Page 19 of Tangled Temptation

“Your mind has never been engaged in sex.” He cradled his chin in his palm. “You can tell me if I’m wrong, but with all your other lovers, you initiated the sex, right? You controlled every aspect of sex.”

She nodded.

“Today, I controlled it. All I did was engage your mind in the sexual act.”

“You did more than that.” A flush pinkened her skin. “All I can think about is how fantastic I felt today.”

“Good. That’s how it should be.”

“No, it’s not.” She shifted in her chair. “I don’t like being constantly aroused.”

“Liar.”

Her mouth dropped open, and he fought against grinning. She didn’t have a clue her body was made for this, her mind as well. He’d show her over and over again.

“I don’t lie.”

“Really.” Jared stood and moved around the table to stand behind her chair. He gently cupped her shoulders. “You’re lying to yourself.” Touching her was becoming a habit, but it was one he enjoyed. “Shall I raise your dress and prove how wet you are?”

Her body trembled with her intake of breath.

“Because I know you’re wet. Your tits are heavy, and your nipples are poking out. The fact that you’re still wearing the teddy is telling.”

Her head dropped.

Jared knelt next to her, cupped her chin and turned her face to his. “It tells me that you’re a responsive, sexual woman who wants to please me, and there’s not a damn thing wrong with that. I’m enjoying how you react to me.” He took her lips in a brief, hard kiss before he stood and took his seat. “Now, let’s eat.”

“Such manners.” Laughter tinged her voice.

Good. Her mood grew lighter. More than anything, Jared wanted his sub happy.My sub?Where had that come from? Giving himself a mental shake, he tucked the thought away for another time. “My mom would paddle my ass if she heard me talking like this at the dinner table. Of course, I wouldn’t do it if she was here.”

Angie’s fork paused on the way to her mouth. “How does your mother feel about you running an adult ranch?”

His gut tightened. “I don’t know. She died when I was eighteen.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Thank you.” He swallowed. “I miss her. She was my rock. She was also the one who told me to be me and never apologize for it.” He never would. Any woman he had a relationship with knew what he expected, especially his preference for a lot of sex and kinky sex. If they couldn’t handle that, then he bid them good-bye. Life on his terms.

Sticking to one-night stands at a club he knew had always been enough for him. This two weeks with Angie would be good for him, though. It wouldn’t be a lasting relationship. No woman wanted his sexual preferences for a lifetime.

“She was a smart woman.”

“Yes.” He pushed away his thoughts about his mother. “You and Becca have a close relationship. Have you known her since childhood?”

“No.” Angie stopped eating. “I was abandoned as a kid, put in foster care, and eventually I was adopted.”

“That’s rough.” His heart went out to her. Navigating the foster care system wasn’t easy, especially for a child. Her features were stoic, as if she’d put up an emotional wall around this topic. He was pleased she shared that with him. It also gave him insight into her need for control. Was this what made her pause earlier? Only time would answer that.

“I survived.” She resumed eating.

Jared followed suit. He was interested in her life and wanted to know more. But he didn’t have the right to question her unless he was willing to share more about his life, which he wasn’t. Being with Angie was about sex and their reactions to each other. It couldn’t be anything else. He wouldn’t allow it.

After they finished, she helped him clear the table and load the dishwasher. He took her hand as they walked up the stairs to her bedroom.

“Tomorrow, at one, in the room. Please wear the same outfit. Since the material is delicate, please wash it in the sink, if you want, and it will be dry by morning.” He leaned down and brushed a light kiss over her lips. “I have a meeting in the morning and then have some paperwork to do. The kitchen is fully stocked, so help yourself to whatever appeals to you. Be sure you eat something. You’ll need the energy. See you at one.”

He gave her another kiss before he turned and left her alone. His cock protested every step he took away from her. Jared figured he might as well get a jump start on the paperwork, since sleep wasn’t going to come easy for him tonight.

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