Page 36 of The House on Blueberry Lane

“Regardless, I still want you to think about it, to make sure you’re making the right decision,” he finally said.

There was nothing for her to think about when her mind was made up. If she’d had any doubts before, they’d been eradicated by that kiss they’d just shared—the one she had boldly initiated.

“Fine, I’ll think about it, Jaye. And I suggest you do the same. I want you to be sure that getting involved with me again, even for just a short while, is something you want to do.”

When he remained silent—as to whether he needed to think about it or not—she figured that could only mean one thing. “If you’re worried that I will become attached, then don’t. I learned my lesson and, like I said, falling in love is not part of the equation this time for me.” Hopefully, what she just stated would assure him that he had nothing to worry about.

He looked down at the floor as if he were considering her words. She knew at that moment that she’d been right. The only reason he was hesitant was because he needed to make sure she didn’t fall in love with him again, especially when he knew that he wasn’t capable of loving her.

Then she remembered something. “What was it you needed to talk to me about?”

He finally looked up at her. “I wanted to let you know I’ll be leaving town on a business trip in the morning and wanted to kiss you before I left.”

She blinked. “Why would you want to kiss me?”

He took a step closer, and with his gaze locked on hers, he said in a low husky voice, “The same reason you kissed me just now. You and I generate a lot of sensual heat, Velvet. Nothing has changed about that. Besides, I’ve always enjoyed kissing you.”

Yes, he did. But then, she’d always enjoyed kissing him, too. “Well, you got your kiss. Please have a safe trip, Jaye.”

He shook his head. “No, I got your kiss, Velvet. The one you gave me. Now I want you to have mine. The one I’m about to give you.”

The next thing she knew, Jaye drew her into his arms and took her mouth with an intensity she could feel in every part of her body. When she had kissed him earlier, he had let her be in control. Now he was. There was just something about a Jaye Colfax kiss, and when he deepened it, fierce desire surged through her to settle deep in her bones.

Velvet sensed a flare of heat between her legs at the same moment her breasts felt full and sensitive, and her nipples hardened. Their lips were fused together while his tongue tangled with hers in a way that had her senses spinning. Pressure began building up, and it was as if her entire body below the waist was on fire.

Then it happened. Her body exploded in an orgasm so intense, she saw stars and felt as if she’d been rocketed out of this hemisphere.

He didn’t let up until the last spasm had flowed from her body. When he released her mouth, he swept her into his arms. Was he carrying her to the bedroom now? Would he make love to her tonight? Multiple orgasms had always been their specialty.

She moaned in protest when instead of taking her to the bedroom, he placed her on the sofa. She felt weak as she fought to recover from the first orgasm she’d had with a man in two years. Ironically, it had been with the same man.

She was about to say something but was too drained to speak. He hunched down beside the sofa and stared at her with penetrating dark eyes. “Are you, okay?”

She still couldn’t speak so she just nodded.

He reached out and touched her ear. “I’m glad you found your earring.”

What he said registered. Had he figured she’d lied about losing it? “Me, too,” she managed to say, refusing to own up to it now.

“We both have a lot to think about while I’m gone. We’ll talk when I get back.” He leaned in and placed a kiss on her lips before standing. “Good night, Velvet. I’ll lock the door behind me.”

She watched him cross the room to leave, knowing when they did sleep together, they wouldn’t just burn up the sheets—they’d burn up each other as well.

CHAPTER TWELVE

“YOU WANT TO talk about it, son?”

Jaye looked over at his father. All the Colfaxes had arrived in Birmingham for the groundbreaking ceremony. It was in an ideal location for the newest Colfax Bank and tonight they would celebrate. Dinner reservations had been made and they were seated, waiting for his brothers, Dean and Franklin, to arrive. Although his dad had retired, he still liked giving his advice on any bank acquisitions. Jaye always welcomed whatever his father had to say.

He recalled when he’d told his father about his desire to purchase a bank in Catalina Cove, his father had questioned why that location instead of another highly populated Louisiana city. That’s when Jaye had told him the reason. He would be acquiring more than a bank, if things worked out the way he hoped, he would be getting back the woman he loved. His father had wished him the best.

His father and his brothers had adored Velvet. They, too, had seen what Jaye had refused to see. That she was a keeper and the woman he’d fallen in love with even when he’d sworn that he hadn’t.

There was no way he would talk to his father about Velvet’s proposal, but he would bring him up to date on how things were going with them.

“There’s not a lot to talk about, Dad. Regaining Velvet’s love isn’t as easy as I thought it would be.”

His father took a sip of his wine as he gazed at him. Jaye knew that look. It was one of those I-told-you-so stares. His father had warned him there was a chance that Velvet had moved on with her life and he was someone in her past she preferred to stay there.

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