The Gentlewoman Read Online Free PDF Page B

relaxing.”
In spite of the intimate dialogue, she did feel relaxed. Once she looked past
the fact that she was with Mr. Sexiest Man Alive, she felt herself unwinding.
The thought made her nervous. She needed to keep her guard up. He was a
politician too, and she didn’t need the multitude of trouble this man could
bring her. Keep this very friendly and platonic, she reminded herself.
    Jackson followed Rory through the various seating
arrangements and designer pieces at the furniture store. As they approached a
cream-colored sofa, he sat down heavily.
    “I like this one. How about this one?”
    Rory snorted and sat down on the beige sofa across from him.
“That one looks exactly like your sofa. I like this one.” She patted and
squeezed the sofa she was sitting on. She moved on to select a coffee table and
end tables and then turned her attention to the bedroom furniture.
    Walking ahead of her, Jackson flopped down on the first bed
they came to. “Now this is more like it.” He patted the bed next to him in
invitation.
    “In your dreams, Dorn. I already have a new mattress and box
spring. I just want an actual bed and dresser or two.”
    “You still have to try it out. You can’t buy a bed without
lying in it first.” He rolled onto his side and patted the mattress again.
    Rory walked farther into the bedroom department and moved
toward a traditional missionary-style set. The headboard and footboard had
wooden slats and the matching dressers were traditional, just her style. She
stretched out on her side. To her surprise, Dorn quietly slid in behind her.
She turned and gazed into his gorgeous baby blues.
    “Did somebody invite you to share this bed with me?” She
blinked with amusement, even to her own surprise.
    “I was hoping you would ask me to share your bed.” He
grinned widely. She was a little stunned at his audacity. “Do you sleep on the
left or right, Morgan?”
    “Get the hell out of here,” she said, scooting to rise from
the bed. He caught her around the waist and held her down, spooning her.
    “Come on, which side?”
    “Let me go, you ass.” She squirmed, laughing.
    “Left or right? I need to know.” His right arm squeezed her
around the waist, and his left arm wrapped around her shoulders. Rory stilled
and closed her eyes. Warmth wrapped around her and she felt the muscles in his
arms and chest contract as he squeezed her gently. He whispered in her ear. “I
like this bed. I like the slats. They’re good for attachments.” His warm breath
sent a shiver through her. His body heat seeped into her and she melted into
him, her own breath catching, her body tingling. His nose nudged her ear and
rubbed down her neck. She took a deep breath. He felt really good.
    “What kind of attachments?” She wasn’t sure she really
wanted to know but couldn’t resist asking. She breathed heavily, his arms so
big and strong around her. She placed her hands on his forearms.
    “You feel so good. You smell good too.” He inhaled deeply,
his nose buried in her hair. “Handcuffs and other fun things. Could you handle
that?”
    Rory stiffened. Anger sliced through her. What the hell was
she doing? She pushed against him, sat up and steadied herself.
    “You’re funny. I don’t remember placing myself on the menu.
You don’t need to know what I can handle, and I’d rather not know how you like
to spend your free time.” She took a steadying breath, brushed her hair back
and rose to her feet.
    She made a show of checking out the dressers. She didn’t
want to show how ruffled she was. She wasn’t even sure why. She lost her senses
when she was around Jackson Dorn. She was in DC to represent her constituents.
She didn’t need this hot bastard mixing her up.
    She left the area to seek out a salesman. Minutes later he
caught up with her and as he hovered, Rory chose the exact finishes and
slipcover designs for her new furniture. A half-hour later, everything was
wrapped up and her living room furniture