Page 50 of The Prince's Game
He bit my nipple, making me yelp. “I want an answer, Miss Summers.”
“You didn’t ask me a question, Mister Mershano.”
“It was implied.” Another nibble followed by an open-mouthed kiss on my breast that made my toes curl. “Can you handle this or not?”
“I wouldn’t have slept with you last night if I couldn’t handle it.” His talented tongue was making me breathy.
“Still not a definitive answer.” He peppered kisses up my neck and settled his lower half between my legs. I was caged in by his biceps, his forearms resting on either side of my head. “Can we continue down this path, or do you need me to pull back? Tell me, Sarah.”
“For someone who isn’t into relationships, you sure ask a lot of questions.”
“And for someone who craves fidelity, you sure do know how to dance around the answers.” He tugged my lower lip between his teeth and let it snap back. “Communication is the key to all relationships, whether they be business, personal, or otherwise. It’s the foundation of trust, Miss Summers, and I require that and honesty between us. Talk to me.”
“I prefer us not talking.” That was an honest answer that earned me an arched eyebrow in response. “Fine. I want to continue exploring things between us, and I’m not crazy about the potential for you to sleep with the other women on the show. Is that what you want me to admit? Statements that should be common sense?”
“Yes, because although obvious to you, they are not entirely clear to me. Whether you realize it or not, you hide your emotions quite well behind that wall of sarcasm.”
“It’s the only way I can protect myself.”
“Because you assume I’ll hurt you?”
“There’s no assumption about it.” It was fact. Seeing him with Amber and the others made me sick. Charade or not, seeing the man I was falling for flirt openly with women and kiss them didn’t yield happy results.
“How would you feel if you were in my shoes, Evan? Watching me kiss a dozen other men? Would you believe me when I told you I didn’t feel a thing for any of them, including the guy I felt up in front of you in a hot tub?” My voice was quiet, nearing a whisper. Asking him this granted him deeper access to my thoughts and feelings than I wanted to allow, but his gaze was already penetrating my outer layer. He was right about honesty being the foundation between us. I could tell him this, giving him a dose of the reality I faced.
“I turn off my emotions when the cameras are on except for when I’m with you. You’re the only one who cracks my armor.”
“That doesn’t answer my questions, though, does it? How would you feel, Evan? Consider what you just told me, and pretend I said those words to you.” I palmed his cheek. “You wanted to know how I feel; well, consider the reverse. I can handle this, knowing it won’t go anywhere in the long term. I can enjoy the moment, but don’t question my shields. They’re up for a reason.”
He brushed his knuckles over my temple and along my jaw, tracking the movement with his gaze. “I’m not a jealous man, but the idea of you kissing someone else makes me want to break something.” The growl in his voice was almost as sexy as his words. “You kissing men in front of me would be even worse. I don’t think I could be as strong as you and agree to this arrangement.”
“Then you realize what you’re asking of me.”
“I do.” He pressed his lips to mine, softly and tenderly. “Am I an asshole for being happy about you agreeing despite everything?”
“Only a little.” I pulled him down for another kiss, lingering in the moment. He was naked and hot, and pure deliciousness against my mouth. “I can think of a few ways to make it up to me.”
“Yeah?” His irises were molten chocolate. “What did you have in mind?”
“Well, I’m really sore for some reason. A massage and a hot shower sound amazing right now. Bonus points if we can combine the activities.”
“Hmm, a negotiation. Okay, then.” He traced my jaw with his finger, considering. “What type of massage are you requesting? Of the oral variety or hands only?” His serious tone coupled with his words had heat rushing to my core. I loved when he went into businessman mode, especially when discussing sex.
“That’s a tough choice, Mister Mershano.” I licked my lips. “I think both.”
“And in exchange?”
“Well, my knees feel fine.” I wrapped my legs around his waist. “And my mouth isn’t sore at all.”
He grinned against my lips. “I do love the way you negotiate, Miss Summers.”
“So we have a deal, then?”
“Absolutely.”
25
Evil Twin Sisters and Disapproving Mothers
