“It was a military reform school.” She eyed him over the rim of the tumbler through long lashes.
“Actually, about half were there because they wanted a future in the military or law enforcement.” He rattled off the details, anything to keep from thinking about how badly he wanted to take that glass from her and kiss her until they both forgot about talking and press conferences. “The rest of us were there because we got into trouble.”
“Your Alpha Brotherhood group—you trust these friends with Issa’s future?”
“Implicitly.”
Shaking her head, she looked away. “I wish I could be as sure about whom to trust.”
“You’re worried.”
“Of course.”
“Because you care.” Visions of her caring for the baby, insisting Issa stay in her room tonight even though it was his turn, taunted him with how attached she was becoming to the little one already. There was so much more to this woman than he’d known or guessed. She was more emotional than she’d ever let on. Which brought him back to the strange notion that she’d been jealous of Hillary.
A notion he needed to dispel. “What did you think of Hillary?”
“She’s outspoken and she’s a huge fan of yours.” She folded her arms over her chest.
“You can’t be jealous.”
“At first, when she hugged you…I wondered if she was a girlfriend,” she admitted. “Then I realized it might not be my right to ask.”
“I kissed you. You have a right to question.” He met her gaze full-on, no games or hidden agendas. Just pure honesty. “For the record, I’m the monogamous type. When I’m with a woman, I’m sure as hell not kissing other women.”
Her eyes flashed with quick relief before she tipped her head to the side and touched his chest lightly. “What happened last night—”
“What almost happened—”
“Okay, almost happened, along with the parts that did—”
“I understand.” He pressed a hand over hers, wanting to reassure her before she had a chance to start second-guessing things and bolting away. “You want to say it can’t happen. Not again.”
“Hmm…” She frowned, toying with the simple watch on her wrist. “Have you added mind reader to your list of accomplishments now? If so, please do tell me why I would insist on pushing you away.”
“Because we have to take care of the baby.” He folded her hand in his and kissed her knuckles, then her wrist. “Your devotion to her is a beautiful thing.”
“That’s a lovely compliment. Thank you. I would say the same about you.”
“A compliment?” he bantered back. “I did not expect that.”
“Why ever not?” She stepped closer until her br**sts almost brushed his chest.
The unmistakably seductive move wasn’t lost on him. His pulse kicked up a notch as he wondered just how far she would take this.
And how far he should let it go.
“There is the fact that you haven’t missed an opportunity to make it clear how much you don’t like me or my work.”
“That could be a compelling reason to keep my distance from you.” She placed her other hand on his chest, tipping her face up to him until their lips were a whisper apart.
“Be on notice…” He took in the deep amber of her eyes, the flush spreading across her latte-colored, creamy skin. “I plan to romance you, sweep you off your feet even.”
“You are—” she paused, leaning into him, returning his intense gaze “—a confusing man. I thought I knew you but now I’m finding I don’t understand you at all. But you need to realize that after last night’s kiss…”
“It was more than a kiss,” he said hoarsely.
“You’re absolutely right on that.” Her fingers crawled up his chest until she tapped his bottom lip.
He captured her wrist again just over the thin watch. He thought of the bracelets he’d surreptitiously picked up for her at the marketplace, looking forward to the right moment to give them to her. “But I will not make love to you until you ask me. You have to know that.”
“You’re mighty confident.” Her breath carried heat and a hint of the ginger tea.
Who knew tea could be far more intoxicating than any liquor? “Hopeful.”
“Good.” Her lips moved against his. “Because I’m asking.”
And damn straight he didn’t intend to walk away from her again.
Nine
Mari arched up onto her toes to meet Rowan’s mouth sealing over hers. Pure want flooded through her. Each minute had felt like an hour from the moment she’d decided to act on her desire tonight until the second he’d kissed her.
Finally, she would be with him, see this crazy attraction through. Whether they were arguing or working together, the tension crackled between them. She recognized that now. They’d been moving toward this moment for years.
She nipped his bottom lip. “We have to be quiet so we don’t wake the baby.”
“Hmm…” His growl rumbled his chest against her. “Sounds challenging.”
“Just how challenging can we make it?” She grazed her nails down his back, the fabric of his shirt carrying the warmth and scent of him.
“Is that a dare?”
She tucked her hands into the back pockets of his jeans as she’d dreamed of doing more than once. “Most definitely.”
Angling his head to the side, he stared into her eyes. “And you’re sure you’re ready for this?”
She dug her fingers into his amazing tush. “Could you quit being so damn admirable? I’m very clearly propositioning you. I am an adult, a very smart adult, totally sober, and completely turned on by you. If that’s not clear enough for you, then how about this? Take me to bed or to the couch, but take me now.”
A slow and sexy smile creased dimples into his sun-bronzed face. “How convenient you feel that way since you absolutely mesmerize me.”
Her stomach fluttered at the obvious appreciation in his eyes, his voice. His touch. He made her feel like the sensuous woman who wore peignoirs. He made her feel sexy. Sexier than any man ever had, and yes, that was a part of his appeal.
But she couldn’t deny she’d always found him attractive. Who wouldn’t? He took handsome to a whole new level, in a totally unselfconscious way. The blond streaks in his hair came from the sun—his muscles from hard work.