Pleasure Bound (Hard to Get 2) (9 page)

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Authors: Anne Rainey

BOOK: Pleasure Bound (Hard to Get 2)
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“Yes,” she mumbled, unable to deny the delicious torture of having Jonas so close to where she needed him.
“Where was I?” He thought for a second, then answered his own question. “Right. So, the four of us sneaked out after dark and met behind my house. Things were going pretty good, too, until I decided to hide underneath a neighbor’s boat. Seemed like the perfect spot. Several minutes went by, and I thought I’d about won. Then I felt something crawling on me. I didn’t think anything of it at first. Bugs never bothered me much. Then I felt more of them. Pretty soon they were up my pants, underneath my T-shirt. Even in my hair.”
Deanna shuddered, momentarily forgetting about Jonas’s hand between her legs. “Ew, what’d you do?”
“Ryan shined the light on me, all excited that he’d found me. Then his eyes got really big. When I looked down, I saw why. I’d lain right on top of an anthill. A big mother.”
“Oh my God, I would’ve freaked.”
Jonas curled his lip. “After I swatted the crap out of the little suckers, Ryan and I both ran home. Neither of us said a word about it to Jimmy and Steve.”
“Did you ever play flashlight tag after that?”
“Hell no. We also stayed away from that boat.” Jonas rubbed his jaw. “I wonder whatever happened to those guys.”
“What do you mean?”
“We moved out of that neighborhood a few years later. Lost touch.”
“Oh,” Deanna mused. “So, that’s why you’re afraid of ants, but you’ve been all over the world during your army days. Surely you’ve come across bigger, scarier bugs.”
“Yep, but I’ve never been covered in them, so they don’t bother me.”
She frowned, wondering if he was being straight with her. “Is that a true story?”
He laughed as he resumed stroking her. “Why would I lie about something that ridiculous?”
“To take my mind off the flight,” she answered, curious if that had been his plan all along.
“Deanna, I’ve told a few fibs in my day, but my fear of ants is very real.”
His fingers traced the seam of her jeans, and Deanna nearly moaned aloud. “Jonas, you have to stop.”
“Soon, you’re going to be begging me to continue.”
She wrapped her hand around his, then picked it up and moved it to the armrest. “Maybe, but until then, take a nap or something.”
“Spoilsport,” he murmured.
When the flight attendant showed up out of nowhere, Deanna yearned to tell her where she could stick her nuts. Instead Jonas said, “Thanks, but I already have everything I need.”
Deanna’s stomach did a little flip at his words. The eager little redhead might not be a happy camper, but Deanna was sure buzzing.
8
D
uring the rest of the flight, Deanna and Jonas had only exchanged small talk; she suspected that was because they were both too wound up for any real conversation. Now, as she stood inside the entrance of the beach house and watched Jonas take her suitcase and toiletry bag upstairs, her nerves went a little haywire. There was no going back now. She knew it in her bones. Would she even be able to undress in front of him without shaking? With her luck, she’d end up tripping over her own feet or doing something else equally as embarrassing.
Deanna tried to get her mind off the evening to come and instead took in the room around her. The furnishings, she noted, were very manly. Stainless steel and shiny black surfaces. Not for the first time, Deanna wondered just how many women Jonas had brought here with the sole purpose of seducing and conquering.
“I can see those wheels turning, Deanna,” Jonas said as he returned.
She looked him over and felt the same girlish desire as the first time she’d spotted him at their family picnic years ago. God, she never should have come to Miami. What did she know about a man like Jonas? He had
expert lover
stamped all over his delicious body. She’d be lucky to escape with even an ounce of her feminine pride left.
“I know just the thing to take the edge off,” Jonas said as he walked to the far side of the room. For the first time, Deanna noticed the fully stocked wet bar. Jonas turned over two short glasses, then poured some amber liquid into each. When he brought one to her and murmured, “Try it,” Deanna immediately shook her head. “I don’t care for alcohol unless there’s an umbrella sticking out of the top of the glass.”
He chuckled. “Come on, kitten. Give it a try. A little sip, that’s all I ask.”
Deanna thought a glass of Diet Coke and a bag of chocolate chip cookies would soothe her frazzled nerves much better, but she didn’t think that would sound too sophisticated. Hesitant, she took the proffered glass and gave it a sniff. Jonas stopped her with a hand covering the rim.
“You don’t have to try it if you don’t want to. I won’t be offended, Deanna.”
Suddenly it seemed imperative to try the drink. “No, it’s fine. Besides, you’re right. I could use something to relax me.” After Jonas removed his hand, Deanna brought the glass to her lips. She did as he’d suggested and took a small sip. The smooth liquid flowed over her tongue and down her throat, surprising her with its delicate flavor. It had a sweet, cherry flavor.
“Mmm, it’s good.”
Jonas tipped his head to the side, scrutinizing her. “Just good?”
“Well, I do like the warm cherry flavor, but it’s no margarita.”
Jonas chuckled. “How about you go get freshened up or whatever it is women do, so I can get you a margarita?”
“And food. I’m hungry.”
“Mexican sound good to you?”
“I love Mexican.” Deanna swirled the liquid around and took another sip before handing the glass back to Jonas. “I’ll just be a minute.”
“Take your time,” he said as he unclipped his cell phone from his belt. “I’m going to check in with Wade anyway. Let him know we arrived safely.”
Deanna nodded. “Good idea. Otherwise he’ll start calling both our cell phones.”
“Exactly.” Jonas winked. “And I really don’t want any interruptions while we’re here.”
No way was she going down that tempting road. “Where’s the bathroom?”
“Up the stairs and to the left.”
She clutched her purse in a tight fist and started toward the stairs. When she heard Jonas call her name, Deanna stopped and shot him a questioning look over her shoulder.
“The bedroom is on the right.”
“
The
bedroom?” she asked as butterflies began to flutter to life inside her stomach. An image of Jonas curled around her as they slept sprang to mind.
“There are three bedrooms, kitten, but do you really want your own room?”
Instead of answering, Deanna pointed to the phone Jonas clutched in one fist. “Call Wade.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The hot look Jonas shot Deanna’s way practically sent her running up the stairs. She didn’t stop to catch her breath until she’d reached the upstairs landing. Curiosity got the better of her, and she gave in to the need to peek at the bedroom. Holy smokes, the room was big. A king-sized bed sat along one wall. A lightweight white blanket, trimmed with delicate blue flowers, covered it. The beautiful light pine sleigh bed gave Deanna plenty of ideas too. Naughty ideas. Of course, the panoramic view of the ocean directly across from it was pretty damn gorgeous too. All too easily, Deanna could imagine waking up to the warm Florida sun filtering through the gauzy white curtains, with Jonas’s nude body draped all over her. There she went again, thinking of the man. Lordy, he was more addicting than cupcakes. Deanna ruthlessly pushed the big lug out of her head and headed toward the bathroom. Food and a margarita, that’s what she needed. Once she had those two cravings satisfied, she could see about sating other hungers.
 
