he asked. When had she become such a little glutton? But then she’d never met a man who sent her body
into overdrive with just a look. She’d never met a man who had the power to make her body plead and
quiver with just a kiss. Only Jay could do that to her.
He ended the kiss and left the couch. When he leaned down to take her in his arms, she balked. “I’m
way too heavy for you to carry up those stairs.”
He stilled and grew serious. “Now you’re calling me a wimp?”
She frowned. Men and their testosterone. “Well, of course not, but—“ She was cut off as he pulled her
high into his arms and started out of the room. Okay, a girl could get used to being carted around like a
princess. Haley kept reminding herself this was all quite temporary. Come Monday, she’d be back at
work and Jay Pickett would be out of her life. She would not cry when that happened either. She simply
refused.
Jay did indeed make it up the stairs and to the bed. He wasn’t even breathing heavily. If that didn’t just
make a woman’s heart flutter. He laid her down and growled, “Stay put while I get a few things.”
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She nodded, more eager than she wanted to admit to herself. Haley knew what things he meant. He was
going for the camera and handcuffs. Oh, lord, this was all so wild, so fast. Did she trust him enough to be
at his mercy in such a way? Would he be kind, gentle?
Jay came back into the room and stopped mid-stride. “I can see those thoughts as clear as day, Haley.
You would make a terrible con.”
She resented that. “I’d make a terrific con. I’m actually very adept at lying when the need arises,” she
teased, hoping to distract him.
Jay rolled his eyes. “Bullshit. I can see every single thought in your pretty little head as if they were
etched on your forehead.” He crossed the room and sat on the side of the bed. He stared at her with
such tenderness it caused her heart to flip-flop.
“I won’t hurt you.” His voice was so genuine and sincere, it made Haley want to tell him he’d already
won his case, but he went on anyway, causing her to fall just the tiniest bit more for the big softy.
“I’ll be real easy. We’ll not do a damn thing you don’t want to do, I swear it.”
“I’ve just never done this before. I’m a little nervous.”
“Would you rather not do the handcuffs?”
He started to set them aside and Haley stopped him by placing her hand over his. She did want the