Suspicious Ways by Lexxie Couper Read Free Book Online Page B

desperately wanted to press her fingers against them, to wipe away the memory of his lips. Of her response.
    The shadows hooded his eyes. “I think that’s fairly obvious.”
    “N-no.” She faltered, her face flaming. “I came here to challenge you to a race.”
    “A race you know you can’t possibly win. Why else would you turn up here—” she felt his gaze roam over her, “—in those shorts?”
    Hot anger speared into Ali’s chest. She drove her nails into her palms, ignoring the prickling heat forming between her thighs at his inspection. “This is so like you, Jackson McKenzie,” she shot back. “You’ve never thought I had what it takes. I can sail rings around you and you know it.”
    “In another yacht maybe, a newer yacht,” Jack’s reply was matter-of-fact. “But there is no way Wind Seeker could beat Suspicious Ways , no matter who the sailor. Bloody hell, Ali, your father built it in his backyard. Suspicious Ways outclasses it in every way. It’s won more races and awards then you’ll ever see. Why do you think your father and I raced it and not Wind Seeker in the short-course events on the harbor?” His gaze travelled her again, slower this time, and he shook his head. “This bet is nothing more than an excuse for you to get exactly what you want without the burden of responsibility. As always.”
    In two strides, he closed the distance between them again and pinned her to the spot with his smoldering stare. “It’s time you learnt a lesson, young lady. You know damn well what your offer is, and so do I. When I win, I get you. All of you. Your lips, your body, everything.”
    Ali’s breath caught in her throat. Oh Lord.
    Jack dipped his head closer to hers. “I accept your offer. And when I win—and I will win—we’ll just pick this evening up from where we left off. Your legs wrapped around my body, your sex pressed to mine.” He chuckled again, the sound low and somehow carnal. “I’ve told you before your overconfidence will get you into trouble, and once again, you prove me right. I’ll see you back here after the race, Ms. Graham.” His lips curled in that lazy, sardonic smile she loathed so much. “And don’t bother showering before you come. My shower is big enough for two.”
     
    Ali lay on the tussled sheets of her bed staring at her dark ceiling. A crazy whirlwind of images sped through her mind, fighting with each other for the chance to send her mad. It wouldn’t be that hard. Nothing was making much sense to her.
    Blowing at an errant lock of hair, she squeezed her eyes shut, hoping to send the invasive images away. It was futile, of course. There he still was, lips curling into a satisfied grin as he stole Wind Seeker from her on the jetty, emerald eyes glinting as he stole the kiss from her in his home.
    Ali’s chest squeezed tight. Huh. Who are you trying to kid, Ali? He didn’t steal that kiss from you. For Pete’s sake, you’re the one whose leg was wrapped around his hip. You practically forced his head to your breasts.
    A fluttering of muscles low in her stomach caused her to groan. Flinging onto her belly, she tried to shove the traitorous, unwelcome response away. “God, Ali, wake up.”
    Jackson McKenzie did not, repeat, did not do it for her any more. There was no way. Yes, once upon a time, they’d slept together. Once upon a time, he’d made her feel like liquid heat. But only once. Under no circumstances did the man who’d rejected her, accused her of killing her father and now had possession of her business affect her like this anymore. She wouldn’t let him.
    She pushed her forehead into the tangle of sheets. “Not at all,” she mumbled into them.
    So why had she kissed him back? Why had she let his tongue take control of her senses? Why had she—eagerly—given herself over to the exquisite tension that radiated from her core as his lips burned against her skin?
    No answer came.
    “No. No. No.” She drove her forehead against the