“I’ve got a career now, a mortgage, a life in Denver.”
He raised his brows. “Those are circumstances, sweetheart, not you. I want to know how you’re different.”
She seemed uneasy, her mouth opening and closing as if she couldn’t figure out how to respond.
“Because,” he went on, moving his hand up to her face so he could trace the delicate curve of her jaw, “it seems like you’re the same passionate girl I went to high school with. The one who acts prim and proper but is naughty as fuck under the surface.”
Her cheeks flushed. “I’m not like that anymore.”
Jake stared at her. “Then explain what happened back at the restaurant.”
“That was…like you said, chemistry.” She wiggled out of his touch and slid closer to the passenger door. “I was never able to control myself around you, which is why I can’t see you again, okay? You’re like…like my Achilles orgasm heel or something.”
He chuckled. “So?”
“So I don’t have time to be bad with you, Jake. I have a job, responsibilities…” She trailed off.
“Not this week you don’t. You’re on vacation, remember?” He shrugged. “Look, I’m staying at Nate’s place. He and Charlotte are gone for the month, so if the two of us decide to, uh, hang out, we’ll be alone.”
“You mean you’ll be alone. I came home to visit my family, not to start something up with you.”
“Who says you can’t do both?”
When he caught her chewing on her bottom lip, he knew he had her right where he wanted her. “Come on, sweetheart, spend some time with me while you’re in Paradise.” He slanted his head. “What we did tonight was good, but it wasn’t nearly enough and you know it.”
Bree scowled, her blue eyes glittering with menace. “It was enough for me,” she said haughtily.
“Oh really?” He leaned closer, cupped her chin, and forced some much-needed eye contact. “You’re telling me you weren’t wishing my head was between your legs? Or that you didn’t want to feel my cock in your mouth? That you weren’t remembering all those nights we spent hours in bed together, driving each other crazy?”
Jake saw her pulse throbbing in her throat and lowered one hand to that revealing spot, feeling the vibration against the pads of his fingers. When he dipped his gaze, he saw a rosy blush rising on the tops of her breasts, a sure sign that she was as aroused as he was.
“Tonight wasn’t enough,” he repeated, the words coming out hoarse.
The resolve in her expression began to crumble, but then she sucked in a breath and fumbled for the door handle. “It’ll have to be,” she answered shakily. “I don’t have time to play games.”
Jake stifled a groan. “I don’t remember you being this stubborn.”
She threw open the door, shooting him a smile that seemed utterly forced. “Thanks for a lovely evening.”
He returned the smile, only his was dry and mocking. “Before you go, can you take a look at something for me?”
She glowered at him. “If you unzip your pants, I swear to God I’ll—”
He cut her off by grasping her chin and tilting her head so she was looking up at the roof of the pickup. “See that duct tape?” he said in a casual tone.
Frowning, Bree studied the ten-by-twelve-inch square of tape stuck to the upholstery. Then she swallowed.
“This old truck has been sitting in my mom’s garage since I enlisted—still runs like a fucking dream, by the way—but the strangest thing, when I slid into this baby a few weeks ago, I looked up and what do you know, the upholstery is torn to shit. Big flap of it kept flopping on my head so I finally had to tape it down.” Feigning perplexity, he met her eyes. “Damn forgetful of me, but I couldn’t remember how it got like that. Figured you might have an idea.”
Equal parts embarrassment and desire burned in her blue eyes. “Sorry, can’t help you with that.”
“No?” A grin stretched across his mouth. “You sure you didn’t claw half the roof off when you were riding me like a cowgirl the night before graduation?”
Without letting her answer, he scooted closer and planted a quick kiss on her lips. Bree squeaked in surprise, then edged away from him, practically launching herself out of the open door. “Again, thank you for a lovely evening,” she blurted out.
“I’m helping Austin out at Nate’s pub tomorrow,” Jake told her. “But I’ll be home by five. Come over any time after that.”
“Don’t count on it,” she said, but the fire burning in her gaze betrayed the cool tone of her voice. “Good night, Jake.”
He watched her hurry off, listening to the sound of her black heels clicking against the cobblestone path leading up to the mansion.
Had he pushed too hard? Laid it on too thick?