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She blew a piece of hair from her eyes. “I had a feeling you’d say that.”
“Before I send out the press release, I want to hear more. Rumor has it you sent over tons of stuff for Crystal and the other kids.”
The heat notched up ten or a hundred degrees. She pushed the hair from her eyes once more. “It’s no big deal. It was from the team.”
“But it wasn’t from the team when you offered to personally volunteer, or when you gave a personal donation to the hospital the day of the gala. You do a lot more than you let on.” His gaze bore straight into her. “I also don’t think Pat did you a favor by offering you a job. I think you did him one by taking it.”
She looked up sharply. How could he know that?
“Most people would love the opportunity to work for a major league team, but you’d rather be independent. It must be difficult to work under the man who raised you. You didn’t come back for the job – you came back for them.”
Dara started to deny it but found herself being honest. “Pat and Mary are still relatively fit, but they’re getting older. They don’t have biological kids to look after them, and my siblings are off with their own lives. When Pat offered me the job, it felt like more than that, like he wanted to have family nearby. I want to be here for them like they were for me.”
“It must’ve been hard losing your parents so young.” He frowned. “I’m sorry – you probably don’t want to talk about it.”
“No, it’s okay.” Dara took a deep breath. For some reason, she wanted to share the most difficult time of her life with him. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if not for Pat and Mary. From the moment we went to live with them, they treated us like their own. They made every soccer game, every recital, every awards ceremony. They treated us to cookies and fairs and hugs. But most of all, they loved us. When my parents died, I was afraid I would lose that, but with Pat and Mary, I never did. And even though we grew up, they still treat us with the same love and affection. They’ll never replace my mom and dad, but I love them with all my heart. I’d do anything for them.”
Understanding burned in Jason’s gaze, amidst sheer kindness. “You’re a good woman, Dara Everett.”
“And you’re a good man, Jason Sterling.” Her hair fell again into her eyes, and she reached up. Before she could move it, he was there.
“Let me,” he said softly as he took the red curl and tucked it behind her ear. Instead of pulling back, he reached out and caressed her cheek. And instead of leaning away, she pushed into him.
She sighed, and for a moment they stayed like that, lost in a forbidden world. In truth, she could’ve stayed there forever, so close to the handsome and kindhearted man. They had shared far more than their pasts, but also themselves, their present. Perhaps… their future? “What are you doing to me?” she breathed.
“The same thing you’re doing to me.”
And with that, the game was forgotten, the cards dropped. As Jason moved nearer and nearer, she closed her eyes.
He took her lips.
Dara sighed as his masculine scent surrounded her, as he pulled her against the endless planes of his hard chest. Her breasts, unrestrained under the thin cotton, pressed into him, their softness melting into steel hardness. He caressed her everywhere, tracing every dip and curve, painting lines inch by sensitive inch. Moving by pure instinct, she grasped his shirt.
Yet suddenly his lips were gone. She blinked at the passion he couldn’t hide. He was a portrait of pure power, breathing as hard as she, muscles flexing, his expression as intense as the storm still brewing outside. She wanted – needed – that storm. “Why are you stopping?”
“I’m not.” His hold on her tightened possessively. “I need to make sure you’re all right.” His voice rumbled like thunder. “Do you truly want this?”
It was unwise to get involved with this man who would usurp control. This world could not last, with the rain playing percussion outside the windows, realities bathed in the dim light. Yet she could do nothing else. “I want this.”
“Are you certain?”
She nodded the truth. He needed no more assurance. Dara leaned forward, but he stopped her. Instead, he placed one hand around her back and one under her knees and lifted her. Once more the authoritative man held her, cradling her against a chest she knew so well. She clutched him as he strode to the bedroom.
“You once asked if I was kidnapping you.” He reached the massive king sized bed, its sateen sheets already turned down. He placed her on its welcoming folds, but she had no time to escape as he leaned over her. “Consider this a yes.” His lips returned to their rightful place.
She was lost.
Dara could only gasp in pleasure as he caressed her body, leaving no place untouched, no area unexplored. When he grew impatient at the barriers, he removed her shirt with one swift movement, leaving her naked and exposed. Then he removed the last of his clothing and produced the protection that would safeguard them both.
Then he explored.
Dara writhed at his tantalizing administrations, as he learned her every secret. In turn he let her explore, with a man who was indeed as perfect as he appeared. Never had she seen such a magnificent man, so perfect, so commanding. When she was ready, he entered her.
Dara gasped at the intensity of a perfect connection. He was large everywhere, but somehow fit perfectly inside her petite body. Pinkness against pinkness, delicious friction and endless sensation. Together they ascended, higher and higher, soaring to realms she’d never before reached. Then…
They shattered.
And life would never be the same.
