Sweet Seduction Surrender Read Online Free PDF Page A

technically not a horse."
    He huffed out a laugh. "Is that so?" he asked, but he clearly wasn't interested in an answer.
    I flicked a gaze towards his face to see if I could determine what he was thinking from his expression. His eyes were on the zebras. Head cocked to the side as he watched them do their thing. Unlike most wild animals, it seemed to go on for much longer than necessary.
    "I can see why you'd watch this," he muttered eventually. "I wouldn't," he added. "But, yeah, I can get why you would."
    "Excuse me?" I asked, a little taken back. Why would he think zebras mating would be my thing?
    He flicked deep chocolate brown eyes to me, that smirk in residence again. Then waved an arm loosely at the screen. The zebras had thankfully completed their moment of abandonment, but the narrator had not finished dissecting every single move.
    He held my gaze for an extended period of time, then said, voice low, "It's clean." What? "Don't have to get your hands dirty. Voyeuristic even," he added, then turned back to the TV.
    What the hell?
    "Er, you're not making any sense, Jason," I pointed out.
    "OK," he said, shifting in his seat so he could face me.
    I didn't like the change of position, the fact that I now had his undivided attention. Any attention from Jason set my blood boiling, but to have the weight of his complete concentration and gaze on me was almost too much.
    "Zebras aren't the real issue. But I guess, as a metaphor, they'd suit you."
    He'd completely lost me. It must have shown on my face.
    "You watch a lot of TV?" he asked, apropos nothing.
    "Some," I admitted. It was a good way to switch off from designs and the day to day drudgery of life. A distraction that required little effort.
    "I thought so," he said in a superior way that made my hackles rise. "You don't go out much, do you, Kate? Not many drinks with friends or dates with handsome men."
    Oh, and now I was feeling rather uncomfortable. Jason Cain psychoanalysing me. This was so wrong.
    "Some," I murmured, aware I was repeating myself, but for an entirely different reason.
    He nodded. Sanctimonious man.
    "Haven't seen you with a boyfriend. Not once. Not at any of Gen and Dom's gatherings."
    "Is there a point to all of this, Jason?" I asked, starting to get a little miffed with the line of conversation.
    "You asked," he pointed out with a shrug. "You watch life, Kate. You don't dive right in. You sit back where it's safe, where you won't get mud on your designer shoes or a tear in your expensive silk skirt. You're a spectator, not a participant."
    His hand flew back to point at the TV screen.
    "I bet half of what you know is from television or books. Have you ever seen a zebra in the wild?"
    "Have you?" I shot back, noticing my arms had crossed over my chest as though I could defend myself with that move alone. I forcefully unravelled them and rested my clasped hands in my lap.
    "Did a safari in Africa when I was nineteen," he said casually.
    I felt about two inches tall. Jason had seen and done a lot of things, I was sure. What had I done? A few European and North American holidays with my parents. The obligatory overseas experience, or OE, for young Kiwis to London for a year. But that was about it. The rest of my life had been in Auckland. I attended university here. I started my business and career here. I bought my first home here.
    I suddenly wanted to be anywhere else than in this room with this man, who judged.
    "I'm not sure I understand your point, Jason," I said standing up from my seat. "But I am sure I don't care to work it out right now. I'm going to bed. The spare room is made up, you can sleep there."
    I managed two steps towards the exit before he replied.
    "First, I'll stay awake. Out here. No point protecting you if I'm asleep. But don't let my discomfort worry you, Kate. You just get your precious beauty sleep and I'll keep us safe."
    My fists clenched and I turned to glare at him. What I wouldn't give for a throwing knife right now.