Page 41 of His Surrender
As Jay left the room, I wrapped the towel around my hips and smiled. Yeah, I was falling for him big-time. The more he tried to convince me otherwise, the faster my descent into madness. Because itwastotal madness to let myself get tangled in his net of sex, charm, and inevitable heartache.
But damn if it wouldn’t be one hell of a journey. I’d done a complete one-eighty in my way of thinking. Instead of pushing him away—which was safer—I was practically inviting him back into my bed. Into my life.
I went to my bedroom and grabbed a clean pair of boxers and sleep pants before putting them on and walking into the living room where Jay waited by the window. His arms were crossed, accentuating his toned biceps, and he had a faraway look in his eyes, as if he wasn’t actually seeing whatever he was supposedly looking at outside.
“Hey,” I said.
Jay turned to me, tucking a hand into his pocket and using the other to ruffle his blond locks. “I’d say it’s nice to see you clothed, but that would be a lie. You look much better with nothing on.”
“You’re the one who told me to get dressed.” I walked closer to him. His gaze dropped to my waist before slowly lifting in silent praise. His hungry eyes stirred the fire in my belly. But, just like last time he was in my apartment, I craved the intimacy more than the sex. “I can always get naked again. Just say the word.”
He smiled. “I’ve never been put in this position before. I’m usually telling men to take their clothes off, not put them on.”
“So why are you now?”
His eyes narrowed a little, and the smile fell. “It would be inappropriate for me to take advantage of you after what happened tonight.”
“Wow. I’m impressed.” Deep down, below the sarcasm, I truly was. “You actually are a decent guy.”
“I have my moments,” Jay said with a smirk in place, even though his eyes remained guarded. What was he hiding? “You should get into bed. You look half-asleep already.”
“Only if you come with me.”
“Remi…”
“Not for sex,” I clarified. “For company.”
I had little hope he’d agree, so I was shocked when he nodded and approached me, gliding a hand across my bare side as he passed me to go down the hall. I followed him into the room and crawled into my bed as he sat beside me. I was under the blanket, and he stayed on top of it.
“Another first for me,” Jay said. “Being in bed with a man and keeping my hands to myself.”
No one was forcing him to keep them to himself, but he seemed firm in his decision. It was both impressive and annoying.
“Did you really want to take me to dinner tonight?” I asked. I had thought I had Jay figured out, but then he surprised me by doing the unexpected.
“Yes. Hell if I know why. But I did.”
“And it made you jealous that I had plans with someone else?”
His jaw clenched. “Yes.”
“That’s how I feel every time I see you flirt with Brent,” I admitted, flipping to my side and facing him.
“I know.” Jay turned his head toward me, staring at my lips before meeting my gaze. “It’s why I do it.”
“Jerk.”
“If it means anything, the flirting is harmless.” Jay leaned against the headboard, spreading his legs in a teasing way. I vibrated with the need to straddle his hips and claim his lips right before letting him claim my body. “I’ve never wanted Brent.” Green eyes shifted to me. “You’re the one I want.”
“Even after you’ve had me?”
“Especially after I’ve had you,” he answered. Those emerald beauties fell to my lips again.
Every part of me tingled with the anticipation of his body moving on mine. The need was a physical thing between us, drawing me closer to him like we were two magnets that attracted instead of repelled.
“R-Remi…” Jay exhaled and shifted closer, his face so close we shared the same breath. “Visualize the apple. That goddamn poisonous apple that will hurt you.”
I placed a hand on his hard chest. His heart was beating as fast as mine. “Know what I think? You disguise yourself as the bad apple, but really, you have a beautiful core.”
