Sweet Seduction Surrender by Nicola Claire Read Free Book Online

plate up the food.
    I paused, taking my time replying. "I put it all down to testosterone, to be honest. You forget, I grew up with two older brothers. I'm not as much of a pushover as you seem to think."
    "I don't think you're a pushover, Kate. I think you're too scared to taste life."
    I laughed, I wasn't sure if it sounded natural enough, but it was out now. I had to forge on. "You think you know me, Jason. You haven't got a clue."
    I moved to the table and took a seat, as if the conversation was boring me. My heart rocketed within my chest, I was struggling to keep my breathing level and slow. Perspiration had started to coat my upper lip. I brushed at it while his back was still turned, and then picked up my glass of orange juice with a trembling hand.
    I was playing with fire, and I knew it.
    "Strange thing being in the Army," he said, as he slid a plate of fried tomatoes, scrambled eggs and toast before me. "You learn to read people. Your life can depend on reading a person right. I don't claim to be as good as those profilers, but survival out there means you hone skills a civilian wouldn't necessarily think to use."
    He hesitated while he retrieved his own plate of food and then sat down, and without offering another word began to shovel eggs on his fork. I stared at him, waiting for more, but acutely aware I wasn't going to get it.
    He did this on purpose. Evasive, oblique replies. He knew they wound me up. Everything was a game to Jason. Even me. I forced myself not to push for further explanation - it's what he expected - and focused on my food.
    It was good. Too good. A girl could get used to this. Which only maddened me more. Damn this man for turning up uninvited and complicating my life. Damn me for letting him affect me so.
    We might have been attracted to each other, but that didn't mean we embraced it. I huffed out a near silent laugh, which sounded like a soft snort.
    "What's so funny, Kate? Picturing me with one of your knives thrust between my ribs?"
    Yeah, he knew he wound me up, all right.
    "Not everything is a battle to be fought to the death, Jason."
    "No, you see, that's where you're wrong, Kate. Life's a battle, every damn day. And if you don't take it seriously, you die."
    The snort was definitely audible that time.
    "I'm not one of your soldiers," I pointed out. "My life isn't that cut-throat."
    "No, you're not a soldier," he agreed, giving me a slow and appreciative once over. "But, I'd bet your life is cut-throat."
    I shook my head, placed my fork down on the side of my plate, and opened my mouth to reply. Jason beat me to it, waving his fork in the air to emphasise his words.
    "Take this design job you're on," he said. "What would you do to close it?"
    I blinked. What did he think I'd do?
    "Would you flirt?" he asked, voice lowering slightly. "Wear a short skirt and show off those beautiful long legs?" He thought I had long legs? "Wear a tight top to emphasise those pert little tits?" Yeah, that's right. Long legs, but small breasts. That's really how he saw me.
    I folded my arms across said breasts, watching as his eyes followed the movement, his lips tipping up in that infuriating smug smile.
    "You're doing it now, Kate," he said huskily.
    What?
    "I am not!"
    "Bringing my attention to your tits. Next you'll be bending over at the waist to pick something up and offering me that fuckable arse."
    I growled. "You are so crass."
    He chuckled. "It's a tits and arse world, baby. You gotta be prepared."
    I stared at him, unsure how this conversation had taken such a... disturbing turn. So much for my flirting skills.
    "My point," Jason said with meaning, "is your world is just as cut-throat as mine, and you'd do whatever is necessary to survive."
    "By flashing my legs and breasts?" I offered, incredulously.
    "Well, do you?"
    "No!"
    "Really? Be honest. Look at what you're wearing."
    I glanced down at my ensemble. A deep red blouse and slim-line cream skirt. My heart plummeted. The blouse was fitted,