Page 10 of Bossy Bred

“I wouldn’t have come if I didn’t want to be here.”

He stares at me for a moment longer, then steps closer, the hard planes of his body settling against my back as he brings us into contact. Dipping his head into the crook of my neck, he plants a heated kiss on my skin as his hands slide around the girth of my hips.

I lean back against him, the sturdiness of his muscular body a much-needed comfort, and watch in the mirror as his hands tug up the hem of my skirt.

When his fingers disappear into my panties, I let out a sigh, desperately trying to surrender myself to the moment.

His fingers feel good on my clit. It’s felt goodeverytime he’s touched me; he’s taught me so much about the ways I like to be touched that I had no idea about. But right now I’m having too hard of a time letting myself relax. Real life is too much in the way.

I close my eyes and try to focus solely on the moment. His kisses. His touch. His hard-on pressing against my ass.These are all very, very good things, I remind myself.You like these things. Don’t ruin this moment with him.

But then his hand stops. His lips lift from my neck. And when I open my eyes, I see him watching me in the mirror with that damn frown on his face again.

“You’re somewhere else right now.”

I shake my head. “I’m here.”

“No. You’re tense. Your whole damn body is wound tight.”

“I told you. I’m fine.”

He exhales, looking irritated. “You know what one of my biggest pet peeves is? People insisting on something when it’s obvious the opposite is true. What’s going on?”

I press my lips together. I really don’t want to get into it. My time with him is supposed to be carefree. Even if it would help to talk about it, I know he doesn’t want to spend our time that way.

“Does this have to do with your tutoring center?” he asks.

I hesitate, but then nod. “I took out a loan a few days ago to be able to pay the new rent my landlord is demanding. It’s a relief to know I won’t have to move anytime soon, but now I’m stressed about the loan payments.”

His frown turns disapproving. “Interest rates are through the roof right now.”

“Yes, they are,” I say, annoyed at his choice of response. “I’m well aware.”

“I could have found a better arrangement for you.”

I stare at him in the mirror. “What?”

“A lower interest rate. Or something with a delayed repayment.”

Why is he telling me this? It’s not helpful. Taking a steadying breath, I say, “Well, it’s already taken care of.”

“All right. Anything else?”

“Anything else what?”

“That’s bothering you.”

What’s bothering me more than anything right now is the way he’s acting. If he’d even shown the tiniest bit of empathy, itwould have gone a long way. Instead, he chose to admonish me about interest rates. Does he really expect me to want to drop my panties after that?

This isn’t a relationship,I remind myself.It’s just about sex.

True. But I’m even less turned on than I was when I walked into this hotel room. No amount of strong, sexy muscles or dirty talk is going to get me in the right state of mind.

I meet Jake’s eyes in the mirror. He’s watching me carefully.

“I think we should take a rain check on tonight,” I say.

“Yep,” he says, pulling away from me. “Agreed.”

---