Page 90 of An Unexpected Love

After several minutes he lifted her face upward to meet his mouth. Over and over again he kissed her, lightly, softly, gently. Her breathing grew shallow.

“Jason…”

“Yes?” He raised his head, his eyes meeting hers.

“You’re doing it again.”

His mouth curved into a deliberate smile. “I know.”

Her hands were against his chest when he sought her mouth again. He was still gentle, but the kisses changed in texture and intensity. Their lips were fused together, the heat between them burning so fierce, she thought it might scorch her. Charlotte found it difficult to breathe, but she didn’t care. Breathing wasn’t important. She held on, her hands clutching his upper arms.

Jason led her back to the sofa, and without protest, Charlotte followed. He sat down and brought her into his lap. He didn’t give her the opportunity to protest before he directed her lips back to his. When her mouth opened in exultant welcome, he moaned. He kissed her again and again, until she was panting. Until her heart seemed to stop beating. Until there was nothing in her world but him.

His hands were opening the front of her blouse even before she realized his intent.

“Jason, no,” she said in a panic. “Please, no.”

“All right.” Jason twisted around and turned off thelight. The room dimmed and shadows danced across the walls. “Is this better?” he asked.

Charlotte clamped her eyes shut. “I… I’m not very good at this,” she whispered, close to tears. “I’m not…sexy enough.” The only thing that kept her from springing free of his hold was fear. It held her immobile.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered. “Charlotte, do you hear me? You’re perfect.”

She buried her hands in his hair. His cap was gone, but she didn’t remember when he’d removed it. Or if he had. She sighed.

He kissed her again, his mouth hard and hungry. Charlotte understood his hunger, but she wasn’t capable of satisfying it. “No,” she whispered when she could.

“No?” How disappointed he sounded.

“No,” she said a second time.

“You’re sure of that?” he asked, sounding regretful.

“Y-yes.”

He nodded, kissed her once more, then inhaled sharply. “I just wanted to check.”

Seven

“Who told you that you aren’t sexy?” Jason asked, relaxing on her sofa.

Charlotte’s hands stilled as she poured coffee into two mugs.

How do you expect a man to get excited when his wife’s such a cold fish? No wonder you’re a failure at lovemaking. Are you sure you’re even a woman?

Charlotte’s heart reeled as Tom’s words returned to haunt her. She’d laid to rest as much of his vindictiveness as she could, bound her wounds and gone on with her life. Pulling away the bandage, examining the damage now, just seemed pointless.

“Charlotte?” he probed gently.

“My ex-husband,” she muttered.

“He’s wrong, you know.”

She nodded, rather than argue with Jason. For the moment he was infatuated with her, but his fascination wouldn’t last, and eventually he’d feel the same way as Tom.

“You never mention your ex-husband.”

“There’s not much to say.” She carried the two mugsinto the living room. “Carrie was excited about babysitting Paul and Leah’s children,” she said, pointedly changing the subject.

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