Read Tempting Grace for Free Online

like to take him apart. One painful inch at a time.
    24
    www.samhainpublishing.com

    Tempting Grace
    She handed Jordan his drink, and he winked at her. She peeked at Jackson and saw his eyes narrow.
    He was jealous. Oh, now this could be fun. He deserved a little payback for his earlier comments about her romance books.
    Grace went straight to the couch and sat next to Jordan. Not touching, but close enough. “I’m so glad you’re back. I worry when you’re away.” Which was nothing but the truth. Being a U.S. Marine in this day and age wasn’t anything to play around with.
    The hand that wasn’t holding the beer patted her thigh. “It’s cool. I know to keep my head down.” Jackson came forward and sat on the other side of her, then slung an arm over her shoulders. Grace held back a grin and continued talking to Jordan.
    “Of course you do. You’re a very skilled man,” she said.
    Jordan cocked his head to the side and studied her a minute, then said, “Are you okay?”
    “Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”
    Jordan shrugged and took a drink of his beer. “You look flushed, that’s all.” Grace wanted to hide her head in the sand. Flushed, hell, she was damn near on fire with Jackson so close. She could smell that scent of his, and it drove her libido crazy. “I’m fine. I’m more interested in hearing about you.”
    “I’m thinking of asking Lisa to marry me. Think she’ll say yes?” Jordan and Lisa had been dating for two years, but the military life had taken its toll on their relationship. “I think she’d be crazy not to marry you.” Jordan leaned forward and murmured, “I would ask you, but you’d probably just drop-kick me.” She laughed, knowing he was full of it. “No, Lisa would drop-kick you.” He gave a mock shudder. “You’re probably right. Lisa has a mean temper when she’s riled.”
    “Oh, please, she’s as sweet as a lamb.”
    He rolled his eyes. “You and Lisa both scare me.”
    She reared back. “Me?”
    “I’ve seen your temper, Grace. You’re not to be fooled with when you’re pissed.” She smacked his chest. “Oh, yeah, I’m so scary to a big, strong Marine like yourself.” Jordan laughed. “Good to see you’re still as mouthy as ever, hun.” He took one last swig of his beer and set it on the coffee table, then stood. “Thanks for the beer.” He leaned down, presumably to peck her on the cheek, but Jackson was quicker.
    “Don’t even think about it, Davies,” Jackson growled, his voice a cold bite of steel. “And you can quit with the hun shit too. She’s not your hun .”
    “Damn it, Jackson,” she scolded. “Jordan is from the south. To him everyone is hun or darlin’. It’s like saying hello. He means nothing by it.”

    www.samhainpublishing.com
    25

    Anne Rainey
    Jordan, being the goof, held out his hand and in a too-chipper voice teased, “It’s been a very pleasant visit, Grace. Hope we can do this again sometime.”
    She wanted to throttle them both. And just to get under Jackson’s skin, she ignored Jordan’s hand, rose to her feet and quickly kissed his cheek.
    “Grace,” Jackson warned. He stood and towered over them both. “Paybacks are hell, baby.” And why that gave her a delicious shiver, Grace had no clue.
    26
    www.samhainpublishing.com

    Chapter Four
    Jackson stared at Grace as she closed and locked the apartment door. They were alone again, just the way he liked it. But first he had to know the truth. “You did that on purpose,” he stated. “You like to tease.” She pointed at him. “You were being all territorial. I don’t belong to you, Jackson, so stop acting like I do.”
    He moved toward her, watching closely as she stepped around him. She did that a lot whenever he was near. Always put distance between them. “Maybe not, but you can’t say my kiss didn’t affect you.” She grabbed the empty bottles of beer and went to the kitchen. He followed her, as she no doubt knew he would. When she turned toward