Page 78 of Devil's Kiss

“I have to say, Mr. Pearson. You may have just changed my mind about two things.”

Derek slipped his hands into his pockets and waited.

“I think I have a newfound appreciation for one-on-one spot trainingandbeing flat on my back. Bravo. It’s not every day someone can change my mind.”

Derek chuckled and Jordan’s heart swelled. It had been too long since they’d actuallyenjoyedeach other’s company.

“So, I’ll, umm…call you?” When Jordan stuttered over his words, Derek’s chuckle turned into full-on laughter.

“You have no clue what the hell you’re doing, do you?”

“Um, no. Not really.”

Derek walked across the office to where Jordan was standing, and when he didn’t stop, Jordan backed up until he hit the door.

“That’s kind of endearing.”

“How lovely,” Jordan deadpanned. “One thing I do know is: I never want to catch you at some club with another guy again. Got it?”

“I was never with him,” Derek clarified, and brushed their lips together. “When are you going to get it?Youare the one I call.Youare the one I want. And it’s about time we explored that for real. Don’t you think?”

Jordan crossed his arms over his chest, irrationally annoyed about that night at Boyz all over again. “I already said yes, didn’t I?”

Derek’s lips pulled tight—he was trying to restrain a smirk, no doubt. “You’re jealous.”

“Am not.”

“Yeah, you are.”

“Ugh,” Jordan huffed, and tried to shove Derek away. “Why would I be jealous? I just came all over you. I believe in some cultures, and definitely in the animal world, that makes you mine.”

“And don’t forget,” Derek said boldly, holding Jordan’s gaze, “your cock fits my ass like it was designed for it. So yeah, pretty sure that makes me yours. Just time to make it more…public.”

“There’s that word again.”

“You’re right. In a sense, it’s all about that other word you love so much. Respect, Jordan. It’s time that I had yours.”

Jordan took a step forward and cupped Derek’s face. It was important that it was understood he was telling the truth when he said, “I do respect you.”

My, how the tables had turned onthatparticular conversation.

“Maybe,” Derek said, and wrapped his fingers gently around Jordan’s wrists, before lowering them to his sides. “But it’s time to show me. Starting with date two.”

Chapter 21

THE ECHO OF his cell phone had Jordan shutting off his shower early and reaching for his robe. He wrapped it around himself as he padded through his bedroom to his bedside table and smiled when he saw who the caller was. When he hit answer and brought it to his ear, he said, “Ciao, bella.”

His mother’s laugh trilled in his ear, and Jordan couldn’t help but respond in kind to the pure happiness radiating from her. “Hello to you, my sweet boy. How are you?”

“Sweet boy? I think you might have called the wrong number.”

“I know exactly who I called.”

“Mhmm. Just making sure you’re under no delusions as to who you raised.”

“Oh, you mean a genius? Yes, I am aware.”

Jordan headed through to the kitchen, where he grabbed the carton of OJ before he got ready to head to work. Once he poured a glass, he propped his hip against the counter and took a sip.