Prey (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Mary Lou George

leaned a hip against the counter and folded his arms across his chest.
    “No, I haven’t. Doesn’t that prove I don’t want one?” Jade smiled and shook her head. “I can assure you I’ve had opportunities. I’m just not interested.”
    He hurried to clarify. “I’m not suggesting for a second that you haven’t had opportunities. You’ve probably had far more than you realize, but I’d hate to see you put limits on your life.”
    “What you’re really trying to say is that you can’t understand how I can live without sex. You’re such a guy.” She could hear the irritation in her usually even toned, low pitched voice.
    “Yeah.” Sam unfolded his arms and rested his hands on the counter behind him. He crossed his legs at the ankles. He looked like he was enjoying himself. Jade was enjoying herself just looking at him. Her chest tightened in that peculiar way, she took a deep breath and tried to ease the discomfort.
    When she didn’t respond, he said, “I know many women who like sex just as much as men. Ask Gillian or Reggie.”
    Jade shifted uncomfortably, looking away from him. “Why are we talking about this?”
    “I’m concerned.” He actually sounded it.
    “You’re concerned about me? Why?”
    “I don’t think you’ve allowed yourself to open up and care about a man. It’s not surprising considering your relationship with your Dad. And even with Chase to an extent though it wasn’t his fault. You’ve grown up to believe that a man will never be there for you, that you’re on your own, men mean trouble.” His dark eyes looked into hers and she blinked a couple of times before she responded.
    “So what? I’ve protected myself. I’m perfectly happy this way. Why fix it if it’s not broken?” Agitated with him for his outspoken and rather shrewd insight, she glared at him.
    “You’re missing the very best of life.”
    “How do you know? You’re not married. You’ve jumped from bed to bed for years never getting close to any one woman. What are you searching for?”
    He didn’t speak for a long moment. When he finally responded he used a low voice. “I’m searching for my match. A woman uniquely suited to me. I see what Travis and Chase have, and I want it too. Take a good look. When they don’t think anyone else is watching them, Gillian and Reggie look at their men with a blatant sexual hunger. It’s a sight to behold, and I want it.”
    That strange tightening in her chest cinched even tighter. She looked around the room at any thing that wasn’t Sam.
    “I’ve never felt that. I’ve never wanted a man that way.” She spoke with honestly.
    Sam shook his head. “You just haven’t been hanging out with the right men, sweetheart.” He pushed off the counter and stepped towards her. She looked at him with suspicion when he took her hands and put them around his neck. The knot in her chest pulled a little tighter when he rested his own hand on her waist and brought her body into contact with his. He cupped her chin and rubbed a thumb against her bottom lip. He didn’t take his eyes off hers when he said, “Brace yourself, Jade. I feel like taking you up on that offer you made to me when you were so young. I’m going to kiss you. And you’re going to feel it in every part of your body.”
    Stunned, she stood there immobile and watched as his head moved closer.
    He took his time, his lips stayed a millimeter away from hers, and he breathed her scent. He nuzzled her neck, sending shivers down her spine. When he finally kissed her he was so gentle she wasn’t entirely sure if his lips actually touched hers.
    He pulled away and teased her lips again. Ruthlessly, he refused to put her out of her misery, moving in and then away again. When he finally really took her mouth with his, she wanted it so badly she almost grabbed his head and planted her lips on his. Sam could do wonderful things with those lips and tongue of his. He made love to her mouth, and she responded