CHAPTER 20 #2
“There’s something else.” He took a deep breath and exhaled it. “I told you, Claire, for you, I’m willing to wait as long as you need, even though I’m an impatient man.” He frowned. “But I am also not a fool, nor do I like being made into one.”
She swallowed. “What are you talking about?”
“Him.”
“Him?”
“Yeah, the pretty boy.” His lips curved into a humorless smile. “Why didn’t you tell me you took him to the Bahamas this weekend? I thought you went alone.”
She raised her chin. “I didn’t think it was any of your business.”
“It’s very much my business if we’re dating.” He placed his hands on his knees. “That guy was the last thing I expected to find when I dropped everything to come pick you up. As if that weren’t bad enough, I had to watch you throw yourself at him, and next thing I know, you’re sucking face.”
“I told you I wasn’t ready for anything serious.”
“And yet, you’re fucking him.”
Claire flinched at his unexpected crassness. But there was no point in denying it; she was sure he could see the truth in her eyes.
“I thought you were only dating him.” His hazel eyes flashed for just a second before becoming guarded again. “You’re letting him fuck you but not me. Why?”
He was so calm, but a dangerous undercurrent in his tone had her swallowing hard. Claire thought she heard people outside the door and hoped someone would come in, but whoever it was kept walking, the voices faded, and no one entered.
“I know what I saw back there. He didn’t even seem interested.
You practically had to beg him to kiss you.
So I ask again, why? Is it the thrill of the chase?
Is it about going after a man who doesn’t want you?
I’m an impatient guy, and this is the one time I’ve tried to be patient with a woman. But now, I’m done.”
Before she knew it, he reached for her and hauled her onto his lap, and Claire’s eyes widened at the unmistakable bulge she felt pressing against her.
His arms tightened around her, and he leaned to speak directly in her ear. “You don’t have to beg to get me to kiss you. I’m not one to stand there like a jackass with my arms at my sides.”
She shivered and tried to push away, but his grip was ironclad.
He rolled his hips. “You feel that?”
How could she not? “Jake—”
“I’ve been harboring that for you for months.” His breath was hot on her neck.
She fought to keep her wits about her. Thank God she’d chosen to wear slacks.
She was no physical match for his weight and height, but she was unafraid.
She knew him well enough by now to know he’d never force himself on any woman.
Truth be told, he didn’t need to. Countless times, she’d watched how nurses and female doctors behaved around him.
His hazel eyes bore into hers. “Say something.”
When she said nothing, he gave her a little shake. “I could fuck you on this bed right now.”
She fought to normalize her ragged breathing lest he mistake it for arousal. Summoning all her will and strength, she looked him straight in the eye. “But you won’t, Dr. Lang.”
“I won’t?”
She started to reply, but he swooped in, his tongue plunging into her mouth before she could even draw breath. He kissed her mercilessly, his lips demanding, nearly bruising in their urgency.
He tore his mouth from hers. “I’ve been dreaming about this,” he muttered. “Jesus, Claire. I want you so damned bad.” He buried his face in her neck, nuzzling, exhaling hot breath over her sensitive skin.
Claire shivered. Her body was responding, but this felt wrong.
All wrong.
“How badly do you want me?” he murmured.
Oh my God.
Ian.
Ian kneeling behind her looking at her in the mirror, asking the exact same thing.
Jake pressed a kiss below her earlobe. “Come to my house this evening, Claire.”
“I can’t.” She twisted in his arms and gasped for air, her heart hammering, at the same time feeling hot tears sting her eyes.
“You can’t?” He drew back, his hazel eyes glazed with lust, and she saw hurt behind the desire.
She shook her head. “Please, Jake. I can’t do this.”
Damn it, she didn’t want to cry, and yet, her throat felt tight around a growing lump. She squeezed her eyes shut to force back the tears. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
His entire body stiffened. He blinked, his focus slowly sharpening on her face as if returning from a trance.
He leaned back and studied her intently. “I thought you had feelings for me. Was I wrong?”
“I do have feelings for you,” she admitted, “just—”
“Not that kind of feelings,” he finished for her with a wry smile.
She nodded, feeling positively miserable. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Say no more. I get it.” With a shake of his head, he slid her off his lap, not bothering to do a thing to conceal his evident erection. “My fault for insisting on seeing what wasn’t there.”
She couldn’t think of a suitable reply, so she gave him a smile.
An uncomfortable silence followed.
After a beat, Claire reached up to fix her hair. “I’m going to go see Mom now.”
He nodded. “I’ll stay in here a couple of minutes.” His gaze dipped briefly to his lap before he added, “We don’t want to be seen exiting this room together.”
·
Ian
“LarsAir 45, going to departure.” Ian pressed the button to engage the autopilot, then relaxed in his seat.
“Well done.” Adam smiled, admiration in his eyes, but Ian thought he spotted a glint of surprise there too.
Ian smirked. “What? Did you think I’d forgotten everything I knew?”
“Nah.” Adam fixed his gaze on the open blue sky beyond the windshield. “I always knew you could hit the ground running. That’s why I kept bugging you. What can I say? You’re good.”
“Thanks.” Coming from Adam, that was a high compliment.
“How’s Jannie?”
“Good. We’ve been texting. I was worried about going to the Bahamas for the weekend, but when I called to check on her, she was at work.”
Adam chuckled. “Workaholism runs in the family, I guess.”
“Lunch in ten, gentlemen!” Angie called from the cabin.
Adam licked his lips. “Thank God. I’m starving.”
“You, starving?” Ian raised a brow. Adam was meticulous about eating his healthy meals on time.
“Your fault. I didn’t have time for breakfast.”
“Oh?” Ian turned the knob to adjust the air conditioning. “Where were you when I called you?”
“Getting my dick wet.”