Playing with Fire (Hometown Heat 3)

I grin. “I can think of something I like better than whiskey shots.” I step closer and lift my chin, bringing my lips within inches of his, finally daring to hope it’s okay to get attached to those lips and the man they belong to.

“Like what?” he asks, his voice low and husky.

“Like you and me in my bed.” I push on tiptoe, but he pulls back before I can press my mouth to his.

“I like that better than whiskey shots, too.” He smiles. “But just because we want a bed instead of whiskey doesn’t mean we have to skip the second part of my surprise.”

My eyes widen as I realize what he means. “The blindfold?”

“The blindfold,” he confirms, his lids dropping to half-mast in a look so sexy it makes me shiver. “I have some plans for you and that blindfold.”

“Oh, yeah?” My nerves endings sizzle as his arm snakes around my waist, pulling me closer, making my breath rush out as his erection brushes against my hip. “What kind of plans?”

“The kind that involve a remote piece of property my aunt owns outside of town.” His palms smooth down to cup my ass. “And a tent, and a sleeping bag, and a few toys I packed that we didn’t have along on our last camping trip.”

At the word “toys” my eyes go even wider. Jamison and I are pretty uninhibited in bed together, but so far we’ve kept things fairly vanilla—which is fine with me.

As a chef, I know you don’t need a bunch of fancy sauces or syrups or sugary icing to make a stand-out dessert. Nine times out of ten, simple combinations that let the quality of the ingredients shine through is best. That’s why I keep my pound cake plain, my cheesecake un-topped, and my flourless chocolate cake free of balsamic drizzles.

Until this point, however, I’ve never really considered whether I feel the same way about sex…

“You up for a little adventure?” Jamison asks.

I press my lips together, trying to discern whether the racing of my heart is a sign of dread or excitement. “I don’t know,” I finally say. “I mean, I know I teased you about blindfolds and bondage at the beach, but I’ve never really… This would be the first time I’ve done anything even a little kinky.”

His grin grows wicked around the edges. “Are you asking me to be gentle?”

I narrow my eyes at him and fight a grin. “This isn’t funny. And yes, I would want you to be gentle.” I shift closer, letting my hand slide down to cup the strong muscles of his ass through his jeans before I continue in a husky voice. “Until I tell you I don’t want you to be gentle anymore.”

His breath rushes out with a curse. “You drive me crazy, you know that?”

I sigh. “Same.” I’m already tingling all over and we haven’t even kissed yet. “And you make me want to play with toys.”

His gaze darkens. “Then I’m clear to grab the blindfold?”

I nod. “As long as you promise these toys aren’t going to hurt, or leave scars, or go anywhere near my forbidden evacuation hatch.”

He cocks his head. “The forbidden…” Understanding dawns and he laughs before scooping me up in his arms and spinning me around until I’m laughing, too.

He plants a kiss on my cheek.

“What was that for?” I ask, still laughing as he sets me down.

“For being you,” he says, eyes twinkling. “The only person I know who can make anal sound cute.”

My face scrunches like I’ve bitten into a lemon. “Oh God, don’t even say it. It’s so gross I can’t handle it, Jamison, seriously.”

He chuckles. “Don’t worry. I don’t have any designs on your forbidden hatch.” He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively. “At least not tonight.”

I shoot him a narrow look. “Or any other night.”

He shrugs, his dimple popping as he fights a smile. “We’ll take things slow, but there’s fun to be had with the escape hatch.”

I make a gagging sound.

“Like butt plugs,” he says, grinning when I stick my tongue out and do a full body shudder. “Or light anal play.”

“Stop! I’m getting ready to be so grossed out I will never recover my horny feelings,” I threaten. “Tread carefully, Mr. Hansen.”

He nods, clearly trying to look contrite though his eyes are still sparkling. “My apologies, Ms. Whitehouse. I promise not to offend your delicate sensibilities again tonight.”

“That’s better,” I say, smiling as he draws me into his arms and kisses me slowly and sweetly, but with enough passion to send those frisky feelings surging back with a vengeance.

“Though someday I’m going to lay my claim on that beautiful ass,” he whispers against my mouth in a voice so sexy I can only sigh.

“You’re impossible.”

“I try.” He grins and our teeth bump together through our lips as he kisses me again.