Page 96 of Bria and the Tiger

“She wanted kids.”

He didn’t look her in the eye and he fidgeted in his chair. Bria decided that he wasn’t outright lying to her, but there was more to the break up then what he was telling her.

“You don’t want any?” She asked.

He shook his head. “No, I don’t. When we first started dating, Tabitha said she didn’t want kids either. A couple years later, she admitted that she’d lied and thought she could get me to change my mind. I loved her. I loved her very much, but I couldn’t bring myself to agree to have kids. Not when…”

“Not when what?”

He tapped his finger nervously against the leg of the table. “Not when I wouldn’t be a very good dad.”

“Why do you think you wouldn’t be a good dad?”

“I just know I wouldn’t. I like kids, but I’ve never had the urge to be a dad, you know? Anyway, Tabitha broke up with me when it became clear that I would never change my mind.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Thanks.” He studied the tablecloth before giving her a quick glance. “Do you, uh, want kids?”

“I could go either way. I don’t have a burning desire to be a mom, and if I never have a kid, I won’t be devastated or think my life was a waste or anything. But, if I meet someone who does want kids, I’d be willing to pop one or two out.”

He smiled a little and she laughed. “I know that sounds like I wouldn’t be a very good mom, but I would be. I like kids.”

She pushed away her plate and Jace smiled at her. “Do you want dessert?”

“Actually, what I really want,” she drank the rest of her wine in one swallow before smiling sweetly at him, “is to go back to our hotel room and fuck your brains out.”

Jace raised his hand. “Cheque, please.”

* * *

Bria stuffed her toothbrush back into her toiletry bag and studied herself in the mirror. She smoothed her hair and tugged at the hem of her short, silk nightgown. It was pretty and looked good on her but wasn’t her sexiest nightgown. While packing for the trip, she’d decided she didn’t want to look like she was trying too hard. At the time, she wasn’t even certain that she’d be sleeping with Jace on the trip.

You probably shouldn’t be. You know this is only going to make things harder, right? Pretending to be his girlfriend even when you’re alone is a stupid thing to do. He doesn’t want you for anything other than sex and he’s never going –

“Shut up,” she muttered to her reflection. “Just shut up.”

Indulging in a little make-believe fantasy that she and Jace were dating didn’t hurt anyone. She knew it wasn’t real, and he knew it wasn’t real. It would be fine.

She smoothed her hair again and walked out of the bedroom. Jace was standing by the bed, wearing just his boxer briefs. If she’d been wearing panties, they’d be soaked.

He stared at her, his gaze dropping to her small breasts. Her nipples beaded into hard points, poking noticeably against the silk fabric, and the scent of Jace’s lust washed over her.

“I like your nightgown.”

“What? This old thing?” She grinned at him.

He reached out and tugged her into his arms. She rubbed his warm back as he cupped her face. “Bria, are you sure about this?”

“Yes. Why? Have you changed your mind about having sex with me?”

“Hell, no.”

“Good, because I was thinking earlier about how many times you’ve gone down on me.”

He growled and his big hand slipped under her nightgown to grip her bare ass. He nuzzled her throat. “You want my tongue in your sweet pussy again, baby?”

She shuddered with pleasure and pressed her pelvis against his erection. “Actually, I was thinking it was time to return the favour.”

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