Read Online Hidden Pleasures by Brenda Jackson - Free Book Online Page B

emphasis on manners, he thought but didn’t say. She wanted to teach him manners, and he wanted to show her that there was a time and a place for manners, and there was a time and a place not for them. “I don’t know. What kind of woman are you?” he responded.
    He wondered how long he was going to last, sittinghere engaging in idle chitchat with her when all he wanted to do was take her somewhere and feel her body pressed next to his and indulge once more in the taste of her mouth. He knew he needed to proceed with caution with her, but he was finding it hard to do so.
    “I’m a woman who takes life seriously,” she said, frowning over at him.
    His gaze automatically went to her lower lip. Seeing it quiver sparked a low burn in his groin and had his erection pressing hard against his zipper. She was annoyed, angry and probably frustrated and her facial features were letting him know it and turning him on in the process. He figured now would not be a good time to ask when was the last time she’d gotten buck-naked and wild in the bedroom. He knew for a fact that that was a good way to release tension and stress.
    “I’m a man who takes life seriously, as well,” he said, and from the look on her face, he could tell she doubted his sincerity.
    “So what kind of manners do you want me to teach you?” she inquired before taking another sip of her coffee.
    “What kinds are there?”
    She took another sip of her coffee. “There are the basic manners about not putting your elbows on the table and what fork to use while eating. Then there are the business manners, party and entertainment etiquette, gift-giving etiquette, and the—”
    “What about bedroom etiquette?”
    He watched her lips tighten and enjoyed seeing that,too. Anything she did with her lips aroused him. He took a sip of his coffee and noted she hadn’t responded to his question. Had he hit a sore spot with her or something? That possibility called for further investigation.
    “Bedroom etiquette?” she finally asked.
    A slow smile touched his lips. “Yes, you know, the dos and don’ts while a couple is in the bedroom making love. I’m curious as to what’s proper and what’s not. Surely there are some specific manners governing that sort of thing.”
    “I’m sure there are.”
    “But those are the manners that you don’t teach?” he asked. He had her swimming in unfamiliar waters—and he was enjoying it. He was good at reading people and he could tell this topic of conversation had her somewhat flustered. Was she one of those women who thought a discussion of sex should only take place behind closed doors and not over coffee in a restaurant?
    “Ms. Thrasher?” She had clamped her mouth shut and now he was forcing her to open it again.
    “I’ve never done so before, Mr. Steele.”
    “Please call me Galen, and why not? Are you saying no one has ever approached you for such instruction?”
    She held his gaze and lifted her chin. “That’s exactly what I’m saying. You are the first.”
    Galen took another sip of his coffee. She was upset with him and her features showed it. In addition to the quivering of her bottom lip, her brows arched in a cute formation over her eyes and her nostrils seemed to flare. Why did seeing all of that make adrenalineflow through his veins? If that wasn’t insane, he didn’t know what was.
    “In that case, I’d love to be your first student, Brittany. I can call you Brittany, can’t I?”
    “I prefer you not be my first anything, and yes, you can call me Brittany.”
    Brittany took another sip of her coffee. He had turned those green eyes on her and she felt trapped by them. If he was playing some sort of game with her, then he was winning. The man had her tied up in all kinds of knots.
    “But I am your first in at least two things that I know of, Brittany. Has anyone ever hijacked a cab from you before me?”
    “No.”
    “Has anyone ever made a proposition like the one I