Matched For Love(36)

He said, “Forget them. Tell me how much you need me, inside of you, pleasuring you until you beg me never to stop. That’s what you want, isn’t it, Lori?”

Her bad-girl side was nodding her head enthusiastically, while the good girl inside was blowing a whistle and calling foul. “Jason, I don’t think—”

“Don’t think. There’s an empty office just down the hall.”

What was she going to do? She needed to make a decision, quick. Her body was screaming for release, and here was a handsome man, ready, willing, and clearly able to satisfy her needs.

It took all her strength to look up at him and shake her head. “I really shouldn’t.”

He took her arm and started for the door. “Give me one more chance to change your mind once we’re behind closed doors.”

She tried to dig her heels in, but he was too strong. “No, Jason. Really.” But he continued to tug her toward the door. When he tripped on someone’s foot, it proved he’d had too much to drink. Because of that, she’d give him one more chance before she resorted to kneeing him in the balls. “Jason, stop. Now.”

He abruptly stopped and faced her, but hadn’t let go of her arm. “What?”

“I’d like to go back and sit down.”

He leaned close and whispered, “You don’t mean that.” His eyes left hers and landed on her chest.

Oh, yes she did. And he’d better start respecting her wishes.

She was just about to slip a finger under his chin to make him look into her eyes when over Jason’s shoulder, the doors parted, and Deek walked inside, his eyes searching the room.

When their gazes met, he smiled at her, and suddenly, all her anger ebbed. He was wearing his glasses, and they made her heart do a little flip. He looked adorable in them.

Deek jogged over and joined them. “Hi, Lori. Is there a problem here?” His gaze dropped to Jason’s hand on her arm.

Jason plastered on a fake grin and released her. “No. No problem. We were just going to have some fun.” He hitched his brows. “If you get my drift, pal?”

Lori quickly stood beside Deek. “No, we weren’t. Will you drive me home, Deek?”

Jason lifted his hands. “Wait. There’s no need for that, Lori. I’m sorry. I’ll take you home.”

Deek slipped an arm around her shoulder. “Nope. She belongs to me.” He turned and smiled at her. “I was an idiot, Lori. I’d love to marry you if you’ll still have me.” Then he laid his soft lips on hers, and he kissed her.

Deek had a way of pulling her under his spell so fast that it made her dizzy. Before she could wrap her hand around the back of his neck and deepen the kiss, he ended it.

He stared into her eyes expectantly, as if waiting for her to say something. When her brain finally cleared from its happy haze, she realized he hadn’t meant what he’d just said; he was just saving her. “Well, it’s about time you figured that out, Deek.” Then she turned to Jason. “Looks like I’m going home with him. Forever. Have a nice life, Jason.”

Jason’s face clouded with fury. “You’re nothing but a damn tease, Lori. You could have been the perfect woman to satisfy my extremely wealthy parents. You don’t know what you’re throwing away, bitch.” Then he turned and stalked away as curious onlookers began to whisper among themselves.

There was no need for name-calling. Geez.

She drew in a deep settling breath as a somber thought occurred. “I have to go back over there and get my purse.”

Deek gave her shoulder a squeeze. “I’ll get it. Wait right over there for me.” He pointed to an empty table in the rear.

She slumped in a chair and waited for Deek, her mind tossing around the “perfect wife to satisfy my parents” statement. Seemed any woman would do for him as long as Mommy and Daddy approved. She needed to talk to Shelby in the morning and suggest giving Jason his deposit back. His motives for finding a partner didn’t appear to have anything to do with falling in love. And he was way too aggressive after she’d told him no.

Deek soon reappeared, weaving through the tables. He stood out like a cactus in the Arctic tundra. He moved about people dressed in formal apparel, while he wore his typical garb of tennis shoes and jeans. His T-shirt said: If life gives you melons—you may be dyslexic.

Melons. Lemons.

It made her smile.

Deek held out her purse. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.” She shook her head and stood. Then she kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you. But what are you doing here? Is everything okay?”

“It is now. I’ll explain it all on the way home. You look fantastic, by the way.”