“If we were in court, I’d submit this as evidence to my claim I’m more than confident I can turn a man’s head.”
“If we were in court, we’d both be held in contempt for what I’m about to do.”
Chapter 13
Aja had walked into this room offering Jackson a sweet treat as a reward for his kindness. Now, the way he stared at her—as if she were the only thing in the world that could bring him satisfaction—made it clear her cake wasn’t the lone sugary delight on his mind.
He grabbed hold of her hand as she tried to lower it from his mouth. “Are you okay with this, Aja? Is this what you want?”
She was sitting so close to him that she could smell the scent of cake on his breath. If he didn’t recognize she was all in, he wasn’t as good an investigator as he believed. But then the strong grip he had on her hand gentled. He slid his digits down and made soft circles where his finger met her racing pulse, as if he were trying to coax an answer from her.
Understanding fell over her like a delicate mist tickling her senses. He wasn’t unsure of her desire for him; he was giving her the opportunity to decide how tonight would end.
God, can you be any more sexy than you are in this moment?
“I want this, Jackson. Do you?”
It was a question she needed to ask. The weight of his powerful gaze on her, the way he breathed as though it was a struggle to focus on their burning connection and fill his lungs with air, the way his manhood hung heavy and full against his clothed thigh were all indicators he wanted her. But the way he wore integrity like it was imbedded in his DNA would mean crossing this line could be painful for him.
This wasn’t smart. Her conscience echoed the same.It sure ain’t. But we both know that won’t stop you from jumping on this fine-ass man who’s holding you like you’re something precious.
He didn’t respond, a fact that made the first kernels of disappointment crackle in her chest. She took a deep breath and pulled away from him slowly. No need to make a big deal of it if he wasn’t willing to risk complicating their already tenuous connection.
“Don’t.” His proclamation was a whispered command that made every nerve ending tingle with need.
“But you didn’t answer.”
He laced his finger with hers and kissed the back of her hand with a barely there press of his lips. “I’m where I want to be, Aja. My only concern is that you’re all right.”
Spending so many years as a lawyer made Aja decent at reading people. On any other man, there was no way she would believe this was anything more than a calculated ploy to get her out of her pretty La Perla panties. But the struggle to be good while wanting nothing more than to indulge in his need was painted across every straining muscle in his body.
“No pun intended, but literally and figuratively, I’m a big girl. How are you going to hurt me?”
“I’ve watched you these last few days. You’re a fighter, someone who champions the downtrodden. You’re rebuilding Restoration for more than profit. You want its people to prosper, not you. A person who gives that much of themselves deserves every happiness. You deserve a man who will give you forever. I’m not built for that, Aja. And if that’s what you’re looking for, this won’t work.”
She gave the fingers still entangled with hers a playful squeeze. “Who says I’m looking for forever? I’m thirty-nine years old, Jackson. I’ve had plenty of chances to settle down and build the perfect picture of domestic bliss. But I haven’t because it’s never been what I wanted. Like I said earlier. Sometimes physical connection is simply about feeling good. Beyond that, I have no further expectation of this moment. So now that we’ve cleared the air, Jackson Dean, are you down?”
“Hell yeah.” He sealed his mouth against hers, pressing her backward into the sofa cushions as he devoured her mouth. Last night’s kiss had been about discovery. Tonight, as he nibbled at her bottom lip until she opened to him and gave him the opportunity to slip his tongue inside her mouth, was all about conquering her. And with the way her untouched clit vibrated with need, she was all for this man climbing to the top of Mount Aja and posting his flag.
He tasted of sweetness and desire, a heady mix that made her mind fuzzy with want and her body instinctively buck under his, searching for contact.
“Steady, sweetheart. I promise I’ll make it better.” This wasn’t Aja’s first romp with a prime piece of meat like Jackson. But the simple way he spoke to her had her thighs shaking and her opening dripping wet without the benefit of at least a simple stroke.
He settled himself between her legs, the sweet pressure of his body touching all the right spots. Dammit, he hadn’t even gotten her naked and the feel of him against her brought her so close to the brink of satisfaction, she could hardly think.
“You do not understand how much I’ve dreamt about being right here like this with you.”
Oh yes, she could. That had pretty much been her favorite pastime since she’d laid eyes on him.
He slid his hand from her thigh to her hip, until it reached the hem of her tank. When his rough callused fingertips caressed the sensitive flesh there, a tremor of desire shook loose any doubts she might’ve held about crossing this line with him. Not that there were many. Well, she knew he still suspected her ladies, but she told herself she could handle that. What else could she say?
If she’d been thinking about anything other than how good his body would feel on hers, there was no way she could let this happen. But it had been so long since her soul had felt anything but the crushing despair and guilt that seemed to walk with her every moment of the day and follow her into her dreams. Like a relentless stalker, those twin emotions hid in the shadows, making certain she always knew they were around, even if she couldn’t see them.
Tonight, though, while his hand crept up the soft flesh of her side, lifting the hem of her tank with each measured inch he gained until her shirt was above her breasts and his fingers were cupping the aching weight of her flesh in his palm—as his hips began simultaneously rocking his heavy length through her covered slit—the only thing Aja thought about was how fast they could get naked and end this torture.
He must have sensed her desperation, or perhaps the heavy musk of her arousal clued him in to how much she needed relief, because he took her exposed nipple into his mouth, scraping it gently with his teeth, then soothing it with his tongue until it peaked into a turgid pebble. When she shivered, he made certain to do the same with its twin and drove her need a few more notches up the drive-Aja-crazy-with-your-hands-and-mouth meter.
She was so out of her mind with desire, so overwhelmed by the heightened sensation of his skin on hers, that by the time he repositioned his body to the side and dipped his head to reclaim her mouth, she was in danger of peaking before he even touched her sex.
