Page 122 of On the Power Play

Jack wrapped his hand over her calf, pressed his finger into the back of her knee, then slid his palm up the sensitive skin on the inside of her thigh.

Delia sucked in a breath, arching against him as she reached for his waist and pulled him closer. She yanked at the hem of his shirt, suddenly desperate to get her hands on bare skin. Jack ripped his shirt off and tossed it onto the floor.

“Yes.” The word slipped out of her as she pushed him onto his side and ran her fingers over his pecs, taking in the dark hair there that she’d only gotten glimpses of when he’d lifted his arms.

Is Jack a good lover? Does he get you out of your head?

Delia’s stomach fluttered as she traced the swirls of ink on his skin. The pinecones. The owl. The mantis.

Jack stilled as he watched her finger follow the lines. “It was a joke.”

“What was?”

“The praying mantis.”

Delia’s breath quickened. She leaned in and kissed a flower bud on his bicep.

“She was fascinated by them, and I told her it was because they ate their mates. When we got engaged, we got matching mantises and promised not to eat each other alive.”

Delia kissed his shoulder. His collarbone. “I’m so sorry, Jack.”

Jack rolled onto his back and Delia dropped next to him, throwing her leg over his hips. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought that up.”

She nestled against his chest. “I’m glad you did.” It was the truth. She loved that he knew how to love. She only hoped he had room in his heart for one more. She wanted to tell him they didn’t have to do this, but instead she waited, listening to his breath.

Eventually Jack’s hands brushed up her thighs and found their way to her backside. “Are you wearing it?”

She tilted her head to look at him. “Wearing what?”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “You know what. That bra. The one you were holding in your bedroom.”

She shrugged. “Hard to remember.”

“You are such a tease.” Jack pulled her shirt up and Delia helped it over her head. He pushed her back on the pillows, raking his eyes over her as his hand dragged across the curve of her hip. “Yeah. That’s it.”

Delia grinned. “It wasn’t hard to tell you liked it.”

“I’m glad I’m so transparent.” Jack tucked his fingers under the strap, then kissed her with the same hunger she’d sensed that first night in the bed and breakfast. Her body lit up like the sky on Canada Day.

“I love that,” she sighed.

“What?”

“When it feels like you want me.”

Jack breathed a laugh. “I do want you.”

Delia reached for the button of his jeans. She clumsily pushed until it came free of the buttonhole, then pulled on the zipper.

Jack grunted. “I need to get a condom.”

Delia held onto his arm and pressed her hand against his boxer briefs. “I have an IUD.”

Jack’s heart raced next to hers, making her pulse squirrely. “I don’t want?—”

“Jack, I trust you.”

He kissed her cheek. “You’re aware what sport I play, right?”

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