When You're Mine - Layla Hagen Page 0,25

came first in most people's minds, though farmers are already better than others in their insurance deals. There are also other industries where this is necessary. For example, my parents operated the ski lift back in Montana, and it usually snows. In the few years when it didn't, that was a tough time for us. We barely made ends meet. We had some neighbors who pitched in to help us, but we wouldn't have made it without that help. I don't want anyone to have to go through that trouble. It was a hard time."

She looked at me with soft eyes. "You're a great person, Dylan."

"Thank you. Does that change your resolution in any way?"

She laughed, tilting her head and biting her lower lip. I captured her mouth, moving closer to her. She opened up to me right away, surrendering even faster than this morning. She tugged at my hair and my shirt, and I nipped her tongue lightly. I pulled her in my lap, groaning when she suddenly collided with my cock. I kept kissing her, tasting her, exploring her. I couldn't get enough.

"You're bad for my resolution," she murmured when we paused. "But you kiss so well." She touched my lips, looking at me intently. "Just kissing, okay? Nothing else."

I took that as an invitation to kiss her some more. I needed it. It was like I was possessed with the need to taste her again. I captured her mouth, slipping my tongue between her lips, coaxing her tongue until she moaned against me. I felt it reverberate through my throat and go straight to my cock. I was already hard. I pressed my fingers into her ass cheeks, bringing her center even closer to my erection. She moaned again, then paused the kiss, laughing as she climbed off me.

"Okay, I changed my mind. Your kisses are so good that they'll mess with my mind. They already mess with my hormones. I think I should go."

“Mmm, no. Bad idea.” I touched her lower lip with my fingers, kissing the corner of her mouth. “But if that’s what you want, I respect that.”

“Well, the pup is sleeping, and we’ve established you’re a danger to me. I think it’s the smartest thing to do.”

We both rose to our feet, and she started walking to the door. I waited for a beat, trying to rein in my hard-on and clear my mind before going after her.

“I’ll drive you home,” I said.

“No, no, no. We need to work on your gentleman streak. It’s going to be my kryptonite.”

“Tell me more.”

“You wanted to make me do something outrageous, and you did. I think it’s enough for one evening, don’t you think?” she asked in a teasing tone.

I opened the door, leaning in a few inches as she slipped out. “When it comes to you, I’m not sure there is enough at all.”

Chapter Ten

Dylan

The next morning, Ian came into my office with a shit-eating grin that told me his mind was not on business. He sat on my couch instead of taking the seat in front of me.

"So, I heard you’ve got a dog."

I grinned. "Isabelle already told you?"

He confirmed with a nod. "Obviously. She told Mom and Dad too."

I leaned back in my chair, lacing my fingers on top of my head. That was bad. They might reach all sorts of conclusions. Our parents liked to read into everything.

“She did tell you it’s a present for her, right?” I asked.

“Yeah, but that doesn’t explain what it’s doing in your apartment.”

“I didn’t want to leave him at the shelter until Isabelle moves.”

Ian cocked a brow. “I see. You wanted to impress Mel. Did it work out?”

“That’s not why I took him home.”

"If you say so."

"I do."

"So, you're dating her now?" he asked.

"No."

He rose from the couch, slowly approaching my desk, pointing at me.

"Holy shit! But you want to, don't you? Finally. I was afraid you were turning into me after the breakup. It really did a number on you.”

I stared him down. "Really? You want to talk about that?"

He held his hands up in defense, finally sitting in the damn chair. "No, no. We buried that hatchet."

My brother and I were close. I'd always looked out for him. I'd never seriously gotten pissed off at him until I found out he knew Lina was cheating and didn't tell me anything. It was the first time we had a falling-out. He claimed he'd only found out after we'd broken up, so telling me would have