Page 52 of Triggered By Love
“You’re laughing at me now,” he said in an aggrieved voice. “I’m giving you notice I will not do that heroin addict lazy walk, all loose-limbed and flaccid.”
“Sure you’re never flaccid?” The giggles erupted into laughter, the better to cover up the heroin addict comment.
“Never, and I can prove it to you.” The smoky look in his heavy-lidded eyes held promises that had her pulse racing. What would she like him to prove?
“Then it’s a deal. You can model for my private showing.”
“And prove my lack of flaccidity.”
“Tit for tat.”
He made a kissing motion, and her nipples took notice as warmth pooled in her belly. How would he feel up against her and all over her? How did his mere words arouse her to this extent?
The moment was thankfully interrupted when the waitress brought her salad and refilled the breadbasket.
Jason ordered her another beer, and she really shouldn’t have it—carbohydrates and all that, but after the day she had, at least one problem was settled.
“You’ll have to practice walking like a firefighter,” she said. “Part of the private showing is to strip in turnout pants.”
“For the professor?” Jason’s eyebrows shot to the ceiling.
“He has strange tastes, yes. You’re not going to arrest him, are you?”
“What will you do if I do?”
Avery had no answer. Truthfully? She was sick of the hold Professor Leach had on her, but she’d do anything to help her father’s campaign.
“Please wait until after the election.” She tilted her beer back and finished it, hoping to wash away the dread deep in her soul.
Chapter Eighteen
Gino’s chickenpiccata didn’t fail to impress Avery. Jason enjoyed watching her moan and squirm with delight with every savory bite. How would those luscious lips feel when pressed against his body? He could indulge a small fantasy, couldn’t he?
He didn’t need to keep interrogating her. Not when he’d already won the modeling job with the nutcase professor. It would be child’s play to ask around the fashion institute and find out who advised Avery. She deserved to relax, and so did he, especially since Gino’s food was living up to its reputation.
“Try a bite of my meatball,” he offered, spearing a jumbo “mooseball” and holding it in front of her mouth.
“You like to feed me, don’t you?” She took the wedge of meat and hummed at the taste.
“I enjoy putting things into your mouth.” This time, he let his eyebrows wiggle.
She blew him a saucy kiss. “You’re not even hiding what you want.”
“Neither are you.” He lowered his voice and drank her in with his bedroom eyes.
She sucked in a breath and shivered, wiggling in her chair. Her face was flushed a delightful pink, and she felt relaxed and approachable. Maybe she’d let him get underneath that hard shell of hers and start unwinding the grief that kept her tied up to the past.
Her luminous gaze took him in, and she fell silent, possibly considering her next move. Tempted. Definitely.
“I admire and respect you,” he prompted, reassuring her of his intentions. Hey, he was an honorable man, and there was nothing wrong with being straightforward.
A hint of a smile perked up a corner of her mouth. “You so obviously want me to admit something about you.”
“I already know you want me. You don’t have to admit anything.”
“You’re so arrogant.” She balled up a napkin and threw it across the table. It hit him in the nose, and she burst into laughter. “Nailed you.”
He saw it coming and could have ducked. But having Avery joking around, flirting and lively, and for the moment, not saddled with mourning, was worth a direct hit by a wadded napkin.
