Chapter Four
He followed me back to my room. He had the intelligence to stay back, but still, I could feel him, a never-ending presence behind me.
It was childish, but I got a hell of a lot of satisfaction from firmly shutting the door to my room behind me. I meant for that dull little motel room to become my haven—a place where Jasper Benjamin and his potent allure could not follow.
Instead? I couldn’t hold still. Pacing back and forth, I took several deep, steadying breaths. My skin felt tight.
“It was just a kiss, Cari.” Just the lightest brush of lips. And yet my whole body still burned, need licking through my veins like fire.
Just a kiss. A kiss, and that crooked little smile. Yeah, and the sky was purple.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I flopped down onto the bed with a groan. Brutal exercise hadn’t driven away the craziness that meeting Jasper had awoken inside of me; maybe a nap would.
Kicking off my sneakers, I rolled onto my back and found myself staring at the ceiling. When my throat tightened and the next breath that I took was shaky, I was startled.
I wasn’t a crier, and while I’d worked myself into a frenzy over my hots for the bodyguard, I knew that the impending tears weren’t for him. Curling into a ball, I tucked my hands beneath my cheek and tried to calm down.
I was scared.
If it had just been the vandalism on my door this afternoon, I could have probably dealt with that.
Finding out that there had been more, enough for the network to hire me a bodyguard? That was serious. I hadn’t made up my attraction to Jasper, because no way had I imagined that click when we’d first looked at one another. But was I focusing on it as a way to distract myself from the very real situation that I was in?
Could I? Was I brave enough?
Fingers trailing down over my hip, I remembered the way his rigid length had felt pressed against me. He wanted me as much as I wanted him.
Sleep wasn’t going to come. Pushing myself to the edge of the bed, I raked a hand through my hair.
It came away wet, and I grimaced as I was reminded of just how sweaty I was. I needed a shower. A nice cool one to rinse the salt off my skin before dinner. My stomach growled at the thought, and no wonder—I hadn’t eaten since lunch, and I’d burned about a million calories today.
A cheeseburger—that was what I wanted. A thick, juicy one loaded with bacon and cheese and pickles. The pub in the motel made surprisingly great burgers, and I could have one delivered through room service. Or, I could go join my colleagues from the show, who were probably down there with a pitcher of beer right now.
I joined them most nights. Jasper’s point had gotten through, though. I was nervous enough about the vandalism that I wanted to stay in my room where I was supposedly safe.
I didn’t like it. I didn’t like so many things being taken out of my control. I wasn’t here with the show to cause any harm, but rather to educate people on the fascinating wonders that our predecessors had left behind. Though I truly didn’t understand why, some were opposed to what I did, and I accepted that. But to threaten me because of a difference in opinion was taking things way too far.
I wasn’t going to hide. I had a bodyguard, didn’t I? How was he going to earn his pay if I stayed locked in my room?
My skin heated as I tugged off my sweaty workout clothes, thinking of a few ways for him to bring in that pay-check. All of them involved getting naked. Preferably with me, though, I supposed I wouldn’t say no to a striptease.
Jesus. What the hell had gotten into me?
Whatever it was, I liked it. The thought of my big, hulking bodyguard taking it off while Def Leppard thundered in the background cracked me up, lightening my mood enough to want the company of other people. Yeah, I was going to head to the pub, have my burger and couple of drinks with the team.
And if I happened to dress up a little bit in hopes of seducing the big, sexy man who was probably lurking outside my door right this second?
After the day I’d had, no one would say a word.
…
Jasper was not in the hallway outside my room when I exited an hour later. I deflated when I realized that my grand entrance was wasted.
I’d showered, pinning my damp hair up and off my neck, a smart move in this heat. I’d added a bit of makeup when I usually wore none when not shooting—not a ton, just enough to flush my cheeks, brighten my eyes, gloss my lips. And instead of hiding a figure that I worked damn hard to keep in shape for the camera, I pulled out the single dress that I owned, a little sundress with spaghetti straps and a skirt that fell just to mid-thigh. The icy-blue color set off the sun-kissed glow of my skin, and the slightly scooped neckline made the most of my otherwise average breasts.
I felt good, and I’d been looking forward to the look on Jasper’s face when I stepped into the hall.
“Damn it.” No, I wasn’t going to let that get me down. He was around here somewhere, even if I couldn’t see him. With that in mind, I squared my shoulders and started off toward the lobby.
I saw him before I left the hallway. He was standing there, all big and sexy, but was staring down at his phone. Whatever he was viewing was apparently funny, because he laughed, low in his throat.
That crooked smile had gotten me going earlier. That husky laugh, though? I was a goner.
