Page 29 of Desperate Temptations

“Jessa, look at me.”

She slowly turned her head, her face solemn, and her eyes cast a sad expression. He reached out a callused palm and caressed her hair.

“Let’s just enjoy our day. We’ll talk more when we get back home. Okay?”

She nodded, and the tense lines on her face relaxed.

“We’re going to bed early tonight.” He ignored the look of shock and desire that flashed across her face. “You still need to catch up on some sleep.” Cain turned his attention to his driving, but he reached over and picked up her hand, needing the connection with her.

“What do you feel like eating?”

Cain smiled to himself. He knew she would have questions about the coming night, and him staying with her were running through her head. She would eventually ask them, and he was looking forward to answering her very much.

He drove slowly to the restaurant she suggested. His strong hands circled her waist and lifted her down from the truck. He pulled her close against his side and kept a possessive arm around her waist.

He noticed the looks they received from people. A minuscule part of him wondered if they stared because they looked good together as a couple or just didn’t fit. Hell, it could just be her beauty, or they were leery of him. He didn’t give a damn what anyone thought, he just hoped she didn’t either.

****

His silky voice alone sent her body into overdrive, and the thought of going to bed with this man caused a throbbing deep inside her, spreading like vines and taking over her body. Her breath caught, her nipples tightened painfully, and her body instantly readied itself for him.

At her almost silent gasp, Cain glanced at her.

“God, Baby, if you keep looking at me like that, we’re going to miss lunch and go straight to bed, and it won’t be for sleep.”

Jessa took a shaky breath and looked away, trying to gain control over her overheated, sensitized body. She’d just met him for God’s sake. It was too soon to know if she was ready to take him inside her body, make him a part of her life. Until she knew for sure, she was going to try to prevent it from happening. No matter how much she wanted him.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

She was laughing at something he’d said when they walked through her front door, several bags from the grocery store in their hands. At first, she couldn’t believe how much food they’d bought, but then she looked at Cain, at his size, and that question was answered. It would take that much food to satisfy a man as big as him.

While putting everything away, Jessa noticed that Cain had touched her as much as possible, brushing up against her, reaching around her, getting her accustomed to him and his touch. At first, she’d jerked at the contact, but after a few minutes, she felt more comfortable with him, like they’d known each other for years instead of days.

After putting the food and bags away, he took her hand and pulled her into the living room. She tried unsuccessfully to pull her hand away and frowned at him.

“What if I don’t want to sit down?” she asked.

Cain chuckled, tugging her down beside him.

“You don’t want to sit with me?” he asked.

She wanted to be able to say no just to wipe the smug, arrogant look off his face, but she wanted—no, needed—the closeness.

He put his arm around her and pulled her closer.

Jessa thought she should be putting up more of a fight, but she liked being held by him too much. She loved the feeling of security and caring he gave her.

She sighed and lay her head against his chest. They didn’t say anything for a long time, just enjoyed being together. Jessa was starting to sink into a light doze when he spoke. She tilted her head up, her eyes dazed.

“Jessa, we need to talk about today,” he said.

Jessa frowned. She didn’t want to think about it. The fear that had shot through her body still made her feel shaky. She’d been so afraid Gary was going to hurt her. The day before, she would have bet money that Gary would have been one of the last people who would threaten her. She’d thought he was someone she could go to if she needed help. Today, he seemed almost frenzied, almost desperate. She didn’t comprehend that much anger or how deep his feelings had been for her.

Jessa could still remember the rush of relief she’d felt when she noticed Cain in her doorway. It made her realize how much she trusted him already. Jessa had previously known in her heart that Cain was special and protective of her and that she was safe with him. She had no doubts he’d defend her. She glanced at him and realized he was waiting for her answer. Jessa cleared her suddenly dry throat and licked her lips.

“What about it?”

The calluses on his fingers rasped against her skin, sending tingling sensations down her spine, which was making it hard for her to concentrate.

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