“Well, if you’re sure you don’t mind lending me your shirt, I suppose it’ll be okay.” Jason could still hear the note of trepidation in her voice as she gingerly stood and started backing her way up to the tree. “Just try to make it quick and keep your eyes shut,” she added.
“I think it’s probably better if I keep my eyes open while I’m cutting off your clothes, honey. I wouldn’t want to hurt you.” If she didn’t smell so bad and look so miserable, the whole episode would have been funny. Jason took the Swiss Army knife out of his pocket and flipped it open. Pulling the neckline of her shirt away from her body with his other hand, he quickly cut the fabric right down the middle, being careful not to let the sharp blade come into contact with her skin.
As the material split in two and fell away, Jason was left staring at a view of her breasts. She was clad in a simple white bra. Two perfectly rounded swells of creamy flesh peeked over the top of the cups and all the humor he had been feeling prior to that moment fled. In its place was a heart-hammering burst of hunger. The reaction was so unexpected that Jason had to stop and reel in his own imagination, which had taken off on an erotic journey that involved touching and tasting the luscious bounty in his sights, while he pressed Antoinette back up against the tree. He’d only have to move a step or so closer—just lower his head and capture between his lips one of the berry-colored nipples that were pressed against the virginal white fabric of her bra. The idea certainly had Jason’s dick interested, as it swelled a little uncomfortably inside his jeans.
“Can I have the shirt now please…?”
Antoinette’s plea shook Jason back to his senses. He grabbed the shirt that he’d slung over his shoulder while he’d had both hands full and held it out to her. A mixture of relief and disappointment fought for supremacy inside his head as she slipped into his shirt and fastened the buttons, removing the vision of her body that had rocked him.
“I don’t know how to thank you enough for your help, Jason. Can I pay to replace your shirt?”
“Coffee, what do you say you buy me a cup of coffee?” Jason should have accepted Antoinette’s offer or declined and moved on quickly, but before common sense had had a chance to influence him, he’d replied. He didn’t really expect that the feeble attempt to stay in Antoinette’s company a little longer would work, but it was worth a try. Following her around had left him feeling like she could use a friend. Jason was used to being in his own company—preferred it most days—but he could not comprehend why such a lovely young woman would be travelling on her own by choice. Surely there was a list a mile long of available suitors that would have given their eyeteeth to spend some time with the heiress to a fortune. She was way out of his league but it was only a coffee invitation after all. He tried to convince himself as he waited for her reply.
“Umm… I’m not sure that’s a good idea…”
Antoinette’s rejection affected Jason more than it should have. He felt the weight of disappointment in his gut.
“Why is that, luv?”
“I smell pretty bad. I’m not sure I should inflict this aroma on you or anyone else, for that matter.”
Even though Antoinette had tried to laugh it off, Jason could tell that she was embarrassed. If he were honest with himself, he had to admit that the goose droppings stench was still very strong on her. But he didn’t want to say goodbye yet and resume the impersonal act of following her around undetected. A job made more difficult now that she would recognize him.
“I can smell that your point is a valid one,” Jason began, trying to add a jovial and friendly quality to his voice. “What say I accompany you back to your hotel and wait for you in the lobby while you get yourself cleaned up? Then we can have that coffee in comfort and without either of us having to shove a peg on our nose. I don’t think I have one of those on my Swiss Army knife.”
Jason waited, trying to portray an easy-going persona as Antoinette thought over his proposal. He’d pasted a friendly smile on his face to mask the desperation he was feeling. It was ridiculous. There had never been a time in Jason’s life that he could remember when he’d wanted anything as much as he did the chance to have a lousy coffee and the opportunity to get to know this girl better.
“My hotel is quite a long way away,” she finally replied. “I’m staying in Earls Court. I caught the bus here but I think I might need to catch a cab back. I can’t travel on public transport smelling like this. Maybe I can get your number and we can do coffee another time?”
There was no way Jason was letting her off the hook that easily. “Typical Aussie. We all stay in Earls Court. I’m at the Ibis. Where are you?” He knew she was also at the Ibis, had been surprised when given her itinerary that she’d booked such modest accommodation. The more he’d watched and trailed her, though, the more it had made sense. Antoinette Grimaldi did not advertise her wealthy upbringing.
“Seriously, the Ibis? That’s where I’m staying. But you must have had other plans for the day. I don’t want you to miss out on anything because of me. If we are both staying at the same hotel, I could meet you any time.”
Jason couldn’t miss the touch of pink that colored Antoinette’s face as she made her offer. She was just so gorgeous. So shy and unassuming, nothing like the prima donna he’d been expecting when first lumped with this assignment.
“It would be my utmost pleasure to share a ride back to the hotel with you. To be honest, I’d really love the chance to chat with a compatriot, I’ve been missing the Aussie accent and feeling a bit homesick. You’d be doing me a favor. But there is one thing I need from you right now…”
The look of apprehension was plain as day on Antoinette’s face, and Jason felt a little guilty as he watched her take a few steps away from him. Finally she looked up and faced him, those brown eyes of hers as big as saucers.
“And what would that be?” she asked him, her voice soft and sounding a little unsure.
Jason smiled broadly before he continued, “Your name, luv. You never told me what it was—I figure I deserve to know the name of the woman who takes the shirt off my back.”
The sound of Antoinette’s giggle was one of the most beautiful things Jason had ever heard. It wasn’t loud and embarrassing or high-pitched—the type of noise that grates on your nerves—it was sexy, and her eyes took on a shine he hadn’t noticed before. They sparkled back.
“Toni. My name is Toni, and I’m pleased to meet you, Jason.”
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About the Author
Sydney-born Donna Gallagher decided at an early age that life needed be tackled head on. Leaving home at fifteen, she supported herself through her teen years. In her twenties she married a professional sportsman, her love of sport—especially rugby league—probably overriding her good sense.
The seven-year marriage was an adventure. There were the emotional ups and downs of having a husband with a public profile in a sometimes glamorous but always high-pressure field. There were always interesting characters to meet and observe, and even the opportunity to live for a time in the UK. Eventually Donna returned home a single woman, but she never lost her passion for watching sport, as well as the people in and around it.
Now happily re-married and with three sons, Donna loves coffee mornings with her female friends, sorting through problems from the personal to the international. But she’s on even footing with the keenest man when it comes to watching and talking rugby league.
Donna considers herself something of a black sheep in a family of high achievers. Her brother has a doctorate in mathematics and her sister is a well-known Australian sports journalist. An avid reader, especially of romance, Donna finally found she couldn’t stop the characters residing in her imagination from spilling onto paper. Naturally, rugby league is the backdrop to her spicy tales of hunky heroes and spunky heroines overcoming adversity to eventually find true love.
Email: [email protected]
Donna loves to hear from readers. You can find h
er contact information, website and author biography at http://www.totallybound.com.
Also by Donna Gallagher
League of Love: Caitlin’s Hero
League of Love: Mandy’s He-Man
League of Love: Laura’s Light
League of Love: Pippa’s Fantasy
League of Love: Emily’s Cowboy
League of Love: Sarah’s Soldier
League of Love: Cassie’s Choice
Totally Bound Publishing
A Fruitful Intimacy Page 7