expressing how he felt. Hadn't he promised himself he wouldn't do that to Mick anymore?
Then he looked at Harper. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her face blank as she waited for him to respond. But though she seemed relaxed, she stood straight and sure, like she'd built a wall around herself. A wall that kept him and whatever cruelty he might come up with out. There was a hurt, a disappointment in her eyes she couldn't quite hide.
And all it would take to make that go away was to answer a few uncomfortable questions. He nodded.
“But let's go out on the porch.” He needed to be outside, under the cool glow of the moon, where his animal nature was more at peace. “And, darlin'?” No reason he couldn't have a little fun while he bared his soul. “For each question I answer, you lose an article of clothing.”
She met his gaze with a startled one of her own. “Outside? It's cold.”
“No one will bother us. And the sun porch is enclosed and heated.” He recalled all the games of strip poker he'd played as a teenager. “Shoes and socks stay inside.” They'd slow the game down.
“How is that fair?” she grumbled but sat to remove them, and when she stood, her color was high, her eyes bright. It was a weird game to play with his mate, but he didn't think she'd had much chance to play in her life.
Just to make things even, he took his footwear off too, then gestured for her to lead the way. It was full dark, the moon high and bright, and she walked away from him to lean against a glass wall with one shoulder. She didn't say a word, just watched, and the longer she remained quiet, the more nervous he became. What the hell was going on in that pretty little head? Finally, though he knew it hadn't been more than a couple of minutes, Mick joined them. He was barefoot and tossed a bottle of lube on the double-wide lounger.
“We're all here, darlin'. Start.” Jonas ordered.
“Okay.” She licked her lips nervously. “But we all take something off. Not just me.”
“Fine,” Mick answered and elbowed him sharply in the side when he opened his mouth to point out that had not been the original deal.
Harper nodded acceptance, though, straightened away from the wall, and gave him a hard look. “Are you still in love with Liza?” Fuck. He turned to glare at Mick, who backed away, hands held up in a placating gesture Jonas didn't buy for a minute. “Don't look at me. I didn't talk to her about it.”
He turned his glare to Harper and then ripped his shirt over his head. She wanted to play? Fine. They'd play.
“No, I'm not. I don't think I ever was. We're friends. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for her.”
“You wanted someone like her,” she accused.
How could he deny it? “I thought I did. Then I met you, and I started to rethink things.”
“Why?”
He fought a smile. This might work out well after all. “That's two questions, darlin'.”
With a huff, she pulled the turtleneck off and tossed it away, then let her arms fall to her sides. Oh yeah. He could get used to this game. The anticipation was invigorating. She was left standing in tight jeans and an even- tighter, barely there white lacy bra. He wanted to lick his way around its edges but managed to stay still. First things first.
“I thought, for a long time, that if I had a mate, she needed to be another soldier. I thought that was the only kind of woman strong enough to stand up to me.
To take me on. I was wrong.”
“So you don't want someone as tough as you now?” He smiled, looked her up and down in a blatant reminder of the rules. She played with the snap on her jeans and rolled her eyes before popping it free and shimmying out of them. She was left in a tiny pair of panties that matched her bra.
Oh yeah, baby. He edged closer to her.
“I've decided soft is more appealing.”
He was calling her soft? Was that a good or bad thing? Part of her said
“Nothing soft there,” she whispered.
Mick chuckled and approached, then moved around behind her. He set his hands on her hips while leaning forward to nuzzle her neck.
“Mmm, no. But this is soft.” He pushed his erection against her ass. “And this.” His hands slid up her back to the clasp of her bra, and she felt it pop free. He moved to cup her breasts, his teeth nipping the sensitive skin between her shoulder and neck. “More softness.”
“Any more questions, darlin'?” Jonas asked, approaching her and Mick. His gaze ensnared her. Hot. Open. He stopped close enough she could feel the heat pouring off him, but not close enough to brush against her. Mick held her still when she tried to close the gap. Jonas cocked an eyebrow. “No more questions?”
“Um.” How could she think right now? Mick's hands were hot on her body, stoking a fire she wanted to set free, and Jonas's body was tight, coiled to spring, his eyes full of carnal promise. Finally, he stepped closer, lifting one hand to stroke the side of her face.
“I choose you, Harper, and Mick. I don't want anyone else. Does that answer your questions?”
She couldn't do anything but jerk a nod. He grinned in response, and oh was it wicked. When he kissed her, it was slow and unhurried, a deep exploration that left her gasping when he broke away. Mick took her hand and pulled her to the lounger.
“Lie back,” he whispered, and she did as he ordered, her anticipation building.
