“I’m not,” she replied breathlessly. “I think you cured me.”
He let out a heavy breath of relief. “You drive me completely insane, woman. I can’t keep a clear thought in my brain when I’m with you. You’re so damn responsive that I lose my head.”
Hope smiled against his damp chest. “You’re a hard man to resist,” she teased.
“I’m your only man,” he replied ominously as he swatted her on the ass. “If you even talk about another man again, even a supposed future one, I won’t be responsible for my actions. I don’t share. Ever.”
Hope almost reminded him that they were only a temporary couple, but her heart wouldn’t let her say it. Even if she was only his wife temporarily, she wanted to live for today. And today, Jason Sutherland belonged to her. She’d worry about the separation when it happened. Just for now, just for once, she wanted to bask in the joy of being with Jason, the only man she’d ever wanted. It was good to feel wanted, and for the first time in her adult life, she didn’t feel lonely. Jason filled all the empty spaces in her heart, and even if it was only for a little while, she felt marvelous. “I can’t believe you stole the mirror from the bathroom.” The thought of Jason disconnecting the large mirror from the wall and attaching it to the bed so she wouldn’t be scared was probably the most protective, sweetest thing anyone had ever done for her.
“I didn’t steal it. I’ll put it back. I told you I’m good with tools, and I found a whole toolbox in the storage closet.” His voice was lazy and amused.
“Do you still work on restoring cars?” She wanted to catch up on everything Jason had done in the last eight years.
“When I have the time. I have a shop in New York. I’m working on a sixties Ferrari right now.”
Hope could hear the excitement in his voice, and she was glad he hadn’t given up something he’d loved. “So you do get out of the city occasionally,” she commented jokingly. “Is working on cars your only escape?”
“I get back to Boston as often as possible to see Mom, and I have a boat docked in Boston Harbor. I think my real escape is getting out on the water. It’s easy to leave business behind out there.”
Hope propped her head up on his chest. “A boat or a yacht?” She doubted that Jason had a regular power boat.
“I guess she’s considered a yacht.”
“She? What did you name it?”
Jason was silent for a moment. “Sutherland’s Hope.”
She was quiet for a moment, tried to digest the fact that his boat had her name. Obviously it was a coincidence, but it made her breath catch and her heart skitter anyway. “That’s a beautiful name,” she told him honestly. “What were you hoping for when you named her?”
“Peace of mind.” Jason’s eyes drilled her with an intense stare.
“And did you find it?”
“Not yet, but if you’d come out on the boat with me, I might,” he answered, deadpan.
“I don’t have much experience with boats, but I’d love to go.” Too bad they wouldn’t be together long enough for her to see Jason relaxed and happy.
“You don’t need experience. I have a captain and a crew. You just need to make sure you don’t fall overboard,” he answered gruffly.
“Do you fish?”
“Hell, yeah,” Jason answered emphatically with a grin. “What’s the point of having a boat that big if I can’t fish?”
Hope smiled back at him, enchanted by the thought of Jason actually enjoying something other than business. “How many women have you taken out with you?” Okay…her green-eyed monster had made her speak before she could stifle the revealing words.
“None. Not ever.” Jason rolled her over on her back. His body covered hers as he pinned her wrists over her head and looked down at her intensely. “Are you actually jealous?”
She averted her eyes away from his face. “That would be silly, wouldn’t it? We’re friends. You’re trying to help me. We’ll only be together for a short time.”
“You didn’t answer my question, woman.” He turned her face back to center. “Tell me,” he demanded.
Their eyes met; green clashed with blue, and Hope fell into the fierceness of his stare. “Okay. Yes. A little. Maybe I don’t like to share either.”
His expression changed. The glimmer in his eyes turned possessive. “Good.” He immediately swooped down to kiss her, his embrace full of hungry, delicious need.
Pulling his mouth from hers, he placed tender, openmouthed kisses on her face, her cheeks, down her neck. “You’ll never have to share, sweetheart,” he comforted, his voice muffled against her neck.
Hope sighed, his words so sweet that she wanted to hold them in her heart forever. But she knew better. Their time was limited, every moment stolen.
“I’ll take you out on my boat with me, and we can christen the two cabins. I’ve never had sex there. She’s a complete virgin.” He nipped at her neck possessively.
Hope whimpered with desire, her emotions on overload. It felt so good for Jason to talk about a future, but it hurt to know those things would never happen.
But I can be happy for now.
Pushing aside her depressing thoughts, Hope wrapped her legs around Jason and surrendered to his persuasive seduction.
Chapter 10
Two days later, Jason scowled at the shirt on the bed, one that Hope had bought him on her shopping expedition. He loved the hiking boots she’d gotten him, and his woman had been considerate enough to treat them with some water-resistant spray, but he wasn’t wearing a damn Broncos t-shirt. He picked up the orange and blue cotton shirt as if it were a poisonous snake. “I’m not wearing this shirt.” Hope was in the kitchen, making some breakfast before they went out hiking, and he bellowed loud enough for her to hear him.
She was at the doorway of the bedroom a few seconds later. Jason immediately got as hard as a rock as she looked him up and down. Her eyes lingered on his bare chest. “Hmm…that’s too bad. Personally, I don’t find anything sexier than a man wearing a Broncos shirt. You’d look very hot. I’m not sure I could keep my hands off you.” She sighed, sounded beleaguered, and walked back to the kitchen.
Fuck! He was so going to wear the damn shirt after that comment.
Yanking it over his head, he pulled the stupid thing down to cover the waistband of his jeans. If he was going to look hotter to Hope, he’d probably do just about anything. Yeah, he knew she was manipulating him, but he didn’t give a shit. Making Hope happy and keeping her turned on had become his primary mission in life.