Free An Unexpected Song by Iris Johansen Page A

desperate again.
    He chuckled. “It’s called seduction.” His smile faded. “Though hypnotism doesn’t sound bad at the moment. I admit I’d like to mesmerize you into doing anything I want.” His lips brushed her nape again. “Everything and anything. Would you like me to tell you how I’d start?”
    Her eyes opened languidly, but she still didn’t move. “No.”
    “Why are you so uptight?” His lips were gently tugging on a tendril of hair at her nape. “It was your choice. You initiated and I responded.”
    But that was before she realized how much she loved him, how helpless she was to resist him. “I’m not initiating any longer, I told you—”
    “It was a mistake.” As he finished the sentence his lips tightened grimly. “Too late. You had your chance to back out last night. Maybe it wouldhave been better for both of us if you had. But now we have to play it out until the end.”
    She laughed shakily. “That sounds like a threat. I know you wouldn’t use force, Jason.”
    “No, but anything else. I’m feeling wild.” He stood up, his hand still lingering in her hair. “I won’t give up, Daisy. If you don’t come to me tonight, I’ll be here tomorrow. I’m afraid I’ve learned to reach out and grab what I want.” He smiled crookedly. “Before it’s taken away from me.”
    Grab the brass ring.
    He reached into his pocket and pulled out a hotel key and placed it on the vanity. “I’ll be waiting.”
    She stared blindly down at the metal key as he moved toward the door.
    “There’s nothing to be afraid of, Daisy.” He paused at the door. “You’ll have nothing but pleasure with me. Will you come?”
    She didn’t answer, and a moment later the door closed behind him.
    Dear heaven, her body ached with need and she was shaking uncontrollably. She couldn’t take this. She leaned forward and buried her hot face in her hands. She knew now Jason would never give up until she gave in to him. Just pretending everything was all right, getting through every day with Charlie, was a battle now, and she couldn’t endure more conflict on another front. What did it matter if she got hurt? At least she could seize a little happiness and forgetfulness now.
    Grab the brass ring.
    *    *    *
    Jason lay propped against the headboard of the bed with only a sheet covering his naked hips when Daisy let herself into his hotel room.
    The room was dark except for the lamp burning on the bedside table, and she hoped he couldn’t see how tense she was. She felt vulnerable enough without a spotlight revealing her nervousness.
    Jason’s tense muscles visibly relaxed when he saw her in the doorway. “You took a hell of a long time.”
    “I wasn’t sure I was coming at all. I can’t stay long. I have to get home to Charlie.” She moistened her lips with her tongue. “You have to understand. Charlie comes first. A few hours after the performance won’t matter too much, but that’s all.”
    “Oh, I understand.” He smiled crookedly. “Now that I’m properly warned of my unimportance in the scheme of things, do you suppose you could come in and shut the door?”
    She closed the door and drew a deep, tremulous breath. “I feel very strange. I’ve never done anything like this before.”
    “Then I’d better convince you that it’s worth your while to stay.” He threw aside the sheet and got out of bed. She caught a glimpse of strong thighs, massive chest, rampant arousal as he snatched up a midnight-blue robe from the chair by the bed and strode toward her. He took her purse and tossed it on the chest beside the door and handed her the robe. “Bathroom.” He patted her matter-of-factly on the derriere and pushed her toward a door leading off the bedroom. “A hot shower to relax you and you’ll be fine.”
    She looked at him uncertainly and he grinned reassuringly and winked at her.
    How odd to have a naked man wink at you, she thought, bemused, as she moved toward the bathroom. After