Worth the Wait (Crimson Romance) Read Online Free PDF Page B

kitchen.”
    He took her hand in his and led her to a spacious kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. It looked like a kitchen from Food Network and her fingers itched to use the commercial grade stove. The small kitchen in her home was pitiful compared to his.
    “Do you cook?” she asked.
    He shook his head. “Not often. I have someone come in and prepare my meals for the week. Why?”
    “The kitchen is beautiful. It looks like it was made for cooking meals for a large family.”
    He laughed. The sound sent an unfamiliar shiver down her spine. “Not here. Fortunately, I don’t have to make up my protein bars and shakes anymore. There’s an entire production facility for that. Do you want something to drink?” He let go of her hand and she clenched her fist to hold onto the warmth.
    “Yes, thank you.”
    He reached under the cabinet into a wine cooler and pulled out a bottle of wine. “I hope you like Chardonnay.” He took two glasses out of the rack above the bar.
    “I just want water.”
    “It’s no problem. I was going to open this anyway.” He opened the wine and poured her a glass.
    “What if I don’t like white?”
    He rubbed his jaw and grinned. “I have red, if you prefer.”
    She did prefer white, but she didn’t like that he’d ignored her request for water. “I’d prefer water.”
    His smile remained as he turned to get a bottle of water out of his fridge. When he came over, he stood so close she was engulfed by his spicy scent. That combined with his near nakedness, made her skin tingle with anticipation.
    “Your water.” His eyes bore into hers, desire and amusement rolling in the chocolate centers.
    She cleared her throat and took a step back. “Do you plan to put on some clothes?”
    He took a step forward. “Do I really need to get dressed?”
    She blushed. It was true, if he agreed to her favor then he really didn’t need clothes. Something about the idea that it could happen so soon caused her stomach to flutter. She fought the urge to wipe her now clammy hands on her pants. Instead she opened the bottle and gulped. “So you’re ready to do it now? Okay, just give me a … second to, you know, get used to the idea.”
    He chuckled and stepped back. “I’m not going to take your virginity on my kitchen floor, Tasha. Although once it’s gone I might make love to you on the counter.”
    She swallowed loudly. A picture of him lifting her up onto his counter filled her head. As erotic as the thought was, she pushed it aside. Once her virginity was gone there wouldn’t be another time. It was a one-time deal and that was all. For her sanity she would have to stick with that.
    He grinned. “I’m teasing you, Tasha. You actually caught me as I got out of the shower. I lost track of time and didn’t realize it was so close to seven. If you give me a second I’ll change and we can talk.”
    She gave him what she hoped was an impassive look before nodding. “I’ll wait for you here.”
    “You can follow me to my room. If you’d like.” There was a teasing glint in his eye, which only made him sexier.
    She may be less sophisticated than the women he usually dealt with, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t handle his game.
Actually, you can’t handle it, but you’re going to pretend that you can.
    She raised her chin. “I need to see it sooner or later.”
    If he was surprised by her answer he hid it well. “Follow me.”
    With another reassuring breath, she walked behind him and froze at the door of his bedroom. In the middle of his room was a mahogany four poster bed. It was raised at least two feet from the floor. A black satin comforter and sheets gleamed in the recessed lighting that shined down as if it were a monument.
    If Jared noticed she’d stopped at the door he didn’t acknowledge it. He disappeared into his walk in closet. Blinking her eyes rapidly she looked around his room. He had a large flat screen television on one wall with a