Page 26 of Enemies with Benefits

Dear God, but she tested me. ‘You know something? I regret not giving you that spanking you begged me for that day in the maze.’

She sucked in a quick, betraying breath. I enjoyed watching her nonplussed expression before her features closed. ‘Your memory must be faulty. I never begged you for anything.’

‘Not with your mouth. But we both know what you wanted that day.’

Her nostrils fluttered delicately, her eyes growing that shade of moss green that betrayed her. ‘You have a vivid, and very flawed, imagination, Jasper.’

‘I agree with the vivid part. I’m very happy to demonstrate just how flawed you think my memory is. Right now if you want.’ I gestured at the wide sofa behind her and for the tiniest moment heat flared in her eyes.

‘I don’t want, thank you. Not that. Not any of this.’ There was a desperate note in her voice. ‘When are you going to accept it and end this?’

End our association? Watch her retreat behind that glass building half a mile away from my office that might as well have been a continent away for all the access I’d have to her? Not if I could bloody well help it. ‘You know the terms of the deal as well as I do. So far I have zero incentive to give you what you want. Until such time as that changes...’ I shrugged ‘... I want you to accept that and work with me.’

‘I won’t. And you’ll be wise not to push me.’

‘Or what?’ I challenged.

‘Remember those accolades you generously listed for the benefit of your Moroccan team? It’s only a matter of time before I succeed.’

And as absurd as the feeling was, a part of me relished that fight with her. Glancing down at her, I drawled, ‘It turns you on to fight with me, doesn’t it?’

She snorted. ‘Now you’re just being plain ridiculous.’ But her words lacked the punch of conviction.

‘Am I?’ I murmured. ‘Then why are your nipples hard? Why’s your skin flushed? I bet you’d be too proud to admit you’re hot and wet right now.’

Her nostrils flared. ‘Haven’t you learned the futility in attempting reverse psychology with me by now?’

I smiled, enjoying myself for the first time today. ‘I don’t hear a denial, sweetheart.’

‘Don’t call me that,’ she admonished. ‘I’m not your sweet anything.’

‘You’re right. You’re like a stiff shot of Scotch whisky, raging and burning all the way down. Problem is, one taste just triggers a need for another. And another...’

She stiffened. ‘I wouldn’t know. I don’t drink.’

The tastelessness of my analogy hit home a second too late. ‘Hell. I’m sorry. That wasn’t meant—’

‘You’re still here, Jasper. Why?’

‘Because your nipples are still hard. You’re breathless and I know it’s not because you’re offended. Or annoyed with me. You want another taste, too, don’t you, Wren?’

She opened her mouth, but I placed a finger on her lips. ‘You can take the high road if you want, but I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m dying to kiss you. Can I?’

One perfectly sculpted eyebrow arched, and, God, even that was beyond sexy. ‘You didn’t bother to ask last time. Why ask now?’

‘Last time was...different. Yet you did invite me to do my worst, as you put it. You needed me to take control. You wanted the fastest route out of your head and I provided it.’

She continued to glare at me. ‘You think this makes you some kind of noble knight or something?’

I shrugged. ‘Or something. So can I kiss you, Wren? Or do you want me to take the decision out of your hands again, give you the chance to tell me off later and claim it was all a mistake?’

The faintest flush of guilt stained her cheeks. ‘You think you know me?’

‘Not well enough. Not as much as I’d like. But we’ll get around to that soon enough. For now...’ I inched closer until mere millimetres separated our lips, until her sweet breath washed over my top lip. Until I craved her so badly it was a physical pain not to just let the lust lashing us take over. But she was right. I wanted her to see me in a better light. Wanted her to want me without the speed bumps of our corporate skirmishes in the way.

Just when I started to give up hope, her beautiful eyes locked on mine. Still challenging. Still vexed. But also aroused. Interested. Hell, even craving.

Her gaze dropped to my mouth. And she swallowed hard. ‘For now...you have one minute. Then I’m throwing you out.’

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