Forever You're Mine (MINE #4)(4)

“You wouldn’t feel that way once we got to know each other better, Cora.”

A black ball cap was pulled down low on his brow, but his striking blue eyes were clear and visible, slicing through me with unnamed determination. With his arms crossed over his chest, he was a concrete wall-a mountain of a man. Brusque and extremely tall, well over 6 feet of nothing but pure muscle and steel. His biceps were huge, straining against the short sleeves of this black Archer’s staff t-shirt, promising destruction and pain should he stumble upon the need to inflict it. His chest was like a shield, strong and formidable.

Damn, he’s fine.

I’d seen him take down men. Huge men. It didn’t take much for Cannon to detain someone. He was a former Navy SEAL. A war hero. And while I could ignore his supreme confidence, I could not deny the fact that his fascinating body always left mine a little needy any time I was near him.

“Like what you see, sweet face?” he said in a low, husky voice.

My face and body were on fire but I played it cool. “Meh.”

When I moved to leave, he didn’t let me get too far.

“Hold up,” he said, reaching for my arm. He leaned in close, his face hovering just inches above mine. The smell of spring and his raw male presence flooded my senses. “Where ya goin’?”

With my mouth gaping, I blinked. More than once. Thoughts of him above me, moving in and out, taking me. Those thoughts invaded every crevice of my mind as I tried my best to mask the fierce desire stirring in my body, but damn it was tough. “Back to work. Where you should be.”

“Only place I wanna be is between those sexy legs of yours.” he said to the back of my head and I had to suppress the urge to spin around and slap him.

Was he for real?

Surely he did not talk to other women like this. I collected two hasty steps, my small frame lined with his.

What was I trying to do?

Intimidate him?

You couldn’t intimidate a man like this. Anyone who knew Cannon Jacobs knew he lived by his own rules. I can respect that. But you can do your thing without being a rude f*cking prick.

There was a dark hunger in his eyes. One I’d seen directed at me quite a few times since we began working together, but I ignored it and laid into his ass. “The only men in this room that will ever have the pleasure of being between these legs are Jameson and Jack.” I said firmly, my voice was strong with conviction, but inside I was a hot ass mess.

His incredible blue eyes held mine, paralyzing me. Like he could see right through me. Like he could read my thoughts. He remained silent for an eternity before his face broke into a knowing smile. A smile that turned my insides into some kind of hot, compliant goo. “Oh come on, Cora. You know you want it.”

“You’re an *!” I shouted in a weak attempt to ward off my desire.

Because God knows I wanted it.

Why the hell was I so turned on right now? His words should piss me off. I definitely wasn’t that girl. I may be from the trailer park, but I was no f*cking Britany. “I’ll never be that girl.”

“What girl?”

“One who gets on her knees in a stock room just to please a man.”

Cannon stepped closer, a flash of desire heating his gaze. “I think you’re dying to get on your knees for me.”

Truthfully, I was.

But I’ll be damned if I ever tell him that.

I lifted my chin before crossing my arms in defiance. “I don’t get on my knees for anybody.”

He studied me for a moment as if I were some kind of puzzle he didn’t quite know how to put together. Then resignation slipped over his face, his eyes turning a softer shade of blue. “Tell ya what, let’s be friends instead. I think I would prefer that anyway.”

“Being friends will not get you between my legs either, Jacobs. Give it up.”

He smiled and it was then I remembered he never smiled at anyone. At least not enough to reveal this breath-taking beauty I was witnessing right now.

Gah…

He should definitely do that more often. My panties were proof a smile could melt cotton.

Oh sweet Lord, then he laughed, amusement dancing in his haunted eyes. The sound was contagious, triggering a reluctant smile of my own.

Wasn’t I just pissed at him?

“Listen, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have talked to you that way.” My heart beat loudly in my chest. I was certain he could hear it. He extended his large hand. “Friends?”

Friends.

What on earth could come from being friends with this guy? But with him looking at me like that, how could I say no? Unable to resist him, I placed my hand in his and the connection was instant.

A feeling.

A charge.

It was strong and strangely something I never wanted to let go of. His long fingers wrapped gently around mine, gifting me with a promising squeeze and a wave of heat before releasing me. He left me with a promise of friendship and something else. Something I would grow to trust and cherish immensely.

Something really, really good.

“What cha grinnin’ at?” Cannon asked, bringing me back to his kitchen table where we sat before our empty plates. The early morning sun inched its way across the bright delta sky, casting rays of light through the bay window. His sparkling blue eyes were like a mirror, reflecting the golden rays.

I liked looking into those eyes.