A Tricky Proposition. Cat Schield

her baby being conceived in whatever town NASCAR was racing that weekend.

      She started to shift her weight forward, preparing to stand, when Jason’s hand slid across her abdomen and circled around to her spine.

      “Before you go.”

      He tugged her upper half toward him. The hand that had been skimming her shoulder now cupped the back of her head. She was trapped between the heat of his body and his strong arm, her breasts skimming his chest, nipples turning into buds as desire plunged her into a whirlpool of longing. The intent in his eyes set her heart to thumping in an irregular rhythm.

      “What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded, retreating from the lips dipping toward hers.

      “Sealing our deal with a kiss.”

      “A handshake will work fine.”

      Her brusque dismissal didn’t dim the smug smile curving his lips. She put her hand on his chest. Rock-hard pecs flexed beneath her fingers. The even thump of his heart mocked her wildly fluctuating pulse.

      “Not for me.” He captured and held her gaze before letting his mouth graze hers. With a brief survey of her expression, he nodded. “See, that wasn’t so bad.”

      “Right.” Her chest rose and fell, betraying her agitation. “Not bad.”

      “If you relax it will get even better.” He shifted his attention to her chin, the line of her jaw, dusting his lips over her skin and making her senses whirl.

      “I’m not ready to relax.” She’d geared up to tell him that she’d try getting pregnant his way. Getting physical with him would require a different sort of preparation.

      “You don’t have to get ready.” His chest vibrated with a low chuckle. “Just relax.”

      “Jason, how long have we known each other?”

      “Long time.” He found a spot that interested him just below her ear and lingered until she shivered. “Why?”

      Her voice lacked serenity as she said, “Then you know I don’t do anything without planning.”

      His exhalation tickled her sensitive skin and made holding still almost impossible. “You don’t need to plan. Just let go.”

      Right. And risk him discovering her secret? Ever since she’d decided to ask his help in getting pregnant, she’d realized that what she felt for him was deeper than friendship. Not love. Or not the romantic sort. At least she didn’t think so. Not yet. But it could become that sort of love if they made love over and over and over.

      And if he found out how her feelings had changed toward him, he’d bolt the way he’d run from every other woman who’d tried to claim his heart.

      Ming tensed to keep from responding to the persuasive magic of his touch. Just the sweep of his lips over her skin, the strength of his arms around her, raised her temperature and made her long for him to take her hard and fast.

      “I’ll let go when we’re out of town,” she promised. Well, lied really. At least she hoped she was lying. “What are you doing?”

      In a quick, powerful move, he’d shifted her onto her back and slid one muscular leg between her thighs. Her body reacted before her mind caught up. She bent her knees, planted her feet on the couch cushions and rocked her hips in the carnal hope of easing the ache in her loins.

      “While you make arrangements for us to go away, I thought you’d feel better if you weren’t worried about the chemistry between us.”

      His heat seeped into her, softening her muscles, reducing her resistance to ash. “No worries here. I’m sure you’re a fabulous lover.” She trembled in anticipation of just how fabulous. With her body betraying her at his every touch, she had to keep her wits sharp. “Otherwise, why else would you have left a trail of broken hearts in your wake?”

      Jason frowned. “I didn’t realize that bothered you so much.”

      “It doesn’t.”

      He hummed his doubt and leaned down to nibble on her earlobe. “Not sure I believe you.”

      With her erogenous zones on full red alert, she labored to keep her legs from wrapping around his hips. She wanted to feel him hard and thick against the thudding ache between her thighs. Her fingernails dug into the couch cushions.

      “You’re biting your lip.” His tongue flicked over the tender spot. “I don’t know why you’re fighting this so hard.”

      And she didn’t want him to find out. “Okay. I’m not worried about your sexual prowess. I’m worried that once we go down this path, there’ll be no turning back.”

      “Oh, I see. You’re worried you’re going to fall in love with me.”

      “No.” She made a whole series of disgruntled, dismissive noises until she realized he was teasing her. Two could play at this game. “I’m more concerned you’ll fall in love with me.”

      “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

      “I don’t know,” she said, happy to be on the giving end of the ribbing. “I’m pretty adorable.”

      “That you are.” He scanned her face, utterly serious. “Close your eyes,” he commanded. “We’re going to do this.”

      She complied, hoping the intimacy they shared as friends would allow her to revel in the passion Jason aroused in her and keep her from worrying about the potential complications. Being unable to see Jason’s face helped calm the flutters of anxiety. If she ignored the scent of sandalwood mingled with car polish, she might be able to pretend the man lying on top of her was anyone else.