Page 48 of Score to Settle
“How am I looking at you?” she asks in a way that makes my dick stir.
I move toward her, resting an arm against the doorframe above her head, brushing a hand through her hair, moving it from where it’s fallen over her face. Her lips pop open a fraction and I know by the way she’s staring up at me, by the bob of her throat as she swallows, that she wants this as much as I do. I breathe her in. The wildflower perfume, the coconut scent of her shampoo, the feeling of being this close, of wanting her more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.
I’m rock-hard in seconds just thinking about what I want to do to her, but I swallow a groan. It takes every ounce of my self-control to keep my promise. I move closer, brushing my lips against her cheek. “Goodnight, Cassidy.”
I push away from the door and step past her, into the hall. My willpower is hanging by a thread and if I see the desire in her eyes one more time, if she calls me back, says another word, I won’t be able to keep my promise…
TWENTY-TWO
HARPER
There are a million reasons why I should let Jake go to bed. Why I should step back into the kitchen, grab myself a glass of water, and do the same. But then I think how Jake showed up for me tonight. I think about our kiss in the hotel room and how much I want that feeling again. A small voice in my head whispers, “Fuck it,” and it’s so Jake-like that I smile. Instead of thinking about all the reasons why I shouldn’t stop Jake from walking away, I think about the reason why I should. Because I want to. And right now, in this moment, that reason is enough.
“Hey,” I say.
Jake turns back, hovering at the bottom of the stairs. He’s undone his collar, the tie of his tux hanging loose. His dark hair has fallen over his face. It’s his eyes I focus on and the hunger I see in them—the want that matches my own.
“You didn’t answer my question. How am I looking at you?” I say, holding his gaze.
His lips part and he pulls in a breath. In the beat of silence while I wait for his reply, every nerve ending in my body feels charged, humming with electricity, waiting, hoping.
He moves slowly, crossing the hall—drawing near. He doesn’t stop until he’s so close my back is against the wall and I can feel the heat of his body on my skin.
“Cassidy, I promised I wouldn’t kiss you again,” he says, voice husky in a way that has me completely undone.
“Jake.” His name is a whisper, full of need.
He tilts his head a fraction, his eyes never leaving mine. “Do you want me to break my promise?”
Longing is pounding through my veins. I lick my lips and nod.
“Say it,” he growls, cupping my face in his hands.
My next words come with a confidence I didn’t know I possessed. “I want you to kiss me.”
His pupils darken, but still he holds back. Only when I don’t think I can stand it for another second does he move. His lips brush lightly against mine. The kiss that follows is slow and so intense, I feel it between my thighs. I feel it in every part of my body. His tongue pushes lightly into my mouth and his hands move into my hair, tugging gently, then trail down my naked back to pull me against his hard body. I can feel every taut muscle through the fabric of his tux. One of his strong thighs nudges between my legs and I push against him, craving friction.
Jake’s kiss grows more searching as a low groan rumbles in his throat. I feel his hardness press against me, solid and thick, straining against his pants.God, I want him. I want to feel all of him, skin on skin. I want him inside me, filling me.
I moan into his mouth as the kiss deepens, his tongue still stroking mine. My hands slide under his jacket, digging my fingertips in, pulling him even tighter against me as our kiss turns feverish.
And then suddenly Jake is pulling back, the pressure against my lips is gone, and I’m breathless, head spinning with desire,trying to work out why he’s pulled away. He steps back, raking a hand through his hair.
“Harper…” Jake swallows. “Are you sure you want to do this?” he asks, tone low and serious despite the obvious bulge straining against his pants.
For a fleeting second all those reasons why this is a bad idea threaten to come crashing back into my thoughts. But the fact he’s asking me, that he wants me to be certain, tells me everything I need to know. I don’t speak as I push the straps of my dress from my shoulders, letting the red silk fall to the floor. I’m not wearing a bra and Jake sucks in a sharp breath, eyes filling with lust as he takes in the sight of my bare breasts. My nipples are hard from desire and the chill in the air. All I’m wearing now are my skimpy red lace panties.
“Fuck, Harper, you’re so beautiful,” Jake murmurs. His eyes rake over my body and I shiver under the intensity of his gaze, my skin tingling with anticipation and need. I’ve never wanted anyone as badly as I want Jake Sullivan right now. Still holding his gaze, I hook my thumbs in the sides of my panties and slowly slide them down my legs, kicking them aside.
“I want you,” I say when I’m standing before him, naked and exposed.
My words light a fire in him. He moves toward me, sweeping me into his arms. His lips press hard to mine as he picks me up and I wrap my legs around his waist. In five strides, he’s lowering me down on the living room couch. He follows me down, holding his weight on his elbows braced either side of my head.
“You have no idea what you do to me,” he rasps, shrugging off his jacket and flinging it away before capturing my lips in a searing kiss that leaves me dizzy.
Lowering his head, he starts a trail of kisses along the column of my throat. Lips and tongue and the softest graze of teeth. Igasp and sink my fingers into his thick hair, arching into him. Every kiss sets a flaming torch burning down to my core as he moves his lips from my neck to my collarbone. He pauses, breath hot on my skin, making me shiver with anticipation. Then slowly, torturously, he dips his head and draws one hard nipple into his mouth. I draw in a sharp breath as his tongue swirls and flicks. Pleasure burns between my legs. He sucks harder and I cry out. I’m lost to the desire he’s drawing out of me. Only one thought races through my mind:I want him. I want him. I want him.
“Jake, please,” I beg, not even sure what I’m asking for, just knowing I need more. More of his hands and mouth on my body. More of this feeling winding me tighter.
