I narrowed my eyes at him.
"So what do you want then?"
His grin got even wider and he raised his eyebrows, leaving me with no doubt about what he was after.
"You're out of your mind if you think I would-"
"Would what?"
He was laughing at me now. I stomped my foot in annoyance. I wasn't going to say it. He knew I wouldn't say it. That's why he was laughing so damn hard.
"You nearly cost me my job!"
He sobered immediately.
"Would that really be so bad?"
"Yes! It would! Not all of us are born with a silver spoon in our mouths you know."
He pushed back from the tree. Now he was the one who looked annoyed. No-he looked angry. And determined.
"I think you could do a little better than this place. Serving a bunch of rich assholes."
I raised my chin, instantly defensive.
"That's pretty funny coming from you, Mr. Rich Arsehole."
Now he was laughing again.
"Arsehole?"
"Shut up. Besides, I'm only working here until my papers come in!"
"Well, have they?"
Tears stung my eyes. Why should I care what he thought?
"No. There was a mix up and-"
He grabbed my arm and stared hard into my eyes.
"I'm just teasing you Elle. I was never good with paperwork either."
I blinked up at him as he slowly lowered his head towards mine. He was going to kiss me. Oh dear Jesus. I had to put a stop to this. As quickly as possible. But I felt strangely reluctant to do it... his lips found mine then, and all thought stopped.
His lips firm and supple. Warm. I felt goosebumps break out on my arms.
A man shouldn't have lips that soft.
I shook myself mentally and pushed against his chest.
"What are you doing? Let go of me!"
"I'm kissing you. But if you insist-"
I fell backwards against the shrubs. And kept falling. I let out a surprised sound as I fell.
"Oh!"
He caught me just before I hit the ground. Unfortunately the momentum was too much and we both tumbled into the bushes. He landed on top of me, his big warm body pressing into mine intimately.
Very intimately.
Oh Jesus.
Jake Delancey was hard.
Jake Delancey was hard down there.
He grinned down at me unrepentantly, not the least bit concerned about his massive erection. And it was massive. Abnormally so.
I couldn't do anything but stare up at him, in utter shock.
Shock with a touch of curiosity.
Hell and damnation. It was more than a touch. I was curious as hell. More than I should be certainly.
My mother would not be proud of me in that moment.
He was going to kiss me again. I wanted him to. But I shouldn't let him... his lips met mine and I melted despite my many, many misgivings. All thoughts of annoyance gone as he slanted his lips over mine, gently urging my lips to part. The moment they did his tongue dipped inside playfully, teasingly stroking against mine until I was tingling all over.
His hand shifted upward, to circle my breast and-
"Miss Gavin! You will leave the premises at once! Your employment is immediately terminated!"
Oh no.
OH NO.
Mr. Peabody was standing three feet away from us.
Chapter Five
Jake
I would have laughed at the expression on Elle's face if it hadn't been such a serious situation. In fact, I almost did laugh. Just before I saw her eyes fill with tears.
I'd just gotten the girl fired. Not just any girl either. The girl I was rapidly becoming obsessed with getting into bed.
Damn it all to hell.
There was no way she was going to sleep with me now.
I wasn't sure which one of us was more distraught in that moment. Her or me. It was a close call certainly.
I was debating whether or not I should go after Mr. Peabody or try and kiss her again. Both seemed equally fruitless. I licked my lips and decided to go for the second option. I tried to look remorseful as I lowered my head to her delectable lips one more time.
She smacked my shoulder. Hard.
Damn but the girl could throw a hit!
"Get. Off. Of. Me."
I eased back regretfully. She'd felt so good in my arms, even squashed underneath me in the bushes. But she looked angrier than a wild cat and just as dangerous. I stood up and offered her a hand. She took it, but not without snarling at me as I pulled her up.
"Great. Now I'm back to eating crackers for dinner."
My stomach dropped. Was she really that destitute? A gorgeous girl like her must have some sort of money to look that good, right?
I glanced down at her shoes. They were ancient looking. Beat up and held together with duct tape. Shit, maybe she was that broke.
"Don't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"I don't want your damn pity. I'll figure something out. I always do."
She'd caught my look. She was smart as a tack. That was not necessarily a good thing.
It sure as shit made her harder to get into bed.
"I'm sorry Elle. I didn't mean to-"