Jonas is too in tune with me to push us into uncomfortable territory. All the same, I think we both breathe a little easier as we settle on it. “Okay.” I look around. “Um, how does something like this get started?”
Jonas laughs. It’s deep and untethered and hits me right in the chest. He pulls me into a quick kiss that ends far too soon. “That depends on what you want.”
What I want? I want it all. Everything. I’m greedy for all the experiences he’s giving me, all the fantasies we’re playing out. “What if…” I shiver. “What if you’re working and I interrupt you? Just to ask a question or get a book, but then…”
“You’ve been flaunting that hot little body at me for years,” he says it almost as if musing. “I’m finally going to take you up on it, you little tease.”
I flush hot. “Yes. That.”
“Okay.” He sits back. “You want that now?”
“There you go, asking your trick questions again.” I climb to my feet and look at him. “Um, would it be totally untoward of me to ask you to put on a suit?”
Jonas gives another of those deep laughs. “Anything for you, baby girl.”
19
Reality threatens to intrude, to remind me that Jonas really won’t do anything for me because this has a deadline, one that’s approaching far too quickly. I push the thought away. I’ll deal with the fallout tomorrow. Until then, we have this.
Until then, I have Jonas.
While he changes into a suit, I grab my purse and duck into the master bathroom. I manage to tame my hair into something resembling order and, after some consideration, I put on some eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick. It’s a pretty pink that is a personal favorite. I kind of wish I had bright red for this moment, but the pink actually works a little better with the fantasy we’re weaving.
I debate putting my clothes back on, but my attention lands on the robe hanging on the back of the door. It’s soft and oversized on me, and smells faintly of Jonas. In short, it’s perfect. I glance at myself in the mirror. I adjust the robe a little, tying it a little loose so it gapes a bit between my breasts. Whoops. I grin. It’s time.
The bedroom is empty when I step out of the bathroom. I pad down the hallway and take the stairs to the main floor. There’s faint music coming from the direction of Jonas’s office. My heartbeat kicks up a notch, but I force myself to go slow. As if I really am just wandering in. The door is cracked, and I press my fingertips against it, sending it opening soundlessly.
Jonas is behind his desk, bent over some paperwork with a pen in his hand and a scowl on his face. As promised, he’s wearing a gray button-down shirt that makes his shoulders look particularly decadent. Not a thread is out of place, but he’s rolled up his sleeves, revealing his forearms. As if he’s really just finishing up some work for the day.
The rain and growing dark puts most of the study in shadows, but he’s turned on a lamp near the reading chair. It’s not enough light, but I can’t deny how atmospheric it makes the room. I’m still debating on how to make my presence known when he looks up. “Blake?”
“I couldn’t sleep, so I thought I’d grab a book.” I step into the study. “If I’m interrupting you, I can come back later.”
“I’m already interrupted.” He pushes his chair back from the desk. “Close the door.”
The snap in his voice has me obeying before I can consider the fact that this closes me in this room…with him. I lean against the door for a moment, gathering my courage. “I’ll be quick.”
“Mmhmm.”
I can feel his eyes on me as I skirt the edge of the desk and pick a spot on the bookshelves at random. Close enough that I’m nearly within reach. Far enough away that I don’t look like I’m trying too hard. I lean closer to the shelf and eye the titles. They might as well be in Greek for all I can read them. “Um, this one will work.” I grab one at random and start backing up.
“Blake.”
I stop short, my heart in my throat. “Yes?” I’m not entirely faking the tremor in my voice. Rationally, I know this is fantasy, that we literally talked about this less than an hour ago on the couch. But