As if sensing my presence, he lifted his head. Our eyes locked, and I felt a shot of something hot and potent, like whiskey in my veins.
Frozen in place, I watched as he looked me up and down then smiled again. This wasn’t the crooked smile of amusement, though. This one was pure sin.
I could do this. I could be sexy. Taking a deep breath, I stepped from the carpet of the hall to the tile of the lobby.
My foot slid as though I’d stepped onto ice. I rarely wore the heeled sandals, and they offered no traction on the slick floor.
“No!” My arms cartwheeled as I tried to regain my balance. I cried out as I started to fall, preparing myself for the pain when my flesh smacked into the cheap tile, but then something caught me under the arms, a hook that yanked me back to my feet.
A hint of something warm and male tickled my nose before I could catch my breath, and I groaned inwardly. I straightened my skirt before turning slowly, my eyes level with the wall of muscle I knew I’d find there.
“Those are stupid shoes.”
What?
My mouth fell open. I’d imagined several possible reactions from him as I primped, but insulting my footwear wasn’t one of them.
“They’re not stupid.” Of all the brilliant retorts in the world, that was all I could come up with? Embarrassment washed over me. Overwhelmed for a moment, I turned away, blinking fast. I felt… Well, I felt pretty stupid, and that wasn’t a sensation I had very often. But here, wearing a little sundress as I headed to a place where everyone else was wearing cutoffs and tank tops, trying so hard to get the attention of a man who was paid to be in the same vicinity as me?
Yeah. I felt like an idiot.
“They are stupid,” he said. I gasped when he pulled on my shoulder, turning me back around. He took my chin in one of those massive hands, and my pulse started to thunder. “Shoes are meant to walk in. You can’t walk in these, ergo they are stupid.”
“Thank you ever so much for your unsolicited opinion,” I snapped, cheeks on fire. Wrenching away, hot and confused, I stalked the rest of the way across the lobby to the entrance of the bar, every muscle tensed so I didn’t slip again.
He followed me, silent as I entered the pub, the noise of people grabbing dinner and relaxing with beer after work a welcome relief. He stayed right behind me as I waved to the table where a few members of the crew were huddled, and continued to invade my personal space as I leaned against the bar and ordered a bottle of beer.
When the bartender slid it across to me, I took a long swallow before turning to my new shadow, who was waiting beside me, eyes scanning the room, arms crossed over his chest. His stare flicked down as I moved before returning to active duty, and inside me, irritation welled anew.
“Hey.” I poked a finger into his arm. Deigning to look at me again, he arched an eyebrow, waiting for me to speak. “I like these shoes. That means they’re not stupid.”
I don’t know what I expected by that point, but it certainly wasn’t for him to fix his full attention on me. My pulse skittered when he looked me over with delicious slowness, starting with my eyes, descending to the curve of my neck and the swell of my breasts, all the way down to the offensive shoes. His gaze lingered there for a long moment.
“I said they were stupid, and if you can’t walk in them, they are.” A hint of a smile curved his lips. “I never said I didn’t like them.”
He turned away, again scanning the room intently, as though he expected the vandal to pop out of the woodwork shouting boo. I was left with a slowly building heat between my thighs and a pulse so fast it made me dizzy.
This was validation. He felt that same crazy heat that I did. Standing there, I waited for him to do something else, to say something, anything, that would continue our flirtation.
All he did was watch the room. The way his body was angled told me he was intensely aware of where I was beside him—if I moved, he shifted, angling himself so that he’d be better able to guard me.
But it was as if I were just a part of the scenery again, something he needed to assess to ensure my safety.
It was infuriating.
Sucking in a deep breath, I pressed the cool glass of my bottle to my cheek. Seeing him so focused on his job both pissed me off on a female level, and let the nerves from the threats creep in. I didn’t like this vulnerable feeling. I was used to feeling in charge.
I needed another distraction. Glancing over at the table of my colleagues, I saw that most of them had ordered dinner. When I caught Nolan’s eye he waved, gesturing me over, but I shook my head, appetite suddenly gone. Instead, I moved to the opposite end of the bar from Jasper, needing some space from the raw sex he exuded. Settling myself up on one of the high stools, I sipped at my beer, pointedly ignoring my bodyguard.
“Wanna dance?”
The hand that had caught my elbow was large and rough. I followed the line of a wrist, an arm dusted with chestnut hair, up to broad shoulders, a solid chest displayed in a worn T-shirt, and arms that showed this guy used his body for a living.
“I’m sorry?” I looked up the last bit, to where full lips smiled in a sexy, rugged face. The stranger had a thick, russet-colored beard, a messy shock of hair to match, and gray eyes that twinkled. He looked like a hot lumberjack, and I couldn’t help but grin back at him, my frustration lifting.
