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.But Gemma had roots.Gemma needed them.And he intended toprovide them.He walked up to the jukebox, keeping a decent distance betweenthem when all he wanted to do was cuddle against her backside andsway to the music. Hey, Gemma.She smiled, her lips curving up in a little satisfied grin that toldhim she hadn t been unaware of him. Hi, Jesse.She d sent her friend away.She was standing at the jukebox.Heshould put an arm around her and lead her out of the bar.They couldgo back to her place, and he could be inside her before midnight.Andstill he had a hard time walking out and leaving Cade behind. Can I buy you a drink? Jesse asked.What he wanted was to buya little time. No. Gemma turned to him. But I can buy you one.There it was.He smiled, catching on to what she was doing.Shewanted to control the situation.He could go along with that for thetime being. I would like that.She turned and walked back to the bar, simply expecting him tofollow.Again, he could do that for the time being.He hopped up onthe seat beside her. Zane, could you get my friend a drink? I ll take another one,too. Her voice was completely steady.She looked like quite theseductress.Sexy smile on those gorgeous lips.Honey-blonde hairflipped back.And her hands were shaking.Yes, someone had damn straight not taken care of Gemma Wells.Chasing Bliss 105He put his hand over hers, curling their fingers together.Shelooked up, a little startled at the contact, but she relaxed, her hand stillin his. How s your momma doing, Gemma?He could see plainly that she hadn t expected that, either.Sheseemed to fumble for a moment.Had she expected him to hit on herwith tired, old pickup lines and easy come-ons now that they weregetting down to the nitty-gritty? She s good. The husky seduction was gone the minute shetalked about her mother. She s so happy to be back here.I guess Inever really thought about it, but she considered this home all theseyears.I wonder why she stayed away for so long.Zane slid their drinks in front of them, breaking the oddly intimatemoment.Her hand slid out of his and reached for that vodka like itwas a lifeline. But I m sure you don t want to talk about that.Let s talk aboutyou. She laughed.He would adore that throaty sound if he thought itwas really directed at him.But he could see it for what it was, an actmeant to bring about a reaction in him. Is it just the two of us then? Iguess I scared the Ape Man away. My name is Cade, Gemma.And I try not to leave Jesse alone.Hetends to get into trouble. Cade slid into the seat beside Gemma.Thank god.He d worried Cade would stay away, but he d pulledhis sneaky moves and crowded her from the other side.And Gemma was right back to looking a little like a deer in theheadlights. How about an iced tea for me? Cade told Zane.Gemma took a long breath and seemed to gather her wits abouther. I would have thought you were a beer guy, Cade.He turned to her, smiling slightly. I like a beer from time to time,but I think I need all my faculties to deal with you, baby.She knocked back a third of her drink, giving Cade a jaunty smile. Well, I think I can handle you with one hand tied behind my back.106 Sophie OakCade whistled. I would watch it, baby.You start talking aboutrope and Jesse over there is likely to give you a demonstration.Itwon t be just one hand, though.I assure you, he ll have you trussedup and unable to move so fast it will make your head spin.Jesse couldn t miss the way Zane Hollister started watching thosetwo like they were the nightly entertainment.The bar owner s handwent out, grabbing the phone and dialing a number most likely hiswife s.Callie Hollister-Wright was a sweetheart of a woman, and shewas also the filter through which all of Bliss s gossip flowed. I think I ll pass on the hard-core bondage.I m not exactlysubmissive, Gemma shot back.And she was wrong about that. Submissive doesn t have to be alifestyle choice, Gemma.It can be something you indulge in, like thatice cream the other day.It can be a way to relax, to unwind, to enjoyyourself.She gave him a bright smile. I think I ll decide that for myself.Unless there s something you need to tell me.Are you playing a part?Are you playing the reasonable guy until we get involved and thenyou ll turn into an asshole?Cade piped up. I m easy.I m exactly what I show myself to be.I m a mechanic.I like beer and burgers and the occasional actionfilm.She snorted a little. Well, then, we re not going to do well, arewe? I like good vodka and romances.And I like to read.Guess we renot compatible.Jesse sort of wanted to punch them both. Only if you re bothcompletely unwavering.Gemma, do you require a man who drinksvodka?She sputtered a little. Well, no.One down. Cade, if the woman you re interested in wants to seea romance film, what do you do?Pure stubbornness came over Cade, his whole body setting in hardlines.But at least his damn mouth didn t lie. I go see the film.Chasing Bliss 107Gemma stared straight ahead. And he probably complains thewhole time.He would ruin it for me.Poor baby.Was that how she d been treated?  He wouldn t.Cade softened immediately. Hell, no, I wouldn t.If I liked her,and she liked some dumb romance movie, then I would like it, too,because it brought her pleasure.And if she didn t want me to tie herup, then I wouldn t.I can be vanilla if I have to be.She shrugged a little. And I might be more open than I let on.The tension in the air seemed to deflate a little.Jesse leaned in.She was still on the edge, but Cade s words had an effect.She d beenhurt.That was obvious.Maybe she needed a dual approach.Not goodcop, bad cop exactly, but more like soft lover, take-charge lover.Damn, but she needed both.Jesse let his hand slide over hers again. I like beer, too, but Iwould always get you what you want.This doesn t have to be an all-or-nothing thing.You see that, right? We can have a nice time.Wecan take care of you and still get what we need.She took a long breath, shaking her head and pulling back herhand. I don t know.I just want to have some fun.Cade said it didn thave to be serious.But that wasn t what she needed.She needed so damn much more. Gemma, we don t have to start picking out rings, but it s also not justa good time.I want to see you on a regular basis [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]