Page 20 of His Mansion

The distant sound of Kane’s slightly off-key singing woke her. Either that or it was the violent shaking of the mattress as Jack threw himself beside her, wrapped his arms around her and tickled. Dara squirmed, attempting to wiggle free.

“Damn it, Jack, stop.” The quilt was toasty warm from Kane’s body and she didn’t want to lose the lazy sensation in her limbs. She’d forgotten how much she loved sharing a bed. No cold toes, cuddles all night long. Relaxed from their shower the previous night, she’d crawled into Kane’s arms and promptly fallen asleep. Waking in the night and rolling to find a warm body to snuggle against had been a little bit of heaven.

Still half-asleep, she lost the battle with Jack. Somehow he managed to pin her under him and she gave up, temporarily. She mock-glared up at his beautiful smile. “Jerk.”

“Hmm, good morning, sunshine. I see you’re bright and chipper today. Ready for a hearty breakfast? Porridge, eggs, kippers…”

Her stomach rolled. “Good Lord, that sounds disgusting.”

Jack grinned at her. “How about a chocolate banana smoothie instead?”

“Now you’re talking.” One of his legs nestled between hers and she savoured the weight of him against her body. Except for one thing.

“Think you can ease off my bladder there, big guy? I’m going to have an accident.”

Jack laughed and rolled, finishing with her on top of him. He nuzzled against her neck and cradled her close. “Sorry.”

“No worries. How long until the first chair starts?”

“An hour.”

“An hour? Sheesh, Jack, why’d you wake me so early?”

He tugged her against himself, naked except for a pair of plain boxers. “I need a little one-on-one time.”

His lips were gentle against her throat and the caress felt fabulous. “Where’s Kane?” she asked.

“In the shower.”

She dragged her fingers through his hair, loving the soft brush against her fingers. “You didn’t join us last night.”

He was quiet for a moment, his gaze scanning her face intently. “Wasn’t sure how well we’d sleep with three people in a bed. Besides, you and Kane were wrapped up together pretty tight.”

She pressed down on his chest, leaning away from him. “You watched us?”

“Just making sure you were all right. Last night—was everything okay with you?”

Was she okay? Even now the thought of the previous evening made her wet. There was certainly no problem with physical compatibility between either her and Kane, or her and Jack. “I loved it.”

His face softened, the concern written there easing.

Dara rested her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. Yesterday had opened her eyes to a side of Jack she’d never seen before. He’d always been her protector. Last night had taken the level of trust she had in him to a new level. Being restrained had been wicked-hot, made so much better by the knowledge she had absolutely nothing to fear. Not with Jack guarding even as he guided her through the experience. She hadn’t realized how much giving control over to another person would turn her on. Reading about it in her books was nothing compared to the reality.

She could get to like it. A lot.

Jack twisted them slightly, resting on his side, pulling his knee up while keeping her leg draped over his. The position opened her, the bottom edge of the oversized T-shirt she wore as a sleep shirt sliding toward her waist. The soft brush of his fingers over her hip and the swell of her butt sent a shiver up her spine.

He kissed along her jaw, over her cheek and up to her ear. “I can’t stop thinking about you. I need to know how you taste,” he whispered.

His hand continued to glide in slow even circles on her body, never moving any closer to her core. Dara threaded her fingers into his hair and pulled their mouths together, licking at his lips even as she opened her legs invitingly.

Jack laughed softly against her mouth. “You’re a demanding little creature, aren’t you?”

“Hmm, sometimes.”

“Me too.” He leaned back, putting space between their upper bodies. “Place your hand on my chest.”

His whole tone changed. It wasn’t cruel or harsh, but it was definitely an order. She dragged her fingers down his throat until she felt the muscular ridges of his chest. Her palm absorbed the heat radiating out from his bare skin. She traced small circles on his skin, relishing the opportunity to explore him so intimately.

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