The Bachelor Auction(47)

A smile teased the corners of her mouth. “Clearly you know me well.”

“All women have an opinion.”

“And all men are led by their stomachs.” She winked.

He licked his lips. “Among other things, yes.”

“I, uh…” She twisted her hands in her lap, suddenly nervous. “I think that it’s nice that you’re willing to put your future in the hands of a grandfather with a desire to go to raves at the age of eighty-two.”

Brock groaned as his head fell back against the couch. “Ugh, tell me about it.”

“It’s…cute,” she said, trying to make him feel better.

“Cute,” he repeated, still not looking at her. “Cute.”

He said it a few more times before glancing at her.

“What?” She rubbed her lips together.

“A man my age doesn’t want to be cute.”

“Your age?”

“Hey, you’re the one that called me old.”

“You’re thirty-five.”

“I know my age, thank you.”

“So maybe according to my twenty-two years you seem old. That’s all I meant.” She smiled as his face paled.

“T-twenty two?” He stared at her. Hard. “You’re twenty-two?”

“You say it like I’m diseased.”

His mouth dropped open and closed. “I suddenly feel like a cradle robber.”

“Because I’m a child?” She pulled the blanket closer, needing the protection, thinking that if she could just bury her body into it, he wouldn’t see how his words affected her.

“Shit.” He took one look at her expression and leaned across the couch and cupped her face. “I didn’t mean that. I just…it took me by surprise, that’s all.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I’m sorry; maybe I’m more tired than I thought. I should probably go back to bed.”

“I’ll join you,” Brock added then stumbled over his words. “I mean, I’ll take you. Damn it, sorry. Clearly we’re both tired.”

She didn’t have a chance to say anything more before he picked her up and carried her slowly up the stairs, careful not to bang her ankle on the wall. Once they were back in her bedroom he placed her on the bed and pulled the covers over her, his eyes searching, yearning, as raw emotion raged like a war across his dark features.

Did he want something more from her? Did he feel the electric pull between them, too? So many times it seemed like he had more to say, like he wanted to pull her into his arms and devour her. Just the thought had a shiver running down her spine.

God knew, she wanted him.

Even though she knew she would end up without him in the end, it didn’t make her feelings toward him go away, though she wished they would.

“I’m sorry, Jane,” he whispered, tucking her hair behind her ear over and over again, as if he couldn’t stop touching her. “Like I said, I was surprised, and apparently I turn into an ass when I’m caught off guard.”

“Most old people do,” she joked in a deadpan voice. “I think they’re afraid of heart failure. Either that or their hearing is already going so they get defensive.”

His eyes darkened. “Very funny.”

She laughed into the blankets. “I thought so.”

“Keep making fun of me and I’ll throw you over my knee.”

She stilled.

His smile froze and then turned very dangerous, so dangerous she could feel the impact of it all over her body.

“I should go,” he whispered, still not moving.

“Probably.” Her throat worked hard to swallow as he leaned over the bed and pressed a kiss to her forehead. His lips slid down to her temple and then her cheek. An inch from her mouth he waited, hesitated.

Her body burned for more of his kisses, more of his touch.

But she didn’t know what to do. The last man who had kissed her had told her she was frigid because she wouldn’t sleep with him.

Would Brock be the same?

He was used to women giving him whatever he wanted—she’d fall short.

Finally, she sank back into the pillows. “Goodnight, Brock.”

He let out a heavy sigh and pulled back. “Goodnight, Just Jane.”

When he was almost to the door, she called out, “Don’t forget to remove the dentures!”

With a curse, Brock stumbled into the door and then turned around and glared. “What did I say about teasing me?”

Feeling braver now that he was farther away, she arched her brow. “Maybe I like being punished.”

He gripped the doorway with his large hands and swore. “Now she tells me.”

“I figured you were already leaving so I was safe.”