“It’s your choice, Jason.” She had no control over his decision. Her heart beat wildly against her chest as she waited. She couldn’t predict the outcome. “What’s it going to be?”
6
JASON RESTED HIS arm against the door frame and leaned closer to her. “Well, now you just put it out there in the world.”
Claire’s throat tightened. He was going to make light of her invitation. She should have known. “I guess I did.”
“And I’m going to wonder what it’s like to be with you,” he said as he stared at her mouth.
He hadn’t before? Not even once? Claire didn’t want to think about that. “It could prove to be a distraction.”
He reached out and cupped her face with his hand. It was warm and callused against her skin. “I may not be able to stop wondering about it once this week is over.”
Claire fought the urge to lean into his touch. “That could be detrimental to our working relationship.”
He gently rubbed his thumb against her cheekbone. “But having sex will change everything,” he warned her.
“Everything between us has already changed,” she argued. She was so nervous, knowing that she was this close to living out her fantasy. “Now we’re going to think about what could have been. It’s always going to be between us.”
“You’re right, we will think about that.” His gaze drifted to her lips. “Constantly.”
“So let’s explore what’s going on here.” Her heart was racing but she had to be assertive. She had to tell him exactly what she expected. “Keep it casual and with a defined time frame. Once it’s over, we move on. No hard feelings.”
He gave her a look of disbelief. “You’re not the kind of woman who has one-night stands or flings.”
It was true, but how did he know that? “Why not?”
“I’ve known you for years. The men you dated had to chase you for a long time.”
Those men had found her a challenge. They gave up when she wouldn’t allow them any closer. She was glad none of them had discovered her secret. They would have seen her differently. Treated her as unequal.
“How do you remember who I’ve dated?” she asked. “Have you been watching over me?”
“Someone had to look out for you,” he said huskily.
She parted her lips in surprise. Why did he bother? “I figured I was just the annoying friend of your sister’s.”
“You are,” he said with a lopsided smile. “Which is why I’m sure we can’t have a fling. You’re too intense and serious. Everything is a commitment with you. If we have a fling, you’re going to romanticize it.”
He was right. She was at risk of falling in love with Jason. But if she knew this fling wasn’t going to last, she wouldn’t get her hopes up.
“Jason, I just want to have some fun and pleasure in my life,” she confessed. “I want to find it with you.”
His hand tightened against her jawline. “You are too innocent to have a fling with me. I would take care of you, but I can’t protect you from getting hurt.”
Claire frowned. Why did Jason think she was so vulnerable? Was he unable to see her as a mature and independent woman? His opinion of her was an intrusion in the intimate cocoon wrapping around them. “I can take care of myself.”
“Is that right?”
She wasn’t sure if he was agreeing with her or if he was amused by her claim. But she was learning more about herself. What she wanted and didn’t want in her life. How people viewed her and how wrong they were. And how wrong she was about herself.
“I don’t want anything long-term,” she insisted. “I have goals, and a relationship doesn’t fit into them. I promise.”
He trailed his hand to her chin and held her still. His light blue eyes gleamed with fascination. “What’s the plan?” he asked.
She wanted to duck her chin but she couldn’t. It was as if he knew her next move. “You and me for the next five days.” Claire said the words in a rush, as though she was wishing on a falling star that was traveling too fast across the sky.
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.” Her voice was high as the nervousness coiled tightly around her chest. “No rules.”
He gave a huff of laughter. “This isn’t like you, Claire. It’s...”