A Tricky Proposition(44)

“You’re mine.” The words rumbled out of him like a vow. Claiming her physically hadn’t rattled his safe bachelor existence, but this was a whole different story.

“Jason.” She waggled her hips and arched her back, trying to entice him to join with her, but although it was close to killing him, he stayed still.

“Say it.” With his hands keeping her wrists trapped over her head and his body pinning hers to the mattress, she was at his mercy.

“I can’t…” Her eyes went wide with dismay. “…say that.”

“Why not?” He rocked against her, giving her a taste of what she wanted.

A groan erupted past her parted lips. She watched him through half-closed eyes. “Because…”

“Say it,” he insisted. “And I’ll give you what you want.”

Her chest rose and fell in shallow, agitated breaths. “What I want…”

He lowered his head and drew circles around her breast with his tongue. His willpower had never felt so strong before. When she’d started dating his brother, he’d been in the worst sort of hell. Deep in his soul, Jason had always believed if she’d choose anyone, she’d pick him. They were best friends. Confidants. Soul mates. And buried where neither had ventured before prom night was a flammable sexual chemistry.

Both of them had been afraid at the power of what existed between them, but he’d been the most vocal about not ruining their friendship. So vocal, in fact, she’d turned to his brother before Jason had had time to come to his senses.

“Mine.” He growled the word against her breast as his mouth closed around her nipple.

She gasped at the strong pull of his mouth. “Yours.” She wrapped her thighs around his hips. “All yours.”

“All mine.”

Satisfied, he plunged into her. Locked together, he released her wrists and kissed her hard and deep, sealing her pledge before whisking them both into unheard of pleasure.





Nine


Moving slowly, her legs wobbly from the previous night’s exertions, Ming crossed her bedroom to the door, where Muffin scratched and whined. She let the Yorkie in, dipping to catch the small dog before Muffin could charge across the room and disturb the large, naked man sprawled facedown in the middle of the tangled sheets.

“Let’s take you outside,” she murmured into the terrier’s silky coat, tearing her gaze away from Jason.

Still shaken from their passionate lovemaking the night before, she carefully navigated the stairs and headed for the back door. After cuddling against Jason’s warm skin all night, the seventy-degree temperature at 7:00 a.m. made her shiver. She should have wrapped more than a silky lavender robe around her naked body.

While Muffin ran off to do her business and investigate the yard for intruders, Ming plopped down on the same lounge she’d occupied the night before and opened her mind to the thoughts she’d held at bay all night long.

What the hell had possessed Jason to demand that she admit to belonging to him? Battling goose bumps, she rubbed at her arms. The morning air brushed her overheated skin but couldn’t cool the fire raging inside her. His. Even now the word made her muscles tremble and her insides whirl like a leaf caught in a vortex. She dropped her face into her hands and fought the urge to laugh or weep. He made her crazy. First his vow to never fall in love and never get married. Now this.

Muffin barked at something, and Ming looked up to find her dog digging beneath one of the bushes. Normally she’d stop the terrier. Today, she simply watched the destruction happen.

What was she supposed to make of Jason’s territorial posturing last night? Why had he reacted so strongly to the inflammatory photo? She’d understand it if they were dating. Then he’d have the right to be angry, to be driven to put his mark on her.

Jason hadn’t changed his mind about falling in love. Initially last night he hadn’t even wanted to spend the night. So, what had brought him back? It was just about the great sex, right? It wasn’t really fair to say he only wanted her body, but he’d shown no interest in accepting her heart.

Ming called Muffin back to the house and started a pot of coffee. She wasn’t sure if Jason intended to head home right away or if he would linger. She hoped he’d stick around. She had visions of eating her famous cinnamon raisin bread French toast and drinking coffee while they devoured the Sunday paper. As the day warmed they could go for a swim in her pool. She’d always wanted to make love in the water. Or they could laze in bed. It would be incredible to devote an entire day to hanging out.

Afternoon and evening sex had been more fun and recreational than serious and committed. Ming could pretend they were just enjoying the whole friends-with-benefits experience. Sleeping wrapped in each other’s arms had transported them into “relationship” territory. Not to mention the damage done to her emotional equilibrium when Jason admitted to feeling jealous.