Page 73 of Stripping Bare

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Because he hadn’t engagedthe electronic blackout shades over his windows last night, the inevitable North Carolina sunshine splashed across Jonah’s bed. But rather than aggravation at being awakened too early, a feeling of contentment filledhim.

That sense of satisfaction had everything to do with the woman snuggled against his side. Being with Tessa—reallybeing with her last night—was better than anything he could’ve imagined. She’d understood his needs, his wants, and hadn’t turnedaway.

Hadn’t been threatened. Or disgusted. Orfrightened.

He smoothed his hand over her hair and spiraled a curl around his finger. Although he needed to get up and get to work on tracking down the hacker, he couldn’t resist leaning in for a kiss. She came awake slowly, her muscles engaging, and she slipped an arm around his waist so they could turn fully into oneanother.

Maybe, if they kept making love the way they had last night, he could be himself with her. Let her see inside him in a way he’d never believed he could. Had never believed she wouldwant.

He worked his thigh between hers and found that her body—though still pliant with sleep—was totally on board with his touch. He was reaching for her breast, his anticipation rising, when his bedroom door slammed against thewall.

“What the fuck, Baby Billionaire? Why are you still inbed?”

He was going to kill them. Slowly. Andpainfully.

He’d start with Reid. Then he’d let Grif and Britt flip for next inline.

Then he would change the code on his security system and never give it to themagain.

Jonah angled his body to shield Tessa and yanked the sheet up to cover the breasts he was just about to get up close and personal with. He looked over his shoulder to find his three brothers crowded inside the room. Reid’s hands were making mallet-sized fists, Britt’s were on his hips, and Grif’s were brushing at lint on his pressed dress shirt. As if lint would have the balls to taint hisclothes.

“Get out,” hesnapped.

“Nuh-uh,” Reid shot back. “You cut us out once. What the hell were you thinking by not letting us know you put Mrs. Vanderwinkle intraction?

“She’s not in traction, you assbrain.” Like a pin in her hip was any better. Jonah was still sick overit.

“We’re not gonna turn around and leave, pretending something isn’t going on withyou.”

Grif gave Jonah a half smile. “I sure as hell can’t carry him out of here. He weighs as much as asilverback.”

That was an exaggeration, a slightone.

Jonah glanced back at Tessa, who was lying there, eyes and mouth open wide. Not surprising since they were both buck-assnaked.

“For once,” Britt said in his calm eldest brother voice, “Reid is right. Our name is on this town, too, and we need you to tell us why you put a senior citizen in thehospital.”

“If you shitheads will give me five minutes,I’ll—”

“Screw that.” Before Jonah could react, Reid stomped over and yanked the comforter off the bed. Then he froze and squeezed his eyes shut. “Oh, hell.” Without looking, Reid shoved the big wad of fabric toward Jonah. “I’m sorry. We didn’t realize she was…youwere…”

Grif’s laughter was loud and clear. “Wait until Brynne hears about this snafu. She’s gonna send you to etiquette classes. Maybe make you do acotillion.”

Even serious Britt cracked a small smile at that. “Why don’t we head back downstairs and wait for Jonah in thekitchen?”

Reid did an about-face, and they filedout.

Tessa’s hands flew from where they’d been clutching the covers to her face. “Do you think he sawanything?”

God, he was at a loss here. Would knowing that his brother had probably gotten a good eyeful of her beautiful body freak her out? Would she see it as some kind ofviolation?

“He closed his eyesimmediately.”

“Because he got a gander at myass.”

Wisely, Jonah didn’t mention it was unlikely, based on the fact that she was lying on her back. It was more likely that Reid caught a glimpse of her stellar tits. “He didn’t mean to, and he’s sorry. It’s okay. None of them would ever do anything to hurt you. Reid’s just a big oafsometimes.”