by Monroe, Jill
Jake rested his hands on her shoulder and pushed her away slightly to peer into her eyes. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, not able to find her voice. The warmth from her face spread throughout her body, as the idea of his body moving within her grew more carnal. Her mouth dried. She needed a drink. Maybe she needed him.
His eyes seemed to scan her face, search her eyes. She must have failed at whatever it was he sought because his hands fell to his sides. “Maybe we should head back,” he told her, already turning.
Alarm raced through her. That was it? He was ready to let this conversation go so quickly? She was losing him, and suddenly she knew losing Jake was the last thing she wanted. Something strong and urgent forced her to try again. To make him understand. To make herself understand why she did such a crazy thing as leave the one she loved. “All the bridal magazines advise you should never lose the man you’re marrying because the wedding has overtaken everything else, but I felt like I’d lost you long before you put that ring on my finger.” The first night he’d taken her to bed.
“I think I know what you mean.”
Her feet wouldn’t take another step. “You do?”
“Until you said it just now, I hadn’t realized it, but in some ways I think we’ve just been going through the motions. The steps of life, you know? You graduate from college. You get a job. Then you get an apartment. Finally you get married.”
Her stomach began to clench. Jake’s words made her feel more like a convenience. Like he didn’t really love her. The blow felt almost physical. She hated that damn card right now. “Maybe drawing that fate wasn’t such a bad thing after all,” she mumbled, feeling bitter.
“Maybe not,” he agreed. “It seems as if I’ve been ignoring things too long.”
So what did she do now? Hand the ring over? It felt so final, and suddenly she knew she didn’t want final. She didn’t want Jake to be feeling the same feelings she’d been having about him.
Back at The Sutherland, Hailey was clearing tables in the Tea Room. She couldn’t take her ring off in front of Hailey. It might embarrass him. It would certainly embarrass her.
But Jake surprised her by walking directly to Hailey. “I’d like to book a room,” he told her.
Hailey propped her hand on her hip, her flustered gaze zig-zagged between Amy and Jake. “Oh, well, uh…”
“Jake, what are you doing?” Amy asked, shocked. Weren’t they breaking up?
He turned to her, a sexy gleam in his beautiful green eyes. A look she’d hadn’t spotted in at least six months. “You’re setting me free, well, I’m not setting you free.” His hands cupped her face. “I love you.”
Amy blinked. A rush of emotion made her eyes prickle with unshed tears.
“Put me in the room next to Amy’s.”
Next to? Her heart beat kicked up a notch.
9
HAILEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREPARED. She acknowledged it, yet she was still surprised to open the door and see a not too pleased Nate standing there. Wearing black shorts and a grey polo shirt that matched his eyes, she stopped herself just in time from sucking in a breath at how gorgeous he was.
If fate hadn’t already proved what a jerk she could be, dropping into Hailey’s lap the perfect specimen of man concluded the matter. He was smart, he knew what was important in life, and could she please stop and admire his body again? Surely he wouldn’t mind. Those firm biceps, broad shoulders and trim hips were too cruel.
And she hadn’t even gotten to the part where he made her body burn with a mere touch.
“Hailey” was all he said, his voice all business.
She sighed. “Yeah, I know.”
Surprise flickered in his eyes as if he’d expected her to play coy or argue. “Noticed that your guys swam through it all. Well done,” she told him.
“It was better than just the women, but—”
“Yeah, I know,” she said again. She slumped against the doorframe. “We could really, really use the money.”
The harsh lines of his face relaxed, and he took the two steps to stand in front of her. Tower over her, in fact. She looked up, directly into his eyes. He had that straight-from-the-shower appeal to him. Freshly shaven and squeaky clean. There was something very tempting about a squeaky clean man, something inside her wanted to make this man very, very dirty.
He reached up and cupped her cheek, his thumb lightly rubbing her chin.
“Would you stop, though, if I asked you to?”
When had she ever thought gray eyes cold? This man’s stare burned.
“Yes,” she said. And she wouldn’t examine why. Wouldn’t try to figure out why she was willing to throw away a bundle of cash simply because this man asked her to.
Wait, she knew why. Because she was stupid with men.
And completely dumb about this one.
His gray eyes darkened with pleasure at her answer and something else. Nate leaned forward and he gently kissed the tip of her nose. “Thank you.”
Her breath hitched.
He kissed both her closed eyes. “Thank you.”
Her stomach hollowed and her heartbeat shifted into high gear.
Then she felt the warmth of his lips on hers. He didn’t deepen the kiss, simply moved his mouth against hers. Hailey couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. She’d never had a kiss seem so innocent yet affect her so intensely as this soft caress.
“Thank you,” he whispered against her lips, then moved away.
She wanted to give him some flip response. Or a fully confident, “You’re welcome.” But something about that kiss changed whatever it was building between them. Made it more personal than two people hooking up for mutual pleasure. It scared her a little. She wanted more.
“Maybe I can help. If it’s SEALs bringing in the guests, I could ask a few off-duty buddies to stop by.”
Her eyes flew open, the dejection of a moment ago evaporating. “Really? Nate, that’s perfect. We could have like a speed dating tea thing right in the Tea Room. The women would love it. We could charge a fortune.”
