You are a master at improvisation, I said, stil awed from his resourcefulness.
More like an opportunist, he said, coming up behind me. Did you real y think Id let them ruin tonight for us?
I smiled. Have I mentioned before that I love you?
Only a few mil ion times. He nuzzled my neck, pul ing me down to the blanketed ground. But its a few tril ion too few, so keep on keepin on, love.
You wont hear me complain. Ever.
He reclined onto his back, pul ing me down next to him until every inch of my length ran against him. You are an opportunist, I teased, burying my head in the curve of his neck.
Have you seen my woman? he said with exaggerated seriousness. Darn right Im an opportunist.
I hope you never wake up one day and real y see what the woman you love looks like, I said, only somewhat teasing.
And I hope you one day wake up and realize how crazy you are, he tossed back, shifting us so he was looking me in the eyes. His face took a turn to the serious. So what are you not tel ing me about Paul?
I waited too long to answer, so I knew he wouldnt accept my answer without further investigation. Nothing, I said, my voice high with imitation innocence.
His expression confirmed he wasnt the least bit convinced by my reassurances. Did he try to touch you? he asked, his voice in control, but his eyes werent.
Not . . . exactly, I answered, looking to the side.
His eyes sealed into slits. He did try to kiss you again, didnt he? So help me Il ” What? I interrupted. Did you not hear me the first time? Paul did not try to kiss me tonight, I said, drawing out each word. Although I was certain, had I given Paul a microscopic level of hope, he would have.
What did he do then? Wil iam asked slowly, making an effort to keep the lid on the fury bubbling up in him.
Promise you wont beat him to a bloody Immortal pulp? I asked.
Absolutely not, he answered. But I do promise if you tel me, I wont go hunt him down right now based solely on the conclusions Ive jumped to from your hesitancy to tel me what he did. Wil iams eyes softened some when I glared at him. I think ˜bloody pulp would be a good look for a man who is incessant about trying to steal away another mans reason for living, dont you?
Patrick was right, you have gotten al territorial, I said. Dont you trust me to be alone with another man?
You, he said, tapping the end of my nose, I trust implicitly. Its him, or any man for that matter”my father and brothers exempt”I havent got a bit of trust in.
Nothing like twisting the knife deeper into my side. I dont know what Wil iam would have done if hed been privy to the rumors of Patrick and me being matched tomorrow night, but it certainly gave me an understanding of why they said the threat comes from where you least expect it. It wasnt other men, Paul included, Wil iam had to worry about losing me to. It was his own brother.
Please tel me, he said, nudging me with his forehead. Al this pent up adrenaline needs to be released into something physical before I combust from it.
Something physical?
He shrugged. Pummeling Paul or”his eyebrows peaked”an old-fashioned rol in the hay ought to fit the bil , too.
I grumbled, al too aware that whatever distraction I sent his way or amount of time that went by, he wouldnt give up on pul ing the answer from me. He was relentless. Okay, so dont freak out,”his head shook in disagreement”dont really freak out, I edited, blowing out a loud burst of air. So I was, eh, trying on some new . . . lingerie, I said, like I was guilty by this admission alone.
His pupils widened. I dont know how this relates to Paul”at least it better not relate to him”but keep painting this picture for me. Im liking where youre going with it.
I couldnt control the grimace before it broke free. Wel . . .
This story does involve Paul, he growled.
I rubbed my hands over his chest in slow, calming circles. Extra calming circles. He might have seen me modeling it while I was walking around Joseph and Coras that Id assumed was empty of people and perverts, I threw in for good measure.
Thats it, he said, matter-of-fact. Im going to kil him. He pushed against me to stand up, but I not so gently shoved him back down, placing myself on top of him. His eyes went from stormy to dreamy in two seconds time and his hands had no problem finding their places to affix. So maybe I had this distraction thing down; I just had to pul out the real y big guns when the occasion arose.
Youd have to move from this position to kil him, you know, I said, lowering my voice a few notes.
Your powers of sexual persuasion could crush the axis of the world, I swear, he said, looking like Paul was long forgotten.
Why, thank you very much, I giggled, placing a tame kiss over his mouth. Stil planning on going somewhere?
I can always kil Paul tomorrow, he answered.
Good thing Paul was leaving tonight, because I only partial y doubted Wil iams threat. Good choice.
His hands ran up my back, creeping inside Josephs bulky sweatshirt. You wouldnt happen to have that lingerie on under these sexy P.J.s would you? His fingers traced up my back, winding up over my backbone.
Those hands of his could ignite me with the most PG rated of touches; I couldnt even imagine how Id feel when they did anything more.
Wouldnt you like to know? I teased, sliding my hands up to hook over his shoulders.
I cant imagine ever wanting to know anything more. His smile was tilted in mischief.
If I was certain youd make good use of the lingerie if I told you, I would, but since I know you wont,”at least not until you make an honest woman of me”Im not going to tel you, I said, leaning away from him.
He knew Id cal ed it for what we both knew it was. I am an insufferable prude, arent I?