Page 43 of The House on Blueberry Lane

Velvet knew she should say something, but discovered she was unable to say anything—nor did she want to. She rather enjoyed the way Jaye was working his mouth over hers, taking her tongue like he had a right to claim ownership. Because it felt so good, she would let him do it. This one time.

When he released her mouth, they were both panting, and when he reached out for her, to pull her closer into his arms, she regained her senses and pushed back against his chest. “We need to talk, Jaye, and then I need to get ready for work.”

“Okay.”

Okay? When had he ever agreed with her whenever it was about being turned down for sex? And why was he looking at her like that? With a degree of hunger reflected in his gaze that should be outlawed.

“Is something wrong, Velvet?” he asked, taking her hand and lifting it to his lips to kiss her knuckles.

“What make you think something is wrong?”

He shrugged. “You said you wanted to talk but you aren’t saying anything.”

She rubbed her hand down her face. “You’re confusing me, Jaye.”

“I don’t mean to. So, what do you want to talk about?”

“Moving forward, I don’t want you to assume we’ll automatically become bed partners. In fact, last night was it for us. I’m good.”

He smiled, showing those dimples she loved. “Yes, sweetheart, you are good, and I’m glad last night was it for us.”

She frowned. That honestly wasn’t what she’d expected to hear. “Why?”

“Because I’m not into sex-only relationships anymore. Last night, I made you an exception.”

He had to be kidding. “Why aren’t you into sex-only relationships anymore?”

He paused as if collecting his thoughts, so she said, “No need to answer. I already know.”

He lifted a brow. “You do?”

“Yes.”

“And what do you know, Velvet?”

“That some of the people you hang out with, namely those Steele Brothers, are no longer single. So now you figure maybe it’s time to take a social break before moving forward and getting back into the game.”

When he didn’t say anything, she asked, “Well, am I right?”

He frowned. “No, you’re totally wrong. If anything, you should know that I am not influenced by what others are doing. I am happy for the Steeles and think the women they’ve married are worthy of their love, but my decision to end my sex-only relationships is not about that.”

“Then what is it about?”

“It’s about me facing the reasons why I had done it in the first place.”

She’d known the reason, although he’d never shared it with her. She knew it had to do with his mother’s desertion. That had always been one subject he’d made off-limits. Was it something he would share with her now? Maybe not at this second but at some point? “And have you faced the reasons, Jaye?”

“Yes.”

She would have loved to hear the full details, but she knew if he wanted her to know anything more, he would eventually tell her. Deciding to change the subject, she said, “We didn’t finish talking about Webb Crawford.”

“No, we didn’t.”

“Well, just so you know, I went to see him to reiterate my position. I can’t believe he’s going around telling guys that I’m off-limits. Webb is the last man on earth I’d go out with. He’s too full of himself and not worth my time.”

“Now that’s something we both agree on,” Jaye said, swinging his leg over the edge of the bed. He looked back at her. “Ready?”

She lifted a brow. “Ready for what?”

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