mind, I’m hungover and not at all in the mood for this.”
I pick up one of the cardboard cups and wave it towards him, wafting the aroma under his nose, “Coffee would help.”
He makes a face, but I can see him considering it before he snatches the drink from my grasp and takes a long swallow.
“Mmm, Cuban?” he says and I nod, pleased that he appreciates my taste in coffee.
He takes another drink of the coffee before crossing back to the door to open it.
“Well, thanks for the room service, luv. I believe you’ve outstayed your welcome.”
My arms cross in front of my chest and I purse my lips, trying to ignore the swirling lines of ink covering his scrumptious body.
“I’m not going to give up, you know. You can huff and puff and rant and rave all you like, but I will get an interview with you.”
He closes the door and takes a step toward me, suddenly reminding me of his sheer size. He’s nearly a foot taller than me and twice as broad, all those tightly coiled muscles just waiting to spring.
I swallow, having to tilt my head back to look him in the eyes.
“Is that so,” he says in a husky whisper that dances across my lips.
“It is. I don’t scare easily and I don’t give up,” I lick my lips without meaning to and follow his eyes as they watch me.
His bare chest is so close to me. Every breath he takes nearly presses us together and my head grows fuzzy with the nearness of him.
“Do you ever take a fucking hint? Because I said no. ” His face turns hard, but he’s still pressing into my personal space, trying to unnerve me, trying to get me to crack.
“No,” I say, looking up at him through my lashes, playing the sweet innocent part without deliberately meaning to. Then I wrinkle my nose and take a step back from him, “Do you ever bathe?”
“Is that an offer to join me?” He counters quickly, closing the distance between us again. I retreat another step and feel myself bump against the back of the couch, my exit route cut off.
Like a complete idiot, I look down and see the tent of flimsy cotton material of his boxers and I feel my face flush with heat as I drag my eyes back up to his and find them sparkling with knowing amusement.
Asshole.
“In your dreams,” I manage, thrusting two fingers at his shoulder to push him away from me.
He gives me that fucking smirk that makes me want to punch the stupid expression right off of his smug face, “Don’t flatter yourself, luv. My dreams have an All-Star cast.”
I throw up my hands in frustration and groan loudly with exasperation, “Is it really necessary for you to be this much of a dick?”
Jasper grins and presses his hips into me, sending liquid heat pouring through me like lava, “Well, it’s not necessary. But is is amusing. You’re kind of sexy when you’re all flustered.”
I hate the way my body responds to hearing that accent call me sexy with those lips and that twinkling playfulness in his eyes. I hate how good his naked body feels pressed up against me and how desperate I am to trace each and every tattoo of his over that gorgeous muscled flesh.
For a moment, I’m dazed by him, but I quickly regain my composure and level — what I hope is — a stern gaze at him.
“Look, this doesn’t have to be difficult. You have better uses for your time I’m sure,” I say, waving my hands a little too wildly, coffee sloshing around in my cup as I try to ignore the feel of his breath hitting my neck.
“I certainly have better uses for my time,” I say, hearing my voice drift off as his fingers trail down the outside of my arm, bringing goosebumps to my flesh.
“Do you now?” he purrs and I have to hold in a little sigh.
My mouth feels like a desert and I know if I don’t choke out some kind of response he’s going to feel that he’s won.
I can’t let that happen.
“Yes,” I hear myself say, “I do. I have a thousand things that are better uses of my time than chasing you around town begging you to