Free Longing for Love by Marie Force Page B

you’re getting on with your life without him and not sitting home feeling sorry for yourself. I’m sure that’s what he’s most upset about.” He’d grown up with Jim Sturgil, and in Jim’s world, everything was about Jim.
    “He’s mostly mad about my advertising strategies.”
    “I’m not wild about them myself.”
    “Because of the accident, I know. But that wasn’t my fault.”
    “Not just because of that.”
    She glanced at him. “What do you mean?”
    His fingers, which had been flirting with the hem of her top, slipped beneath to caress her back. “I hate the idea of anyone else seeing what I get to see.”
    Her lips pursed into an O that he found adorable. “It’s the best way to show people what’s for sale in the store.”
    “I don’t like it,” he said, his lips teasing the sensitive spot below her ear.
    “You don’t?” Was she intentionally squirming on his lap? He wouldn’t put it past her.
    “Not one bit. In fact, the next time I see you out there ‘advertising,’ I’ll have no choice but to punish you.” His hand moved from her back to her backside, a not-so-subtle warning of what her punishment might include.
    A shiver rippled through Tiffany’s body. “You wouldn’t.”
    “Oh no?” He spanked her lightly but firmly, drawing a gasp from her. “Want to try me?”
    This time when she pressed against his erection, he had no doubt she’d done it on purpose.
    “I know you’re used to people doing what you tell them to because you carry a gun and wear a badge, but no one tells me what to do. Not anymore.”
    While he was proud of her for standing up for herself—something he was certain she hadn’t done very often during her marriage—he still didn’t want her showing off her curves in public. “You’ve been warned.”
    “So have you,” she retorted.
    Blaine smiled at her sauciness and then captured her fresh mouth in a searing kiss designed to show her who was boss. But of course she turned the tables on him by giving as good as she got. By the time he drew back from her, he had to call this round a draw.  
    “Go upstairs,” he said in a firm tone that left no room for argument. “Put on the outfit I bought for you and lie on your bed. Set the ceiling fan to high.”
    She swallowed hard. “Anything else?”
    “You know how I want your legs.”
    With a dainty move of her tongue, she wet her lips. “Apart?”
    Blaine ran his hand up the inside of her leg and pressed his fingers to her heated core, drawing a moan from her. He loved that she was so responsive to his touch. “As far apart as they’ll go.” Patting her bottom, he urged her up and off his lap. “Hurry.”
    She grabbed the bag from the shop and sauntered up the stairs, appearing to take her own sweet time. With desire beating through him and heating his blood, Blaine forced himself out of the chair and crossed the room to the small bar set up in the corner. He poured a shot of whiskey, downed it in one swallow and felt it burn its way through him.
    For the first time in a long time, he found himself thinking of Eden and the nightmare he’d endured at her hands. He’d discovered far too late that she used people to get what she wanted and then discarded them when she’d sucked them dry in every possible way. He hadn’t known Tiffany long, but he already knew she was made of much better stuff than that. She didn’t have a user bone in her body. He’d discovered that despite the tough outer shell she showed the world, inside she was made of softer, more compassionate stuff, the kind of stuff a man could fall in love with rather easily if he wasn’t careful.  
    Blaine poured a second shot and took it with him when he returned to the chair. He consumed this one more slowly, reminding himself all the while that he’d embarked on a sexual affair with an attractive woman. That didn’t mean he had to solve all her problems or turn into an emotional wreck over her. This was about one thing and one