the only thing he could think of. He cupped her face in his hands and marked her with his kiss. He stamped it on her, branded his need into her—she was his.
He wished it was that easy. Alley or not, there were people in the area. He took his hand off her ass and slid it to her waist, but he didn’t loosen his hold on her. His cock still pressed against her belly.
Fortunately, he had the presence of mind to take a breath before he lost all control. It was difficult since she wasn’t objecting. Where Emily was concerned, he never felt sure he could manage his feelings or his desires and she was too damn responsive to him. With her, he skirted the edge of control, unable to quite grab hold when she was around.
* * * *
“Jason!” She was shocked, first by his appearance and then by the physical assault of her mouth. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d been commandeered like that, but she wanted to try it again.
God, the man’s mouth is lethal . It had been a long time since he’d really kissed her. What was he saying to her? Someone watching? Why? Who cares?
Electrical charges plunged through her body. She was lost. The warmth spread between her legs where his thick erection pressed into her. That easily, she was ready for him. She returned the kiss but tried to shake off the spell he wove with his tongue before he lifted his mouth from hers. Her ears were still ringing, making her feel off balance. Thank goodness he didn’t release his hold on her because her knees were shaky and her legs felt like overcooked pasta.
This is what’s missing with every other man. Not only the instant explosive desire, but the loss of time and place. She didn’t care about anything the minute their bodies touched, but her body wouldn’t stop trembling.
“Are you chilled? Oh, shit, that reminds me. What were you thinking wearing that getup with Mosel? Where’d that flimsy cover thing get to?”
“What?” The interrogation snapped her back to reality. She straightened her back. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. It was perfectly beautiful out on the water today—”
“The lack of clothes, the getup, no cover-up thingy. You know. The one I bought for you? Get it?”
She placed her hands on her hips. “I’m supposed to be seducing him, and you want me covered up in what? A burka, I suppose?”
There was a strange expression on his face, as if a burka might not be such a bad idea. “You do know you’re not expected to... Hell, you don’t have to fuck him! You’re not supposed to really seduce him. You do know that don’t you?
“Excuse me, of course I know that. But what if I have to?”
“You won’t.”
“I might.”
“You won’t.” The growl was threatening. “Mosel’s notorious. He’s dangerous on so many levels I can’t explain. You have to follow my directions explicitly, and if you get in too deep, abort the mission. I’ll get you out. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried.” She frowned at him, frustrated. “Mosel isn’t the problem. You are. You keep interfering. How am I going to infatuate him if you don’t let me?”
The look on his face said he was contemplating something new.
“What?” she asked, but he didn’t explain. He just looked at her, and despite her anger, maybe more so because of it, she kept shivering as he ran his hands up and down her arms. She could smell the leather of his jacket, and his aftershave smelled like comfort and security to her.
She decided to take the initiative to distance herself and gather some self-control. “What’s the plan for the Charity Ball?”
Suddenly, he looked like he’d come upon a revelation.
“What’s that look, Jason?”
“Don’t worry. When you meet me, just follow my lead. No matter what, remember we are madly infatuated with one another, spontaneous attraction, you know. Can you handle that?”
“Well, acting that out might be a stretch. After all, I probably know you too well to be