The Movie Star's Red Hot Holiday Fling(11)
For over six months after leaving her stateside rehab center and returning to Sweetbriar Springs, Jessie had felt imprisoned by her internal fears about what had happened the day the bomb exploded. She’d been unable to move forward, and yet desperate to regain some measure of who she’d been before her grievous injuries. Applying for the fire academy two months ago had been the first tentative step toward that goal. But this kiss, the soothing touch of Blake’s lips against hers, unleashed the very essence she’d lost. And for the first time in what seemed like decades, Jessie felt alive.
Truly, wonderfully, fantastically alive.
Blake’s tongue glided along the seam of her lips, parting them. Jessie sighed, wanting only his possession. Wanting his powerful body melded to hers. His strong hands glided up and down her back, bringing her closer. Everything inside her somersaulted into a wild need for more. More of him. More of his sensual kiss’s promise.
Blake was as delicious and decadent as she’d expected. His incredible control intoxicated her. She opened herself to him, tasting mint and man. Hungry. Insatiable. Starving for his possession.
The world tilted on its axis beneath her feet. She held on, believing in the sizzling spell Blake had cast. Over and over they kissed, the intensity deepening with each sweep of his tongue against hers. Jessie lost all ability to think, her mind muddled by the exciting movement of his hips against hers. The ridge of his arousal pressed against her pelvis. And her sex ached exquisitely, as if she’d been made to answer his masculine call to action.
She leaned against him, wanting to ease the building ache. Pain sliced through her leg, bit into her thigh with its razor sharp teeth. Ignore it. Pretend it doesn’t exist. Stay in the dream. Unfortunately, fairy tales were for children, and Jessie’s bubble—the fantasy of being woman enough for a man like Blake Johnston—popped as soon as she winced.
He broke their physical connection, raking his fingers through his tousled blond hair. “Shit. I’m an ass. You’ve got to get inside, rub down that leg.”
The only rubdown she wanted was one that involved Blake. By the way he’d backed down, she figured he’d realized the gargantuan mistake of playing tonsil hockey with her. She wasn’t his usual type. His type was glamor, glitz, and golden.
She was maimed, battle-scarred, and royally messed up. “This shouldn’t have happened.” Jessie pushed the words past the ball of emotion constricting her throat. “You were just being nice. I appreciate it, but I don’t need any more mercy kisses.” Better she retreat first rather than be rejected again.
She turned to go, but he caught her arm. “Kissing you wasn’t about me being nice. When are you going to get it through your thick skull that I want you?”
“Then why treat me like spun glass?”
“Because acting on this attraction between us isn’t good for you.”
“Who are you to tell me what’s good for me?” She jerked from his grip. “The explosion may have rattled my brain, but my hormones didn’t blast into outer space. I know what I want—what I need.”
“You deserve more than a casual affair, Jessie. You deserve a man who can give you a future. I can’t be that guy,” he said.
“Again. Memo to the male brain currently not working properly. I’m not interested in a permanent arrangement. I’ve got a physical to pass and a life to jump-start.” She shoved her hands into her pockets. “Why can’t this be about having fun?”
Blake’s brow creased. “You want to have fun?” he asked. “No strings attached?”
“Why not? I want you.” She peeked down, then back at his face. “And it appears that the other half of your brain wants to have a little fun, too.”
He covered his erection. “I like you, Jessie,” Blake said. “Even though you’re obstinate, stubborn, and mule-headed.”
“Gee, thanks for the compliment.”
Blake tilted his head, regarding her. “You’re also tough, motivated, and stronger than anyone I’ve ever met. But I’ve heard women claim they don’t want a future, then change their minds. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I’m a big girl, Blake. I don’t want forever,” Jessie said. “I won’t limp after you when you return to Hollyweird in the new year.”
She waited a beat, then another, as Blake held her riveted with his gleaming green eyes. When he didn’t answer her, she crossed her fingers inside her pockets. He’d said he wanted her, but he’d retreated because he was afraid he’d break her heart.