Read Online The Playboy's Baby by JM Stewart - Free Book Online Page B

admit she respected him more for it. She arched a brow, curious. “So, why tell me now?”
    He pursed his lips, the crease between his brows deepening. “Because just once I’d like you to stop expecting the worst from me. I take my responsibilities seriously.”
    Unable to resist, she quirked a playful brow at him. “You telling me you didn’t enjoy those escapades she got you into?”
    His gaze flicked to her, his dark eyes twinkling. His mouth split into that heart-stopping grin. “Oh, I won’t deny that. Your sister was a riot. That’s what I loved about Janey. She was fun as hell.” His easy smile melted from his face, his features sobering. “But I’m not that young kid anymore. I’ve grown up.”
    Emma sighed. He had a point. “I’ll be the first to admit you’re different than the boy I remember. I had this view of you back then and was sure you were getting my sister into trouble.” She looked at him. “I honestly don’t know what to make of this side of you. It’s…not what I expected. Janey was right. She told me that once. ‘There’s more to him than meets the eye, you know.’ I figured she was just trying to placate me.”
    “The papers were right to a certain extent. In college, I got fed up with being used. I decided, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, like the saying goes. I decided if the women were going to use me, I was going to use them right back.”
    That made her heart ache for him, to be used like that all the time, never knowing who to trust. It also gave them something in common. She knew, to a certain extent, how that felt. “What changed your mind?”
    He stared down at his cup. “Leila.”
    He shook himself, turning and setting his cup on the counter. He held his hand out, palm up, watching her with soft, penetrating eyes, deep, dark eyes that called to her the longer she stared at them. “How ’bout you give me the benefit of the doubt every once in a while, hmm? I’d like a chance to prove I’m not that stupid kid anymore.”
    “Deal.” Emma slipped her hand into his, told herself it was merely a gesture of friendship, of trust, but she couldn’t ignore the tingle that ran clean to her toes.
    “That’s all a man could ask for.” He released her hand and smiled. This one was more in his eyes than on his mouth. The longer she stared, the more that magnetic pull spawned between them, until the world narrowed down to those dark eyes and the soft heat that reflected back at her.
    Emma couldn’t be sure who moved, but she blinked and Dillon was closer than he’d been. His hands settled on her waist. His pelvis brushed her stomach and the warmth of his skin seeped into hers. Heat rolled through her belly. The desire to lean up and seize his lips became near overwhelming, until she actually leaned into him.
    Barely catching herself, she reached out and braced a hand against his chest, but the feel of his skin caught her, warm and smooth beneath her fingers. She had the sudden urge to wrap herself up in it.
    “You really should go get dressed.” The words left her mouth far weaker than she intended, on a breathy whisper that surely gave away her thoughts.
    One hand slid over hers and held it against his chest, his thumb sweeping her knuckles. It was a subtle touch that combined with the closeness to torment her. She could well imagine those thick fingers stroking other parts of her body…
    “Does it bother you?” His eyes searched hers with an intensity that made her heart tumble. His unspoken question was clear. It glimmered like an inferno in his eyes. He wanted to know if the attraction was mutual. She was tempted, so very tempted, to tell him yes, but something hitched in her brain.
    This wasn’t about her. She wasn’t staying in his house so she could seduce the man.
    “Oh, no, I’m used to men standing in front of me almost naked.” To cover the sudden flutter in her belly the image gave her, Emma playfully rolled her eyes. Damned if she could make