“You’re making me nervous,” Deanna growled, then proceeded to kick his shin.
Jonas winced at the sharp pain. “Ow, and why?”
“Because you seem utterly mortified by my choice of dinner entrées. They’re flautas, not snakes, Jonas.”
He dug into his beef enchiladas. With any luck, he’d need the energy later. “You fascinate me,” he replied after swallowing a large bite. “Besides, I’ve never seen a woman so small eat something so big.”
“Rude and insulting all at the same time. You’re seriously multitalented.”
Jonas took a long swig of his beer. “I don’t mean it that way. I’m just glad you aren’t the type to consider a few pieces of lettuce dinner.”
“I’ve always had a healthy appetite.” She shrugged. “Mom told me once that when I was little, I could eat nearly as much as Dean. It used to boggle her mind.”
Jonas pushed his plate away and leaned forward. “I like your mom.”
“Most people do.” Deanna looked around the restaurant. “This place is fabulous, by the way. I love the vibrant colors. And the cascading waterfall.” She pointed to the middle of the room. “Nice touch.”
“I can’t take credit for finding this restaurant. Wade discovered it.”
Deanna nodded and scooped up the last of her flauta. “Wade loves good food. Actually, Mom made sure all three of us knew our way around a kitchen.”
“Your mom is pretty terrific.” Compared to his mother, Jonas thought, Mrs. Harrison was a freaking saint, but he kept that sentiment to himself. “I remember the first time I met her. She hugged the stuffing out of me.”
“The family picnic, right?”
He winked at her. “And here I thought you’d forgotten that day.” Deanna remained silent, leaving Jonas to wonder. “So quiet all of a sudden. What thoughts are skittering through that beautiful head?”
She finished chewing before dabbing at her lips and sitting back in her chair. “Do you remember what you said to me that day?”
Remember? Jonas had all but branded his brain with the memory; he’d played it over and over so many times. It felt like yesterday instead of years ago. “I remember everything. Why?”
“You told me that meeting me had been the highlight of your summer. You couldn’t have meant that, so why’d you say it?”
“I meant every word, Deanna.”
She frowned and looked down at the table, then started to fiddle with her napkin. “But we rarely talked after that. It wasn’t until recently that you’d started on your relentless campaign to get me to go out with you.”
“You were too young then.” Jonas reached across the table and placed his hand over hers, gaining her full attention. “I had no business anywhere near you.”
Deanna rolled her eyes and pulled her hand away. “We’re only two years apart in age, you and I. And besides, I was hardly a sweet, little virgin when we met.”
“True, but don’t forget that I’d already been to hell and back,” he explained. “Wade and I have been to some of the worst places in the world. I’ve killed, Deanna. Trust me—you weren’t ready for what I wanted from you. Not then.”
“And what is it you want from me, Jonas?”
He grinned. “Naughty things, kitten. Very naughty things.”
Deanna’s lips twitched, as if attempting to hold back a laugh. “Behave, we’re in public.”
The waiter came around then and asked if either of them wanted dessert or a refill. Never one to drink much, Jonas had ordered a light beer. One was enough. When Deanna declined another margarita, the waiter left to get their check. Jonas pointed to her empty glass. “Why not order another? Live a little.”
“I’ve never quite mastered the art of holding my liquor,” she replied. He watched her root around in her purse a moment, before pulling out a tube of lip balm.
As Jonas watched her apply it, he nearly got distracted from her answer. Leaning forward, Jonas murmured, “Can’t hold your liquor, huh?”
She replaced the cap and dropped it back into her purse. “Not so much. I tend to get a bit too happy.”
His eyebrows shot up and his cock came to full-alert status.
