Joy by Jayne Ann Krentz Page A

lit. I knew damned well that when the time finally came, we were going to cause an explosion.“
    Virginia went pink. „Well, I’m glad you had so much faith in me, because I certainly didn’t.“
    He pulled her close, pushing her head tenderly against his shoulder. „Did you enjoy the fireworks when you finally discovered them, sweetheart?“
    She sensed the masculine satisfaction in him and chuckled. Lifting her face, she smiled into his eyes.
    „You know perfectly well I did. I suppose you’re going to take full credit?“
    He laughed deeply. „I’m willing to let you have some of the credit. You’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever encountered in or out of bed.“ He kissed her thoroughly, and his hold on her tightened. The laughter went out of him, to be replaced by a more intense emotion. „Ginny, I can’t remember the last time I felt anywhere near this sure of things. We’re going to be so good together.“
    Virginia relaxed into his embrace. The affair was well and truly launched. She had found a man who was right for her at last. Her good friend had become her lover.
    The emerald-and-diamond bracelet on her wrist flashed in the sunlight.
    That Afternoon Virginia browsed through the resort boutique and found a new dress that appealed to her.
    Her sister would have approved instantly. It wasn’t at all the sort of dress Virginia would normally have glanced at twice, and she wasn’t sure what made her so determined to buy it. It was made of light, gauzy emerald-colored cotton and had a series of flounces around the hemline that were edged in gold ribbon. It had a multicolored sash. But its most interesting feature was the low neckline.
    It was far more daringly cut than the yellow silk she had worn the previous evening. In fact, it was more daringly cut than anything she had ever owned. But a sense of adventure was compelling her, and before she gave herself time to consider too carefully, Virginia bought the dress.
    When she emerged from the bedroom that evening, Ryerson looked up expectantly. His expression altered almost comically when he saw the new addition to Virginia’s wardrobe. His face revealed a variety of expressions ranging from mild shock to a severe frown. Somewhere in between was a flash of what looked like pure lust.
    „Do you like it?“ Virginia twirled around to display the whole effect. „It’s a perfect dancing dress. And the bracelet goes perfectly with it, don’t you think?“
    „I like what there is of it,“ he retorted dryly as he came forward to take her arm. „But for Pete’s sake, don’t slouch or drop anything tonight.“
    „Why should I worry about that?“
    „Because if you have to bend down, the top half of that dress is going to fall off.“
    Virginia grinned. „It only looks as if it might fall off. It’s actually quite well engineered.“
    Ryerson arched his brows skeptically and drew a finger slowly along the line of her decolletage. When Virginia trembled delightfully in reaction, he smiled knowingly. „If s my business to know good engineering when I see it, honey, and I can tell you right now, this dress is as shaky as a bridge made out of toothpicks.
    Remember what I said about minding your posture.“
    „I’ll remember,“ she promised demurely as she straightened her shoulders. She smiled a secret smile as they went out the door.
    Ryerson glanced down at her, a cryptic smile of his own edging his mouth. „Fireworks can be a lot of fun, Ginny. But you have to be careful when you play with them.“
    „Why?“
    „Because you might get your fingers singed.“
    Her eyes were alight with mischief as she slid him a sidelong glance. „I’ll be very careful.“
    „Why do I have trouble believing that?“
    The evening air was heavy with the fragrance of flowers. The dying sun left a residual warmth in the stones of the path that wound through the gardens to the main building of the resort. Virginia could feel the heat through the thin soles of her