As Hot as It Gets
Page 15

“Y’know what, I’ve got an idea,” Jackson said before she could respond.
She shot him a questioning look, but rather than elaborate, he took her hand and started leading her toward the side of the building. The warmth of his fingers seeped into her palm and made her feel achy again. God, she didn’t understand this effect he had on her. At all.
But although she was incredibly tempted to explore it further, she didn’t want to set herself up for any more disappointment. It wasn’t as if she’d never experienced arousal before. She did, all the time. The second she acted on it, however, the sensations seemed to dull. And forget about achieving orgasm. Only one lover had made her come before, and getting there had been a struggle, to say the least.
“What are you up to?” she asked warily.
He practically dragged her into the small parking lot behind the restaurant, which was packed with cars. Jackson scanned the lot, then broke out in a grin. “Look at that,” he drawled, “even our vehicles know we make the perfect couple.”
Mia followed his gaze, groaning when she noticed the black pickup truck parked right beside her blue one. “Let me guess—that’s your pickup?”
“Sure is.” Still grinning, he led her toward the trucks, then let go of her hand and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Here’s the deal, sugar.”
“There’s a deal?”
“Yup. I want to go out with you again. You’re being difficult. So here’s what I propose.”
“Gee, I can’t wait to hear this.”
He ignored the sarcasm and swept his tongue over his bottom lip, an act so sexy she shivered.
“I’m goin’ to kiss you.”
Her breath hitched. “What?”
“I’m goin’ to kiss you,” he repeated. “And if you like it, then you have to agree to see me again.”
Damned if her heart didn’t start pounding. The heat in his whiskey-colored eyes seared right through her clothing and sizzled her flesh, making her feel hot and dizzy.
“You’re nuts,” she stammered.
“Maybe, but that’s the deal, sugar. You claim that nothin’ gets you goin’, not even a kiss. You also said you had a good time tonight, did you not?”
“I did, but—”
“The reason you don’t want to pursue this is because you think I’ll never be able to turn you on—”
She felt herself blush. “That’s not what I—”
“—so it stands to reason that if I can prove to you I’ve got the moves, you’ll have no choice but to give this a shot.”
Mia’s mouth closed. His reasoning was certifiably wacky, but she couldn’t seem to argue with it.
“Do we have a deal?” he prompted, shooting her an adorably crooked smile.
It was sheer curiosity that had her nodding.
“Good. Then here goes—prepare to have your world rocked.”
The laugh that flew out was cut short by the feel of Jackson’s mouth on her neck.
Her neck?
Surprise jolted through her at the same time a flurry of shivers danced across her skin. His lips were warm against the side of her neck, his dark hair tickling her chin as he bent his head to latch his mouth on to her bare flesh.
“Um…is this what you…consider a kiss?” she murmured between shivers.
“Quit distracting me. I’m busy,” came his muffled voice.
Mia’s neck was on fire as he trailed soft kisses along its column. The rasp of his stubble scraped her flesh, leaving tiny pricks of pleasure in its wake.
“You smell so dang sweet, Mia.” His breath tickled her ear.
Jesus. What was he doing to her? She could barely stay upright, and he hadn’t even kissed her mouth yet.
With a soft rumble of approval, he buried his face in the crook of her neck, then kissed his way up to her ear and enclosed the delicate lobe with his lips.
Mia shuddered, stunned by the shockwaves that surged through her. Her knees wobbled as he sucked gently on her earlobe, hands trembling so bad she had to rest them against his chest to steady herself. And oh boy, touching him was a bad idea. His chest was rock solid beneath her fingers, his muscles so defined they may as well have been carved out of stone.
Chuckling, Jackson slid his hands down to her waist, and the next thing she knew, she was being led backward to the shadowy strip of gravel between the two trucks. Still grasping her waist, he backed her up against the side of her pickup, then moved one hand to her face, his thumb sweeping over her cheek.
“Close your eyes,” he said gruffly.
Her eyelids fluttered obediently. She stood there, eyes shut, heart pounding. Waiting.
The rustling of his clothing hinted that he was moving closer, and then his body heat surrounded her and the most intoxicating scent filled her nostrils. God, his aftershave was addictive. A hint of spice and lemon, with a woodsy fragrance thrown into the mix.
When his lips finally touched hers, she almost keeled over. His mouth was gentle, a featherlight brush against her trembling lips. His fingers traced the line of her jaw as he moved his mouth over hers again, firmer this time.
“C’mon, sugar, let me in.” The tip of his tongue skimmed the seam of her lips, coaxing, teasing.
When Mia parted her lips, that wicked tongue slid inside without delay. Her core clenched the second their tongues met, a painful squeeze of lust that pulsed in her clit.
Oh my God.
She was turned on. She was insanely turned on.