“I was wondering if you’d like to dance.” He smiled at me, the expression that of a naughty schoolboy, and despite my angst, I found myself charmed.
“All right.” This was what I would do on any other night, after all—socialize, flirt, enjoy the company of others. And I didn’t have any reason not to tonight. It wasn’t as if Jasper and his hot and cold reactions to me meant that I couldn’t.
“I’m Jackson.”
“Cari.” I let him hold my hand as he guided me to the postage-stamp-size dance floor in the middle of the bar. As I went, I felt Jasper’s stare burning a hole in my back.
Sure enough, when Jackson gave me a quick twirl, starting us in on a lively country song, I caught sight of my bodyguard. He was in the exact same spot, standing beside the bar, massive arms crossed over his equally huge chest. His eyes were narrowed, and every muscle in his body seemed to radiate displeasure.
It pissed me off. What was he upset about? That I was putting myself in danger by dancing with a stranger? Well, that was what he was there for, wasn’t it? Because surely he wasn’t upset that I had my fingers twined with another man’s.
“Everything okay?” Startled from my thoughts, I glanced up into my dance partner’s face. His smile was bemused as he dipped his head, nodding in Jasper’s direction. “Ex-boyfriend?”
“No,” I replied curtly. “Definitely not.”
“Hmm.” The music slowed, most of the others exiting the dance floor. Jackson threaded his fingers through mine again, pulling me gently toward him, giving me plenty of time to back away. “If you say so.”
“He’s nothing.” I let myself be tugged closer, Jackson guiding one of my palms to rest on his chest. It was hard beneath my fingers, his pulse a steadfast beat against my skin.
He was warm and smelled good, and when I looked up into his eyes, I saw nothing but appreciation. Here was a man giving me a clear signal.
I could distract myself with him if I wanted. He’d be a willing participant. He was hot. Any woman with a pulse would be attracted.
But I felt none of the electricity that had whipped through me when I’d met Jasper. And with that connection still snapped tightly into place—though ignored by one party—I couldn’t convince myself to be interested in anybody else.
“Let’s just dance,” I suggested, pulling back a little and taking Jackson’s hand once more. I twirled myself around so that my back was to him, gasping when he tugged me flush with his body.
“Any man who isn’t worshipping at your feet is clearly insane.” The words were low and warm, whispered against the shell of my ear. “But if that’s what you want, let’s give him a show.”
He placed his hands palm-down on my stomach, low enough to ignite some sparks. I hummed with pleasure, dipping my head as he slid them up just a bit, his thumbs grazing my rib cage.
“He’s watching,” he whispered again. “What do you want him to see?”
Oh. Jackson’s hands on me awakened a hum of arousal, but the thought of Jasper watching—and I knew he was—intensified it, took it deeper.
I had to look at him. Had to see if he was watching. If he cared.
If he wasn’t, what would I do?
“Do whatever you want.” Those hands at my waist urging me on, I finally relaxed into the touch and did as I was told. Reaching back with one hand, I slid a palm over Jackson’s thigh, tracing the muscles beneath the thick denim. He made a deep sound of pleasure, tightening his grip on me, sliding his body along mine.
I could feel his arousal, his cock stiffening against the curve of my ass as I pressed back against him. Feminine satisfaction gave me the confidence to lift my head, to finally seek out the one this was all for.
My emotions stuttered, stumbled, then sent me flying as my eyes found him. He was watching—oh hell yes, he was—but it took me a moment to understand what I was seeing.
Those pale green eyes of his seemed to glow as he stared at me pressed up against Jackson. But where I thought I’d see jealousy or emotion there was something else entirely, something that made me pause, not because I didn’t like it but because I couldn’t quite believe it.
“Well, that’s interesting.” One of Jackson’s hands slid up just a bit more, his thumb now brushing the underside of my breast as I closed my eyes. He went so slowly, gave me so much time to stop him that his touches were welcome, fanning the fire inside of me. “Looks like you’ve got his attention.”
“Hmm?” I opened my eyes, then sucked in a breath. Jasper was right in front of me. The rough planes of Jasper’s body were rigid, but there was no mistaking what darkened his stare.
Lust.
Need.
Watching me with another man turned him on.
Looks like you’ve got his attention.
Jackson’s words echoed in my mind, and my body moved as if I had no choice. Really, I wasn’t sure that I did.
“Touch me.” Turning my head, my lips grazed the line of Jackson’s jaw. He hummed, low in his throat, as I lifted my arms and reached back to circle them around his neck. In front of me, Jasper settled those huge hands of his at my waist then pressed his body against mine.
