Holiday Heat

“Because she has the best roster in the business. Her authors are all best-selling and she’s a wizard at keeping them that way. I’m not sure why they thought anything would be better with him than her but they bought it hook, line and sinker.”

My head follows Jane around the room even as I listen to the story. “Thank you for telling me. I’m going to go see Jane. I mean, dance with Jane. I mean…”

“I got it.” Her smile widens. “I hope you’re fast on your feet, Mister…”

“Hawke. Ryker Hawke. And yeah, I like to think so.” I leave her giggling and chase down my little dove.

“Hello, Jane. Why did you take off?”

“It was either that or punch you in the mouth!” Her furious eyes glare at me, the golden fire mesmerizing.

“I figured you’d try and knee me in the balls.”

She smirks. “It was a close call. But I held back.”

“Thank you for that.” I nod my head. “So what exactly do you want to do about this…”. I nod my head between the two of us.

“What us? What are you talking about?”

“I want you, Jane. I’m not going to lie to you. I’ll tell you exactly what I’m thinking or feeling. And I’m hoping you’ll reciprocate.”

“There’s nothing going on between the two of us.”

“See? Now I know you’re lying. You know that there’s this…attraction between us. You just don’t want to admit it.”

“I’m not going to admit to something that isn’t happening.” The stubborn fire in her eyes has my heart welling up into my throat, my dress pants tightening to an obscene degree.

A smile tugs at my lips. “I know you think you’re dissuading me from wanting you but I love a good fight, Jane. You’re not going to get rid of me that easily. There’s been a lot of things in my life that have been hard for me.” I glance down at my tented pants with a wicked chuckle. “This being no exception.” Her pale cheeks blush fire-engine red. “And inevitably…I win.”

“Not this time,” she grits out between clenched teeth, hissing out a breath as she stumbles away from him. “I’m not a prize to be won like in a carnival game.” She holds out a hand to stop me when I stalk after her retreating form. “No! Dammit, why can’t I get you to understand that I’m not looking for a hook-up!”

I toss her words back at her easily. “Why can’t I get you to understand that I’m not that kind of guy. I’m in this for the long haul, Jane. You might not be a carnival prize but you’re what I’ve wanted my whole life.”

“Why?” she wails, standing up straight, her amber eyes darkened to honeyed brown. “Why me?”

“Why not you?”

“I’m too old for you for one,” she hisses out, her eyes darting back and forth to make sure no one overhears her.

“I don’t give a shit about that. So you’re a couple of years older than me, who the fuck cares?”

“What are you? Twenty three. I’m forty. I’m heading over that hill into middle age and you’re still right at the very beginning of the ride.”

“I’m twenty eight. And so you’re a little older than me. Who the fuck cares?”

“I do. I care what people think about me. I need to in my business.”

“Pfft!” he snorts. “You don’t care nearly as much as you say you do.”

“I do.” She nods her head and my eyes drift to her raven hair slithering across her shoulders. Which makes me wonder what her long hair would look like wrapped around my fist. Would it feel like raw silk? Would she gasp when I pull her head back and plow into her silky, warm heat? I bet she would. I bet she’d gasp and smile wickedly and meet me stroke for stroke.

“Hey!” she hollers and her golden eyes sparkle with temper. “Are you listening to me? I’m making a point here.”

I shrug and smirk. “I told you if you’re not saying what I want to hear, I might not hear you.”

“You are a lascivious beast.”

A huge smile breaks on my face. “Thank you. That’s the nicest thing anybody’s ever said to me.”