Excitement seared her heart. Jonah was asking her out. After watching and waiting for so long, her mind barely comprehended the moment. She couldn't manage coyness at the moment, so she simply said, "Yes."

"This evening?" He squeezed her nipple, applying gentle pressure.

"Yes, that would be lovely." Her breath hitched as eagerness rose within her.

"How about Roman's? It's a few blocks from here." He released her and stepped away.

Anna grasped the countertop for support. She considered for a moment the possibility of running into someone from work but dismissed it. Did she care? "Yes, what time?"

"Let's say ... 7:00? I have a lot on my plate here today."

Anna tried to think through the sensual haze created by Jonah. "Yes. That's fine." She started a mental list in an attempt to calm herself. What would she wear? What time did she need to leave?

"I'm meeting with Marcus. I'm briefing him on the status of projects. Normally, Frank would do it, but I told him I would since he wanted to meet with the techs." Jonah's intonation lost its flirting edge as his mind focused on work.

Anna wondered if Jonah was as unaffected as he appeared. "I'll be interested to hear his thoughts." Her skin still hummed with pleasure, and she found it hard to turn her mind from the sensations of her body.

Jonah bent over her shoulder and viewed the data in the notebook. "I know he'll be pleased with the status of dexathane."

Anna took a deep, steadying breath. "I should be able to add further information to my report soon."

"I look forward to seeing you this evening, Anna." He drew out her name, and her nerve endings rioted again.

Anna swiveled around on the stool to face Jonah. "I can't wait." She smiled, unconsciously seductive with her pinkened cheeks and sparkling eyes.

Jonah turned and exited the lab.

Anna remained in the lab until lunchtime. She spent most of the afternoon at her desk and didn't speak to Jonah again. At 5:00, she pa.s.sed off her data to Carrie for entry. She wanted plenty of time to prepare for dinner with Jonah.

Chapter 3.

At 7:00 on the nose, Anna entered the restaurant. Glancing around, she didn't spot Jonah. She asked for a table for two with a view of the door, and the staff accommodated her quickly. Tiny b.u.t.terflies of antic.i.p.ation beat in her stomach, and she ordered a drink to sooth herself.

The restaurant was busy for a weekday. Most of the tables were occupied and the wait staff was hopping. Despite the crowd, the noise wasn't overwhelming. Decorative paper screens separated the tables and provided privacy.

Anna tried to enumerate topics to discuss with Jonah as she nursed her drink. She didn't consider herself a great conversationalist and often pre-planned for social occasions. It was a geeky thing to do, but it worked. Over time, as socializing had become more natural, she hadn't needed the planning as frequently. However, this evening with Jonah was important. Shyness and insecurity were battling their way to the forefront. She knew the way to fight them was with a plan.

Ten minutes pa.s.sed. Then fifteen. Anna told herself she wasn't concerned. Jonah had mentioned that he antic.i.p.ated a busy day. She didn't know if he planned to leave from the office or try to go home in between. She suspected the former. Any of a dozen things could be holding Jonah up. Besides, fifteen minutes was nothing, not really.

Thirty minutes pa.s.sed. Anna felt increasingly conspicuous. The waiter visited the table several times. She'd ordered a drink refill but was hesitant to order an appetizer or anything else. Though the waiter was friendly enough, she imagined he didn't appreciate a table that wasn't generating revenue. Anna checked her phone. Should she try to call Jonah? She didn't want to be a nag. It was their first date, after all. She'd wait a bit longer. The tiny b.u.t.terflies of antic.i.p.ation that had bedeviled her all day coalesced into a knot of anxiety that lay like a lead ball in her stomach.

Forty-five minutes pa.s.sed. Anna fidgeted in her seat. She felt as if every eye in the restaurant were on her. Did they know she had been stood up? Sympathy had been evident in the waiter's face when he'd last stopped at the table. Humiliation burned through Anna, and her eyes felt suspiciously wet. Should she leave? Surely, Jonah wasn't playing an elaborate joke on her, was he? What had she been thinking? Men like Jonah weren't interested in pale, nerdy scientists. He escorted beautiful women - women who overlooked his absent-minded habits until they couldn't anymore. He'd probably forgotten all about her.

Anna's phone beeped. She glanced at the text. It was Jonah.

Got held up. Be there in 10.

She closed her eyes and sighed. Her relief turned to anger. Part of her wanted to get up and stomp out. How dare he make her wait! This was a first date. Wasn't he supposed to be trying to make the best impression? Did he even care? Maybe he didn't think he needed to bother. She'd been so easy. He'd barely lifted a finger, and she'd been throwing herself at him.

But Anna couldn't bring herself to leave. She wasn't ready to give up on Jonah. What if something important had kept him away? She wanted to hear his explanation.

When the waiter returned, she gave him a tremulous smile. She tried to bring herself under control. She a.s.sured him that her dining companion was on the way.

Anna struggled to focus her thoughts, but when she spotted Jonah coming into the restaurant, distress surged within her. That wouldn't do. She pressed her fingernails into her palms and bit the inside of her lip. The discomfort stemmed her welling emotions for the moment.

