The hotel sitting area which had seemed so spacious when she'd first rented the room had grown dramatically smaller. "I...I just wondered why you married me," Nikki said.

Jonah shrugged. "Because solving your problem solves mine."

"I don't understand."

He stripped off his jacket and tossed it over a nearby chair. "I don't expect you to. Yet."

Before she could question him further, he took a final step in her direction. Retreating an equal distance, the back of her knees hit the edge of the bed and she sat down abruptly.

"It's a king-sized bed," she explained in a rush, scooting backward on the quilted cover. "When I realized the mistake, I tried to get two doubles but the hotel's full. Every room's taken. I thought maybe the couch--" She gestured wildly toward the sitting area.

"You're not using the couch and neither am I." The mattress dipped beneath his weight. "We're husband and wife now, remember?"

He trapped her beneath him before she had a chance to roll away and she stared at him in shock. "But you claimed we wouldn't... You didn't intend..." Frantically, she searched her memory, struggling to recall his exact phrasing. "You said you didn't want to sleep with me!"

"I told you it wasn't worth discussing. And it's not. Certain issues are non-negotiable, and this is one of them." His eyes were a fierce green, glowing with blatant desire. "So no more discussion. No more negotiations. The time has come for action."

"No--"

"Yes, Mrs. Alexander. Most definitely, yes."

Framing her head with his hands, he stole a gentle kiss, confirming her earlier opinion. Dear heaven, but he knew his way around a woman's mouth. He also knew when to coerce and when to coax. And right now, he coaxed. Teased. Tempted.

Seduced.

Hot little flames flickered to life again, splashing across her skin, seeping deep within to weaken every muscle and sear every nerve ending. She tried to resist, to explain all her reasons for keeping their relationship platonic. But the words were lost, swallowed by a far greater need--a need that consumed all rational thought.

The buttons of her suit jacket fell open and his mouth drifted downward, following the length of her throat. She teetered on the edge of surrender. He was her husband. He was helping her resolve an untenable situation. And she wanted him. Heaven help her, she wanted him. Considering the circumstances, could making love be so wrong?

"Nikki," he muttered in a passion-slurred voice. "I'm sorry. I can't resist."

"I know," she whispered. "I feel the same way."

"Thanks for understanding."

His shadowed jaw rasped across sensitive skin and she held her breath, aware that she'd committed herself to folly. He cupped her breasts, nuzzling the curves above her lacy bra and then...

Nothing.

"Jonah?" she murmured, shifting beneath his oppressive weight. He didn't respond and as the seconds ticked by, desire waned. She moistened her lips, the return of sanity making her extremely self-conscious. "Are you sure about this?" she asked uneasily. "Don't you think we should wait until we know each other a little better? Jonah? Jonah?"

And it was then she realized he'd fallen fast asleep.

Related Fairytale Wedding Books:

 

Temporary Husband

Accidental Wife

Shotgun Marriage

Bridegroom on Approval

Long-Lost Bride

This book was a:

• Finalist for 1997 Holt Medallion Award, Traditional Category.
• Finalist for Colorado Romance Writers 1997 Award of Excellence, Short Contemporary Category.
• Finalist for Romantic Times 1996, Reviewers Choice Award for Best Harlequin Romance.

From the book:

 

ACCIDENTAL WIFE

By Day Leclaire

Harlequin Romance #3438--December '96

ISBN:  0-373-03438-5
 

ANOTHER 4 ½ GOLD for DAY LECLAIRE'S ACCIDENTAL WIFE!

"In ACCIDENTAL WIFE (4 ½ Gold), Day Leclaire makes a potent magic, penning a sure keeper with dynamite characters, riveting scenes and a glorious plot."  Review from Romantic Times magazine.

Copyright © 1996 by Day Leclaire.  ® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher.  This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.  For more romance information surf to: http://www.eharlequin.com