Love Required (12 page)

Seriously, what kind of man did that?
“I think I’ll pretend that you didn’t just say that. Even stupid men know that’s not how to pick up a beautiful lady.”

He extended his hand as she stepped over the threshold when he heard her friend say, “Well shit, they do exist.” Looking up, he noticed the woman from the reception holding a squirming Lexi.

Smiling, he offered his hand to shake. “Hi, I’m Jason.”

She took his hand and said with a flirty smile, “Hi. Tessa. But you can refer to me as Plan B.”

Jason smirked and held back a laugh as Tori scolded her. He ignored the “offer” instead asking, “May I?” as he put his hands out for the baby. Before either woman could answer him, Lexi had already extended her arms in response and was quickly in his reach.

He smiled down at her and said, “Hi there, pretty girl. Make any more phone calls today?” Lexi just smiled at him as she rubbed her fingers on his cheek, clearly amazed with the texture of his beard. His niece, Ella, had the same fascination, so he was used to it. “I sure hope you didn’t. I think I would be a little jealous.”

He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead and handed her back to Tessa, who mumbled, “I know I’m jealous.”

Jason smiled as he turned his attention back to Tori, who was glaring at her friend. “Shall we?”

She turned her stunning green eyes on him and smiled. He suddenly felt like it was a struggle to take in oxygen. In the light of the setting sun, the green of her eyes actually sparkled. The different accents of red in her hair were almost glowing where the light hit them, and he fought the urge to put his hands on her—to glide them down the length of her long hair. She was breathtaking, and all he could do was stare.

“I think that would be a good idea. I’m a little worried about what might come out of Tessa’s mouth next,” Tori said with feigned irritation and a pointed look at her friend. Jason broke his stare away from Tori, turning it toward Tessa and the baby. “Oh, I’m sure you have nothing to worry about.” Unable to help himself, he reached out to Lexi, gave a teasing tickle on her belly, and said with humor, “Can you say orgasm?”

Lexi giggled. Tori groaned and, from the corner of his eye, saw her face drop into her hands. He looked up at Tessa and winked. She fanned her face and said, “Oh hell, it was like a command.”

Jason couldn’t control his laughter any longer, as Tori grabbed his arm, pulling him toward his car. “Just remember, Tess, payback’s a bitch!”

Getting himself under control, he moved her hand to rest in the crook of his elbow as they walked to his car. Looking down at her next to him, he couldn’t erase the smile on his face if his life depended on it. Her cheeks were a brighter shade of pink, and she was lightly shaking her head. Her embarrassment was adorable and sexy all at the same time. He silently cursed the sweater she was wearing for blocking his view of her chest, wanting to know if she blushed in other places.

When they got to his car, he opened the door and she stopped to look up at him. “So apparently you have the ability to hear just about everything.”

He smiled and shrugged. “I wouldn’t say
everything
.”

She raised one eyebrow at him. “Then what would you say?”

In a low voice that showed his confidence, complete with a slight smirk, he said, “I would say that two is a minimum requirement of mine.”

He heard her gasp before closing the door on the beautiful blushing face with wide green eyes.

TORI was going to kill Tessa. There was no doubt about it. Sure, she’d need to make some solid plans, like where to hide the body and set up a really good alibi, but it was
going
to happen. Jason had heard the whole conversation, and now Tori had to go on a first date with this hot hunk, and the promise of at least two orgasms had already been laid on the table. ‘
Can you say orgasm’
will be the words she whispers in Tessa’s ear as the final breath leaves her body. She could see it all play out so perfectly in her mind.

Jason interrupted her evil planning when he opened his door and got in. The gloating smile on his face made it apparent he achieved some level of satisfaction over her discomfort. She could only imagine the look on her face. Her cheeks were hot with embarrassment, and goosebumps spread across her skin as she thought of his comment—more like promise. She took in a shaky breath, willing her heart rate to drop. Between the embarrassment, the anticipation of the first date, and now the sudden rampant flow of hormones, she was in danger of combusting.

As Jason put the car in drive he asked, “Anywhere in particular you’d like to go tonight? I know you’re not a vegetarian, so I have some thoughts, but I’d like to take you somewhere you’d like.”