Happy
—he liked the sound of that. “And that’s a bad thing?”
To his utter shock, Deanna blushed. “In my case it is.”
Curiosity got the better of him. “Care to explain?”
The waiter returned with the check, forcing Jonas to drop the conversation while he fished out his credit card. Once they were alone again, Jonas waited, hoping Deanna would go into more detail. She didn’t disappoint him. “All my inhibitions disappear. It’s not a comfortable feeling for me.”
She was killing him. An immediate picture of a carefree Deanna sprang to mind. He liked it a hell of a lot. “Most people enjoy letting it all hang out every once in a while. Taking life too seriously leads to an early grave.”
“Maybe, but if I suddenly develop the urge, I’d rather be coherent.”
“You don’t like to give up control,” he surmised.
She cocked her head to the side, as if unsure how to respond at first. “It’s not that,” she said. “I guess if I’m in the mood to go romping naked through a forest, for example, then I don’t want alcohol to blur the memorable event for me.” She laughed. “I mean, I’d want to remember a crazy moment like that. Wouldn’t you?”
No doubt about it, Jonas liked the way the lady’s mind worked. “You had me at ‘running naked’.”
Deanna snorted. “You need serious help.”
The waiter returned with his card and Jonas filled in the tip and signed the check. He stood and held out his hand. “Come on, you can tell me all about these forest fantasies back at the house.”
When Deanna reached out and placed her hand in his, a wicked smile kicking up the corners of her glossy lips, Jonas’s blood heated and his cock strained the fly of his jeans. Great. Walking through a crowded restaurant with a hard-on wasn’t his idea of fun. He leaned close and whispered against the shell of her ear, “Save that look for when we’re alone, kitten.”
Instead of moving as Jonas had intended, Deanna lifted her head and caressed his lips with hers, barely grazing. The kiss left him wanting more, which was no doubt her intention. When she pulled back, there was a clear challenge in her dark brown gaze.
Jonas took her face in his large hands and ground out, “If you don’t turn around and start walking, I’m going to forget we’re in a public place and lay you across that table.”
She squinted, and a hint of uncertainty slipped across her face. “You’re all talk, Jonas.”
He released her and smiled. “Keep it up. I never did get dessert.”
To his relief, Deanna stayed silent and started walking out of the restaurant. Thank God, because being arrested for indecent exposure would sure as hell put a kink in his plans.
 
The cab drive had been quick and uneventful. Now, as Deanna watched Jonas unlock the door to the beach house, a little thrill ran the length of her spine. She had the sexy, dark-haired Jonas all to herself in the gorgeous city of Miami. Yowza. When he opened the door and let her enter first, she realized for the first time that he actually did that a lot. Held her chair, paid for dinner, opened doors for her. She wondered if he was a little old-fashioned. Deciding to find out, Deanna said, “I forgot to pay you my half of the dinner bill.”
Jonas closed and locked the door, then switched on the lamp next to the black leather sofa. The soft, intimate light sent butterflies to flight inside her belly. “Your half?” he asked.
Unless Deanna missed her guess, Jonas sounded distinctly annoyed. She had to look away to keep him from seeing her grin. “Yeah,” she answered, pretending an interest in the generic, store-bought black-and-white photo of a beach hanging on the wall beside the door. “There’s no reason for you to pay for the both of us.”
He took hold of her shoulders and slowly turned her to face him. “If you were a dude and we were going to see a ballgame together, then I’d expect you to pay half the check. You’re the furthest thing from a dude.”

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