Not Really the Outdoor Type(11)

It was Jason’s turn to look surprised. “Really? Wow. I had no idea. You always seemed so wrapped up in your schoolwork and stuff. I didn’t know you even knew I existed.”

She laughed. “Oh, I definitely knew you existed. Believe me. I was just too damn chicken to say anything.”

Jason reached across the table to cover her hand with his. The feel of it sent little ripples of pleasure running through her.

“We’re not in high school anymore, Kendall,” Jason said, rubbing his thumb back and forth over her hand. “Now that we’re adults, we don’t have to worry about playing those stupid games.”

Kendall said nothing, mesmerized by those incredible blue eyes of his. “Good,” she finally managed. “Because I don’t like them.”

It was true. Unlike her friends back in LA, she never liked playing games when it came to men or relationships.

Relationship?

The word made her frown. She wasn’t looking for a relationship with Jason, or any other man. Not while she was on the rebound from Keith. Simple no-strings-attached sex, sure, but not a relationship. As she gazed across the table at Jason, she wasn’t so sure of that. It would be ridiculously easy to get serious with Jason.

Luckily the waitress put a halt to any further discussion about it by interrupting to ask if they wanted dessert. Kendall didn’t, but chose the chocolate cake just so she could rave about how good it tasted instead of fantasizing about Jason. Although, in retrospect, that might not have been such, because every time she took a bite, Jason forgot about his piece of cake and let his gaze linger on her mouth. And that only made her think about kissing him. She let out a little moan around her fork. Across from her, Jason’s eyes glinted at the soft, throaty sound.

When the waitress finally brought the check, Kendall didn’t know whether to be relieved or not. While part of her wouldn’t mind if she and Jason ended up in bed, there was another part that wanted more than no-strings attached sex with him. Problem was, she wasn’t sure if she would have the willpower to resist.

Jason didn’t say much as they drove back to her place, which made it difficult to gauge what he was thinking. On the other hand, it gave her a lot of time to consider asking him to come in for coffee…or whatever.

By the time they got to the cabin, she still hadn’t decided. Keys in hand, Kendall nervously tucked her hair behind her ear and looked up at up. “I had a really nice time tonight.”

He grinned. “Me, too. Maybe we can do it again.”

“I’d like that.”

Kendall ran her tongue over her lips, torn between waiting for him to kiss her and grabbing him by the back of the head and planting one on him herself.

She was this close to giving in to the crazy urge when Jason slid his fingers beneath her chin and gently tilted her head up. She closed her eyes and parted her lips. When his mouth finally touched hers, she thought she might melt into a puddle right there on the front porch of the cabin. He tasted like coffee and a little bit like chocolate cake, only sweeter and more delicious.

She ran her hands up the front of his shirt to clutch his shoulders, moaning as the muscles flexed beneath her finger. When her lips parted, his tongue plunged into her mouth, seeking hers and tangling with it in a way that made her whole body tremble.

His free hand skimmed her hip to slip underneath her top. His fingers were tantalizingly warm on her skin, and Kendall caught her breath as her gently cupped one satin-covered breast.

Jason lifted his head with a groan. “I should go.”

She caught her lower lip between her teeth. “Or you could come inside instead.”

His lips brushed hers. “You don’t know how much I want to, but I’m trying to be a gentleman here.”

That was a refreshing change from the usual guys she’d dated. Was that why she was so attracted to him?

Jason made no move to go, though. Instead, he gazed down at her for a long moment before he bent his head and kissed her again. This time his mouth didn’t just explore hers, it claimed it for its own, and when he lifted his head and took a step back, she had to lean against the door for support.

“I’ll see you at the store on Monday,” he said, his voice husky.

Kendall nodded, not quite able to find her voice. She waited until he pulled out of the driveway and disappeared down the road before going into the cabin. Closing the door, she leaned back against it again.

She’d never reacted like that to a guy’s kiss before. It was as if her whole body had been on the verge of spontaneously combusting. If she and Jason ever did have sex, she might pass out from the pure pleasure of it.





Chapter Four