Jasper felt his groin tighten. “So are you. That’s why I was disappointed when you didn’t call me. I came here tonight, hoping to run into you.”
“You’re going to admit that—just come right out and say it?” she said with a laugh, but he could tell she was pleased by the compliment, so he gave her his always well-received “games” line.
“Why not? I don’t believe in playing games, do you?”
“No.” She sounded relieved, and he could understand why. She’d just gone through what had to be a bad breakup, one that left her expecting a baby. “We’re too old for that,” she added.
He spread his fingers on her back, trying to feel her skin through her blouse. “Exactly. I’m attracted to you. I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and I’m not afraid to say it.”
She blushed. “Thank you.”
“I’m sad you’re leaving so soon. Is there any chance you could stay longer?”
She bit her lip as she considered the question. “I don’t think so, but I could come back in a month or two.”
“Your job will allow it?”
“I have plenty of vacation days.”
“That’d be awesome,” he said, and held her tighter to show his enthusiasm.
“What made you decide to become a prison guard?” she asked.
He guessed Brianne had a good job, one with significantly higher pay than his, so he was tempted to create a more impressive work history. Sometimes he told the women he met that he’d once been a real estate mogul, that if his secretary hadn’t embezzled thousands and thousands of dollars he’d still have his business. That always seemed to go over well; he’d never had anyone question it. But he had to be extra careful with what he told Brianne. He couldn’t make himself out to be such a big deal that if she repeated what he told her to Evelyn it’d create enough curiosity to cause Evelyn to check his story. “I like the benefits,” he said. “And I’ve always wanted to live in Alaska. If you’re not involved in the tourist trade, it can be hard to get a start up here. Hanover House provided a way to make the move.” He didn’t mention that he’d also worked in a prison in Arizona.
“I see. But why are you so interested in Alaska?”
“You’re kidding, right? There’s so much more space here, and so much less bureaucracy! I find the Lower Forty-eight to be over-crowded and over-legislated.”
“You prefer to be left alone to do your own thing.”
He hid a smile; truer words had never been spoken. “I do. I guess I’m a breed apart.”
“You must be glad you came, then.”
“Definitely. I’ll never go back.” Not unless he had to. Not while he had Evelyn in his sights, at any rate.
The song they’d been dancing to came to an end and another started, but she didn’t pull back, so he kept holding her. “You don’t see the appeal of Alaska?”
“I like the ruggedness and the physical beauty. But I was born and raised in Boston, love the city. Besides, my folks live there. I doubt I’ll ever leave it.”
“Not even if you were to meet the right man?” he teased.
“The right man?”
He could see a sparkle in her eye despite the dim lighting. She was flirting, too. “Well, I am a hero.”
“That’s true. You saved my sister’s life.…”
He puffed out his chest. “Just sayin’,” he said, but that wasn’t the throwaway joke he’d made it appear. He’d brought it up on purpose—to build his credibility and trustworthiness. Reminding her what her sister would’ve suffered had he not intervened should make her feel safe around him, even though he was essentially a stranger.
It was such a perfect lie he almost couldn’t keep a straight face.
“She must be so grateful to you.”
“She was gracious about it,” he said, but honestly, he thought Evelyn owed him a bit more time and gratitude than she’d given him. It wasn’t as if she’d ever sought him out or invited him over for dinner or anything. He had the feeling she avoided him if she could, which made him resent her even more. When he used to daydream about coming to Hilltop and working at Hanover House, he’d also imagine wooing her back into his bed. There could be no greater victory for him than getting her to fall in love with him again. But now that she had Amarok, she had eyes for no one else. Jasper got the impression she didn’t even find him attractive.
Fortunately, there were other ways to get his revenge. And this one was looking pretty damn good. If only Evelyn knew that the man who’d murdered her friends and tortured her for days was now turning his attentions on her younger sister.…
“Um, are we dancing a little too close?” Brianne asked, her eyes wide and innocent as she gazed up at him.
Thinking of Evelyn had given him an erection. “Sorry, but I’m not going to apologize for that. I already told you how beautiful you are.”
Flattery could cover anything.…
“Don’t worry. I don’t mind.” She laughed, too. “After what I’ve been through, it feels good to be admired and appreciated.”
“The father of your baby must’ve been crazy to let you go.”
When she pressed more firmly against him, he nearly climaxed. He had her. Evelyn’s sister! He almost couldn’t believe it. She was attracted to him, was already lowering her defenses.
After several other songs, during which they talked and laughed and grew more sexually aware of each other, she allowed him to guide her into the dark hallway by the bathrooms. There he pressed her up against the wall so she could really feel his erection and kissed her long and deep.
She reminded him so much of Evelyn. He could see the resemblance in their features and the way they talked and laughed. He even imagined he could feel and taste Evelyn through Brianne. He wanted to wrap his hands around her throat and squeeze, watch the recognition dawn as she realized she’d been played. But he couldn’t give himself away to anyone except Evelyn—once she was safely his prisoner.
To combat his compulsion to hurt her, he had to flatten his hands against the wall over her head for a few minutes and not touch her at all.
She was touching him, though, far more freely than he’d expected. The father of her baby had damaged her self-esteem, so she was lapping up the attention he gave her like a dog. He wouldn’t have expected Evelyn’s sister to be quite this gullible.
But why wouldn’t she trust him? He worked with her sister, circulated in the same small community as her sister and had saved her sister’s life. By every indication, he was a stand-up guy.
When he finally pulled away, they were both panting. “Do you have to go home tonight?” he asked, pressing his forehead against hers as though she filled him with such desire he could hardly contain himself.
“Where would you like me to go?” she asked, still clinging to his neck, her fingers toying with his hair.
“I live in Anchorage. We could make a night of it, if you want.” He couldn’t really take her to his place. If all his clothes came off, she’d see—or feel—that he had an injury. He couldn’t let that happen, couldn’t risk that she might notice the bandage or mention it to Amarok. But he was certainly willing to take off his pants.…
“No, my sister wouldn’t be happy if I didn’t come home.”
“Even if you’re with me?” he asked, pretending he was somehow safer than other guys. “She knows I’ll take good care of you.”
“There’s a murderer on the loose. I can’t leave her alone. As a matter of fact, I should go. She’s probably off work by now.”
A jolt of panic made him stand up straight. Brianne couldn’t leave him like this—dying to come inside her and thereby claim a fresh victory over Evelyn. The thought that she might evoked instant rage, but he did everything he could to hide that.
He had to be clever.
“Are you sure?” he murmured, and kissed her again while slipping a hand under her blouse. “You don’t have just a few more minutes?”
Her head fell back against the wall as he found and gently stimulated her nipple. “I want to taste this,” he whispered. “I want to taste you.”