Jonah slipped into the chair opposite her. "I'm sorry, Anna. Time got away from me. After meeting with Marcus, I had work I needed to complete. It had to be done today."

Anna wanted to rail at him. Couldn't he have called? Couldn't he have let her know he was running late? However, an angry outburst would not likely endear her to him. She forced herself to smile. "I understand. These things happen." She tried to inject a positive tone into her words but wound up sounding flat.

Jonah paused as if trying to gauge her mood. He rubbed his chin, his fingers rasping against the stubble. "Are you sure? I am sorry."

"I know you're sorry." Anna believed that he was sorry, but somehow it didn't remove the hurt.

After they ordered their meals, awkward silence spread out between them. All Anna's conversational plans fled her mind. She couldn't meet his gaze and wrung her cold hands under the table out of his view.

"Anna?" He coaxed her gently, leaning in across the table.

She raised her chin. "Yes?" Embarra.s.sment roiled through her. She couldn't even muster decent small talk. So much for her grand plans.

"I spoke with Marcus about the dexathane. He was very enthusiastic."

She grabbed the topic like a lifeline. "That's good to hear. I've been very excited about it myself." She laid her palms together and tried to relax.

Jonah took her hands in his, resting them on the table. "Well, he was very impressed with your research. As am I."

Anna warmed under his praise. "Thank you."

"There's no denying you are a talented scientist ... and a beautiful woman." Jonah rubbed her palm with his thumb.

A blush rose in her cheeks at his compliment. Jonah had managed to move their conversation into the personal realm. She was at a loss for a moment. "Your work is very impressive."

Jonah smiled. "I'm fortunate I get to pursue areas that are of interest to me. I realize not everyone is so lucky."

Their meals arrived and the conversation veered to the food, the service, and the ambiance of the restaurant. Occasionally, Jonah's knee or foot would contact her under the table and send a shiver through her. Did he even realize the effect he had on her?

By the end of the meal, Anna purged her insecurity. She recognized that Jonah was trying hard to make the evening a success, though their conversation lacked the flirting edge of their banter earlier in the lab. It wasn't clear if he felt the intense spark she did, but there was no mistaking his interest.

As the waiter cleared the table, Jonah settled back in his seat, studying her. His eyes glowed in the dim light of the hanging pendant lamp.

Anna fought the instinct to duck her head. The reflex to hide away hadn't completely left her, especially at a time like this.

Jonah tapped the table with his fingertip. "Anna, how long have you been interested?"

She didn't pretend not to understand. "In you?"

"Yes."

"Why? What difference does it make?" For a moment, Anna resented his line of questioning. She wasn't comfortable revealing her long infatuation.

"I'm curious."

Anna's feared exposing her heart just yet. "A while."

Jonah smirked. "Eventually you'll tell me."

"Perhaps." She knew he could cajole the information from her if he tried. Right now though, she still possessed a small need to guard her heart and didn't volunteer it.

Jonah settled the bill and they hailed a cab outside. Anna relayed her address to the cabbie, and they were on their way through the darkened city. Streetlights and neon signs flashed through the windows. Anna fidgeted on the uncomfortable vinyl seat. What would happen now? What did she want to happen now?

Jonah took her hand in his, entwining their fingers. He leaned toward her and kissed her hair above her ear. Desire washed through her. Jonah. Jonah was kissing her. She couldn't wrap her mind around it yet, but her body reacted instinctively.

Releasing her hand, he slid his arm around her back. His hand delved into her cornsilk hair, grasping the back of her head as he guided her to him. Their lips met as their bodies twisted toward one another, desperate for contact. His firm, masculine mouth shifted against her soft skin and exhilaration flowed through her. She parted her lips and his tongue slid inside, running along the edge of her teeth and exploring her mouth. Tingling pleasure rampaged through Anna. She tried to rein in her response, fearful of revealing too much. Jonah didn't know how she ached for him, not yet.

Jonah's free hand found her thigh and his roaming fingers burned a trail as they dipped in between her legs, searching for her feminine secrets. The fabric of her clothing was between them, but that didn't mute her arousal. Her hips lifted, straining for closeness.

"Hey, we're here!" The driver's announcement finally penetrated, and they broke apart like guilty teenagers. Anna grasped the door handle and stumbled out onto the sidewalk. Her legs were shaking and she tried to compose herself.

Jonah paid the driver and joined her under the building's awning. "I didn't mean for things to go so far." He guided her toward the entrance.

Anna hoped he couldn't see her blush in the low light. "Me neither."

They rode up in the elevator without conversation, the air sizzling between them. Anna wanted to touch him - badly. She tensed, resisting. Confusion and sensual awareness warred within her. Was it too soon? Were they moving too fast? It was tempting to grasp for immediate fulfillment, but she didn't want Jonah just for tonight. She wanted a chance at a lifetime. She'd read enough relationship books to know that most frowned upon sleeping together too soon. Make the man work for you. Don't give in too soon. Men want the thrill of the chase. She didn't know if it was bunk or not. She'd never concerned herself before.

