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But she knew actually caring about a thing always made the biggest difference.
Now, instead of watching Jim get torn apart in the media, she had the pleasure of witnessing him build himself into something stronger.
He was slowly figuring out his life and letting her see him at his most unsure moments while he fortified.
She’d love to see more of it.
Maybe she needed to rethink that office position he offered her; she’d get to keep seeing him.
Plus, the job could hold her over until she encountered a better opportunity.
What’s your deal? You’re willing to take some desk job now? No.
No way should she hand over her power like that; she was perfectly capable of sorting out her own situation and getting what she wanted. She didn’t come all the way to New York to settle.
She knew what she wanted to do, and she was going to do it somehow. Even if she started out all wrong and gave up a scoop that could make her career.
Maribel also realized she needed to tell Jim why she really moved to New York immediately; it was probably better to come clean now that she was no longer doing the story on him.
* * *
Jim didn’t let her hand go.
As they walked away from the meeting spot, Jim held her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.
It felt natural to her too, which was why she regretted having to remind him to drop it; Lucy could be somewhere watching.
“You think I care?”
“But you told her it wasn’t like this, remember?”
“Well, she already made up her mind about it, but I’ll respect your space.”
He dropped her hand and she felt as if her heart had also fallen a bit.
“It’s not that, it’s just that it’s…”
“Too soon, I know. But don’t deny there’s something between us. Lucy saw it within seconds, I’m sure. I felt it the moment I looked at you, and it has only grown stronger.”
Maribel gazed up at him.
“But I don’t want to be anyone’s rebound,” she said, searching his emerald eyes.
Jim’s eyebrows raised a little.
“You were there—there’s no there-there, remember? Lucy and I were never serious. I left her; therefore, no rebound.”
“But you were bothered by her sleeping with your dad—I saw it on your face.”
“Not really by the action per se. Sure, I’m disappointed and a bit disturbed my father would sleep with someone he had planned to turn into my wife, but I’m not surprised Lucy did it all; in fact, I’m shocked she didn’t throw herself at my best man! That is, if my sister hasn’t firmly staked her claim yet.”
“So you guys were going to have an unofficial open marriage then.”
He shook his head.
“As crazy as it might sound, I figured we had an understanding that we were both free agents until we officially tied the knot. So no, even if she had one last hurrah at some bachelorette party the night before, it wouldn’t have bothered me, but anytime after, and we’d have to have a talk.”
This time, Maribel shook her head.
“Is it always so little talking with you guys? What’s with all the assumptions? I thought you business types got everything in writing, made sure everything was spelled out clearly. You did a lot of hoping and wishing, and had a lot of one-sided understandings, it seemed.”
“And it stops today. Let me be clear with you, Maribel Gibson—I like you a lot. More than I should after only about a day with you. It feels so much longer, actually.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“But in a wonderful way. We haven’t even been intimate—and I think that might have something to do with it; we’ve done far more talking than I’m used to. But even so, I’m already growing attached to parts of you—like that smile of yours. Those searching dark eyes. It was a strange sort of torture waiting for you to come back home today. I suppose it could be that I’m so used to having my time occupied by work and you’ve been distracting me from this whole wedding thing wonderfully, but I know it’s more than that. I want to keep seeing you, Maribel; I want things to be more serious between us. I already miss your hand in mine.”
Maribel’s face burned, but she offered him her hand again since she missed the physical contact with him too.
She knew she was probably getting played—how could a great-looking, filthy-rich guy like him not have his game down and be the ultimate player?
How could he not know which words to say to get her to want to say yes to any of his requests?
“Would you mind if I came home with you again?” he asked softly, but with distinct undertones. “I don’t mean to impose, but I’d like to spend one more night away from the noise. And obviously, I’m nowhere near ready to let go of you just yet.”
Maribel’s heart pounded.
She heard so much more than he’d actually said.
Her experience may have been limited, but she knew what he really meant—consummation.
At that moment, he wasn’t talking about getting to know her favorite color or food; the heat between them had to be put addressed one way or another.
Well, perhaps just one way.
They both had a ton of tension to release, and she couldn’t think of a better way to do it.
She put on the most southern accent she could muster, “Why, James Daniel Craig, I am not that kind of girl!” she said, hand on her chest.
His slow, wicked smile told her it didn’t matter what kind of girl he was—that he knew she wanted the same thing he did, and she’d be that girl tonight.
Chapter 10
Jim
The door had barely closed behind them before Jim started tearing at Mari’s clothes.
He’d been tortured by the promised beneath them since he first laid eyes on her, and now he couldn’t get them off fast enough, the process complicated a bit by their locked lips, tongues furiously exploring as they devoured one another.
He had no doubt he’d ruined her blouse as he tossed it aside.
Then he started working on her bra.
Once he pulled back to look at her as he tossed that aside, he noticed Mari had a sort of fearful look on her face as their lips finally p
arted, as if unsure of what she had to offer.
But his eyes couldn’t get enough of her exposed torso, her small breasts perfect for his mouth.
“Beautiful,” he assured her, and she began shedding her bottoms while he took one swell in his mouth then the other, flickering his tongue over her dark hardened nipples.
Her gasps and moans were driving him insane, and he was sure his cock would burst through his pants at any moment, making an obscene entrance.
He quickly shed his own clothes, then he picked her up in his arms, locking lips with her again, both his heart and shaft lifted.
He walked them to her bedroom, laying her down gently on the tiny bed, then covering her with his body, positioning himself to take her while he nibbled her neck and she wriggled deliciously.
Then he remembered one little detail and cursed, his throbbing member begging for entry.
Mari reached over to the nightstand and produced a condom from the top drawer, and despite all the questions he suddenly had, he was grateful she was prepared.
She took the moment to say, “Please be gentle—it’s been years.”
Jim froze, unable to hide his shock though her confession made his cock grow even more.
He needed to make sure she was ready for him despite his dick’s demands, so he buried his face between her legs, licking and sucking her core until she was literally begging him to enter her.
He was only too happy to oblige.
* * *
Jim smiled when he realized where he was.
The thinnest sheets he’d ever lain on, and yet, the most comfortable bed he’d been in a while, the best sleep he’d had in ages with the soft, warm body cuddled up next to him.
One of his dreams had come true.
When Mari opened her eyes and smiled at him, his chest came alive in a way that concerned him, his heart pounding and seeming to pump endorphins rather than blood through him.
He felt compelled to grab her to him and kiss her forehead.
