Playing With Trouble (Desire Bay 1)

Oh, she was baiting him now. And, okay, he was impressed. He had no idea how much this must have set her back. A few grand, at least. Because she hadn’t once come to him to ask for money from the business. She was putting her money where her mouth was and looking like she was following through on staying. But he still liked their playful chats.

“I can be quick. Start and finish before you even know I was around.”

“Yes, I’m aware,” she said drily and glanced at his cock then gave him a challenging scoff. Oh hell no. She had not just gone there.

“Despite my skills at quickies,” he said, knowing she was thinking the same thing, “I still leave everyone involved satisfied. Even though it’s not my expertise.”

“Oh no? Then what is your expertise, Jacob?”

“Thoroughness.” He took a step closer, because his jeans were getting tighter and she was just standing there looking lush and sexy, and damn, he’d missed her smart mouth over the past couple of days. He also seemed to be missing his brain, but he didn’t care at the moment.

This woman’s confidence, tenacity, and strength were getting to him. She was also easily the most gorgeous woman he’d ever seen. She might not be willing to date him, but that wouldn’t stop him from trying. And in the meantime, she was doing something with him. Not Gabe. Not anyone else. Just him. And that was something.

“Well, I suppose you better get back to the warehouse,” she said.

Jake had other plans. Ones that involved the woman in front of him.

“I’m in no rush to get back just yet,” he said, creeping closer. He was locked in a stare down with Miss Baughman, and she wasn’t backing down, either. Just circling, keeping her eyes on him until her perfect ass bumped against the edge of the desk.

“You’re all set up here,” he said, crowding into her space until she had no choice but to lean back. He heard the squeak of her leather skirt pressing against the edge of the desk. “I’m impressed.”

“I’m not looking to impress you,” she said. Her words had a bite, but the small shudder in her voice was enough to make him grin.

“Intentional or not, you are impressive,” he said and dropped his chin enough to look in her eyes. She was staring up at him. Those big doe eyes and thick lashes were making his chest tighten.

He needed a taste of her. To feel her. Whatever battle he’d been fighting against the prom queen, he was losing. And judging by the way her breaths were shortening and her body trembled, Miss Baughman was on the brink of losing herself, too. He just hoped to God it was to him.

Laura couldn’t think past anything but Jacob’s mouth, which was hovering right over hers. He thought she was impressive? As much as she told herself she didn’t care . . . she did. Because he sounded genuine. Like he really was . . . proud.

And that made her stomach flutter. Made her want to reach out and beg him to say it again. And again. But that was the opposite of what she should do. Should feel.

Should . . .

She should be strong and walk away. But she was currently pressed between a desk and wall of man, and she wasn’t going anywhere. And she had missed him. Missed the way he could take her body with his like he owned it. Made her feel alive and wanted and strong.

She . . . liked him. A lot.

But he was also a pain and stubborn and so responsible he could be the Yachats High hall monitor for the rest of his days.

“Tell me the truth,” Jacob said, his big hands cupping her waist and slowly trailing down her hips to her thighs. “Have you thought of me?”

“Of course I have,” she said, wishing her voice wasn’t so raspy. “You irritate me regularly and I’m forced to see you every day.”

He smiled, and that was her tipping point. With a day’s worth of scruff lining his jaw and that megawatt smile, she couldn’t resist him. Her chest tightened like she couldn’t get enough air, and her core flooded with the need to feel him again. Like the night he’d taken her against his truck. Or after her not-date date with Gabe. Every time Jake ravaged her body, it was better than the last.

“Forced, huh? Well, I’m sure sorry that my presence is such a struggle for you,” he whispered, those big hands of his going even lower until he found the hem of her skirt right above her knees. “Let me see if I can give you a more pleasant memory.”

Without warning, he slid his hands beneath her skirt and shoved it up her thighs as he picked her up and sat her on the desk.

“What are you doing?” She fidgeted to hike down her skirt, which was now bunched around her waist, but Jacob just hit his knees and tugged her legs open.

“If you don’t know, then you’re going to find out real quick.” He tossed her legs over his shoulders and yanked her toward him. His face was buried between her thighs, and he kissed the insides of them as he tugged hard on her panties, ripping them clean off.

His mouth was hot against her skin, and her hands instantly threaded through his hair, tugging him closer. Wanting him to touch her, taste her, where she needed most. But he was teasing her. Running the tip of his nose along her folds, softly blowing on the heated flesh. And driving her crazy.

Her eyes snapped wide, and she realized where she was. Which was spread out on the desk with a wicked sexy foreman between her thighs.

“Someone will see!” she said and tried to squirm again.