When they reached her door, Anna turned and tilted her face up, scrutinizing his expression. Intense arousal etched his face.

Jonah grasped her chin in his hand, running his thumb over her flushed skin. "What do we do, Anna?"

"I don't know," she replied.

"Me neither." He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

Anna turned her face and captured his mouth with hers. She kissed him, infusing her heart into the delicate brush of her lips.

"Oh, Anna. You're making me burn. My body wants me to just take you, but my head tells me we should hold off."

"It's confusing, isn't it?" Anna confessed.

Jonah embraced her for a moment and stepped back. "I'll see you at the office tomorrow."

"Yes." Her simple answer embodied a wealth of meaning. Yes, she'd see him tomorrow. Yes, she wanted him. Yes, they should wait. Yes, just yes.

Her eyes followed Jonah until he rounded the corner to the elevators. She unlocked her door and ducked inside, closing it behind her. She braced herself against the firm surface as elation sprung free within her. This was a good beginning, she thought. Well, it had started terrible but ended well. Jonah was interested - clearly interested. It had been all she could do not to drag him inside her apartment and tackle him to the floor.

As she prepared for bed, she recalled that Jonah hadn't specifically mentioned getting together again. She experienced a twinge of worry but shrugged it off. He wasn't getting away that easily.

Anna peered through the microscope and adjusted the k.n.o.b. The slide came into view. Pinkish stain clearly delineated the walls of each cell. She switched the lens and increased the magnification. The microscope rewarded her with a spectacular view. A tiny adjustment of the k.n.o.b and it was in perfect focus. She turned to her notebook and began a detailed sketch. It was an old habit that she used to supplement photographs.

Footsteps in the outer lab area echoed on the wall. Was it Jonah? The mere thought of him sent a tingle up her spine.

The door opened and Jonah stepped inside. "Good morning, Anna."

Was it her imagination or was there something particularly inviting about his voice? "Good morning. Did you sleep well?" After the words left her mouth, she realized that she wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer.

Jonah moved closer. "Actually, no. I didn't sleep well at all. For some reason, I was restless. I couldn't relax."

Anna blushed. "I see."

"It's a problem with a solution, though." Jonah's studied her face.

Anna swallowed, pinned by his scrutiny. The smudges under her eyes revealed her own sleepless night.

Jonah locked the door and returned to Anna, pulling her to her feet. The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled and leaned in. He kissed her, taking her lips with firm precision.

Anna trembled and deepened the kiss, opening her mouth. She flicked the crease where his lips met. Her fingertips dug into his shoulders and she strained closer.

Jonah tightened his arms around her and lifted her onto a clear area of countertop. He parted the front of her lab coat and cupped her soft b.r.e.a.s.t.s through her blouse, kneading the full globes. "You're so wonderfully soft."

Anna gasped as heat suffused her body. A frenzied desire to feel his warmth erupted within her and she unb.u.t.toned the front of Jonah's shirt, sliding her hands inside. She ma.s.saged her palms over his smooth, supple skin. Coa.r.s.e hairs sprinkled his chest and his muscles contracted under her touch. So many nights she'd fallen asleep dreaming of touching him this way. Now that it was happening, her fantasies paled in comparison to the reality.

Jonah grasped the hem of her skirt and pushed it up. His hands returned to her legs and glided up the silkiness of her inner thighs until he reached the apex.

Anna jerked as Jonah found her sensitive nubbin though the silky fabric of her panties. He stroked her, his fingers teasing beneath the elastic edge. He trailed his fingers over the fabric to the waistband and guided the cloth off, lifting her a bit. He pulled the panties off her legs, and she was bared to him.

Her arms wrapped around him, pulling him back to her, and they plundered each other, lips searching and bodies straining. Jonah fought to unfasten his pants and dropped them to the floor with his briefs.

Anna wrapped her fingers around him and fondled the velvety skin stretched tight by his arousal. She reveled in his male heat as she explored the textures of his erection.

Jonah's fingertips dipped into her, testing. He found her wet and ready. "This counter is too high, I believe."

Anna stared at him through a sensual haze. Her runaway response overwhelmed all reason.

Jonah grabbed the back of an armless desk chair and pulled it toward him. The wheels squeaked as he seated himself on the cushion and settled her onto his lap. Grasping her a.s.s in his hands, he pulled her forward until their bodies met in intimate contact.

Anna's warm, womanly flesh molded around his erection and erotic wonder filled her mind. Was Jonah holding her or was it a dream? If it was a dream, she never wanted to wake.

The slow pounding ache that had started to build with his first touch roared into flame. Want and need dueled within her. She squirmed in his lap, seeking relief.

Jonah lifted her hips and guided her down onto his rigid shaft. He settled himself deep inside, holding still. A masculine rumble of satisfaction escaped his throat.

Anna dissolved, boneless. Her face was buried in his chest as she savored every nuance, every sensation. She was joined with Jonah on every level. Her heart soared and her body rejoiced. Stretched almost beyond bearing, she twitched around him.