“I’ll put them on your laptop,” he told her quietly.
“Oh, Lord, no. I’d never get my studying done.” Her eyes laughed up into his, her tone playful.
“I think you can control yourself,” he returned, sounding disappointed.
“Absolutely not. I have no control when it comes to Myth World. Do you have other games that you’ve designed?”
“Of course, dozens of them.”
“Would you mind putting them on the PC in the den?” She asked hesitantly.
“You can come up here. Play on the usage computer.” He pointed to a large computer and chair in the corner. “All of my games are on it. Actually, just about any game you can think of is on there.”
She put her hand to her heart in mock astonishment. “Oh, horrors! You actually have other people’s games on that computer?”
He moved closer to her, towering over her with a mischievous grin. “Sometimes I find it necessary to…check out the competition.”
“And are they good?” She looked up at him, loving this boyish side of Simon.
“Nah…but I have to keep up with what’s selling,” he told her, his tone impertinent.
God, the man was so hot when he was joking around. Oh shit, he was always hot. She could smell his masculine scent with a hint of sandalwood. It was a warm, rich aroma that made her squirm and her body tingle. “If you don’t mind, I’ll take you up on that offer. I’m used to being busy and I’m not up on all the recent television shows. I get a little lonely sometimes. This place is so big.” Why had she admitted that? “Just don’t be upset when I don’t get dinner ready on time. I get lost in your games,” she told him in a mock warning voice, an attempt at levity.
He came down on one knee, his eyes level with hers. “Are you lonely here, Kara?” His tone sounded concerned, dumbfounded, as his dark eyes met hers. “You don’t like it here?”
“No. Oh, no. Simon, it’s lovely here. How could I not be happy?” She sighed, trying to explain. “I’m just so used to not having much time to think, much time to myself. It takes getting used to after the crazy pace I had before.”
“Suicidal, you mean,” he said, his tone edgy. “That lifestyle was draining you dry, Kara.”
“I know. And I’m grateful. Really, I am. This is just different.” She assured him, not wanting him to think she was ungrateful. Shit…she’d be on the streets if not for his generosity, but still…” I’ll be happier up here with you.”
“You want my company?” He searched her face, sounding baffled.
“Of course. But I know you’re busy. And I thought maybe you were avoiding me after...well, after…”
“After I told you that I wanted to f**k you?” he asked bluntly, his eyes holding hers prisoner.
“Yes,” she breathed softly, startled by his brusque statement, but glad that it was out in the open. It had been simmering, making her anxious.
“I wasn’t avoiding you, Kara. I want to see you, be with you, whether you want to f**k me or not,” he stated, his voice adamant.
“You do?” she asked with hint of wonder. Why?
“I get lonely sometimes, too. I enjoy your company.”
She took a deep breath, willing her racing heart to slow.
I want you to f**k me. I want you to take me a hundred different ways and then do it again.
The breath left her body as her eyes roamed over him. Just thinking about that large, solid, dominant body over her, in her, made her fidget in her chair. Her fingers itched to touch the face so close to her own, to stroke the sexy, rough jaw with the sensual five o’clock shadow that made his scars nearly invisible. Strangely, those small scars added to his sex appeal, making him more masculine, more irresistible.
No, Kara. Don’t think about it. Dinner. You came to ask him about dinner. Simon Hudson is way out of your league.
“I-I actually came to ask you what you wanted for dinner.” Her voice was unsteady and she was practically stumbling over her words. Simon’s close proximity was getting to her, making her want much more than just his company. She scooted her chair back and stood, nervously wiping her sweaty palms on her jeans.
It didn’t help. Simon towered over her as he rose to his feet. “I’ll help you. I’m done here for now.”
Kara gulped, wondering if the massive kitchen was big enough for both them. She wanted to be near him, but not so close that the longing that she felt overwhelmed her. “Okay. Let’s go see what we can round up.” Her strides were long and quick as she lead the way to the kitchen, happy that she would have Simon’s company, but not quite sure how to deal with her treacherous body and it’s reaction to him.
Total surrender.
What exactly had he meant by that…and did she really want to find out?
Chapter 6
Simon knew he was slowly, silently becoming completely unglued. His mind was wandering to places it shouldn’t go, and he’d had to work extra hours the last several days just because he couldn’t think of anything except the fact that Kara was here, in his home, driving him closer and closer to insanity.
If I don’t f**k her soon, I’m going to become unhinged.
Glad he was following behind her so that she couldn’t see his obvious erection, he watched her hips sway in a pair of ass-hugging jeans as he followed her to the kitchen. Her fresh, alluring scent wafted from her body and he breathed it in like a man deprived of oxygen, hungry for her fragrance. He smelled her everywhere, even his bedroom. Her aroma seemed to cling to every portion of his house, reminding him of her presence. Like he could forget it?
What was it about her that fascinated him so much? It wasn’t as if she tried to make herself irresistible. She wore very little make-up and he had yet to see her in anything except jeans – minus the heart-stopping night that she had appeared in that tight mini and sweater - but he was completely enthralled.
“Why don’t you have a boyfriend?” he asked curiously. “Wouldn’t it have been easier to go to school if you had a man in your life?”
They had reached the kitchen and Kara was pulling lettuce, peppers and other vegetables from the refrigerator. “Do you want to help cut the vegetables for a salad? I’ll put in some steaks.” She pulled meat from the refrigerator before adding, “Why would I want a boyfriend when I’m going to school?” Giving him a perplexed look, she pulled out a cutting board and handed him a knife from the block.