Jessie’s tongue seemed to have tied into a pretzel. Dear Lord, the man was scrumptious and he wanted her. Man oh man, did she ever want to be the main entree. “Thanks,” she said when she unraveled the knot. “But aren’t you supposed to be with your sister?”
“I wanted to take you to the ceremony, then I’ll get Maisey and make sure that Andrew doesn’t back out of the wedding.”
“As if he would.” She’d gotten to know Maisey’s fiancé during the past few days. Blake’s sister had definitely found the right man. “He adores your sister.”
“I’m happy they found each other.” Blake stroked her shoulder, caressed the length of her arm, and slipped his hand into hers. “They’re a perfect match.”
Unlike she and Blake. Though the dress and shoes and makeup had given her a boost, she’d never be considered a knockout. Yet Blake looked like he wanted to feast on her. Tiny zips of pleasure tingled through her skin and into all her female zones, which more than made up for the fact that she’d only have him temporarily. Still, being with him was like taking the first taste of cotton candy with her tongue. One lick would never be enough, but she had time to savor every sexy second.
Blake continued to drink in her figure-hugging couture dress, giving her a secret thrill. For some inexplicable reason, Blake Johnston didn’t see a wounded warrior, he saw a sensual, sexy woman. And though she’d never been the type to hop into the sack with just anyone, having Blake Johnston want her that way was intoxicating.
Oh, she didn’t need happily-ever-after. She just needed him.
…
Blake had known Jessie had a stunning figure, but up until tonight he’d only seen her in her customary gym rat outfit. Her spandex and form-fitting tops accentuated her muscular, yet feminine body, but she’d never bothered with makeup—not that he thought she needed any. He preferred her natural good looks to the plastic veneer of the models he’d dated. Plus, pumping iron and pushing herself to succeed had dominated their time together.
But now?
Now heat pushed through his veins, thundered in his ears. Sweet mother of God, she was drop-dead gorgeous. He’d unleashed a sassy woman with the ability to render him speechless. He drank in the couture gown, which caressed Jessie’s slim waist and hips to perfection, opening to reveal one fantastic, long leg. Her slate blue eyes, smoky and seductive, mesmerized him. And those luscious, plump, pink-stained lips begged for his kiss.
Hell, if he didn’t have a sister to give away in less than an hour, he’d act on the current throbbing pronto.
“I love the dress,” Jessie said, turning her left foot slightly.
She sounded shy, and the subtle movement exposed a hint of vulnerability. This was a side to Jessie he hadn’t ever expected to see. Sweet. Demure. Tentative. And damn it all to double hell. He liked her all the more for it.
Tough Jessie was a challenge. But this woman, all soft and delicate and sinfully beautiful, digging her pretty pink-polished toes into the carpet, made him feel things he didn’t expect to feel at all. Precarious, proprietary feelings that had no business entering his sex-starved brain.
Blake shuttered his emotions, brought up his public persona with the skill born of years of parading his million-dollar ass on the red carpet. “The result was worth it,” he said.
“I had fun.” She walked out of her bedroom with him. “All of it—the clothes and the hair and the makeover. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this pampered.”
“One of the many perks that comes with my job,” he said. One he’d never expected to have when he’d been a latchkey kid from the wrong side of town. As a teenager, he had been good enough to fool around with, but he sure as hell couldn’t bring a girl or have friends over to his ramshackle house.
After a Hollywood talent agent had discovered him, everything changed. Then Blake had risen out of poverty by capitalizing on his looks, scoring fortune and fame.
They entered the main lobby. “You’re the prettiest woman at the resort.” And the most brave.
Which meant that none of the success he’d achieved could erase the certainty that he’d never be right guy for Jessie.
“Doubtful since there are super models and actresses here who haven’t got a single wrinkle, pimple, or scar.” Jessie clasped his hand tighter when the ballroom’s fairy lights twinkled into view. “Maybe I should wait until the reception. I don’t know anyone in there other than your sister and her groom.”
“Not true.”
“Huh?”
“Your brother Michael’s in there with one of the guests. Seems like he’s quite a hit with the single ladies. They can’t stop asking to see his 2004 Olympic gold medals,” Blake said. “I’ve got you seated up front with them.”