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“I’m just on my way to bed,” I say. I’m careful not to flat out lie and say I’m going to sleep. But I very much want to be lying on my bed, soon.
“Of course,” Christian says smoothly. “I don’t mean to keep you up.”
“Oh, it’s fine,” I assure him.
Jonah frowns. I grin. I think I’ve made it clear that I’ve chosen Jonah, buthe’sthe one who answered the phone.
I reach behind my neck, untying the halter top. Then I pull the top over my head. I’m not wearing a bra.
Now I’m in only panties, standing in front of a fully dressed Jonah.
“I just hope that what I said tonight wasn’t too much,” Christian says. “I know I came on a little strong.”
“Not at all. I appreciated the honesty,” I tell him. That’s completely true.
Jonah reaches out and hooks his finger in the top of my panties and tugs. I try not to gasp.
He starts walking backward, pulling me along by the pale pink silk.
When he gets to the couch, he sits. He hands me the phone. I take it without thinking. Then he sweeps my panties down my legs. I step out of them as he takes my ass in both hands and pulls me into his lap. Straddling him. Completely naked.
While he’s still completely dressed.
I stare at him with my mouth open.
He gives me a cocky grin. Then trails his hot gaze over my body. Slowly. Twice. Before lifting a hand and cupping one breast, running his thumb over my nipple.
I grasp his wrist, but I’m not sure if I’m trying to stop him, or if I’m just holding on.
He mouths,be good.
I work on steadying my breathing. And remember there’s another man on the phone with me.
One I don’t intend to marry, or even date, but who I have to be polite to.
Christian is saying something complimentary about how amazing I am and how much he enjoyed tonight, so I give a soft, “Thank you.”
“I was thinking, after we said goodbye, if you think the gala might be too big of an event, too soon, I have a smaller dinner to attend in about six weeks. It’s in New York, a local event. Perhaps that would be better?”
Jonah shakes head. He keeps one hand on my breast, teasing my nipple, while he slides his other hand down my side to my hip. He squeezes, then moves to cup me between my legs. I move the phone away from my mouth as a long breath hisses out.
I glare at him.Stop, I mouth. It’s one thing to strip down and sit on his lap and be cool on the phone, but if he’s going to keep touching me, I won’t be able to hide my reactions for long.
Jonah gives me a slow smile. And shakes his head no.
“What do you think?” Christian asks.
“Um, maybe?—”
Jonah strokes over my clit with his thick middle finger and my thoughts scatter. I glare at him even as I try to press closer to his finger.
No dinner, he mouths.
I wet my lips. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I tell Christian. I’m impressed with how normal my voice sounds.
“Oh.” He sounds surprised. “Are you all right? You sound a little…off.”
Okay, maybe I don’t sound so normal.