Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 72715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72715 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 364(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Though she needed persuading, he could see she was warming to the idea. She just had to put her inhibitions and professional concerns aside.
“You’ll work out?” Those beautiful green eyes assessed his sincerity.
“Diligently. You’ll give me your free time in between?”
“I don’t have much,” she warned him.
“Then, it’s a good thing my schedule’s a lot more flexible. And even better that we’re living under one roof. Are you saying we have a deal?” he asked.
The seconds she hesitated were the longest of his life.
Finally she nodded. “We have a deal.”
She extended her hand for an awkward shake, but Jake had no intention of letting her off the hook that easily. He grasped her hand, her flesh a smooth contrast to his more roughened skin. “Then, we need to seal our bargain.” He pulled her close, and she came willingly.
Her lips parted and her breath caught in her throat. He knew she was waiting for a kiss and he wanted to oblige her, yet as her lashes fluttered closed, he leaned forward and brushed his lips against her forehead instead. Unexpected tenderness washed over him, alien and welcome at the same time.
But that was just the start. He met her wide-eyed gaze. “Slow and easy, remember?”
Her hand rose to cup his cheek. “What happened to seductively?” she asked.
“I think between the two of us we’ve got that nailed down, don’t you?”
“Mmm.” Her voice came out like a purr to his ears and, drawn to her in a way that consumed him, he lowered his mouth to hers.
Her lips were soft, pliant and willing, as he slipped his tongue inside. She tasted uniquely Brianne, feminine and warm. Delicious, he thought, and treated himself to a thorough exploration of the heated depths, eliciting a moan of pleasure from her.
The soft sound was all it took for slow and easy to flare quickly out of control. Desire had been simmering for months, denied by distance and fueled by longing. Neither of them was denying now, and the kiss turned hot. What had been a gentle exploration now became a demanding acknowledgment of need. The powerful thrusting of his tongue mating with hers matched the powerful arousal nudging against his jeans, causing an ache only she could satisfy.
He braced his hands on her shoulders, kneading the muscles with his palms and dipping his fingers beneath the front V of her tight top, caressing the soft skin on her chest and teasing her with low dips downward with the pads of his thumbs. Her back arched, lifting her breasts, giving him access should he choose to take it. And he wanted to. But his promise of slow and easy echoed in his head, as did her initial hesitance in agreeing.
She’d given him what he desired. And now that he knew what lay ahead, they had time. His body fought hard against that argument, demanding gratification now, but he didn’t want the desire between them to burn out too fast.
Though a little voice in his head questioned whether he’d ever tire of Brianne, Jake pushed the notion aside and focused on her instead. But it was that voice, that dangerous thought, warning him against too much too soon, that gave Jake the strength to break the kiss first.
Still, physical contact with Brianne wasn’t something he’d give up willingly, and he kept hold of her shoulders, drinking in her dazed eyes, flushed cheeks and damp, parted lips. “Seductively, like I said.” He drew uneven breaths, his labored breathing loud to his ears, evidence of the potent desire alive between them.
She touched a shaking hand to her lips. “I enjoyed.”
He couldn’t prevent a smile. “I always keep my word.”
“I like that quality.” She smiled in return.
“We’ll be good together, Brianne.” He squeezed her shoulders in reassurance.
“Oh, you proved that.” She let out a laugh. “But we’ve got other things just as important between us, remember? And just because you tempt me doesn’t mean I won’t be tough on you during your workouts.”
He wasn’t surprised she’d brought them back to business. After the searing kiss, her need to latch on to the familiar was understandable. “I wouldn’t expect any different.”
She licked her lips, and his gaze followed her enticing and distinct reminder of what had just passed between them. But Jake sensed her action was more a nervous reaction than a deliberately seductive move.
“Good.” Without warning she rose. “I think we both need to get some sleep.”
She was back in protective mode. He respected this side of her as much as he admired her softer, more vulnerable side. He loved learning all facets of this woman, and she obviously had many.
“As long as you don’t change your mind come morning.”
“I won’t.” She looked at him, all seriousness, but it was the barest hint of vulnerability in her eyes that reached out to him and made him care more than was prudent.