Page 8 of Unexpected Temptation

A melia gripped the blanket tightly in her fists. Her eyes slid over his masculine features .

Why did the thought of staying appeal to her so much? There was no way, no chance in hell she’d be able to stay, so she needed to get it out of her head.

The hard angles and his square chin should have made him look harder, but instead added to his attractiveness. Her eyes went to his chest and down to his hands.

“He has the largest hands of anyone I’ve ever known ,” she murmured under her breath. The distended tendons and veins showed their strength. His eyes were deep brown, almost black, and seemed to see into her soul . “His lips were ... God, his lips were beautiful.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone compliment my lips before.”

A horrified gasp tore from her mouth before she choked. She coughed several times and wiped away the moisture from her eyes. She looked at him, mortified, and dropped back in the chair.

“Oh, God, no! I did not just say that out loud?” she asked. If she got any redder, she’d burst into flames.

Jaylen laughed. “Yeah, you did.”

“How much? How much did I say?”

“Well, you were whispering very softly, but I heard you talk about my hands and then my lips. I should warn you, my hearing is excellent. I don’t think many people would have heard you.”

Amelia groaned, drew up her knees, and laid her forehead down on them.

Jaylen chuckled, leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, and ducked his head to try to see her face.

“Hey. I’m flattered. I haven’t had anyone say such nice things about me since I was in the Navy. There, they just talked about what great aim I had and how many I could take down in a minute.”

She raised her eyes to his face. “Are you talking humans?”

“Yeah, unfortunately.”

She steadied her gaze at him. “That must have been incredibly hard for you.”

“If I didn’t do it, someone else would have, and I tell myself it was for the right reason. I don’t regret going into the military. I wish I had been better prepared for the horrible things I saw and did.”

Amelia reached out and curled her hand over his forearm.

“I’m so sorry.”

Jaylen lifted her hand and pressed his lips to her palm. He kept a grip on it when he lowered his arm, so their hands met on his leg. He tightened it when she tried to pull away.

“Thank you, Baby.” He caressed the back of her hand with his thumb. “You still haven’t told me why your sister couldn’t marry me.

His hand tightened further when she tried to yank it away.

“I hate having to do this.” She took a deep breath. “My sister was never going to move here.”

“I see. Then why did she answer the ad?”

Amelia was unable to look at him.

“It was a bet she and a few of her friends had—who could get the first marriage proposal.”

“Did she win?”

Her head jerked up at the flippant question. She shook her head, and a frown pulled at her brows.

“This is not funny, Mr. Stone.”

“Call me Jaylen.” He felt her tense and went on. “And I agree.”

“Then why are you smiling?” she asked, confused.

“I guess I’m happy you showed up instead of her.”

“Stop joking,” she cried out.

“I’m actually not joking.” He wanted to make her understand, but not upset her either. “Amelia, I knew she wasn’t coming a few weeks ago.”

Amelia’s mouth dropped.

“What? How?” she sputtered.

“I don’t think anyone’s stupid enough to have an unknown person come into their house and share their bed.”

She dropped her head onto her knees.

“ Oh, Lord. The thought of this man naked ...”

Jaylen smirked. “You’re thinking out loud again.”

“Arhhh,” she said before burying her head deeper into her lap.

He threw back his head and laughed.

“Don’t be embarrassed. I love that you can’t hide anything from me.”

“How could I not be embarrassed? I just said something ... you know,” she whispered and moved her finger around in a circle. “...naked.”

Jaylen chuckled. “Yes, you did, and I hope to get you to talk about it more in the future.”

“I won’t be here in the future.”

“We’ll see.” Jaylen stood and moved to get away from the fire and the heat to stand by the side of the chair.

Amelia looked up at him. “What did you find out about my sister?”

“Let’s just say I hope you don’t take offense at this. She is the poster child for selfish, cold, little, rich, white girl.”

Amelia thought about it for a moment before she nodded. “You’re right. I hate to say that about my own sister. But she has always been a mean person.”

“How did you turn out so different?”

Amelia looked away from him.

“You mean not as attractive?”

Jaylen’s hand landed on her shoulder and squeezed, then released her.

“Hell, no, that’s not what I meant, but we’ll deal with that in a bit. How did you turn out so sweet?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure why I’m so different. I’ve always been the opposite of everyone in my family. If it hadn’t been for my eyes, I would have thought I’d been adopted.”

“I’m thrilled you are the way you are.”

Amelia shrugged and bit her lip.

Jaylen sat back on the sofa. “Are you hungry?”

“No. I ate at the diner before I started up here.”

Jaylen eyed her for a second and then groaned.

“Don’t tell me you had the meatloaf?”

She smiled. “As a matter of fact, I did.”

Jaylen rolled his eyes and hummed.

“I’ve never found better meatloaf anywhere. God, I love that stuff.”

“It was the first time I’ve ever eaten it.”

“What? Meatloaf?” he asked incredulously.

“Yes. It was delicious.”

“We’ll stop and get some when we go to town next.”

“You don’t have to go into town with me. If I can call a tow truck when the road is passable, I’ll be out of your hair.”

“I can see you’re ready to fall asleep. We’ll talk about this tomorrow. Right now, let’s get you settled into bed.”

“I have to use the restroom,” she said.

“I’ll carry y—”

“I can walk,” she interrupted.

Jaylen studied her for a moment.

“You’re still weak. Let me help. Please.”

Amelia stared at him for a long moment and then raised her arms.

“Good girl.” He lifted her high against his chest. “I’ll stand outside the door. Call if you need me.”

“All right.”

Amelia opened the door a few minutes later.

Jaylen reached for her immediately.

“Up you go. Let’s get you settled on the bed.”

She stopped him with a hand on his chest. “Wait, Jaylen. I want to sleep on the sofa. It’s way too small for you. You won’t be comfortable at all.”

Jaylen lifted her and stopped beside the bed.

“You’ll sleep on the bed. I’ve fallen asleep on that sofa more times than I can count. We’ll discuss what’s going to happen tomorrow, in the morning.”

“What does that mean?”

Jaylen sat her on his bed before he pulled the thick blankets down so she could crawl under them.

“In you go.”

Amelia moved back against the pillows.

“Thank you.”

Jaylen waited until she was flat on her back before pulling the blankets up to her chin.

“Get some sleep.”

Amelia sighed in exasperation, nodded, turned away from him, and curled her body into a ball.

Within a minute, her breathing deepened.