I’ve definitely been thinking about this all day—and I really want to do this—I don’t want you to think I’ve been maneuvering things so that we’d end up like this.”
A warm sensation filled Raven’s chest. Jack was being a gentleman. It was incredibly sweet. She nodded. “I get it.”
His expression turned serious. “And . . . I just want to make it clear from the outset that I’m not looking for a relationship.”
Of all the reasons in the world, this was the last one he had to worry about. Jack Baines clearly had no idea who he was dealing with. Raven tossed her head back and laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“Do you remember when I told you I had no exes?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
“That’s because I’ve had no relationships.”
Jack’s brow raised. “Like ever?”
She nodded. “Like ever.”
He looked at her as if she’d just spoken a foreign language. “Even in high school?”
“I barely went to high school.”
“What about college?”
“I was too young to date for most of college.”
“Post-college?”
She shrugged. “No relationships.”
Jack looked like she’d dropped an anvil on his head. “But why? You’re brilliant. And so beautiful. Any man would want to be with you.”
“I don’t want to be with any man. At least not in a relationship. Sex is a different story.” After a hookup, she could walk away free and clear, and not have to compromise on her life choices.
He shook his head. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
Why was it so hard for men to understand that women could be happy and single? No one had questioned her father’s decision not to remarry after her mother died. He’d devoted himself to his career and daughters and had tremendous success. Why couldn’t her choices gain the same respect? Raven’s life was plenty full of her job, sisters, and friends. She didn’t need anything more.
She brushed her palm along the side of Jack’s stubbled face. “It makes sense to me. Work is my priority. Relationships get in the way. So you truly don’t have to worry about me falling for you or trying to make you my boyfriend. But sex is a biological need. And right now, I need to have sex with you. So if you’ve changed your mind, I’m going upstairs to take care of myself.”
Jack’s hands gently cupped Raven’s face. “Let me take care of you. Please.”
A thrill shot up her spine. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Jack kissed her long and hard, working his way from her mouth to her neck, and then to her breasts. He removed her bra with deft hands, then kissed one bare breast as he played with the nipple of the other. Raven arched her back under Jack’s expert touch. He’d noticed what she liked and was putting that knowledge to good use.
Normally, she’d have yanked off her clothes, tossed him a condom, and they’d be halfway done by now. Not tonight. She didn’t want to rush things. Something told her that sex with Jack would be worth the slow build. The long, playful kisses, his gentle fingers stroking her skin, raising goosebumps over her flesh, and the exquisite taunting of her nipples that kept her on the edge of climax. She could kiss this man all night.
A few minutes later, just when she was sure she might die if she couldn’t have Jack inside her, his rough whisper came into her ear. “Stand up. I need to get these jeans off of you.”
Sweet relief.
But first, she wasn’t going to be the only one who was naked. Her fingers reached for the hem of his long-sleeved T-shirt. The few glimpses she’d caught of his torso when they were bagging sand earlier had been tantalizing. Now she wanted not just to see what lay beneath his shirt, but to touch it too, and maybe even to lick it. Taking her hint, he pulled his shirt up and over his head.
Raven wetted her lips as she gazed at the specimen before her. “This is nice.” Her fingertips stroked his hard pecs and skimmed the centerline of his abs.
“I’m glad you approve,” he said with a wry smile.
“I do. We’re going to have a lot of fun.”
“Speaking of which.” He tapped her backside. “Lose the pants.”
She laughed. “Right.”
She hopped off of his lap, then stood before him as she unfastened the button, slid down the zipper, then shimmied out of her jeans.
Jack drew a deep inhale and ran his fingers over her black lace thong. “You have no idea how much I love lace.”
She grinned. “You’re in luck. It’s