nightgown over her head and plucked at the lace to settle the snug parts over her breasts and hips. The silvering behind the mirror was damaged, which made seeing a clear image of herself hard, but what woman wouldn’t stop a man’s heart in such a sexy little number.
She glanced at the door, and her heart sped up. Did she really have the nerve to do this? Should she simply put the maxi dress back on? At least the garment covered all her parts. Was she a mouse or a lioness?
Suri turned the knob and let herself into the bedroom.
Jackson had washed in the kitchen sink and sat in his undershorts on his side of the bed. He’d rolled up a blanket and placed it in the middle of the mattress to reassure her they were only sharing a mattress, not sex. But all his concentration was needed to keep his cock from stirring inside the thin cotton.
The soft snick of the doorknob snagged his attention. Suri stepped out.
“What the hell is that?” he blurted, and then cringed inside because he’d shouted.
She crossed her arms over her breasts, a frown drawing her light brows together.
His gut clenched. Did she realize she’d just plumped up her very generous breasts?
“It is a night gown.”
She said it slowly, like he was a very stupid child. He couldn’t help himself, his gaze raked the flesh bared by the scanty, thigh-high garment. Silk shone in the light from the bare bulb above them, emphasizing her deep curves. Her breasts were nearly bare except for lacy cups that covered her nipples and the bottoms of her fleshy globes.
She turned to reach for the dress she’d draped over the side of the sink, and his jaw dropped. The damn thing didn’t have a back. It dipped so low he could see the dimples at the top of her ass.
Other than two rosy circles on her cheeks, she didn’t seem to be bothered by the fact she was nearly nude. She walked to the pillowcase and stored her clothing, then glanced at him again. “You’re sitting on my side of the bed.”
He clamped his jaw shut. She’d already accused him of being rude, so what the hell? “Since I’m the one who needs rest most—still on a mission, you know—I need this side.” He didn’t know why he didn’t simply give her what she asked for. Maybe if she’d said it more politely, or maybe if he wasn’t afraid she’d notice his boner, he’d have given it to her, but he sat, returning her glare.
His gaze dipped again. The tips of her nipples poked against the lacy cups.
“The water was cold,” she said, her voice breathy.
“I can see that.”
She pointed to the other side of the mattress. “I’ll be fine over there.”
“Good.”
Slowly, she walked around the bed.
Unabashed, he craned his neck to follow her progress. When she bent to plump the pillow, her cleavage deepened, and he could see down her belly in the narrow space. He snapped his gaze back to hers and caught a slight smirk before she wiped it off her face.
She’d played him.
Jackson simmered inside. Didn’t she know he was holding on by a thread? That he would likely have to take a cold shower after she fell asleep. He doubted that would be enough to cool him off; he’d probably have to take himself in hand. Would she hear him through the thin, uninsulated walls?
But in the meantime, two could play this game. He rose and walked across the floor to the light switch, turning as he raised a finger to the switch.
Her gasp was deeply satisfying. “Need a nightlight?” he asked, his voice purring.
“Not unless you do,” she said, her tone brittle.
He flicked off the light, strode to the bed, and slipped under the sheet, lying on his back with his hands beneath his head while trying not to think about how closely they lay atop the full-size mattress.
“The air’s very sticky,” she said.
“It’s the swamp-cooler in the window. The thing’s ancient. Be glad it works at all, or we’d be sweltering.”
“I wasn’t complaining.” She shifted on the mattress.
At the