Page 8 of Desperate Temptations

Cain shook his head, taking another step into the office, and slowly started closing the door, encouraging Leona to go through it faster.

Turning to look at Jessa but talking to the secretary, he said, “No, ma’am, the door’s closing. What Jessa and I have to talk about is private. Very private.”

Leona’s shocked face was the last thing Jessa saw before the door clicked shut. Jessa gripped her hands tightly in front of her and slowly raised her eyes to his. She tried to hide her nervousness, tried to blank out any expression on her face. For what seemed like an eternity, they stood staring at each other, her anxiety growing with every passing second. Finally, he took a stride toward her, making her back up several steps. Neither said anything as they slowly moved across the office and shifted in a type of dance. One moved forward, the other back.

Jessa stopped suddenly when she felt the chair against the back of her legs. She sat down hard when he took another step.

He hooked a guest chair while still coming toward her, placing it in front of her. He sat down, close, put her legs inside of his, and blocked her in.

Jessa gasped at the heat that radiated from his legs through her dress to her own. She leaned back as far as she could when he leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees, placing his chin on his hands, staring at her. His eyes journeyed over her face, moving slowly down, taking in everything about her and making her core tighten.

Oh, Lord, what was he doing here? Touching her? Staring at her? She kept reminding herself he was a friend of Drew’s, hoping it would help settle her emotions. It didn’t help. She was afraid of him, but not as much as she should be, she thought. What she feared most was the way he made her feel, the immediate feeling of knowing Cain could turn her life upside-down. Every time he was near, her body instantly softened for him, even when her mind was yelling, Run! Don’t go near him.

Her body turned against her. Instead of the terror most people would feel in this man’s presence, she felt something warm seep into her pores. Never had she felt like she had no control over her body. Her stomach tightened, her breath coming in short pants. She’d never felt such an overwhelming yearning for any man. The realization of what she’d just thought stopped her breath.

She was devastated. A lump formed in her throat, striving to strangle her. Why with this man, a man so different, so opposite of the type her husband was, the kind of man she’d always been attracted to?

He scowled.

“Don’t even think about crying, goddammit,” he growled the words out between his teeth.

She shook her head, swallowed, and tried to hold back her tears. She gripped the arms of her chair until her fingers turned white.

He grasped one of her thighs, and his thumb traced circles through her dress.

“Why the hell are you crying?”

His smooth voice sent a ripple of awareness through her.

Jessa lowered and shook her head, confused about the emotional state she found herself in. His touch drove her pulse to spike higher, which made gathering her thoughts harder.

“I don’t know for sure.” Her eyes darkened with pain, and her voice was thick with anguish.

“So, what the fuck?” Cain growled.

His outburst and choice of words made her flinch.

She wiped her cheeks quickly and took a deep breath. She couldn’t go into this with him. It was too private and something she needed to deal with on her own.

“It’s nothing. Now tell me why you’re here?” Jessa asked. Her voice was shakier than she would have liked, but she needed to change the subject quickly.

He narrowed his eyes. She guessed he wasn’t a man used to being defied. They stared intently at each other. She knew her expression undoubtedly showed her defiance, but she didn’t care.

“You’ll tell me eventually. Now, as for why I’m here, Gary tells me you seem to have a death wish.”

Her eyes widened, and anger spiraled through her at Gary’s betrayal. Then a mask of acceptance descended across her face. Cain grunted as his gaze sharpened when she just silently stared at him.

“You and I have a lot to talk about.”

She crossed her arms and leaned back.

“No, we don’t.” She swallowed hard and raised her chin. “This is none of your business.”

He leaned forward, putting his hands on the arms of the chair, and pulling her a little closer. His eyes narrowed, and his chin bunched in determination. “Wanna bet?” he growled.

She tried pushing him away from her, but it was like moving a boulder. She jerked her hands back from his chest. The heat he gave off scalded her palms and sent an arrow of sharp desire to her core.

She shouldn’t have touched him. Jessa’s body clenched in need. A wave of heat spiraled through her that was so intense she shuddered. Besides desire, fear ran through her. And not the fear she should be feeling. She couldn’t let herself want this man or anyone until Drew’s murder was solved. She braced herself as she sought to erect a shield of defense against him. She cleared her throat, and her arms tightened across her chest.

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