Daring Devlin (Lost Boys Book 1)
Page 21
His hair was damp with sweat, one droplet trickling down the side of his neck. I watched it slide down his throat and disappear into his T-shirt, all the while reminding myself that sweaty guys dashed with motor oil were not attractive.
Parts of me listened. Other parts of me did not.
Cade Wilson looked like no other law major I had ever seen. I liked boys in khakis. Oxford shirts did it for me. Well-groomed, well-spoken. Those were qualities I didn’t only admire, I required. But with Cade my response was off the grid. Carnal. Basal. Against my better judgment over the last few months, I had become inexplicably attracted to his shaggy, messy, never-styled hair. I liked the dangerous quality of the ink on his body. I liked the way he eyed me through that light brown stare of his, with a combination of spite and curiosity.
I understood because I’d been looking at him much the same way for a long time.
We had a history. It wasn’t a good one.
“You’ve gained muscle,” I commented. It wasn’t a flirty comment, more a professional observation. Improving bodies was my job. Noticing his went with the territory. His broken arm had hampered his weightlifting until the bone healed, but he had more than regained the muscle he’d lost.
He licked a droplet of juice off his lips and I dropped my backpack on the couch, unfazed by his tongue or his attitude.
Mostly, anyway.
“This is a great space.” I sort of repeated. “Now that I’m here and you’re here, I think we could do actual work today instead of you ignoring me and me doing my homework.”
His bland gaze said what he didn’t: He didn’t like my suggestion.
Part of me fantasized that he’d give in and cooperate. That I’d have my own moment of personal triumph by helping him progress from a stoic, silent statue into a proper chatterbox.
His face scrunched.
Maybe not.
“The kind of therapy I’m proposing would be more like a workout.” I folded my arms and gave him a smile. “You like to work out, right?”
No response. Just the same bland stare.
“Only we’ll be working out your face instead of your arms. Think of it as bench presses for your lips. Curls for your tongue.”
One brown eyebrow arched in suspicion. Then the side of his mouth flinched. It wasn’t exactly a smile, but interest stirred in the depths of his eyes. I thought about what I had said and scowled.
“That wasn’t a sexual comment. So don’t take it that way.” What I didn’t need was Cade thinking I was flirting with him. I knew he was bad news—that any attraction between us was due to proximity.
The hint of a smile vanished from his face. I wish I could say it satisfied me to see it go, but Cade had an amazing smile. He used to smile often. Before the accident, he’d been a grinning idiot most of the time. The problem with this godlike, grinning specimen was that he’d had a big mouth and a sharp tongue. He’d flayed me once with it. I hadn’t forgotten.
“We may as well do something while I’m here,” I snapped.
He returned the juice carton and slammed the fridge.
“Cade.”
“What!” He spun on me.
Stunned, I blinked at him. He lifted that same eyebrow in challenge.
He spoke. One syllable—one very frustrated syllable—but still, Cade parted those lips and spoke.
He’d said a few words to me when I first started coming around, but lately he’d clammed up. His saying that one word showed his patterns were back. Poke him like an angry bear and he growled. I couldn’t cheer him on or he’d shut down completely. That left me with only one option. Antagonization.
“Couch.” I pointed at a brown leather love seat sitting in front of a TV on the floor. The wires were curled into a circle and I was momentarily surprised he hadn’t hooked it up yet. “We can do your exercises there.”
Caramel-colored eyes leveled on me as he prowled toward me with a few long-legged steps. Then he stalked past me . . . into the bathroom.
A moment later the shower started. With a sigh, I extracted my homework from my backpack and plopped down onto the couch where I’d instructed him to sit.
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About the Author
A former job-hopper, Jessica Lemmon resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dog. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When she’s not writing super-sexy heroes, she can be found cooking, drawing, drinking coffee (okay, wine), or eating potato chips. She firmly believes God gifts us with talents for a purpose, and with His help, you can create a life you love.
Jessica Lemmon's romance novels have been praised as "purely delicious fun" and "lavish, indulgence-fueled romance" by Publisher's Weekly, as well as "wonderfully entertaining" and "a whole lot of fun!" by RT Book Reviews. She is the bestselling author of over thirty books that have been translated into a dozen languages and sold in over 30 different countries worldwide, with her debut novel releasing in January of 2013.
Her work has been honored with awards such as a Library Journal starred review, an RT Top Pick!, iBooks Best Book of the Month, and Amazon Best Book of the Month. She has been recommended by USA Today and NPR.com, and has achieved the rank of #1 bestseller on Nook as well as earned a seal of excellence nomination from RT Book Reviews.
Through witty banter and fun, realistic situations and characters you’ll want to “sit down and have a drink with,” Jessica tackles tough relationship issues and complicated human emotions while delivering a deep, satisfying experience for readers.
Her motto is "read for fun" and she believes we should all do more of what makes us happy.
Also by Jessica Lemmon
Blue Collar Billionaires series
Once Upon a Billionaire
Charmed by the Billionaire
Billionaire Ever After
Real Love series
Eye Candy
Arm Candy
Man Candy
Rumor Has It
America’s Sweetheart
& The Standalone Dark Drama
Forgotten Promises
Visit jessicalemmon.com for a complete book list.