Page 99 of The Work Wife

They both laughed and then he shook his head.

“We’re friends. We got a little bit in over our heads, but we can do this. Just relax, okay?” he said.

Relax? He wanted her to relax after the way they’d kissed? She’d never been kissed like that. It was more than just a good time; it was as if they’d shared some elemental part of themselves. Every cell in her body had sat up and taken notice, and he wanted her to relax?

“Sure.” She agreed to the impossible and turned to watch the spinning fire act.

Fortunately there were no games with the group. They simply watched the show, ate their meal, and were dismissed to go enjoy themselves.

Jamie swallowed as they stood to leave the group.

“Have fun,” Wendy called to them with a tone that implied she knew what Wes and she would be doing to have fun.

Jamie couldn’t think of that. She was supposed to be relaxing.

She glanced up at her husband, who didn’t look very relaxed himself.

“Whose great idea was this?” she muttered under her breath.

* * * *

Wes followed Jamie back to their bungalow. He didn’t know what to say. Mostly because he didn’t know what to think or how to feel. Everything was strange. Like an alternate reality.

Then he looked at her waiting for him on their small patio. The moonlight filtered in through the almond tree, catching her in the most amazing way.

He’d known she was attractive. It was just a general knowledge kind of thing. He had never been attracted. But now he found her breathtaking. She was smiling at him, waiting for him to open the door. It felt like the most natural thing in the world for him to carry the key because she had no pockets in her sundress.

They were married. And right now he was incredibly attracted to his wife.

He’d told Jamie to relax, but he wasn’t able to follow his own advice.

Instead, his heart was beating faster than the drums at the juggling act earlier. His body was responding without his permission.

Unable to help himself, he stepped closer and rested his hands on her hips, pulling her closer as he bent to kiss her. The heat picked up right where they’d let off earlier, and God, did it feel good.

She let out a little gasp of surprise, but kissed him back, opening her mouth for him. He swept in like a starving man, needing her more than he ever realized.

When they came up for air, she looked over his shoulder.

“Is someone looking?” she whispered, checking over the other shoulder as well. He had an opportunity to play it off as part of their charade, but he was done with that. He wanted more. He wanted what would happen when they went inside. Or hoped would happen.

“Yes. Me. I’m looking.” He watched her throat move as she swallowed and stared up at him in surprise. She didn’t move away or take her arms from around his neck. “And I think you’re absolutely beautiful.”

She blinked at him, and for a split second fear stirred in his stomach. He was sure she was about to laugh or reject him, but instead she pulled him down and seized his mouth.

Chapter 18

Wes assumed Jamie was onboard with his plan. Not that he’d actually come up with a plan, but they were both moving toward the door. He took that to mean whatever she wanted to do next, it would require privacy.

“Jamie,” he moaned against her lips as he struggled to get the key in the lock without having to look away from her. When he gave up and had to look, she took the opportunity to nip the skin on his neck, causing him to fumble with the doorknob.

It felt like an eternity before the door moved and he pulled her in behind him. The door slammed shut with more force than he intended when he pushed her back against it and reached for the bottom of her dress.

“Tell me this is what you want.” He paused, wanting to make sure. A miscommunication at this point could ruin them. It was too important to risk it.

She nodded and gave a raspy, “Yes.”

He pulled her dress up over her head in one smooth motion. Then stepped back to take in the sight before him. He never would have expected Jamie to be a matching-bra-and-panties kind of girl. She always seemed too sensible for such things, but she stood before him in a lacy blue thong and bra.