Page 22 of Desperate Temptations

C ain lifted his head slowly and looked down at her upturned face.

He smiled gently, even with the pain of being separated from her that tightened a solid band around his abdomen.

It took all his strength not to haul her into the bedroom and lay her down on her soft white comforter.

Or, God, spreading her on the table—it was closer, and he wouldn’t have to move.

He told himself it would happen soon, but first she needed to come to terms with Drew’s death before she could move on with him, or it could backfire on him and tear her from his arms. He ran a hand through her hair and smoothed it out of her face.

“Sweetheart, open your eyes and look at me.” Her eyes popped open, and immediately a blush crept up her face, making him angry again. “Don’t you dare regret this. You have nothing to feel guilty or embarrassed about.”

Cain adjusted her on his lap, taking pressure off his aching cock and some of his discomfort away.

“Now let’s get back to our discussion.” Cain rubbed his thumb over her lower lip, puffy and red from his kiss. “I think that kiss proved we have something between us. You can’t deny it. Hell, I won’t let you deny it.”

He hated the confusion in her expression. She put a hand on his chest and pushed because she wanted to get off him.

“Let me up, please.”

He placed a hand on her stomach and kept her where he wanted her.

“Not yet, Sweetheart, we’re not done. Besides, I like holding you, and you might not admit it right now, but I think you like me holding you.”

“I want you to know you can’t bully me into a relationship with you.”

Cain chuckled. “I’m bullying you?”

“It sure feels like it to me, Buddy.” Jessa said and lifted her chin.

That made him laugh harder. He liked the fact that she felt she could argue with him, felt comfortable enough with him, to push him, get mad, and give him hell.

“The point I was trying to get across is, there’s something between us.

Can you at least admit that?” It took a minute, but she finally nodded, slowly, reluctantly.

“Good. I know we have some issues that need to be ironed out, but there is no way I’m going to let you deny or walk away from this before you give us a chance. ”

Jessa rubbed slow circles on his arm. He really didn’t think she realized what she was doing. She looked so fucking adorable as she concentrated, squinting at him, and her expression was thoughtful.

“Do you realize you’ve known about me for years, but I’ve only just met you? Can you take that into consideration and give me some time to get to know you?”

He was shaking his head before she even finished. “I know I’m asking for...”

She scowled up at him.

“You mean demanding?” she asked with sarcasm.

Cain smiled but went on like she hadn’t interrupted, “...a lot, but I’m not going to lose any more time with you.”

“What about what I want?”

Cain bent to press his lips gently against hers.

“This is all about you, what you want, and what you need. Give me some time, and I’ll show you how good we can be together.”

Her eyes roamed his face and took in everything. His hard eyes were so dark brown they were almost black. Eyes that color should have looked cold, but his burned hot, molten, and were as piercing as lasers. With his clenched jaw and watchful gaze, she knew he definitely looked determined.

“Again, what are your plans today?”

Jessa moved to get up, and this time he let her. She picked up their coffee cups and took them to the sink. She turned to face him, then crossed her arms over her chest.

“I’m planning on going to the grocery store, and then I have some cleaning and paperwork to do. Why?”

He stood slowly, stretched to his full height, but his eyes never wavered from her.

“I have to run into the office for a bit. Why don’t you wait to go to the store, and I’ll go with you?”