Where would she like to go? How about his bed, or couch, or recliner, or even a clean carpeted floor? Actually, she’d settle for his lap in any location. Realizing that stupid breath didn’t relax her in the least, and her thoughts continued to escalate, she rolled her shoulders in an attempt to gain some control. After a few moments, and hoping her voice didn’t betray her, she summoned a witty comeback. “I’m sure I’ll find whatever ‘thoughts’ you’ve had satisfactory. Unless you don’t think you can get us there.”

A second later, the double meaning in her words must’ve registered. He groaned, and all she could do was grin. When he looked over at her, he smiled in admiration. “That was a great comeback. I do believe I’ve met my match.”

She offered him her own smug look as she settled in for the ride. A few seconds of silence passed before he added, “Oh, and Tori, just so you know. I may have met my match in sarcasm, but I meant what I said.”

Looking at him in confusion, she waited for him to continue. They stopped at a light, and he reached over to her, taking her hand in his. Gently, he lifted it to his lips for a kiss. She sucked in a silent breath at the warmth of his lips on her skin. Another beat later, it was gone, and her hand was resting in his against the center console. When she looked at their hands, then back up to him, he said confidently, “Two is my
minimum
requirement. Everything past that is just icing on the cupcake.”

And just like that, the inferno blazed on.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

JASON was hopeful he hadn’t crossed a major line by saying what he said, but he couldn’t help himself. He had inadvertently overheard what she and Tessa had been talking about when he stepped up to the door, and it took everything in him not to laugh out loud. But when the opportunity presented itself, he had to take it. He was a pretty straightforward guy, so he let all his colors out for Tori to see.

Fortunately, she seemed very capable of handling him. The surge of satisfaction that passed through him was a rush. The electric current that had been simmering all day spread across his skin, intoxicating him. Oh yeah, it was definitely a rush. One he had never felt before. It was more than lust. It was just … more.

He knew she was something more than he had experienced before, and he was dying to know what
more
with her would be like. The thoughts and visions that swamped him were almost too much, especially when trying to control himself around Tori. The minute she opened her door to him, his body hardened. And when she blushed at his words right before he closed the car door, his blood pressure dropped as a large volume of blood rushed south.

The combination of her hair color and the blue sweater she was wearing made her eyes even more vivid than he remembered. Add the blush in her cheeks, and he was a goner. It was going to be a long night. One full of uncomfortable shifting and awkward positioning if he didn’t get things under control. He made a promise to himself to try and steer their sarcastic remarks away from the sexual undertones they were already dangerously skirting around.

The night was unseasonably warm so he hoped, as he made his way toward downtown, the night air by the water would be comfortable for her with what she was wearing. The silence in the car wasn’t unwelcome, it was necessary. They each needed their moment to just ease in to being around each other. When they got closer to downtown he asked, “So, I know you eat meat.” He smiled at her before continuing, “But do you eat seafood?”

“I could eat either. I assume it’s one or the other?” she asked.

“Well, the steakhouse has both. But there’s a great seafood place right across the street,” he offered. When he glanced over at her, he saw that her head was leaning against the headrest as she looked at him. Her face showed she was totally relaxed around him. Another surge of … something … washed over him. He gave her hand that he still held a small squeeze as he turned his gaze back to the road.

“I can’t decide which I want. So we should go to the steakhouse since I’m certain they have a meal that would allow me to have both,” Tori stated, her tone indicating she was pleased with her decision. He agreed.

“Sounds like a smart plan to me.”

It didn’t take long to find parking, and there wasn’t really a wait to be seated since it was a Wednesday. Within minutes, drink orders were placed—Jason following Tori’s lead with an iced tea. Once the waiter left them, she perused the menu for a moment before setting it down with a satisfied grin. “Definitely a good choice. Steak and shrimp is the way I’m going. How about you?”

He smiled, “Sounds perfect, I’ll do the same.” The waiter dropped of their drinks, promptly took their orders, then left in silence.
Time for some conversation
, he thought.

