed. “Lucky guess. A thousand bucks says Jace already picked up your message in person.” Jessica grinned. “Don’t expect him to be able to move for a couple of days then. When’s your next show?” “Not until Tuesday. We’re heading to Phoenix.” “We’ll have to go sightseeing together there, as well.” His hand flattened over her belly as he drew her closer to his side. “We’ll go sightseeing in any city you want. Let’s catch a cab. I don’t want you to wear yourself out with all this walking.” Was he thinking of her comfort or her sexual stamina? It didn’t matter to her either way. She smiled. “Okay.” Inside the cab, he took her hand. When had he gotten so affectionate? Tender kissing. Holding hands. He’d never been like this when they’d been engaged. “So how’s school going?” he asked, a little too nonchalantly. Her heart skipped a beat. Why did he want to know? He’d never wanted her to go in the first place. “It’s all right. I do have this one professor who hates my guts and won’t give me a break.” “Why would anyone hate your guts?” Jessica shrugged. “She just doesn’t like me. She failed …” Jessica cringed. “She failed me on my final paper. Totally has it in for me. That’s what Beth thinks.” “She’s probably jealous of your gorgeous legs.” He slid her skirt up to reveal her thigh. A little further to expose her mound. His fingers brushed over the curls he found there. Jessica tugged her skirt down and rolled her eyes at him. “Give me a break.” “And who’s Beth?” Jessica smiled. She hoped Beth was having a nice summer. “My roommate.” “You have a roommate?” She couldn’t figure out why he looked so astonished. “Why wouldn’t I?” He shrugged. “Too proud to split the rent.” She scowled at him. He scratched behind his ear. “Forget I said that.” “I’m not too proud to split the rent. Splitting the rent is fine.” “You’re yelling.” Of course she was yelling. Why wouldn’t she be? “No, I don’t want someone to take care of me like I’m incompetent and boss me around and tell me how to live my life, but—” He covered her mouth with one hand. “You’re still yelling.” She slapped his hand away. “Let me finish.” “Don’t be mad.” “Don’t tell me how to feel.” He pulled her onto his lap and sank a hand into her hair to tilt her head back. His mouth claimed hers. She stiffened and tried to twist away, but his free