Page 52 of The Playboy Meets His Match
“I have to. I can’t keep staying at your house.”
“I wish you’d marry me, and that would settle it. I love you. Can’t you see that?”
“I’m flattered, but I don’t think you know what you feel.”
He groaned and wanted to pull her into his arms and stop all this nonsense by making love to her until she acknowledged what they both felt.
His past had caught up with him, something he had never given a thought to before. He sipped his wine and wondered how much time it would take to convince her that he meant what he was saying. This was a problem he had never expected to have. She was sexy and sweet and unfortunately, as strong-willed as he was. He took her hand, feeling her smooth, soft skin and looking into her smoke-colored eyes that held flames in their depths.
Until Merry, he had never found a female he couldn’t charm or seduce or win over to his way if he wanted to. She was moving out Monday. The announcement was like the plunge of a knife into his heart. She might go back to Dallas. He hurt and he didn’t want her to go. He didn’t want time or distance between them, but he knew it was pointless to argue with her about it.
“You’re a challenge, Merry. And you’ve been one since that first night at the club.”
She smiled at him, a twinkle in her eyes. “You need a challenge every once in a while.”
“What I need is you,” he answered, his voice becoming a rasp. The band began to play and he glanced at the dance floor, standing. “Come dance with me,” he said, taking her hand and wanting her in his arms.
As she danced with him, he tightened his arm around her waist, holding her close, frustrated because he couldn’t convince her of his feelings.
He wasn’t going to let her go, but he damned sure didn’t want to court her for a year or longer and that’s what she seemed to be hellbent on him doing. He kissed her soft cheek, blew lightly in her ear, and wished she could see that he knew his own heart.
“Merry, I’ve told you this before, but I’ll say it again. I know what I want.”
“If you’re really in love, then time will prove it, Jason,” she answered so sweetly he wanted to gnash his teeth and swear.
The music changed to a fast number and he watched her move around him, a flame in her red dress. He wanted to pull her hair down and peel her out of the dress and it took a major effort of will to keep dancing instead of taking her back to the hotel suite he had reserved for them. He didn’t want to think about Monday and her leaving.
In the early hours of Monday morning, Merry lay awake in Jason’s arms. Neither had slept well, loving most of the night, yet both aware of the deadline she had arbitrarily set. She knew the most difficult thing she had ever done would be to move out in a few hours. She had turned down his ring and proposal, now she was moving away from him, but she knew she had to.
This morning at half-past ten, she had an appointment with Keith Owens. It would have to be a very good offer to pull her away from her freelancing. She turned on her side to look at Jason as he slept. Locks of his unruly black hair fell over his forehead and his cheek. His muscled chest was bare, the sheet down below his waist. Her heart thudded, and she wanted so badly just to move into his arms and say yes, she would marry him, and forget all caution. But she didn’t want major regrets later.
His arm was draped over her. He held her always in the night, moving her close against him, even in his sleep. She brushed locks off his forehead. “I love you,” she whispered.
Sleep was impossible, and she was still awake when Jason stirred, tightened his arms around her and pulled her closer to kiss her.
They loved long and leisurely, yet with an underlying urgency. When she finally dressed to leave the ranch for her appointment with Keith, time was running out and she had to rush.
With her things packed and in her own car, she hurried through the house to find Jason waiting in the kitchen. He stood when she entered the room.
His gaze raked over her simple blue suit. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thanks, Jason. I hope I look professional. I have to run or I’ll be late to meet Keith.”
“Keith will understand if you call and change the time.”
“I’m keeping my appointment. Kiss me goodbye,” she said, walking up to him with her heart thudding.
His arms wrapped around her tightly and he pulled her close, kissing her long and taking her breath. She knew she should stop him. He was drawing out his kiss, rekindling desire that smoldered all the time. She pushed against him. “I have to go now.”
“No, you don’t really,” he said gruffly, his blue-green gaze intense and tearing into her. “And you could come home to me afterwards.”
“We’ve been over that.” She headed toward the door and he moved with her, holding the door of her car and closing it behind her.
Jason leaned down to take her chin in his hand. “I’ll meet you for lunch at the Royal Diner after your interview.”
When she nodded, he stepped away from the car.
She started the motor, shifted and drove away. Glancing in the rearview mirror, she saw Jason standing with his fists on his hips, his feet spread apart while he watched her drive away.
