No One But You by Michelle Monkou Read Free Book Online Page A

promised to be a long, arduous exercise of making sure she remained on her side of the bed.
     
     
    Between the newspapers and TV Jackson had plenty to keep his mind busy. Even so, he couldn’t stop thinking about the woman in the bed beside him. He’d maneuvered his way into her business, and no way did his initial scenario include sharing a bed with Sara.
    He wasn’t going to play the choirboy and pretend that he didn’t plan to seduce her with mind-blowing sex. Yet, if he didn’t know better, he’d wonder if her line sisters had planned this situation somehow.
    He looked over. Only her back was visible. There was no discernible movement, except for her steady breathing. Lucky woman.
    His woman. That was his goal. That was why he was here on this mission.
    Resigned that he’d suffer a sleepless night, Jackson refolded the newspapers and placed it on the night table. Then he turned off the TV, no longer interested in the night-time police drama. Once more he looked over at Sara.
    He wanted to touch her. Instead he turned off the light and stared into the darkness, hoping that he’d fall asleep soon.
    Someplace between being fully awake and an incredibly drowsy state, he turned toward Sara. He scooted his body onto her side of the bed until they touched. Like the snug fit of a glove, he framed his body behind hers, draping an arm over her waist. Only then did he drift to sleep.
    Light filtered through the thin line of space between the heavy drapes. Jackson awoke, frowning at the intrusion of daylight. He tried to move his arm, but it remained stubbornly in place. Furiously blinking away his drowsy state, he rubbed his face with his free hand.
    A long yawn erupted from him, but caught in his throat as realization took hold. Sara was molded against the entire length of his body with her arm casually thrown over him. Her head fit neatly under his chin. Her face pressed against his chest. Knowing that Sara sleeping in his arms was temporary, he lay there, as still as possible, enjoying the moment while the sun continued its ascent.
     
     
    Sara awoke to her stomach’s hungry grumble. She tried to move, but her head snapped back into solid flesh. Her mind wasn’t so jumbled that she didn’t know the difference between the pillow and a body.
    Please let her not be in any compromised state, she thought. At least her pajamas were still in place. She couldn’t bear his snide insinuations. Nor did she want to see the humor in the situation, if she had become disrobed.
    Awareness sank in. Her leg covered his thigh. As she slid it back in place, she brushed his arousal. She almost yelped.
    “Good morning, sleepyhead.”
    Sara jumped, immediately pushing away from Jackson. Her sudden movement, more violent than she intended, sent her careening over the side of the bed. She landed on the floor with a muffled thud from the comforter she dragged with her. In an ungraceful heap, she laid there, staring up at the ceiling.
    “Whoa! Didn’t mean to startle you.” Jackson’s face appeared over the side. A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. His eyes betrayed his enjoyment at her expense. He offered her his hand.
    “I’m fine.”
    His hand remained outstretched, but Sara shook her head. She rolled over and struggled to her feet. There was no way they were staying another night like this. Her resolution to stay firm and detached was at the breaking point. And from what she could tell, so was his.
    “Could you order room service?” she mumbled, as she made her way to the bathroom with the comforter trailing behind her.
    She quickly showered and dressed in time for the arrival of breakfast. After the waiter left, Jackson picked up a slice of bacon. He grinned at her while he slid the slice of bacon in between his lips. The man didn’t know when to quit. The mischievous glint warned her that he was in a playful, sexy mood. Sara opted for the upright winged-back chair in the corner of the room away from him. She