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They were so close to each other. All they had to do was lean in the tiniest bit and…

He leaned in.

And kissed her.

Yes.

She closed her eyes, basking in the feel of his mouth on hers. Last night, she'd been the initiator, and there was something so incredibly hot about the fact that he'd initiated this morning, when she still had bedhead and had barely managed to get dressed.

He slid his hand behind her neck, deepening the kiss, owning the kiss, seducing her with a kiss that was so full of emotion and need that it seemed to coil right through her belly and explode out through every cell in her body.

They were both on the floor, and he locked his hands around her hips, and pulled her toward him, right onto his lap. She sucked in her breath as she wrapped her legs around his hips, and her arms around his neck.

His hands were supporting her lower back, drawing her closer against him as he kissed her. In the bright light of morning, the desire was just as strong as it had been in the romantic darkness of the outdoors.

She couldn't believe how amazing it felt to be on Jacob's lap, to feel the warmth of his body heating her. He felt so strong, so present, so human. She searched his face, and he didn't look away. "What is this?" she whispered.

"It's called intimacy. Or making out. Or sexy times. Want me to get a Thesaurus? There are a lot of terms for it."

She laughed softly. "I meant, what's the deal with this attraction? We've both been doing just fine with the celibacy route for a long time, and suddenly, hours after we meet, we're making out on the hallway floor before we even manage to get breakfast."

"Making out on an empty stomach is considered very romantic in certain European countries."

She giggled and pushed at his chest. "Why do you need to be funny as well?"

"Because I'm that guy." His hands were still on her hips, his fingers tracing little circles on them.

"What guy is that?"

"The guy everyone wants to date, but no one can because I don't like people." As he said it, he pulled her in and kissed her again, a melty, swoon-worthy kiss that made him into a complete liar.

Being in Jacob's arms was amazing. It made her want him, more, so much more, so desperately. She'd been so happy being alone, but suddenly, that was gone, and all she wanted was him.

Which was a very dangerous place to be.

There was a whine behind her and a scratch at the door, and they both stopped. "Cupcake wants to go out," he said.

"I know." Relief rushed through her at the interruption. She was getting in too fast and too far with Jacob, and she needed to stop before she lost herself. Cupcake barked and scratched again, and she pulled back. "He's going to wake Annie. I need to let him out."

She scrambled off his lap and opened the door.

Cupcake slipped out and pounced on Jacob, while Phoebe peeked in on her daughter. Annie was sprawled on her back, her arms flung wide, her feet kicked free of the covers. It was the position of confidence, and her heart turned over. Despite having to go on the run, Annie wasn't scared. Yes. "We're making progress, baby," she whispered. "I love you."

She quietly pulled the door shut, then turned to see Cupcake sitting quietly at Jacob's feet, his tail wagging wildly while Jacob patted him. "How do you do that?"

"I'm good with animals. Horses. Dogs."

"I can see that." Her heart melted a little bit at the gentle tones Jacob was using with Cupcake. He was such a big man, but he had such a soft side.

Damn. She needed to stay focused. "What's a good place for me to set up for my calls?"

He looked up. "Calls?"

She nodded. "I have my Monday video coaching today with my community."

"You're not going online," he said flatly.

Phoebe raised her brows. "Of course I’m going online. I have women counting on me."