The Gift Read Free Page B

that found its way unerringly to her groin. ‘I had a feeling that you didn’t really like me all that much.’
    Blood burned in Sandy’s face. He was right in a way. She’d found him intimidating, worrying. She still did. And much more so now.
    ‘I … Well, I don’t really know you yet.’ She almost threw the glorious Champagne down her throat, insulting its magnificent quality.
    ‘And yet you want me as a friend?’
    Again that raw sexy laugh that seemed to play across tender sensitive areas. The man was starting to goad her, provoke her. Did she like him? She still wasn’t sure. Especially as there was the possibility he was stalking her.
    But you want him, Sandy, don’t you? Boy, how you want him.
    ‘You know what I mean. Don’t be perverse!’
    His grin looked almost boyish all of a sudden, and lights danced in those North Sea-grey eyes.
    ‘Me, perverse?’ He took a long swallow of wine, his strong throat undulating against the open collar of his dark shirt, then paused, licking a droplet off his lips. ‘Well, not in that way.’ He finished his drink in another deep swallow. ‘I’m a plain and simple man, Sandy. I just see what I want and go after it.’
    ‘Like me?’
    What on earth was she thinking? What had she said? It could be pure coincidence he was here. But then again, what was a perfect stranger who she’d first set eyes on this afternoon doing at a Chamber of Commerce Christmas party? She’d lay odds on the fact that he’d gate-crashed and, if he had, was it specifically to meet her?
    His laugh pealed out, a rough sexy sound that drew the attention of folk nearby, mostly the women. The way they looked at him suggested that his scars and his fierce appearance didn’t reduce his attractiveness one bit. In fact, their hungry glances told Sandy that the way he looked made him infinitely more desirable, rather like a glamorous pirate or some other ruthless sexy scoundrel.
    ‘You’re very direct. But then, so am I. As a rule.’ Long, dark and splendidly thick eyelashes flickered down for an instant.
    ‘I’m staying here at the hotel for a few days. Would you like to come up and see my room, Sandy Jackson?’
    ‘No.’ Yes! ‘Of course not.’
    She cursed a blue streak inside, feeling her face colour with a furious revealing blush. Hell, she didn’t know this man from Adam but suddenly she did want to go up to his room with him. It was insane, it was dangerous and it was downright sluttish, but there was something about his strange, scarred but still handsome face, and his largepowerful body that spoke directly to her own body, making it want him.
    ‘Why not?’
    ‘Because I don’t know you. I’m not sure I even like you. And I certainly don’t sleep with perfect strangers just minutes after I’ve met them.’
    Jay shifted his weight between his feet, his eyes on her. She didn’t know how he was doing it but she couldn’t seem to move a muscle.
    Her eyes moved though. She couldn’t stop skittering all up and down him, noting his white taunting smile, his uncompromising haircut and the long muscular lines of his limbs beneath his good suit.
    She also noted, with a thud of her heart, that he was starting to get the makings of an erection.
    Looking up again, her face crimson, she found his eyes upon her. Dropping her gaze again, she focused on her glass, twirling its pointless emptiness in her fingers.
    ‘More Champagne?’
    He was laughing at her, the beast, laughing his arrogant sex maniac’s head off.
    ‘No … no thank you. I think I’ll get some air now. It’s been nice meeting you, Jay. I’ll see you around. Presumably …’
    Still clutching her glass, she spun and darted for the door, cursing the stupid shoes that meant she couldn’t walk as fast as she wanted to. A second later, Jay was at her side. ‘Good idea. That air you mentioned … It’s too warm in here. I’ll join you.’ Reaching out confidently, he plucked the empty Champagne glass out of her fingers,