More Than One Night Read Free Page A

she rested her head against his shoulder. It was time for her to quit questioning what she was doing and go with the flow. She wasn’t like her mother. She would keep her heart safe, no matter what happened. Tonight was for her and her alone.
    A surge of pure male satisfaction shot through Jake as he danced with Beth. She fit against him. Hips brushing each other, her cheek resting against his chin. Very few women fit his six foot two height, but Beth did. And she wasn’t wearing super high heels.
    His hand rested lightly at the small of her back as they swayed to the music. She really did have the deepest blue eyes he’d ever seen, reminding him of the ocean when he went deep sea fishing. And her hair, brunette didn’t fit, nutmeg was better, so rich was her hair color.
    He was being careful not to come on too strong, then she introduced herself and Jake almost lost it. In his twenties he’d gone clubbing and danced with countless women, very few introduced themselves, but Beth had.
    And what amazed him was when he introduced himself, there was no recognition in those blue eyes of her. No eyes widening, no sly smiles, nothing. Was it possible he finally found a woman who didn’t know who he was?
    That would be a first. But he did have a code of honor, glancing to his right, he checked out her left hand on his shoulder. No ring. Well at least that meant she wasn’t married. But she could still be involved with someone?
    Guilt tugged at him. He had offered to allow her to go back to her friends, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t dancing with him to make someone jealous. “Are you involved with anyone?”
    He hadn’t meant to blurt it out. Her head rose and pink tinged her cheeks. “No,” she said the word softly, almost hesitantly, as if she didn’t want to admit it. Before he could stop himself, he ran his finger down her warm cheek and bit back a groan at the silkiness of her skin.
    “Good, now I don’t have to worry about another man coming up and trying to lay me flat for dancing with his girl.”
    Her lips tightened. “I’m a free woman, no matter who I date. No man owns me.”
    “Women aren’t meant to be owned.” His gaze captured hers. “Cherished, taken care of and loved, yes. Owned? No, you own antique furniture, but not another person.”
    Love? Oh, yes, he’d love every inch of her body, if she’d let him. He could picture her hair spread out over his pillows, her breasts taut, her body squirming in anticipation for him. His erection jumped beneath his slacks.
    How would she look trussed up on his big bed, arms restrained, legs spread wide for him to do whatever he wanted? Need slammed him low in the gut. It had been a long while since he had someone he could let go with.
    He leaned down and caught a whiff of cinnamon. Mmm, one of his favorite scents.
    Her hand brushed the nape of his neck and his hips shifted. He waited for her to move away, to let him know she wasn’t interested in anything more than a dance. Instead, she leaned into him, her body soft and pliant against his.
    The song wound down, but when it ended she didn’t move out of his arms. The music started once again, and as they turned, he spied her friends watching them with rapt attention.
    “You’re a very beautiful woman.” Where was this corny stuff coming from?
    “Thank you. You’re beautiful yourself.”
    “Men aren’t beautiful. We’re rugged, handsome, charming, powerful—”
    She started laughing. “Are you flirting with me, Jake?”
    “Yes, is that okay?” Now he was into the dorky stage, asking permission, but that’s how he was taught to treat a lady.
    “Absolutely, flirt away.” She laid her head on his shoulder once again. He was aware of her body against his, with each sway of their hips their groins brushed. His erection was apparent, but she wasn’t pulling away. He took it as a sign she wanted to be with him.
    Her breath was warm and moist against his neck. He moved his hand up her back and