AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Who?”
A long pull on a thin cigarette filtered through the line, conjuring a million unwanted memories. He waited her out.
“Oh, of course. Enrique. I barely remember his name. It seems he meant more to you than to me.”
His hand balled, his lips pressed together in a hard line. “Sophia, think of this as a business opportunity.”
Another drag and a short laugh. “But Jason, I always have.”
Gritting his teeth, he berated himself. Even now she had power over him. It infuriated him that she maintained that control—that she could influence his emotions in the slightest. Young and stupid, he had blindly given her that control and, when she’d abused it, he’d spent years defending himself against any such marauder again. No one got close enough to touch his heart. No one mattered.
And then Laine strolled into his life and, bit by bit, chipped away his resolve. He’d fought against it, told himself it was too late, but in the end all she had to do was walk into a room and he was smiling. All he had to do was think of her, and everything seemed better.
Everything was better.
Laine.
His fists relaxed, and he leaned back in his chair, letting go of his anger. “Good, then, Sophia. We should have no problem coming to an agreement.”
Following some debate, they worked out a time and set up a meeting. Jason hung up the phone and pulled open the center drawer on his desk, slipping out a single photo that lay atop the clutter. It was Laine, leaning against a pillar in the lobby. She was watching one of her brides kiss the groom before they left the hotel. Jason had seen the photographer snapping photos that day and paid him off for the shot. It was money well spent.
Jason stared at the sweet smile on her face. He was a fool for waiting so long to go after her. From the beginning, she was the woman he coveted, the one who stirred feelings he was unwilling to act on. For so long he thought he could be satisfied with a relationship that didn’t breach the professional barrier between them. Being close to her made him feel alive, challenged, interested. And under the pretense of building up the nuptial business, he was able to spend time with her without the risk of getting in too deep. He’d gone on like that for nearly a year, fantasizing about her, but refusing to move. Pretending that he didn’t need more. That he hadn’t fallen completely in love with her.
But when she’d been threatened, something snapped inside him, and he couldn’t pretend anymore. He wanted to be the man she ran to, the man to comfort her, to hold her, to make the jackass who though he had the right to touch her pay. He wanted her. She hadn’t taken him seriously last week when he’d asked her out. And even after they’d made love, she didn’t seem sure of his intentions or her own feelings about them. But Jason knew what he wanted. He wanted Laine, and he was going to do whatever it took to convince her that he was worth taking a chance on.
—
The cake was served, the band played and the mandatory dances and events had been accomplished without a single snag. In short, Laine’s job was complete. She slumped back in her chair and reached for the flute of champagne that had been waiting for two hours. It was flat and warm, but it didn’t matter, she was ready to toast herself for a day without flaw.
Her fingers no more than grazed the glass when it was swept out of her reach and another fizzing flute presented. She looked up into Jason’s face.
“Nothing worse than flat champagne.”
He was staring again, that possessive, sexy stare. “I guess you’re my hero, then.”
“You’ve finally noticed. Have a sip of that bubbly and take a spin around the dance floor with me. They’re playing our song.”
Laine paused with the flute half way to her lips. She had no idea what kind of dancer Jason was, but the song was slow and smooth, and she didn’t think she’d get her feet stepped on too much since it was already half over. What the hell.
After savoring a long, sweet sip of champagne, she offered her hand to Jason and allowed him to escort her onto the floor. With a smooth sweep of his arm, he circled her into his chest and proceeded to lead. He was easy to follow and, though it wasn’t anything flashy or complicated, dancing with Jason made her feel like Ginger Rogers. He was good. She could get used to the solid feel of his body against her own, the gentle press and pull of his warm palm against her the small of her back, the rub of his thighs against her hips.
Moist breath swirled around her ear as Jason bowed his head toward hers. “So in July, when I take you to my cottage, pack light. Or don’t bother packing at all. I’m planning to keep you naked for the entire Sunday to Wednesday stay. No worries, you won’t miss a single Saturday. You can bring a suitcase filled with those high heels I love so much. Wear them when you’re feeling formal. But I want to see you naked every second I’m with you.”
Laine’s smile froze in place; heat pooled in her belly and swirled lower as she listened to the promise of things to come if she accommodated his desire to keep her naked for a little trip. He knew what to say and how to say it. He was so confident. Like he knew she wanted to comply, to strip for him that very minute to see what reward there would be for pleasing him. Damn he was so good, too good. Dangerously good. She tried to pull away, but his hold on her was firm.
“No way, I’ve been waiting all week to get this close to you. You’re done for the night. I think it’s time you said your goodbyes and got on with your own plans.”
Her heat beat faster, and she felt the skin across her chest heat as her nipples tightened and rose against the peach silk sheath she wore.
“Jason…” What did she even want to say? Maybe it was just the need to have his name on her lips, but it was all she could get out.
The hand that held hers between their chests slipped free, Jason’s fingers traced over her collarbone, lower to the deep neckline of her dress. His touch was electric.
“I want you,” he whispered, his lips grazing the outer ridge of her ear. “I can’t stop touching you. I want to stroke the softest parts of you, taste your sweetness.”
Laine shuddered in his arms. She sounded breathless to her own ears. “Let’s get out of here.”
—
