Page 19

His gaze searched hers, and whatever he saw there had him cursing a third time before thrusting his hand into her hair and closing the distance between them.

Their mouths met in a punishing yet passionate kiss that stole her breath.

His other hand spread across her bare back and pulled her down until their bodies were flush together.

Maddening need pooled in her core as she opened her lips and invited his tongue inside.

He tightened the hold on her hair to the point of pain, but all that did was ramp up her desire.

She writhed in his arms, loving the feel of his hard body against her softer one.

At the apex of her legs, she felt his stiff length twitch against her throbbing clit.

Doug’s mouth left hers, licking and kissing along her jaw and down her neck. “Oh, God, Jenn. Fuck, you feel so good.”

He thrust his hips upward before tightening his hold on her and rolling them as one until he was on top.

Lifting his head, he pushed up with his hands on either side of her ears and stared down at her.

In his dark eyes, she saw the moment he considered pulling away, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him there.

“No. Don’t you dare, Doug. I’m an adult woman who knows who and what she wants, and that’s you.

I’ve wanted you for a long time. This isn’t a schoolyard crush or a fucking hero-worship thing.

This is me wanting an incredibly sexy man whom I can’t stop thinking about.

Dreaming about. When you forget to scowl at me or avoid me, you make me laugh.

You’re strong, intelligent, sweet, funny, and so much more, and everything I ever hoped to find in a man.

My father and uncles set a high bar. Since I was old enough to have my first crush, I knew I’d never settle for anyone they would disapprove of.

That meant no jackasses who treated girls and women like they were beneath them.

I want someone who will respect me like my dad respected my mom, and how my uncles respect their spouses.

“You’ve been a jerk to me in the past, but I know it’s because you were fighting this attraction between us.

You feel it—I know you do. You freaked out last year when I slipped and said I was in love with you.

The only reason I regret that is because you weren’t ready to hear it.

But I can’t deny my feelings for you. Not when they consume me.

I’m not a teenager anymore and haven’t been for several years.

Stop fighting this, Doug. Please. Let go of all the reasons you think being with me is a bad idea because it’s not. ”

She traced his brow with her fingers. “I came down here because I thought being away from you for a few months would help me move on and forget about you. But that didn’t happen because I’ve been counting down the days until I could see you again, even though things would probably go back to the status quo between us.

All I’m asking is for you to give us a chance. ”

There. She’d bared her heart and soul to him, and now the only thing she could do was wait for a response and pray it was one she wanted to hear. She didn’t know what she’d do if it weren’t.

He brushed a few strands of her hair off her face. “You said I thought you weren’t attractive.” His voice was rough, raspy, and oh, so sexy.

“Huh?”

“Earlier, you said you wouldn’t jump my bones because I made it clear I didn’t think you were attractive.

Or something to that effect.” He dropped down onto his forearms, bringing their bodies closer together but not enough for her satisfaction.

“Don’t you ever think I don’t find you attractive, Jenn.

That’s so far from the truth, it isn’t funny.

I can’t deny I have feelings for you anymore—strong feelings—but we have to consider other things. ”

“Like what?”

He cocked his head to the side. “Like our age difference.”

“That’s only been a problem for you. There are a few large age differences between my uncles and aunts—you know that.

Eight years is not a big deal. It would be if I were thirteen and you were twenty-one, but we’re both consenting adults now, so that issue is moot. What else do we need to consider?”

“I work for your godfather, who will probably torture me before dumping my sorry ass in the Gulf of Mexico if he ever finds out I touched you.”

She smiled. “Uncle Ian only wants the best for me, but sometimes he forgets that I’m the one who gets to decide what that is.

Or in this case, who that is.” She ran her hands over his bare shoulders.

“I want you, Doug. I want you to kiss me and make love to me. Hell, I just want to be with you without you frowning at me, yelling at me not to curse, or treating me like a child. I don’t care what we do as long as we’re together and just enjoying ourselves. ”

“I didn’t yell when you cursed a few minutes ago.”

Out of everything she’d just said, that’s all he could come up with as a response? Well, it was a start, and she would take it.

Her smile widened. “That’s right. You didn’t. Hmm. Go figure.” She slid her hands up and around his neck again before pulling him toward her. “Now, if you’re done with the excuses, will you please kiss me again?”