Page 52 of Bridesmaid for Hire
“That kiss, in front of the fireplace.”
You mean the kiss that I’ve tried to block from my mind since I have to sleep next to you and the temptation is too high?
“What about it?” I ask, hoping I sound casual.
“Well, don’t you think it was uncalled for?”
What was uncalled for was how goddamn short it was.
I look back up at the ceiling. “You’re overthinking it.”
“Brody, I don’t think we should be doing that.”
“Why?” I ask. “It was part of the job. There was nothing to it. It convinced Haisley and Jude that we are the perfect couple,” I say irritated, because this is the last thing I want to be talking about.
Or thinking about…
“But don’t you think—”
An annoyed growl pops out of my mouth as I lift up from the bed, push her onto her back, and hover over her so our noses are nearly touching.
A startled gasp falls past her lips as her eyes search mine.
“Listen to me, Maggie. There was nothing to that kiss, and I mean nothing. If you’re anxious about what it might do to our contract or whatever is going on in that head of yours, you don’t need to worry about a thing. If I really meant that kiss, you would have been left completely breathless.” Pure need surges through me, grips my emotions, and causes me to lose my cool, my resistance to this woman crumbling as I slide my hand up her side. “You would have felt my touch.” My thumb grazes over the side of her breast. “You would have felt my need.” I run my hand up to her shoulder. “You would have felt my tongue.” I run my hand over the base of her delicate neck, picturing what it would be like to hold her here, gently gripping her as I fuck her into this mattress. “You would have known that you’re the one and only person I ever wanted to taste.”
Her chest rises and falls heavier as my thumb glides over her neck.
I lean in even closer and let the scruff of my jaw rub against her cheek as I speak close to her ear. “And when I pulled away, you would have been so goddamn wet and ready for me, that you wouldn’t have been able to speak after. You wouldn’t have spent twenty minutes in that bathroom, getting ready for bed. If I kissed you in a way that you claim could be a problem, we wouldn’t be talking right now, because your mouth would be on my cock while I gripped your hair and held you in place and while listening to your sweet gags.”
She wets her lips before her mouth parts and her breath catches in her chest.
“So don’t fucking question me if I give you a basic peck on the lips. There’s nothing to talk about because there’s nothing here,” I say as I shift off of her and then turn on my side, away from her, instantly regretting every fucking word.
Well, not every word.
If I kissed her like I meant it, her reaction would have been everything I described.
The untrue part is that there’s nothing between us.
To me, there istoo muchthere.
There’s anger.
Frustration.
Irritation.
And so much fucking desire that I can barely breathe.
CHAPTER EIGHT
MAGGIE
I SIGH AS MORNING LIGHTshines against my face.
Once again, I slept incredibly well. Like some of the best sleep I’ve ever gotten.
And I hate it.
