❦ ❦

The question hung in the air between us. I took a deep gulp of air. Then another. How could I tell him that I was scared of how deep my feelings for him ran? I didn't regret sleeping with him. But doing it again would be a big mistake as I was so close to falling for him. I couldn't risk it, knowing that I would be the one getting hurt in the end.

"I...I just don't want to get involved with you." I said finally. "I don't do casual sex. That night with you was a first for me."

He shook his head, his intense blue eyes never leaving mine. "Nothing about that night was casual, Kate."

My heart lurched at his words. His voice was husky and there was sincerity in his eyes but I couldn't believe him. "It was just a one night stand." I deliberately made my tone careless and indifferent.

"No, it wasn't."

He said it so matter of factly and sudden anger flared inside of me. If he thought I would change my mind and jump back into his bed then he was wrong. "I'm not interested in a fling." I said heatedly, my eyes flashing.

"And I'm not asking for one."

I stared at him, my anger fading away to be replaced by confusion. "Then what do you want from me?"

He moved his hand and cupped my face gently. My traitorous body responded to his touch immediately.

"I want to be with you, Kate. You make me feel things I've never felt with anyone before." He murmured, tracing my cheekbone with his thumb. "I really like you and I want to spend more time with you."

My mouth dropped open, surprise evident on my face. "Are you saying you want to date me?"

"I don't just want to date. I want more. I want a relationship with you."

His words knocked the wind out of me and I stared at him. "You don't do relationships."

"I've never felt the need to be in one. Until you. And I'm not saying this just because you said you don't do casual sex. It's not a ploy to get you into bed. I really care about you."

I dragged in a deep breath, trying to make sense of what was happening. I had never in my wildest dreams thought that I would be having this conversation with Jason. This couldn't be real, I thought dazedly. The thought that he liked me made my head spin.

Part of me desperately wanted to believe him, the part that wanted him like crazy. But the other rational side in me knew that I couldn't trust him. He had fooled me once. Did I really want to risk being made a fool out of myself again?

Sure, he wanted a relationship now, but for how long? Getting involved with him meant laying myself open for the hurt he would cause when he finally had enough of me and moved on.

And then there was the fact that he was sort of involved with Delia. Did he think I didn't know that? How could he stand there and tell me that he liked me and wanted to be with me when he had her waiting for him.

Taking a shaky breath I crossed my arms across my chest. There was a sudden ache in my heart which I couldn't explain and I ignored it. "Look, I don't know what kind of game you're playing with me but you have to stop this right now."

His jaw tightened and he moved swiftly, trapping me between his body and the kitchen island. Our bodies were almost touching and my heartbeat quickened instantly at the closeness.

A look of determination was in his eyes. "It's no game. Believe me. You're exactly what I need."

My mouth went dry at his words but I reminded myself that he was talking about a physical need. "Please stop pretending, Jason. I know about Delia."

❦ ❦

Delia? What did she have to do with how I felt about Kate?

"What about her?" I asked frowning in confusion.

Kate gave me a look of disbelief. "I know about the deal you have with her."

"What deal?"

"I can't believe you're just going to act like you don't know what I'm saying."

I raked a hand through my hair impatiently. I was a man used to being in charge, in control at all times but it was obvious that I had lost control of this situation. "Kate. I honestly have no idea. What deal are you talking about?"

She was silent for a moment, searching my face as if to make sure I was telling the truth. She must have believed I was because an uncertain look came over her face. I listened as she told me about the conversation she had with Delia.

"Nothing is going on between me and her." I said softly. "I slept with her only a couple of times and that was a year ago. I don't know why she fed you all those lies, but believe me, there is no deal between us."

"If there's nothing going on between you both, then why does she call you?"

"Her parents are close with mine so we see each other at family parties frequently and I guess, she thinks of me as a friend."

She scoffed. "More like her future husband."

"Dammit, Kate. I don't give a fuck about Delia." My frustration grew. "There's no other woman. No one else but you. What's going to take it for you to believe me?"

She stood in silence and I wished I knew what was going on in her mind. I was tempted to confess that I was in love with her but I immediately casted that thought aside. She hadn't even believed me when I said I liked her.

"Talk to me, please. Tell me what you're thinking."

"I'm afraid." Her voice was barely a whisper.

"Of what?"

"Of getting too attached to you. I'm scared of getting hurt."

