Cherishing You

If he were his father, he would call a private investigator and run a detailed background check on her. Jonah straightened in his chair with his jaw set. He wouldn’t do that. He would ask her, but judging from her embarrassment, she didn’t like discussing her past legal troubles.

“I got arrested for a minor in possession in college. I don’t know how fast or slow it all happened. I was blasted,” Jonah explained.

“A criminal record, huh?” A dubious look sparked humor in her eyes.

Jonah paused. He’d been arrested, but he had no criminal record. He doubted there was even any record of his arrest. His father had taken care of that. Something told him not to mention as much to Shannon, so he dodged the question.

“Yes. I’m a real menace to society.”

“I can tell.” She smirked.

Was she laughing at him again? Jonah realized he knew nothing about her except that her ex-boyfriend was a dangerous, violent asshole. Maybe that’s what she liked. He wasn’t a choir boy, but he’d never been in any serious trouble. For once in his life, he could play the saint instead of the bad boy. Jonah snickered to himself.

“I’ve had my moments. Just ask my dad.”

“Your dad is a straight arrow, huh?”

Jonah laughed. “In his own way.”

“There’s something to be said for that.”

“Do you like straight arrows?”

“Honestly, I don’t like much of any guy these days. No offense. My track record is pretty shitty. But you know that, don’t you."

Shannon pressed her lips into a tight line, challenging him with her wide, baby blue eyes. Color rose in her cheeks. Her mortified flush mixed with her show of will sent a charge through him.

After a beat of silence, her expression softened. She exhaled slowly and took a sip of water. Her lips parted over the edge of her glass. She set her drink down and licked her wet lips. Jonah shifted his leg and turned his bar seat away from her as much as the tight space under the bar would allow.

Her suspicion of him—and every man—already turned her off. Watching him spring a tent in his pants would probably kill his chances with her.

That’s all he needed. A chance. While her track record with the opposite sex was shitty, Jonah’s was stellar. He smiled at her.

“Everyone has dated a loser or two.” Shannon opened her mouth to argue, but he held up his hand to stop her. “Everyone. That just makes the winners all the more fun.”

Jonah kept his gray eyes focused on her. He could imagine that halo of blond curls spread out on his pillow. Her plump lips parted in desire. The feel of her soft body writhing underneath him.

He held her gaze until her blush deepened to near scarlet. She twisted away from him. Jonah took a swallow of wine. He’d have her. And he’d show her the time of her life.