“Actually, yes, there will be. I have a rule. If I won’t buy it for myself, I can’t in good conscience allow someone else to buy it for me.”
This girl and her rules. He pushed a box in her direction. “Eat, or I start buying more.”
“That’s blackmail.”
“I’m glad you recognize that. But, Brook Lynn? I’m capable of much worse.”
“Well...” Trembling, she reached out only to curl her fingers and draw back. “No. I can’t control you, but I can control myself.”
With calculated intent, he withdrew a warm brownie square and bit off half. She watched him, licking her lips, her pupils dilating. When he held the dessert out to her, she opened her mouth to rebuke him, and he fed her the remaining half. Her eyes closed in surrender, and she moaned in delight.
His body reacted instantly, hardening, readying—always readying for her. He had to touch her, even in the smallest way. He grabbed the edge of her chair and scooted her closer to him, until their thighs brushed together. Contract burned oh, so good.
She swallowed. “Jase.” Her tone was firm.
His eyes narrowed. “Brook Lynn.”
“Your actions right now are confusing me,” she said, her trembling intensifying. “You had your one night. What is it you want from me?”
I want to keep you at a distance, yet hold you close. I want to give you everything and yet nothing.
I want a right to scare every other man away from you.
I want to tell you my secrets.
“I want another night with you.”
*
BROOK LYNN DID her best to hide her elation. Her efforts to tempt and hook Jase had finally paid off.
He was trying to take care of her and had just admitted he wanted to be with her again. Both were steps in the right direction. He had feelings for her—he must. But he wanted only one more night, which sliced into her happiness. She couldn’t settle for so little when she knew an entire future with him was possible.
Although...he’d certainly raised a red flag today—that temper of his wasn’t just tethered to the past. He would have fought a stranger for no real reason. It concerned her, especially considering what had happened in his backyard the day he’d cut his hand. But he’d calmed himself down, so it wasn’t as if he couldn’t control it. And it wasn’t as if she didn’t have a temper of her own.
“I want you, Jase, I do, but I have to decline your offer. I’m no longer interested in a short-term fling.” Her aching body shrieked in protest, the hussy. Have some self-control! “I’d like a commitment from you.”
His features blanked in an instant, hiding his emotions. “I see.”
No, no, he didn’t. But he would—she would make sure of it. “If you ever decide you want something meaningful, we’ll talk. Until then, I consider you a dear friend.”
“A friend,” he repeated.
“Yes.” She sipped her water, watching him through the shield of her lashes—want more for me and yourself. Please.
He ran his tongue over his teeth, peering at her as he gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles leaching of color.
She let herself imagine he was thinking the things she prayed he was thinking. Don’t reach out. Don’t grab her and carry her away to do naughty things to her. Do something to change her mind.
A girl could dream.
Fight for me, Jase Hollister. Fight for us.
He released the table and settled back in his chair. “How are plans coming for Tessa’s party?” he finally asked, and once again it was business as usual, his emotions well hidden.
Disappointment proved as swift and brutal as a tidal wave—made a play, got shot down—but somehow she found the resolve to forge ahead as if she hadn’t a care. “As well as can be expected, all things considered. But I’ve been wondering. If Tessa is gone, why are you guys throwing a party for her?”
He pushed his chair to the other side of the table, creating physical distance between them again. A metaphor for the emotional distance he hoped to obtain? “We’d like to give her the celebration West promised her just before she died.”