No Strings__ - By Janelle Denison Page 0,19
body relaxing completely against his. “There must have been something in your answers that matched you up to those particular women. Maybe your biological clock is ticking?”
He smiled, as always enjoying her sense of humor. “I don’t feel a sense of urgency about it, but sure, I want to get married again someday and have a family. Don’t you?”
“Not anytime soon,” she said with an adamant shake of her head that caused her loose hair to cascade over her bare shoulders. “I’ve got too many career goals I want to achieve, and that kind of focus demands all my time and energy. I’m not willing to give up my aspirations for a relationship that would demand way more than I’m willing to give.”
Okay, yeah, he already knew that about Chloe. Her words reinforced once again why they were wearing different colored bracelets. “What about your lap dogs?” he teased, referring to the men who’d huddled around her, and were still watching her from across the room, waiting for an opportunity to claim her once she was free again. “Any potential suitors in the group?”
“Good Lord, no.” She looked appalled by the mere suggestion. “You know I don’t take all this matchmaking stuff seriously. It’s fun and interesting, and I’m making mental notes for my campaign, but there will be no love match for me. I suppose I’d have a good time hanging out with a couple of those guys for the next few days, but that’s about it.”
That ridiculous bite of jealousy reared its ugly head again and before he could stop himself he splayed his hand at the base of her spine and pulled her lower body tighter against his. “Don’t you feel bad about leading them on?”
“I’m just flirting and having fun,” she said, something that was an inherent part of her personality. “I didn’t say or do anything that would give any of those guys any indication that I’m interested in them on a one-on-one basis.”
“Yet that’s what everyone at this resort is here for,” he pointed out.
“True.” She sighed, a small frown creasing her brows. “I guess I’ll have to be very careful about the things I say and do.”
The song that was playing blended into another slow tune as more couples joined them on the dance floor. Aiden was grateful for yet another low-key ballad because he wasn’t ready to let Chloe go just yet.
“Actually, I feel the same way,” he said, and knew what he was about to propose would easily solve the issue, if she agreed. “I know tonight’s initial meet and greet was important to both of us to see how everyone is matched up, but I’d really like to just concentrate on the business aspect of being at the resort. Since you seem to be in a similar mindset, I have a proposition to offer that would benefit both of us.”
“Really?” she murmured, her eyes alight with sensual interest as her fingers threaded through the hair at the nape of his neck. “You have my undivided attention.”
Her tone was ripe with innuendo. Clearly, Chloe’s mind had gone the playful, naughty route, enticing a grin from him. “It’s nothing indecent.”
She feigned a guileless pout. “Too bad.”
Chloe had always been a shameless flirt and a tease, but after that kiss, everything between them now smoldered with an underlying heat and hunger. He was keenly aware of everything about her, making it impossible to ignore the erotic slide of her thighs against his, the heady scent lingering on her skin, and the delectable lips he wanted to taste again.
Hell, who did he think he was kidding? The impulse to claim her mouth for another deep, drugging kiss was just the tip of the iceberg. He had a list of all sorts of wicked things he wanted to do to her, with her. But mostly, he wanted to be that man to tap into her secret fantasy, to assert a bit of aggression and coax her to completely surrender to the darker side of pleasure.
“So, what’s this proposition of yours?” she asked curiously.
He exhaled a deep breath, which did absolutely nothing to lessen the sexual tension coursing through his body. He was certain nothing short of a cold shower would help at this point. “Since neither one of us is interested in being pursued this week, what do you think about trading in our current wristbands for matching red ones?”
She raised a perfectly arched brow as she contemplated his suggestion. “You want us to be