CRASH & BURN (Rule Breaker) (22 page)

Alana nodded. “Yeah. He takes the cake.”

* * *

After the party, they dropped her parents off at the hotel where Jon had gotten them rooms. “I don’t think my mother will ever stop talking about having a hotel room next to Keith Urban. Or bumping into Enrique Garcia. My mom adores you. And my dad isn’t too far behind.”

“Being on a first name basis does a lot for the ego. I can testify. Ms. St. James, when you’re yelling my name, it’s a mad rush.”

“Ditto, Mr. Lansing.”

Alana’s heart swelled when she thought of how much he’d given her. Her life back, to be exact. He’d mended a bridge she’d not known how to cross, or how to resurrect, really.

Her father admitted to her that he’d been wrong and that she knew best what course to take in her life. Two men in two days came clean and were willing to consider that they weren’t the omniscient rulers of the universe. Their admissions gave her the freedom to choose her own path.

She sighed—she’d never expected so many dreams to come true all at once.

“I understand for you it’s not all about the money, or the fame. I want you to know I’ll use that barometer in guiding your career.” He traced the skin along her wrist.

“Just looking for place where I fit.”

“I hope you’ll think of Nashville as home.”

The darkened road was a blur but, seated next to Jon, she experienced an excited calm. A peaceful energy that made everything glisten.

“Kiss me,” she whispered, tangling her fingers with his. She brought a finger to her mouth and sucked it deep against her tongue.

“Alana, you’ve an incredible ability to pilfer my very soul, especially when you do things like that. I’ve every intention of doing that and much, much more.” The wrought-iron gates swung open and he barely slowed down, flooring the gas and bursting past them.

She let go a throaty laugh, biting the tip of his finger as he pulled the car up the circular drive, parking before the front door. “I’m not convinced.” She released his finger.

“Let me show you what I’ve wanted to do all night.” Jon lifted her up and brought her over the console, and then shifted in his seat so she could straddle his lap. Holding her face between his hands, he firmly kissed her, thrusting his tongue into her mouth, tenderly biting her lips. A growl worked up his throat as he demonstrated his ability to dominate her in the most intimate of manners.

“God, you’re the best damn’ kisser,” she said, coming apart when he sucked and bit a path down her neck. “It feels like you’re caressing my soul each time.”

“Reward me. Let me hear you say it again.”

She cocked her head. “What are you talking about?”

His fingers tightened over her shoulders. “That’s one. Care to go for two?”

Leaning her head back she shook her chin slowly, considering his hand on her bottom. “I adore you.”

“Three?” he grunted, shifting her legs open wider, and easing his finger up between her thighs.

“I’m fascinated by you.” She raised one of his hands, inserted the finger back into her mouth, and then sucked the tip, hoping to make him feel as impossibly desperate as she did. Like magic, he caved.

“Reprieve. Two?” he whispered hoarsely.

“Do I hear three?” she moaned, pulling the hem of her dress up over her thighs to display a pair of gold lace panties. “I had a Brazilian wax today,” she offered in a languid, offhand tone

“Lord help us both tonight, Alana. Three. Now say it.”

She inhaled and leaned in close, staring into his impossible sapphire eyes, the color deep and intense. “I love you, J.P. Lansing.”

Jonathan glided his fingers across her, slow and incredibly seductive. “For how long?”

She fluttered her eyes, unable to take the spiraling sensation of coming undone. Nevertheless, she forced herself to answer. “Since the moment I saw you in front of me. You captured my heart. Now you’d better keep it—it’s yours anyway.”

“Good. Because I have every intention of keeping it safe and sound. It’s mine. All. Mine.” He pulled a small black box from the side compartment. “Marry me. No more worries about who will fuck up whose career. We’ll be partners.”

“You’re insane.”

“Possibly. But you’re to blame.” He opened the box. “This ring has been in my family for generations.”

“There aren’t any words…”

“As I live and breathe, Alana St. James is
speechless
,” he whispered. “Got to be a sign.”

“Yes,” she gasped, “yes, let’s get married. I love you with all my heart.”

He removed the ring and slipped it on her finger. “Baby, I’ll work to make you happy every day. All day. I can’t live without you.”

“Me…you. Jon, this is utterly beautiful.”

“Not a tenth as beautiful as you.” He clasped his fingers over her thighs, lightly trailing them lower, and lower, then stopped. “I need to get you in bed. Fast.”

“Is Mrs. Hughes here?”

“She left a long time ago. You’ve got a mischievous look on your face.”

“Come with me, and I think we can check the words at the door. What I’ve in store, all you need to do is lean back and let me do the rest. Tonight I’m in charge, Lansing.”

“Man, I love a woman who commands the reins.”

“That’s one. I said no talking,” she laughed, drawing her mouth over his and relishing his power and strength, and especially their fused passion. She wrapped her hand around his silk tie and whispered. “This will come in handy as well. Let’s go,
love.
”