Take Me. Cherry Adair
his uncle without looking at him. Jessie’s mouth curved slightly as she observed him maneuvering his uncle. Joshua couldn’t remember reacting so explosively to a woman in his life. The shiny strings of the tiny Christmas balls in her ears tangled in the darkness of her hair. She rubbed her wineglass against the pulse pounding at her throat.
He used every vestige of control to keep from tossing her over his shoulder caveman style and dragging her to his lair.
The very thought startled him. He was not an impulsive man, nor was he given to flights of fancy. He stuffed his hand in his pocket. He was almost tempted to cut his losses and walk away. Sex was one thing, an excess of emotion another.
Hell. Christmas always brought out the worst in him.
He knew he was looking at Jessie with unabashed hunger. His blood pressure shot up another ten points as he heard her stifle a moan. “Are you here alone?” he asked.
She either was or wasn’t available. He’d never competed for a woman in his life. Although, Joshua thought, surprised by his reaction, he might be tempted in her case.
She smiled. “Just me and 299 party guests.” She had an extraordinary mouth, generous, her lips pouty without being petulant. Joshua needed a taste. Just one. He almost leaned over to take it but managed to remain fixed in place, his libido jumping. She was available, he wanted her and she appeared interested. It was turning out to be a good party, after all.
He smiled. “Can I take you home?”
“Actually, I just got here,” she drawled, eyes bright. “But thanks for offering. Simon,” she turned to his uncle with a smile that made Joshua’s skin tingle, “I’d love another glass of this excellent Chateau Whatever.”
Simon gave them both a pointed glance before he snatched her glass and went off to the kitchen.
Jessie tilted her head a little to look up at him. Brown eyes twinkled as bronze lights of laughter danced in the sparkling depth. She was all sass and flirty eyes. And damn well irresistible. Joshua wanted to bury his hands up to his elbows in her hair, assure himself that it was as soft as it looked. He wanted to run his fingers along her slender curves. He wanted to lay her on cool sheets in a candlelit room and make love to her until she melted like warm honey.
But first things first.
“Before we leave,” he said flatly. “I need to make something perfectly clear. I’m married.”
Obviously taken aback she gave him a startled look. “Goodness, a philanderer with integrity. How refreshing.”
He realized he’d tensed for her response. There was something about her that led him to believe she was nothing like his female companions to date. He hadn’t paused to wonder why he’d told her the truth when he’d never bothered to tell anyone else before. She’d be just as capable as any other woman to run directly to the tabloids with the news flash.
His marriage wasn’t a marriage at all. It was a piece of paper, nothing more. He knew it, the girl knew it. But this woman, with her glowing eyes and ripe mouth, might not understand.
For the first time since he was a boy, Joshua felt a flush ride his cheekbones. “It’s purely a business arrangement. She doesn’t give a damn what I do. We’ve been separated for seven years.”
“Poor her.”
“The arrangement was mutually agreed on,” he said flatly.
“Why bother telling me?”
“Because I don’t want any misunderstandings. I’m powerfully attracted to you. Hell, flat-out, I want you, Jessie Adams. But I’m not interested in a long-term entanglement, and marriage will never be on the table.”
“Because you’re already married.”
“Because I never have, nor will I ever have, any interest in the state of holy matrimony. I married to facilitate a business deal, she married me for money. If this is a problem, tell me now.”
“The problem,” Jessie said sweetly, “is I don’t care one way or the other. And I think it’s a bit presumptuous of you to think I would since we’ve known each other all of two minutes. Your marital status has no effect on me at all one way or the other.”
“Good.” Joshua only now realized how damned boring life had been lately. It had been a long time since he’d felt the roar of his blood and the thrill of the chase.
“Let me guess. Your wife’s a petite, blue-eyed blonde?”
Joshua stared at her blankly. He vaguely remembered Vera as a tall, skinny…blonde? Redhead? Whatever. Somehow he’d lost control of the conversation. He wasn’t sure where or why, but it mildly annoyed him. “What’s that got to do with anything?”
Brown eyes gleamed devilishly. “I’m trying to point out that I’m not your type.”
“How do you know what my type is?”
Jessie fluttered her long eyelashes at him. “Small, blond and busty. Would you like me to name them for you?”
“I think I can remember,” Joshua said dryly, narrowing his eyes in mild annoyance. CEOs had quailed at that look. She—damn her sassy hide—had the nerve to grin.
“And why would you be so interested in my lady friends?” he asked silkily, suddenly finding tall, slender dark-haired women extremely appealing. The air about her seemed to crackle with electricity.
“What?” Little Miss Sass was distracted for a moment watching his mouth. “It’s hard to miss your exploits when every tabloid and newspaper finds the subject absolutely fascinating.”
A point to the lady for her swift recovery.
Joshua glanced down. Her nipples were clearly delineated by the fabric of her dress. As he watched, the small buds peaked. He stifled a groan and shifted his stance.
“Lord,” she said, voice thick, “you are direct, aren’t you?”
“If I was any more direct, I’d come right out and tell you I want to take you to bed.”
She smiled. “I believe you just did.”
“I’m hardly the first man who’s wanted to sleep with you.”
“You’re the first man who’s said it straight out within moments of meeting me, with about three hundred witnesses.” She didn’t move away as he rested his hand on the small of her back. He could almost feel her skin vibrate beneath his fingers.
“I want to see you.”
“You are seeing me.”
“Without all these people around.”
“If you’re staying with Simon for the weekend, we should bump into each other sometime.”
“That’s a little too vague for me.” He scanned her animated face. Her eyes still danced as she crossed her arms over her chest. At the view of her plumped breasts on the shelf of her arms, his mouth went dry.
He wanted her. He planned to have her. Soon.
“Several of us are going parachuting tomorrow, and since it’s too far to drive home, then back again so early in the morning, I’m spending the night here. You’re welcome to join us, Joshua.”
Her husky voice saying his name made him want to yank her into his arms. He craved her mouth under his. He wanted to back her against the wall and have her, right there in Simon’s sunken living room, in front of hundreds of guests. Lord. He couldn’t remember ever being this hot, this fast.
Jessie glanced at him under her lashes. She took a small step back. “I’ve heard people should live life as if their personal diary would be published in the newspaper every day.” She looked up at him with those big brown eyes. “I’ve read your personal diary in the tabloids for years. Just standing here talking to you is going to give me notoriety I’ve