I was surrounded, by hardness, by heat. Jasper was staring down at me, so intent on studying the angles of my face that I had to close my eyes.
One hand slid up to press against my cheek, turning me back to face Jasper. “Eyes on him, girl.”
Something shuddered through me this time when Jasper’s stare met mine. I’d wondered earlier today what it would be like to have his undivided attention focused on me, and now I knew.
The barest hint of a smile ghosted around the corners of his lips, and he inclined his head in the slightest nod. I knew he was telling me to continue, to enjoy the feel of Jackson’s body against mine. Knowing that Jasper was watching like a predator, coiled to strike at any moment, ignited the low licks of fire to full flame.
Against me, I could feel Jasper’s arousal, his hard length pressing against the softness of my belly. He was turned on because I was dancing with Jackson. I didn’t understand why, entirely—maybe because he knew, he had to know, that at the end of it all I would leave with him.
I moaned slightly, my fingers tangling in the hair at the base of Jackson’s neck. He hissed when I tugged, and in response he slid his hands up, brushing ever so lightly against the sides of my breasts. Nothing overt, nothing that would make me embarrassed around my colleagues in the morning, but enough to make Jasper moan slightly, pressing his erection against me.
Jasper copied Jackson, his hands stroking up from my waist, stroking the undersides of my breasts. Jackson’s touch felt good, but God, oh God, Jasper’s set me on fire.
I held his gaze as Jackson stroked calloused hands over my shoulders, my neck, my arms, my hips. Each touch ratcheted my excitement higher and higher still, and when the song ended, I released a huge shudder.
Dipping his head, Jasper brushed his lips over the curve of my neck. Need was coiling hot and tight inside of me with nowhere to go. “Thank your friend for the dance. Then come to me.”
Closing my eyes against the stare penetrating my own, I tipped my head back. “Thank you for the dance.”
“You can thank me by having a drink with me.” Jackson kissed the top of my head. I turned to face him as Jasper faded away into the crowd, and he snagged two shot glasses off the tray of a passing waitress, who simply cast him an exasperated smile.
“That’s going on your tab, Jackson,” she called as she pivoted, heading back toward the bar.
He just nodded, attention returning to me. With a hand on the small of my back, he guided me to the closest empty table, setting one of the shot glasses down.
“No lime,” he commented, picking up a salt shaker with a grin. “We’ll make do.”
“What—” My question was cut off when, without warning, he dipped his head and pressed his lips to the tender place where shoulder and neck met.
I gasped as he trailed his tongue in one slow, wet trail over my skin. My head fell back as he sprinkled salt on the dampness, then licked again, his tongue sweeping the grains from my skin.
I was left with weak knees and arousal weighing heavily in my belly as he tossed his head back and did his shot. Sinking my teeth into my lower lip as he handed me my own, I again felt my stare pulled to Jasper.
He was watching with hooded eyes—bedroom eyes. The look on his face was so filthy, I could easily imagine it playing over his features from above as he sank inside me.
Jesus. Could a woman come from a look alone?
“Come on, girl. Take him over the edge before you go claim your prize.” Handing me the salt shaker with a small smile, one tinged with no small measure of his own arousal, Jackson pulled out a chair and seated his large frame on the edge of it so that I could reach his neck without straining.
My breath was coming in pants, but as I bent over Jackson, my entire body felt pulled toward Jasper. Jackson was an appetizer. Jasper was the main course and dessert, all in one.
Aware of every move, every small shift of my body, I dipped my head and pressed a kiss to Jackson’s neck, pleased when he moaned, low and quiet, at the press of my lips on his skin. Overly eager, I pulled back and sprinkled the salt just over the dampness from where I had kissed him, making him laugh, but took my time licking the salt from his skin.
One large shudder racked his frame, and then I tipped my head back and did my shot. The tequila seared a path straight down my throat but added no heat inside my core.
When I again faced Jasper, I was already molten.
“I think your man is primed and ready.” Jackson grinned down at me. “I wish it was my bed you were headed to, but at least one of us is going to have their mind blown tonight.”
“I…thank you.” In the first awkward moment since he’d approached me at the bar, I turned my full attention on Jackson. “Why—?”
“It’s no hardship to share in someone else’s pleasure, even if you aren’t the center of it.” In a movement so fast I gasped, he pulled me to him, chest to chest, those thick fingers digging into the flesh of my ass. “And maybe it will give you more pleasure still to know that while he’s inside you, I’ll be somewhere with my cock in my fist, thinking of the two of you together. Now go.”
Releasing me abruptly, he spun me in Jasper’s direction. So lust-drunk was I that I didn’t think—I couldn’t have—before I made my way straight toward what I’d been wanting—longing for—since I’d set eyes on him.