Tina Beckett - Flirting With The Boss

“Cassie’s lucky she has you.”

He smiled. “It’s easy to love that little girl. I know I spoil her, but she’s been so happy since she moved here. I have to make it permanent.”

Lori put on a smile. “You’re a good father, Jace Yeager.” She placed her hand on his arm. “I’ll help you in any way I can.”

He stopped eating. “What do you mean? Help. I can afford to handle this custody battle on my own.”

She shook her head. “I know that. I only meant that I know what it’s like to not have a father in my life. I was offering moral support, nothing else. But don’t be too bullheaded to take any and everything you can to keep your daughter. She needs you in her life, more than you know.” Lori stood and carried her plate to the sink. Her appetite was gone.

He came to her. “I’m sorry, Lori.”

She could feel his heat behind her. Good Lord, the man made his presence known. She wanted desperately to lean back into him. “For years Lyle Hutchinson never even acknowledged that I existed. I can’t tell you how much that hurt.”

She hated feeling needy. When Jace turned her around and touched her cheek, she couldn’t deny she wanted his comfort.

“I can’t imagine doing that to my child. I don’t want to think about Cassie not being in my life. I know from experience that adults do dumb things, and in the end it’s the kids that get hurt the most.”

Lori felt a tear drop and he wiped it away. “It’s not fair.”

Jace leaned forward. “I wish I could change it.” He brushed his mouth across hers. “I wish I could make you feel better.”

She released a shaky breath. “What you’re doing is nice.”

His blue-eyed gaze searched her face. “Damn, Lori. What I’m thinking about doing with you isn’t nice.” Then he pulled her close and captured her mouth. Desire burst within her, if possible more intense than ever before, pooling deep in her center. She could feel his heat even through their clothes as she arched into his body. She whimpered her need as his tongue danced against hers.

“You make me want so many things,” he breathed as his tongue tormented her skin. He found his way to her collarbone. “I want you, Lorelei Hutchinson.” His mouth closed over hers once again, giving her a hint of the pleasure this man offered her.

She arched against him, her fingers threading through his hair, holding him close. Mouths slanted, their tongues mated as his hands moved over her back and down to her bottom, pulling her closer to feel his desire.

Jace was on the edge. On hearing her soft moan, he drew back with his last ounce of sanity. Then he made the mistake of looking into her eyes and all good intentions flew out the window. “Tell me to stop now, Lori.”

She swallowed. “I can’t, Jace. I don’t want you to stop.”

His heart skipped a beat as he swung her up into his arms. With a quick glance around, he headed to one of the rooms under the loft, only caring there was a bed past the door.

The daylight was fading, but there was enough light from the main room. He set her down next to a four-poster bed. He captured her mouth in a long kiss, then reached behind her and threw back the thick comforter.

He returned to her. “I’ve dreamed of being with you like this.” He drew her into his arms. “So be sure you want the same.”

She nodded.

He let out a frustrated breath. “You have to do better than that, Lori.”

“I’m very sure, Jace.”

Those big brown eyes looked up at him. He inhaled her soft scent and was lost, so lost that he couldn’t think about anything except sharing this intimacy with this special woman.

His mouth descended to hers and the rest of the snowstorm and the world disappeared. There was only the two of them caught up in their own storm.

SOMETIME around dawn, Jace woke suddenly, aware he wasn’t alone in bed. And it wasn’t his bed. He blinked and raised his head from the pillow to find Lori beside him. He bit back a groan as images of last night came flooding into his mind.

He’d come looking for her, afraid she’d been stranded in the freak storm. He found her all right, and had given in to temptation. They’d made love last night. Right now her sweet body pressed against his had him aching again.

He lay his head back on the pillow. Why did she have to come into his life now? He didn’t have anything to offer her. Not a future anyway. He couldn’t let anyone distract him from getting custody of Cassie.

Lori stirred, then rolled over and peered at him through the dim light. Her soft yellow hair was mussed, but definitely added to her sex appeal.

“Hi,” she said in a husky voice that had him thinking about forgetting everything and getting lost in her once again.

“Hi, yourself.”

She pulled the sheet up to cover her breasts. “I guess this is what they call the awkward morning-after moment.”

He knew Lori well enough to know that she wasn’t the type to jump into bed with just any man. That wasn’t the type he needed right now. “The last thing I want to do is make you feel uncomfortable,” he said, and leaned toward her. “It’s just us, Lori.”

She glanced away shyly. “I haven’t had a relationship since college.”

He found that made him happy. “That’s hard to believe.” He touched her face. “You’re a very beautiful woman, Lorelei Hutchinson.”

“Thank you.” She glanced away. “I didn’t have time for a personal life. Gina and Zack needed me.”

“I take it Gina’s ex has caused her and you a lot of trouble.”

She nodded. “Sober Eric had a mean streak, but when drunk he was really scary. Even with his obvious abuse, it took a lot to convince Gina that the man would never change. Then one day he went after Zack and she finally realized how dangerous he was. That’s what it took for her to go to court and testify against him. After that Eric threatened to come after her.” Lori’s large eyes met his. “That’s why it was so hard for me to come to Destiny. When my father made the stipulation in the will about staying a year, I wasn’t sure if I could.”

“I’m glad you did,” he told her, unable to stop touching her. His hand moved over her bare arm, her skin so soft.

She looked surprised. “Is that because I rescued your project?”

“No, it’s because you’re beautiful and generous.” He decided not to fight whatever was going on between them any longer. He leaned down and brushed his mouth over hers, enjoying that she eagerly opened for him. He drew back and added, “You’ve also taken time with Cassie. Before we moved here she didn’t have much female attention.”

Lori wasn’t sure what she’d expected this morning, but not this. “It’s easy to be nice to her. Cassie’s a sweet girl.”

“Hey, what about me?”

She wrinkled her nose. “I wouldn’t call you sweet. Not your disposition anyway.”

“Maybe I can change your mind.” He caressed her mouth again. “Is that any better?”

“Fishing for a compliment?”

He shifted against her. “How about we continue this without conversation?”

Though Lori wanted the same thing, they needed to get home. “Shouldn’t we think about heading back?”

“It’s barely dawn.” He started working his magic as his mouth moved upward along her jawline. “What’s your hurry?” His tongue circled her ear. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

She gasped, unable to fight the sensation. “No, it’s just that it’s …” She forgot what she wanted to say as his lips continued along her neck. “Don’t we need to leave?”

He raised his head and she could see the desire in his eyes. “I want to do one thing right and it only involves the two of us.” He arched an eyebrow. “But if you’d rather go out in that cold weather and start digging out, I’ll do it. Your choice.”