Read Online The Winner Takes It All (A Something New Novel) by Jennifer Dawson - Free Book Online Page A

well enough to like or not like you. I think you work damn hard to keep yourself at a distance, and until now, it’s worked.”
    She glanced at his computer, then took another sip of her water and placed the glass on the newly installed granite. “Don’t you need to get to your e-mail?”
    He gave her a slow, easy once-over. Gaze skimming down her body, over the swell of her breasts and curve of her hips covered in powder-blue silk. “What are you wearing under that robe?”
    She laughed, shocking him. It was full and throaty, matching that porn-star mouth of hers. The sound vibrated straight to his balls, sending a jolt of powerful lust through him. “As if I’m going to tell you.”
    He knew a challenge when he heard one. “You don’t have to tell me. I can come over there and find out.”
    She tilted her head to one side, her expression speculative. “What exactly is your game here, Shane?”
    He liked the sound of his name on her lips. Liked the way she didn’t skirt around the issue even better. “My plan is to take you to bed. It’s just a matter of when.”
    She straightened for a fraction of a second before relaxing back against the counter. “Isn’t that a bit presumptuous?”
    “Hell, it’s a lot presumptuous,” he said, meeting her eyes in the eerie moonlit glow. “But it doesn’t make it any less true.”
    “You’re very crass,” she said, still looking completely unruffled.
    It was an act, he was sure of it. He didn’t know exactly what lurked under that cool exterior, but he knew she wasn’t unaffected. If he touched her, she’d be hot. Ready.
    As easy and casual as she, he smiled. “If I was being crass I’d say, ‘I’m going to fuck you’ and call it a day.”
    She sucked in her breath, just a quick little intake. “The words don’t matter much, but the fact that you act like I don’t have a say, does.”
    He stood.
    She straightened.
    He took a step around the table.
    Her gaze darted to the kitchen door before shifting back to him.
    He stopped, giving her a chance to run, not the least bit surprised when she didn’t.
    They were alike that way, unable to resist a dare.
    He advanced. “You have a say. You asked me my plan and I told you. What you do with the information is your choice.” When he reached her, he put his hands on either side of the counter, trapping her.
    She looked up at him with those storm-blue eyes. “I don’t recall giving you permission.”
    He laughed. “I’m more an ask-for-forgiveness-not-permission type of guy.”
    She swallowed hard but said nothing.
    He was close enough to feel the heat of her body, see the bead of her nipples, the fast rise and fall of her chest. “But I’ll respect a no.” His gaze dropped to her mouth. Those lush, fuckable lips. “Even if I know it’s a lie.”
     
     
    It was very hard to stay calm with Shane Donovan so damn close.
    How many times had she thought about this moment? Fantasized? Lain in bed after a night in his presence, addicted to that rush he gave her. But here she was, trapped between his strong, powerful arms.
    She knew this was fleeting. A momentary blip that would flame out as fast as it started. Maybe her nap had addled her brain, but while the word “no” hovered on her lips, she found herself unable to say it out loud.
    In a calm voice, she said, “Do you try to intimidate a lot of women?”
    He frowned, looking vaguely disappointed. “No. And even if I did, you’re not intimidated.”
    Something inside her couldn’t give in. Couldn’t back down. No, within her, buried so deep she hadn’t known it existed, lurked a devil that wanted to play. It’s what had pulled at her since she met him, and in this darkened kitchen she gave in to the temptation.
    “I’m not.” She flicked a dismissive glance over him. “Are you going to back off?”
    His lips quirked. “Are you going to say no?”
    She pressed her lips together and their gazes locked.
    For a very, very long time.
    He straightened,