As if she had read his mind, she sat back in her seat and rested her hands in her lap as she spoke, “So, Jason, tell me. Why is a guy like you single?”

He huffed a laugh. By the twinkle in her eye, he knew she’d figured out he wasn’t a guy who beat around the bush. He would have no problem answering her direct questions.

“So we’re going straight to that then. Okay. Let’s get it out of the way.” He took a sip of his drink and then leaned on his elbows—relaxed, but front and center for her inquisition. He wanted her to know she had his full attention. “Well, the truth of the matter is that I’m single because I’d yet to meet a woman who brought out the need in me to settle down. Now when I say that, it doesn’t mean I’m some kind of man-whore. It just means there hasn’t been that special person. As it is, I’ve been pretty content with my life. I have a large group of friends and family all nearby, and we spend lots of time together. I’ve not been a victim of loneliness.”

He paused when the waiter brought their salads, and he watched Tori as she thanked the waiter with a smile. It was a great smile. He wanted more of it. A second later, and there it was, directed at him, a look of excitement shone from her eyes. “I missed lunch today, and I’m so hungry that I think this salad looks better than it really is.”

She dug into her salad with gusto, and he felt himself just wanting to watch, forgetting all about what he was saying. Before it could get creepy, she looked up and smiled again, chewing her salad. He could see the movement of her slender neck as she swallowed, his body copying it. A moment later she said with a smirk, “Please, continue. My curiosity peaked after you said man-whore.”

TORI watched Jason, just as he watched her. His eyes twinkled with amusement as he kept his gaze firm on hers. He was wearing a charcoal sweater with a high collar and zipper on the neck. It was unzipped, showing off his thick, tan neck, which met up with crisp white V-neck shirt. The obvious color contrast brought out the definition of his jawline and beard.

Oh, dear God, that beard
, she thought as she remembered how soft it felt against her face the other day. She quickly shoved another mouthful of salad in her mouth, forcing down her distraction. He once again leaned on the table as he had done before their salads were delivered, and she continued to eat, giving him the opportunity to talk more.

“I guess the only answer I have for ‘why I am still single’ is it’s what I’ve chosen. I’m not someone who settles for something out of fear of being alone. I’ve been patiently waiting for
the one
,” he said before placing the napkin in his lap and eating some of his salad.

That answer was perfect. It might have been practiced, a move in an arsenal he was waiting to unleash on her. But something told her that this guy, this man in front of her, didn’t need moves to get a woman. He used his ability to be frank to his advantage, and she was panting like a puppy. Albeit a very-hungry-starved-for-affection-possibly-too-horny-puppy. Giving herself a mental shake, she looked down to her food and willed her body into submission. When she chanced a glance at him, she lost the hope that he couldn’t see her body’s response to him. She’d never felt like such an amateur around a guy, acting like a girl on her first date
ever
. But then again, it was the first time she’d ever received such apt attention from a man who overwhelmed her senses. Jason’s eyebrows rose, and a smirk appeared. Yeah, she was certain her body was broadcasting its reactions.

“So, did I answer your question well enough?” he asked as he lifted his napkin to his mouth.

She did the same before placing it back in her lap. “I’d say so. No information missing there,” she said with a bit of humor.

“Good,” he said with satisfaction. “So, how about you, Tori? Why are you
currently
single? I mean, it’s obvious that you weren’t all that long ago.”

She sighed. Did she want to be honest with him right from the start? Of course she did, but not at the risk of him tucking tail and running the other direction. Were the details too much for a first date? Since it was all uncharted territory for her, she really didn’t know, but she wished she would’ve taken the time to ask Tessa. Although Tessa would’ve told her to let it all hang out, literally.

Then she realized it was good advice. Why should she waste time avoiding details of her life in hopes that someone could accept it later? It was best to be frank, just like Jason.

She took a sip of her iced tea then sat back in her chair, dropping her hands to her lap, clasped in an attempt to quell the emotions of disappointment she felt in herself whenever she shared her fallacy of a marriage. It was something she regretted with all of her heart, but would never change for anything. It gave her Lexi, and she knew she would walk through the fires of hell for her daughter. In some ways, she already had.