The vulnerability on her face made my heart painfully squeeze in my chest. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"You already did once."

"I already told you, it was never my intention to. I was stupid and did a mistake." I gently cupped her face in both hands, forcing her to look at me. "Please don't deny yourself a chance of what we could have." I knew I was pressuring her but couldn't help it.

"It won't work between us." Her voice was uncertain and it gave me hope. Because I knew I was getting through to her.

"You'll never know that unless you give us a chance." I murmured softly.

As I waited for her answer I felt panic engulf me. She was chewing on her lips nervously. What if she refused? I couldn't let her go, I was sure of that. If I had to beg to make her stay with me then I was ready to do it.

❦ ❦

The doubts were in my head but I could see nothing but honesty in Jason's eyes. To my surprise, I believed everything he said about Delia. And maybe he was also telling the truth about what happened between us in high school.

And he was right. I would never know how things would turn out between us if I didn't give us a chance.

But was he a risk worth taking?

Maybe he was. I wanted him with an intensity that I had never ever felt for anyone. And I realized if I let him go I would regret it. I would regret not taking this chance with him.

Letting him in meant giving him the power to hurt me. I knew that well but I couldn't deny myself, couldn't deny him. But this time I would be prepared for the inevitable pain that would follow. I knew he wouldn't stay with me for long, he would move on when he had enough. Despite what he said about his feelings for me being true, I couldn't trust him. But that didn't mean I couldn't enjoy being with him till it lasted. I told myself that if I was prepared for the heartbreak, it wouldn't hurt as much as it did before.

I stared at him, noting how tense he appeared. He looked nervous too, as if my answer meant a great deal to him.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded. "Okay."

He went very still. "Do you really mean it?"

I nodded and the sheer happiness that spread on his face made me breathless.

"You won't regret it. I promise." Pressing his forehead against mine, he said softly.

The doubts started to cloud my mind once again but I firmly pushed it away. Without saying anything, I lifted my face and pressed my lips to his. I poured all the passion I felt into the kiss and the sound he made deep in his throat filled me with satisfaction. Sinking my hands into his hair, I arched into him.

He kissed me back, a searing possessive kiss that left me trembling in his arms. My heart was pounding and all my senses were on alert. He shoved his hands under my t-shirt and the minute his fingers brushed against my nipples I felt my knees go weak. He always knew just how to touch me. Desire raged in my veins and I moaned as the sensations engulfed me.

One of his hands slid down the flat of my stomach and slipped under the waistband of my sweatpants. When his fingers slid over my wetness I forgot everything. I forgot that we were standing in the middle of my mother's kitchen. I could only focus on the searing pleasure he was giving me.

He pushed one finger inside me and then another. His mouth smothered the whimpering sounds I made as I rode his fingers uncontrollably. My body clenched around him and I knew I was close to coming apart.

Pressing his thumb on my most sensitive area, he frantically pumped his fingers in and out. His mouth never left mine as he drove me to an orgasm that was so powerful it made my mind numb.

I slumped bonelessly against him and he held me until I could catch my breath.

The sound of a car pulling in the driveway filtered through the numbness in my brain and I jumped out of Jason's arms quickly. "It's my mom." I whispered to him as I straightened out my clothes.

"Fuck." He muttered glancing down at the bulge in his pants. I couldn't help grinning as I watched him adjust himself over the fabric of his pants. He shot me an amused look but I could see the promise in his eyes. The promise that we were definitely going to finish what we started later and it sent a thrill down my spine.

Mom brought Chinese food with her and she invited Jason to stay for dinner. He accepted without any hesitation. When I came downstairs after using the bathroom, he was at the dinner table deep in conversation with mom. He gave me a knowing smirk when he saw that I had changed into a fresh pair of sweatpants. I was glad mom was unpacking dinner and didn't see the way my face heated up.

Having Jason seated at the small dinner table felt surreal to me. He was eating Chinese food out of a plastic container and even letting mom ask him questions about his family. I knew how he didn't like talking about himself but he didn't seem the least bit bothered about answering her questions.

He reached under the table and took my hand which was on my lap. I raised my eyebrows at him but he just smiled and gently squeezed my hand.

I was realistic enough to know that our relationship wouldn't last for long but as we sat there, our hands entwined, I realized that I felt deliriously happy to have him with me.