His expression grew a little panicky.
“Not what you had in mind?” she asked, not able to hide her excitement.
“They may never speak to me again.”
She put a hand on her hip. “Let me make the picture a little clearer. This room will be filled with a lot of SEAL-loving women. Beforehand, I’ll feed the men all they can eat of my mom’s famous pot roast. It’s delicious.”
“You make pot roast?” he asked, and she heard the hunger in his voice.
“With new potatoes and lots and lots of corn bread.”
“Done.”
“Wow, I can’t believe how easy that was.”
“Yeah, I can’t believe I just offered,” he said as he made his way toward the front door.
She laughed at his chagrinned expression. This, the fun byplay between them was way more comfortable for her than the charged sexual energy of before.
“By the way, don’t think I forgot that you didn’t show me your Fate Delivery Card.”
He smiled. “All part of the plan.”
Of course it was.
“I’ll show my card the next time we go out.”
Despite the fact that her pulse skipped at the promise in his voice, Hailey felt the need to make it clear once more about her dating status. Regardless of how great his kissing was. Hell, maybe she was reminding herself. “Nate, you know I don’t do relationships.”
“I remember you said you don’t do relationships.”
“Well, I want you to take my word at face value.”
He nodded, but his determined expression told her he didn’t believe her. Or that he planned to change her mind.
“Son,” someone called from across the lobby.
Nate’s face drained of color. There was a man crossing the lobby toward them. Tall, with a full head of dark blond hair, killer smile and grey eyes.
Eyes exactly like Nate’s.
“This i
s your dad?” she managed to choke out.
“That would imply some kind of parental responsibility,” Nate said drily. He stiffened as his father stopped to stand right beside him. All military formality. “Sir.”
Nate’s dad raised his glass, the scotch sloshing within. “You don’t have a hug for your dear old pa?”
Nate stuck out his hand. “Good to see you, Jim.”
Hailey watched the interaction between the two men who looked so much alike. Nate called his father by his given name, and for the first time didn’t seem completely comfortable with a situation. How unlike the warm and caring byplay she’d always shared with her own parents.
“Started calling me Jim when he hit fourteen. Couldn’t have a kid crashing my style,” Jim told her with a wink. The man oozed the kind of charm that said he’d been fawned over by women since an early age. Getting older hadn’t changed his expectations. “Good show out there in the water, son. These ladies sure know how to throw a great party,” he said, with a leering wink directed at Hailey.
“Don’t,” Nate growled.
Jim gave her a quick once over, his gaze staying overly long on her chest. “Got good taste. Just like your old man.”
Nate’s intake of breath was like a snarl. “You here for the day, sir?” His words were phrased like a question, but sounded more like an order.
Jim raised his hands in surrender. “I won’t crash your PI, kid.”
“PI?” she asked.
“Stands for public image. Jim’s taken to talking in text.”
“Hey, Bailey here has a sister. Maybe we could double date.”
Hailey’s lips twisted into a smile. What do you know? Her big, bad Navy SEAL needed a little saving. “Sorry, I think my sister will be too busy.” Forever. “Besides,” she said as she tucked her arm around Nate’s waist, “I like to keep this bad boy all to myself.”
Jim raised his glass to his son.
MAYBE YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED to set him free as in letting him go. Maybe you’re supposed to set something in your relationship free, as in exploring.
Could Hailey be right? Had Amy been looking at the card’s message all wrong?
Amy decided that yes, she was. She was going up those stairs. She was going to knock on her fiancé’s door and she was going to have her first orgasm.
Um…tomorrow.
No, she really wasn’t avoiding the issue…she was setting the stage. Chapter four in Hailey’s book had some great suggestions and she’d need a few props to put her plan into action.
The next day, Amy finally worked up the courage to walk inside The Toy Box. She’d been visualizing Jake’s body all day long, and was ready for the next chapter. Undress for His Pleasure—And Yours.
And that’s why she was here now. Earlier on her lunch break, she’d purchased a baby blue, frilly and very very expensive nightie.
But that didn’t really seem to fit into the theme of the book. Ducking her head, she returned and scurried to a rack of women’s lingerie, each sexier than the last. French Maid, sweet coed, even a referee. But then she spotted a leopard print teddy complete with a thong and naughty cutouts.
Amy could only imagine the shocked look on Jake’s face when she revealed herself to him wearing that. She fingered the soft fabric, wanting to prance around his hotel room for his eyes only.
Thinking about the possibility of experiencing her first orgasm Amy threw in a pair of matching leopard print gloves. I can’t believe I’m doing this. Now to check out.
“We’re having a sale on lubes and vibrators,” the girl at the register said casually.
Her eyes widened. Amy cleared her throat. “I’m good in that area.”
The saleslady took the outfit off the hanger. “I love this set. Have you thought about shoes?”
Amy nearly panicked. She’d taken a major step just walking into this store, but she was definitely ready to get out of here. She shook her head.
“We have a nice selection. I’ll show you.” With an easy smile, she led Amy to a mirrored area lined with boots and shoes of every color, style and height.
