Chapter 21
Shannon
“Holy fuck, love, you’ll be the death of me.” His voice was thick with satisfaction as he grabbed a tissue and wiped the cum off her face.
Once he’d cleaned it away, he pulled her into his arms, holding her against the powerful thrum of his heart.
Shannon froze, unsure how to navigate the surge of emotion coursing through her.
She drew in a deep breath, accepting Jamie as the best thing ever. The best of the best. A-plus in everything hot, filthy, and satisfying.
He offered a glimpse of life with him, and it terrified her because she wanted to experience it all.
Over the sound of her racing heart, crows cawed on the roof and the clip-clop of hooves soon followed the distant rumble of a lorry engine in the yard.
They were a reminder of her real life outside. Jamie claimed what he’d expected from last night and she’d paid her debt. Now, her day-to-day life would have to continue like he had never existed.
So she drew an invisible line and accepted that whatever just happened would never happen again.
With a soft sigh, she pulled away, accepting the casual nature of it all.
“I’ve got stuff to do now.” Her silly heart pinched at the sudden distance, the intimacy slipping away as she backed up. “You’ll have to leave now.”
“Yeah, I’ve got to go, anyway.” His tone sounded distant, like he was already moving on.
From the corner of her eye, she watched how his features stayed relaxed, and he seemed comfortable as he moved through the small space.
The battle between her foolish heart and her stubborn mind began, with revolvers aimed at both sides.
“I’m going away on business for a few days,” he said, his tone casual. “Maybe we could grab dinner Friday night when I get back?”
Her brows snapped together. “Like a date?”
“Uh, yeah. Like a date,” he drawled, as if he was considering the best way to phrase a second round. “We can eat more food together.”
He scrunched up the tissue, then reached out and thumbed her jaw in a quick flirty gesture. “Say yes, love. It’s that easy.”
Shannon sighed, the air leaving her nostrils in a light puff. “Do you remember what I said when we first met? I don’t have time for anything right now, especially dinner dates.”
He narrowed his eyes.
“Okay. Then it’s not a date. Just two people eating food and talking,” he insisted, his smile more playful than ever. “We can talk shit together, right?”
Shannon shook her head, keeping her gaze low, knowing full well that if she looked him in the eye, she’d give in.
“Best not.” She shrugged. “I’ve got so much on right now. Working on the yard and at Coffee Kicks takes up all my time.”
An infuriating, confident grin tugged at his lips. Those damn lips and that sexy dimple had her chest full of flutters again.
“It’s just food.”
Her rules had a purpose—work hard, stay dedicated, and one day she’d have enough cash to buy Trixie. And nothing would get in her way.
“Like I said?—”
“You need to eat, don’t you?” He ran a hand through his hair. “Or do you survive on fresh air and horse hair?”
His eyebrows lifted in challenge, amusement dancing in his eyes, as that cocky, irresistible grin spread across his face.
She clucked her tongue and smirked. “Don’t be an asshole.”
“Would you have dinner with me if I wasn’t an asshole?” He pulled up his boxers.
A flicker of dread flooded her. The thought of never seeing him again stung more than she wanted to admit .
“Jamie.” She shelved her hands on her hips. “I start work early every morning.”
“I’ll pick you up at seven-thirty.” He took a step closer, his fingers tilting her chin up, locking his dark, suggestive stare with hers. “We’ll eat and then I’ll drop you home.”
Her palms pressed against his solid chest, drawn to his heat but leaving just enough space for her mind to catch up. Tilting her head back, she sighed and pretended to be unphased by him.
Shannon wanted to push him away, wanted to keep her life in order, but the pull to him was so damn strong. She couldn’t afford to be distracted now.
Not when she had plans that didn’t include men like him. But why did he make her feel so god damn needy?
“Let’s see how I get on,” she said, her voice softer, but still holding firm.
“So, that’s a yes?”
“It’s a maybe.”
Jamie chuckled, low and knowing. “It’s a fucking yes, Shannon.”
He dipped his face to hers and pressed a gentle kiss to her temple in a gesture that was almost too tender for a dominant man like him.
“I need to get dressed now.” Shannon brushed past him, her body tingling. “How about you text me on Friday to confirm? I’ll let you know if I can make it at that point.”
“Right.” Jamie leaned in a fraction, his grin widening as he spoke, his voice smooth and commanding. “I don’t need confirmation, Shannon. I’ll pick you up, and we’ll enjoy dinner, whether you’re ready or not.”
His tone left no room for argument, though the charm never left his eyes.
Her gaze dropped, lingering on the red fabric that stretched across his hips. The bold colour caught her off guard, and she couldn’t help but notice how well they fit him.
“Nice boxers,” she said, folding her arms in an attempt to mirror his casual stance, though her tone was more amused than serious. “They’re as bold as you are. Seems like even your underwear craves attention.”
“You want to wear them today?” He smirked. “They’d be comfy when you’re riding Trixie again.”
Heat swept up her neck. “That’ll be a no.”
“Come on, love. Wear them today,” he coaxed, his voice dropping to a playful yet commanding tone.
“No way, Jamie.” Despite herself, the idea of wearing his boxer briefs made her pulse thrum.
He edged closer, almost teasing.
“You’re not used to giving in, are you, love?” His voice dropped lower, his lips brushing her ear. “That’s alright. I like the challenge.”
In a beat, his jeans, and boxers hit the floor, and as he stepped free of them, the rawness of the moment hit her.
His boldness and confidence was all laid bare in front of her. She faltered, the line she’d drawn blurring. But she had to hold her ground, right?
This was just another game. But the way he watched her, like he knew he’d win, made her question everything .
“Be a good girl and wear them,” he ordered, his voice firm. “I want to know your pussy is rubbing against my boxers when you’re in the saddle.”
Shannon rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips.
“You’re a kinky guy, aren’t you? You really think I’m going to walk around in your boxers all day?” she asked, her voice laced with mock disbelief.
This was definitely not how she’d planned on escaping Jamie. She thought he’d leave, walk away with that confident swagger and move on to his next conquest.
But now, he was still lingering, legs wide, dick on display, and a filthy look in his eyes.
Shannon sighed as she stared at him.
“You’re so damn hard to resist,” she muttered, more to herself than to him.
She wasn’t sure if she wanted to kiss him or punch him for making it so damn easy to give in.
Holding a breath in her lungs, the burn of his gaze heated her veins. Without another word, she lowered her shorts, hooked her fingers around the waistband of his boxers and hesitated for a beat.
But the way he stared at her drove her to obey.
She pulled on his boxers, the warm fabric sitting loose on her hips, and the idea of wearing them sent a rush of heat through her.
“Fuck…” He sighed, crossing his arms over his chest as he nodded in approval. “Now that’s sexy.”
“It’s time for you to leave, Jamie.” A smile tugged at her lips despite herself. “You know where the door is. ”
Shannon stood there, the boxers settled on her hips, the sensation strange and unfamiliar. One part of her screamed to rip them off, to push her urges aside and draw a clearer line between them.
But the other part, the part that craved him, was already lost. Before she could gather her thoughts, Jamie spoke again, his words making it even harder to resist.
“I’ll be here at seven-thirty on the dot, Shannon. If you don’t want to go out, I’ll order takeout. Either way, we’re having dinner together. No isn’t an option.”