Page 17 of Unexpected Temptation
Amelia gripped theblanket tightly in her fists.Her eyes slid over his masculine features.
Why did the thought of staying appeal to her so much?There was no way, no chance in hell she’d be able to stay, so she needed to get it out of her head.
The hard angles and his square chin should have made him look harder, but instead added to his attractiveness.Her eyes went to his chest and down to his hands.
“He has the largest hands of anyone I’ve ever known,” she murmured under her breath.The distended tendons and veins showed their strength.His eyes were deep brown, almost black, and seemed to see into her soul.“His lips were ...God, his lips were beautiful.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone compliment my lips before.”
A horrified gasp tore from her mouth before she choked.She coughed several times and wiped away the moisture from her eyes.She looked at him, mortified, and dropped back in the chair.
“Oh, God, no!I did not just say that out loud?”she asked.If she got any redder, she’d burst into flames.
Jaylen laughed.“Yeah, you did.”
“How much?How much did I say?”
“Well, you were whispering very softly, but I heard you talk about my hands and then my lips.I should warn you, my hearing is excellent.I don’t think many people would have heard you.”
Amelia groaned, drew up her knees, and laid her forehead down on them.
Jaylen chuckled, leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, and ducked his head to try to see her face.
“Hey.I’m flattered.I haven’t had anyone say such nice things about me since I was in the Navy.There, they just talked about what great aim I had and how many I could take down in a minute.”
She raised her eyes to his face.“Are you talking humans?”
“Yeah, unfortunately.”
She steadied her gaze at him.“That must have been incredibly hard for you.”
“If I didn’t do it, someone else would have, and I tell myself it was for the right reason.I don’t regret going into the military.I wish I had been better prepared for the horrible things I saw and did.”
Amelia reached out and curled her hand over his forearm.
“I’m so sorry.”
Jaylen lifted her hand and pressed his lips to her palm.He kept a grip on it when he lowered his arm, so their hands met on his leg.He tightened it when she tried to pull away.
“Thank you, Baby.”He caressed the back of her hand with his thumb.“You still haven’t told me why your sister couldn’t marry me.
His hand tightened further when she tried to yank it away.
“I hate having to do this.”She took a deep breath.“My sister was never going to move here.”
“I see.Then why did she answer the ad?”
Amelia was unable to look at him.
“It was a bet she and a few of her friends had—who could get the first marriage proposal.”
“Did she win?”
Her head jerked up at the flippant question.She shook her head, and a frown pulled at her brows.
“This is not funny, Mr.Stone.”
“Call me Jaylen.”He felt her tense and went on.“And I agree.”
