Part 14 (1/2)

Today had been one of the most stressful days of her life. There was someone back in Portland, looking for Chris, desperate enough to attack her in her home. But putting nearly an entire state between them and the attacker felt good, and being close to Michael made her feel safe. Tomorrow he'd help her find her brother, but tonight...

He'd held her hand.

That's what'd touched her the most and made her melt inside. When he'd taken her hand at dinner with the sheriff as they talked about her nephew, she'd wanted to curl up on his lap and bury her head in his neck.

But tonight she wasn't seeking comfort. She wanted a taste of the wild ride that the man promised. It leaked out of every pore of his body. Pure testosterone pumped up with smooth male confidence.

What was the worst that could happen? He f.u.c.ked her and never called? Yes, that would suck, but she'd live. And probably have a memorable night.

d.a.m.n it, she wanted that memorable night.

She wanted it bad. Bad enough to make her step outside her comfort zone. She wanted to be a different woman tonight. Not Princ.i.p.al Jacobs. Not perfectly neat and organized Jamie who didn't take a step without a plan.

She looked in the mirror and ran her hands over flat abs. b.o.o.bs looked good. A thong made almost every a.s.s look good. She could feel the wine warming her limbs, giving her the courage she needed. She wanted Michael Brody and was about to let him know it. She lifted her chin and opened the door.

He stared.

A G.o.ddess had emerged from the bathroom and stood in front of him in black lace. Her chin lifted, and she held his gaze, inviting and fearless.

He had no voice. He reached out to touch one thigh and pulled back. He needed to simply look some more, mentally soak in the sight. Jamie was all smooth skin and long limbs, with legs that didn't end. She brushed her hair over one shoulder and his heart nearly stopped.

”Sweet mother of pearl. You are smoking hot.”

Her laugh warmed his heart.

”What are you doing?” he choked out. She looked ready to go several rounds in bed with him. And he'd just talked himself into having a conversation with her.

His brain s.h.i.+fted mental gears. ”Wait. Don't answer that. Don't say anything. I don't want you talking yourself out of this.”

Jamie's lips turned up. ”You're learning me well. Because if I overthink this, I'll be back in that bathroom in a heartbeat, and I'll put all my clothes back on.” A touch of nervousness appeared in her gaze.

And if he made a wrong move, she'd run.

”G.o.d, woman. I want you so much at this moment, I think I'm about to explode.”

The nervous light in her eyes evaporated.

”While you were in the bathroom, I convinced myself to spend our evening talking about our feelings.”

Her eyebrows arched.

”I know. Stupid, huh?” This time he did touch her thigh. Silky. Just like he'd known it'd feel.

”You have feelings to tell me about?”

”Oh yeah.” He placed both palms on her thighs, staring at the skin under his fingers. I want to feel you everywhere.

”Michael. Really. What did you want to talk to me about?”

He blinked. And looked up into questioning light green eyes.

Talk to her.

He didn't want to talk right now. Every thought except one had blown clear out of his brain. He scrambled to get his thoughts together and removed his hands from her legs, because the feel of her skin was short-circuiting his mind even more. She sat on the bed beside him, holding his gaze, and reached for his hand. Hers were slightly damp. This close, he could smell the wine from her mouth.

He licked his lips.

He'd read somewhere that women were turned on by what they heard? And men by what they see?

Too true.

”Don't get me wrong,” he started. ”I want this. I want what you're...offering. I've wanted that from the first time I saw you at the door at your house. You're the full package, you know? Brains, beauty, and some b.a.l.l.s.”

She scowled slightly.

”That's a compliment.” He wiped at his forehead. Compliment? ”I mean, you went through some tough s.h.i.+t and came out great.”

Her expression didn't change.

”Ah, f.u.c.k me. d.a.m.n it. You'd think I don't know how to talk.” He grabbed both her hands, turned toward her, and looked at her in earnest. ”Listen. You do it for me, princess. In an amazing way. You get me hot with one look, but that's not all of it. I don't want just that. I want to wake up in the middle of the night and stretch out a leg and feel yours against it. I want to open my bathroom cabinet and see your makeup next to my stuff. When I pour my coffee in the morning, I want to pour two cups.”

She simply blinked at him.

”I want to know your opinion on the next election and that stupid kid beauty pageant TV show and if you like Indian food.” He sucked in a breath. ”I don't know if you like to travel or see movies or go camping, but I want to find out! What I'm saying is that I like you, Jamie. A lot. I don't want to just have an awesome night of s.e.x-and it will be awesome-I want to keep moving forward. Does that make sense?”

A wicked gleam touched her eyes and she smiled. ”Perfect sense. You're saying I'm not a one-night stand.” She touched the collar on his s.h.i.+rt and then the skin just below it, her gaze following her fingers.

Fire lit at his neck and shot downward.

He lunged forward and kissed her.

She met him kiss for kiss, and the next few minutes flew by in a flurry of hands and mouths. Tugging at clothing, undoing hooks, grasping at bedding as they flung back the covers to get bare skin on cool sheets. He moved her back against the mattress and stretched out beside her, touching every inch of that silky skin of hers with his own. She clung to him, gripping as she rubbed her thighs against his, her chest pressed tight to his.

He wasn't done talking with her, but there would be time to talk later. She ran her nails through his hair, and his body lit up like fireworks. He continued his deep a.s.sault on her mouth as they rolled on the bed, taking turns for control. His hands traced her smooth skin, touching and memorizing every dip and curve. It was fast and hungry, no calm, soothing s.e.x here. He felt like a starving man.

And Jamie was delicious.

He pulled back and stopped, holding her at arm's length, pinned against the mattress, so he could look his fill. Her eyes were dark and her pupils dilated, her lips open and wet, her chest heaving as she paused. Her gaze held his, saying she was giving him a moment to look but not much more. Something possessive gripped him.

”It's not just s.e.x,” he repeated. He needed to know she truly understood before this went further.

”I know.” The pulse at her neck throbbed.

Her leg s.h.i.+fted between his, stroking his rigidity with her thigh. Michael tried not to moan. Instead, he bent his head to her breast and took her nipple gently between his teeth, teasing the silky tip with his tongue. She hissed and clutched at him. The scent of her skin shot heat down his spine and put every hormone in overdrive.

There wasn't time. He parted her with a hand, stroking her, and found her slick wetness, which nearly made him release on her stomach. She pressed a condom into his hand. He ripped it open and sheathed himself as her knees came up and her head tipped back. He pressed against her and slid deep.

Their bodies arced together, their pace frantic and feverish. It was mindless, hormone-driven s.e.x. Exactly what he'd needed and apparently she'd needed too. She scratched his back, and the small pain magnified his antic.i.p.ation. White lights danced behind his eyelids as he heard her gasp, felt her clamp and pulse around him. His tension built.

Michael came, his brain and spine exploding with sensations.