Page 83 of Playing My Rivals

“Dori, if I get into bed with you with no barriers…” He sighs heavily. “Do you know what you’re asking me to do?”

“I do, and I still believe it’s what we need to do. I’m too cold and I’ve been under this blanket for half an hour without it making any difference.”

“You're still that cold?”

“Yes. I can’t feel my toes and I’m still shivering.”

He grabs the rest of the blankets and marches to the only bedroom in the cabin as if he had been given an order. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

My blanket drags along the floor as I follow him.

How is this going to work with us both being naked?

We have to rub against each other.

I’m going to want more once that happens. I know it.

What have I gotten us into?

We make the bed as fast as we can, though it’s more like we throw the sheets down and stack the blankets so we can climb in before one of us changes our mind. He lifts the covers and slides in. I step forward, then hesitate.

This will lead to a hell of a lot more.

What if it ruins us?

What if?—

“What are you waiting for?” He rolls to his side and lifts the blankets for me.

Here goes nothing. I nod and get in. He doesn’t wait until I’m settled. His arm goes around my waist and pulls me into him so I’m flush against his skin.

“Jesus, Dori. You’re an ice cube.” He runs his hand up and down over my arm to heat it with the friction.

My body shivers so hard it feels like I’m having a spasm. “You’re warm. It shouldn’t take too long to heat me.”

“That’s good to hear.” He softens and sinks into the mattress.

It takes about ten minutes before I can feel my toes. As my temperature rises, my insides churn with growing desire. He’s not even being sexual, but that has no bearing on what is going through my mind. Made-up movies play X-rated scenes of him and me together.

My skin tingles and comes alive under his touch. My breathing becomes restless, making me want to erupt from pleasure. He’s just holding me, but his breath on the back of my neck is driving me mad.

I want his arms around me and to be kissed how he kisses me. I want all of him and he wants it too. We’ve wanted this for years.

My nipples harden, and I long for his hands, mouth, or tongue to touch me. Any part of him will suffice. I just need him to explore my body. I need to experience his. More than that, I love him and want to show him.

I shift out of his arms and shimmy my way to face him. “Thank you for always being there for me when I need you.”

He props his head up with the palm of his hand. His other hand rubs my hip in soft, circular motions. The moonlight shines in on us from a small window next to the bed, but there’s still not enough light to make out much.

“You don’t have to thank me for taking care of you.” He moves forward and plants a kiss on my forehead. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”

His words go straight to my heart. I’m far too gone to turn back now. The echoes of things between us fade away.

I scoot closer to him. “In that case, I have a request.”

“Yeah? What’s that?” His words come out throaty and tortured.

The moment I’ve waited for as long as I can remember hangs on the way Jamison responds to my request. This is it. The truth of what this is between us.

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