Regina Cole

An Excerpt From: DEAR ADDI

Copyright © GINA LAMM, 2011

All Rights Reserved, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.

“No, no, no.” Jackson put down his loupe. “Watch. These are old papers. You can’t just treat them like you would a phone bill or a credit-card offer.” He took the envelope from her hand and showed her how to support it without damaging it. “You’ve got to treat it like a Fabergé egg or a piece of priceless porcelain. It’s delicate. Old papers are important, they’re our history. You’ve got to treat them with respect.” He placed her hands beneath the now-unfolded letter.

Addi’s dark-blue eyes looked up at him, full of an emotion he couldn’t identify. “I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful.”

His hands stilled on hers as their eyes locked. The tension building within him over the past few days tightened to a nearly unbearable level. The simple touch wasn’t simple at all anymore. His nerves dissipated as their connection suddenly became something so much more. Keeping hold of her slender fingers with his left hand, he removed the letter with his right, placing it atop the others.

Her gaze never left his face but her tongue darted out to wet her lips.

He almost groaned aloud at the sight. His body’s reaction was unmistakable. He wanted Addison Laine. He leaned down then, completely unable to stop himself.

Her lips were warm, soft and slightly damp from the lick she’d given them. They tasted of spring rain.

Jackson couldn’t stop his groan. She was delicious. He let his tongue outline those delectable lips, teasing them gently then delving inside when she allowed him. Her hands crept over his shoulders to tangle in the curls at his nape and he grew even harder at her touch.

He pulled her closer, lifting her between his legs. Her breasts pressed against him, stoking the fire in him even hotter. His mouth plundered hers, unable to get enough of her.

When his hands reached lower, cupping her ass, bringing her in direct contact with the heat of his erection, he suddenly realized what the hell he was doing.

He let go, dropping her back onto the carpet.

“Ouch!” she squeaked in surprise, outrage coloring her cheeks. “What the hell’d you do that for?”

Jackson stood, crossing the room. He had to put some distance between them. Addi robbed him of all sense, of all rational thought. He hadn’t come here to seduce her. He’d come here because his mother had begged, pleaded and threatened him into helping verify his grandfather’s marriage. He hadn’t wanted to do this in the first place, and now… Now…

He turned and looked at her once more. She’d drawn her knees up to her chin, arms wrapped around them. The corners of her mouth turned down and he was afraid he recognized the look in her eyes now. Rejection was an emotion he was all too familiar with.

“Addi, listen, I…”

“Save it.” She stood, brushing tiny carpet fibers from her hip-hugging jeans. “It’s fine. I’ll let you get back to the letters, okay? I’ll be in the kitchen.” Addi turned and left the room without another word.

Jackson hung his head. What a dumbass thing to do. She’d been as into that kiss as he was and he let his stupid brain get in the way. He put his hands on his hips and paced the now-lonely living room.

He paused by the upright piano, picking up a photo in a silver frame. It was a teenaged Addi with a gray-haired woman. Addi’s arms were wrapped around the woman’s neck as she kissed Addi’s cheek. That impish smile was there, looking more innocent in the photo than it did when Addi used it on him.

He was a rat-bastard for hurting her feelings and he wasn’t going to let anything like that happen again.