“I think these would go great with the print you chose. They’re a six-inch platform, so if you’re not used to walking around in heels, we can look at something else.”
Platform shoes were the exact opposite of anything she’d ever worn before. Now was the time to go with different.
“I have these in black, silver and gold. Don’t let the vamp strap or ankle cuffs throw you, there’s a zipper on the back that allows for easy access.”
Amy was sure some of what that lady had said would have made sense to someone. When she heard “zipper,” the only words out of her mouth were, “If you have them in a seven and a half, I’ll take them in black.”
The woman smiled. “I’ll meet you at the counter.”
Now she pulled into the parking area of The Sutherland. She stopped her car right beside Jake’s, her heartbeat picking up the pace. She scrambled out of the car, and quickly carried both of the lingerie sets up to her room without being stopped in the foyer, in the stairwell or on the landing that led to her bedroom.
Once inside, Amy arranged each outfit on the top of her bed, which was stupid, because she knew the leopard print was the only choice. And she had to put it on as soon as possible or she’d lose her nerve. She’d tackle her own sexuality. She shimmied out of her work clothes and after a quick shower she slid those thong panties up her thighs.
Okay, not the most comfortable article of clothing she’d ever worn, but what had she expected?
Hopefully, she wouldn’t be wearing them long.
A slow smile crossed her face. The gloves were next followed by the teddy. The shoes were even less comfortable than the thong, but a change came over her after zipping them up and standing. Her pulse hammered as she crossed to the mirror. Uncomfortable, but the results…
Not only did they make her legs looks damn good, but they were kind of empowering. For the first time ever, she felt sexy. And that was a very good feeling.
She fluffed up her hair, then donned her navy terrycloth robe. Jake hated the thing, but maybe after tonight he’d gain a new appreciation for it. She lightly knocked on Jake’s door, and heard some fumbling around in his room. She smiled.
“Who is it?” he grumbled.
“Amy. Were you asleep?” she asked, trying to keep it light between them. So unlike how their last conversation had gone.
He opened the door a crack, and she watched as he ran his fingers through his rumpled blond hair and down his whiskered face. He looked her up and down.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She nodded, her heart skipping at the concern in his voice. Even after everything she’d done to embarrass him, he still had her well-being in his thoughts. “I just wanted to talk,” she told him, but then opened her robe slightly.
“Amy?” he said.
She pushed the door open, stepped inside, then shut the door firmly behind her. Jake had only occupied the room for a short time, but already it held his scent. She hadn’t realized how much she craved breathing him in.
Now she was ready for action. Chapter Seven was all about the strip tease, and she was prepared to try it.
Jake opened his mouth at the same time she let of her robe fall to her feet.
“Wra…wow.” His gaze now traveled up and down her body like he couldn’t get enough.
A flicker of something she could only describe as feminine power strengthened her resolve. She couldn’t stop the smile from curving her lips. Amy liked this feeling.
Jake’s hands reached for her, grazed her hips, but she pushed at his shoulders. “Not yet,” and she lightly shoved him away.
With a long, lingering glance at her barely covered breasts he walked backwards until his legs hit the high Victorian bed.
She stepped out of the pile of terrycloth pooled at her feet and moved toward him, stopping just out of his reach.
“Amy, before we get any further into this,
I think we should discuss—”
“You can’t just…run with it? Enjoy it? I plan to strip for you. After that, I’m going to take off all your clothes.”
He swallowed.
“Then I’m going to…” Say it. “Ride you like a…” Say it. “Ride you like a cowgirl.”
“Okay.” Jake scrambled onto the bed.
She raised a brow? “Who told you to get up on the bed? If I’m going to strip, don’t you think you should be in a chair? You’d like a lap dance, wouldn’t you, Jake?”
A lap dance might sound pretty tame to the girls from her wedding shower, but to her it was one of the dirtiest things she could do, and she planned to enjoy the hell out of it.
She sauntered over to the desk, and drew the chair out to the middle of the room. Jake’s hands brushed hers. “Here, let me help you with that.”
“That’s the last time you get to touch me until I say.” Earlier, she’d gone on the Internet to find out how to give a lap dance, and that was one of the first principles. “House rules. No touching the dancer.”
Amy placed both her hands on his shoulders and thrust downward. Jake settled into the chair, his legs spread. He wore an expression that was a combination of incredulousness and thinking he was one lucky guy.
She planned to make him one lucky guy. Loved that he thought himself that way because of her.
“Hands behind your back,” she whispered, the scent of the exotic and spicy perfume he’d given to her for her birthday wafted between them.
Jake immediately complied.
She’d downloaded a few sexy songs onto her iphone, which she’d left in the pocket of her robe. Not a smooth move, but maybe she could make this work. She pranced around Jake, drawing her fingers along his arm, across his neck and to the other arm. “Be right back,” she said and licked behind his ear.
She quickly grabbed her phone, and soon, sound filled the little room. The mood still wasn’t completely right. She needed him to see her, but not in full light. Amy snapped on the bedside lamp and flipped the bright overhead light off. Now this warm soft radiance set the perfect tone.
