Page 31 of Legacy

If Jesse wants to play, fine.

“Another billionaire?” Jesse picks up the book, clearly remembering the title of the last one I was reading.

“Mafia boss, actually.”

He flips it over. “And being in the mafia is somehow sexy? Have you ever actually been around those guys?”

“Have you?”

When he doesn’t answer, or so much as flinch, I realize he has.

“Oh.” I clear my throat, not sure what to think of the fact that Jesse’s club is involved in anything having to do with actual members of the mafia. “Well, this is fictional.”

“So you said.”

I cross my arms over my chest, and even if he avoids looking at my breasts, I don’t miss him swallowing hard.

“Open to the bookmark.”

“Why?”

“Just do it.” I roll my eyes, and he flips open the book at the bookmark. “Now go back three pages.”

“That’s very specific.” He smirks, and I fight against that little flutter that swivels and swirls in my stomach.

“There’s a point. Read from the top of the page.”

“You want me to read your ridiculous mafia romance?” His eyebrow hitches.

“I can find a motorcycle club romance if that’s more your taste.”

Jesse’s eyes widen. “They actually have that shit?”

I nod sharply, biting back the urge to grin when he turns back to the mafia book instead.

His gaze scans the scene, and I’m tempted to ask him to read it out loud for my own amusement, but when his eyes immediately widen, and he slaps the book shut, his reaction says enough.

“That was fast.” I circle the desk, stepping close to snatch the book from his hands. “Are you embarrassed, Jesse King?”

I’ve positioned myself too close. The air is all leather and allspice cologne.

His shock dissipates, and the power in the room flips as his blue stare bores into me.

I shift back; he leans closer.

He exhales; I inhale.

It’s all too much.

“Embarrassed… no.” He smirks as I feel my cheeks heat. “More like surprised.”

The invisible cord between us is taut. Each retreating step of mine is matched with an advancing one of his.

“So that’s what you read at night, Reagan?” His voice is smooth as honey.

“I was just proving a point. You can’t shock me.” My heart races. “I’m not saying I do that kind of thing.”

Jesse grins. “You don’t do what exactly? Mafia men? All three of them at once? Handcuffs and—”

---