Her cheeks were very red. “So sex is the foundation of your relationships?”
He put all his focus on her, watching as her pupils dilated and her scent of arousal filled the air. She was an enigma. Hot and cold. Her cheeks were heated with both embarrassment and excitement. Her heart raced with trepidation and exhilaration. Her rock, hard little nipples pushed up against her shirt and yet, she clasped her hands tightly in her lap.
He fucking loved it.
Gideon nodded. “Most definitely. The bodies of mates tend to be drawn together on a cellular level. There is an alignment of sorts. The way the other person scents…tastes…” He paused, watching how her mouth rounded in a silent O.
“Um…okay…so that’s why you were saying that the scent of the hotel manager lady didn’t attract you?”
He nodded.
Jenna licked her lips. “Yet you’ve somehow got it into your head that we would be good together…based on the way I smell?” She frowned. “It’s a little strange.”
Gideon had to smile. “I have a feeling that your scent…sugar and spice—”
Her brows lifted.
“—is going to be addictive. That the taste of you…when I finally get that privilege…is going to be my undoing. There might be no going back…for either of us.” He paused, keeping his eyes locked on her. “I should be afraid but I find myself impatient as fuck. I want to run, Jenna, but not away from you…”
She licked her lips again, looking distinctly uncomfortable. “And how do you know I’ll feel the same way? My senses aren’t nearly as developed.”
“You will,” Gideon growled.
She picked some nonexistent lint off her skirt. “I’m not ready for any kind of relationship. This is moving too quickly. It’s too soon.” She shook her head.
He frowned. “Too soon, what do mean by that?”
She huffed out a breath. It felt like forever before she responded. “This is moving fast, that’s all.”
He nodded. “You’re not with anyone else are you?” He hadn’t scented another male on her but he needed to be sure. This was moving quickly despite her fears. Gideon had a feeling about this female. Human. Forbidden. She felt like she might be his anyway, so none of that mattered in the least.
He pushed out a breath he was holding when she shook her head, looking off into the distance. “No. I’m not with anyone else.”
Gideon grit his teeth.
Thank fuck.
“Come here.” He growled, watching as her eyes snapped to his.
She sucked in a ragged breath. “Why? I told you this was moving too quickly. Maybe I should stay on this side of the boat.”
Gideon narrowed his eyes, keeping them on her. He released the oars and gestured for her to come with his hands. “Please, I promise to stick to your dating rules, besides, there are others on the lake and if we move too much, the boat will tip.” His mouth pulled into a wide grin. “Trust me, Jenna, if I tried to fuck you here and now, we would definitely sink. I couldn’t go gentle or easy on you, even if I tried.”
She gasped. Then narrowed her eyes at him. “You have one dirty mouth on you.”
“Just wait until my mouth is on you, then you’ll see just how dirty it really is.” His dick was being squashed behind his zipper. His pants, suddenly, far too tight. This female did crazy things to him.
She choked out a laugh and shook her head. “You are too much.”
“Come here…I want to show you something.”
“I’m sure you do.”
Gideon smiled. “You already saw my cock…that’s not it.” He snorted. “At least not today.”
She tried to throw him a dirty look but it wasn’t possible with the big smile on her lips.
“I want to prove to you that your senses are better than you think.”
“No funny business.” She looked at him from under her lashes.
Gideon had to laugh. “Seriously, Jenna? I could’ve taken advantage of you already and I didn’t. I will follow your rules…I promise.” He held his hands up.
She swallowed thickly and nodded. Although the boat rocked, she made it over to him without incident. Gideon pulled her onto his lap, making sure that she was across his thighs and not anywhere near his straining erection.
Jenna squealed, her squirming seriously threatened to tip them. “Stop that,” Gideon growled. “Just relax.”
She stopped moving, but glared at him. “You promised, no funny business.”
“I’m barely touching you. Sheesh!” He had to chuckle. She leaned as far away from him as she could, and her hands were still folded in her lap.