Anna's gaze kept sliding across the room to where Jason stood, flocked by ladies, all laughing at whatever silly things he was saying this time.

She rolled her eyes, then jumped when Elena yelped beside her.

She turned back to the newlyweds beside her to see Julian had dipped Elena. A smile stretched on her lips.

"You two, take pity on the singles, would you?" She teased.

"Let's just hope they don't run to us after a few weeks saying they didn't know marriage was hard."

They all turned to the new voice to find Jason walking toward them, grinning. Anna tensed.

"Jason." Julian glared at him. "Are you cursing us?"

Jason grabbed him in a headlock, ruffling his hair while Julian yelped for him to get off.

"Got yourself a wife and you think you can talk back now, huh?"

Julian pushed him off, fixing his shirt and hair. "Is that jealousy I smell, Mr. Knight?" He teased right back. "Who is it that goes on about dying single, huh?"

Jason wagged a finger at him while Julian threw him a challenging look, drawing a giggling Elena back to his side.

"Is that how you want to play it, huh?"

Jason turned to Anna and she almost took a step back, unnerved by the sudden shift of his attention to her.

"Wanna hear something fun?" He asked her, his signature smirk tugging his lips up.

Anna blinked. Her gaze cut to the newlyweds behind him-Elena was nodding her head yes while Julian shook his head. She turned to a waiting Jason.

"I don't know what it matters if I want to hear it, but sure-" she shrugged, "- entertain us, I guess."

"All those words for a simple yes. Women."

Anna bristled but before she could give a reply, Jason was walking up to the DJ, snatching up a drink along the way. He whispered to the DJ, who handed him a mic.

"Oh god, no," Julian muttered.

"Is he about to do what I think?" Elena asked, laughing at the look on Julian's face.

"You're supposed to be on my side, Babe."

"Well, I want to hear embarrassing stories about you."

Anna's lips formed a silent O. She hadn't realized that was what Jason meant. She'd been too in her head.

Jason cleared his throat, capturing the room's attention. "Mic test. One. Two."

Chuckles went up around the room.

He cleared his throat again. "Ladies and gentlemen, as the groom's older brother, it's my sworn duty to tell you interesting things about Julian"

Julian groaned loudly. "Don't you dare-"

Jason shot him a wicked grin. "Nobody taught him not to challenge an older brother that doubled up as a parent. We remember everything-from their childish dreams, to the girls they had a crush on."

Julian threw his hands into the air while Anna did a double take. She moved closer to Elena and whispered, "Doubled up as a parent?"

Elena nodded, eyes still on Jason. "Jason basically raised Juls after their mum's death."

Anna blinked, unable to believe her ears. "The playboy has a heart," she muttered.

"What?"

Anna shook her head. "Nothing."

"My dear baby brother," Jason continued. "Used to keep a diary. A pink one. With a sparkly lock. And inside it...well, you know."

The room erupted with laughter. Elena covered her mouth, eyes sparkling. "You didn't."

Julian shook his head frantically. "He's lying-he's-"

"Oh, I'm absolutely lying." Jason smirked, pacing like he owned the room. "But you all believed it for a second."

More laughter. The tension eased but Anna couldn't help noticing the smug way his eyes swept the room, then landed squarely on her.

"And speaking of belief-" Jason's grin turned sharper. "I remember a time Julian thought he'd never find someone patient enough to put up with him. I said, 'Nah, some saint out there will take pity.' And what do you know-" He raised his glass toward Elena, "-enter Elena. A saint, indeed."

Applause and cheers filled the room. Elena blushed into Julian's chest.

Jason let the noise die down before his gaze cut back to Anna, pinning her in place. "Of course, saints are rare these days. Most people-" his eyes flicked down, then back up, deliberate, "-pretend to be one."

The crowd chuckled, thinking it was a joke.

Anna's stomach tightened. Somehow, she knew it wasn't. She glared up at him, wondering why he seemed out to crawl under her skin.

Jason tapped the mic once more, all mock-innocence. "Which is why I say it's time we test the Chief Bridesmaid's saintliness to keep her words-" his voice dropped low, eyes never leaving Anna's, "-with a dance."

Gasps, whistles, cheers rose up immediately.

Julian shook his head, laughing in disbelief. "Smooth motherfucker."

Elena clapped like she'd just been given front row drama. Before Anna could protest, Jason was already striding toward her, mic abandoned and glass set aside. She shook her head even as a slow, melodic music filled the room.

"I'm not going to let you bully me into dancing with you," she hissed.

"That's rich coming from you. I haven't done half the things you did. Yet."

Anna's brows threw together at his words. Jason stepped closer, but she stood her ground, refusing to let him intimidate her.

"If I remember accurately, you were more than willing in the car."

"You-"

"Dance! Dance!" The crowd egged them on.

Jason smirked. "Well. Give the crowd what they want, Anna de la Vegas."

Anna's stomach twisted at the sound of her name on his lips. Before she could reply, he grabbed her hand and twirled her onto the dance floor, her silk red gown a seductive billow in the soft lighting.

He tugged her back and she fell into his chest with a soft thump, his other hand splayed out on her naked back, trailing slowly down to rest on the small of her back-right where her exposed skin ended.

Her breath hitched from his touch and how close he was. She could feel his heat, how solid his chest was, her fingers dug into his shoulder.

The crowd whooped as Jason's hand found her waist and guided her into the rhythm. Anna stiffened, trying to keep a solid inch between them, but his arm only tightened, drawing her flush against him.

"Relax, Princess," he murmured into her ears. "You're making it obvious you're terrified of me."

"I'm not terrified," Anna snapped, keeping her chin high. "I just don't like dancing with men who think the world revolves around their ego."

Jason smirked. "Good thing it does."

He spun her in a smooth twirl before pulling her back, his hand sliding over the bare line of her spine. "And judging by your pulse, I'd say your body disagrees with your mouth."

Heat crawled up Anna's neck. She tried to steady her breath, but his nearness. His scent. The way the room faded around them. It was too much.

She forced a laugh, brittle. "You're ridiculous."

Jason dipped her suddenly and Anna's breath caught as their eyes met. For one wild second she thought he might actually kiss her.

The crowd roared with approval.

Jason pulled her upright into him, one hand pulling a leg up to his side. His fingers slid up the smooth skin of her thigh, through the high slit, dangerously high.

"Tell me to stop," he whispered, voice hoarse and tempting.

Anna's fingers clenched into his jacket. For a heartbeat, she couldn't speak. Couldn't move. Even as his hand rode higher.

Until she saw the utterly smug look on his face. The haze broke and she pulled free of his hold just as the music faded out.

She couldn't believe he'd done that. In front of everyone. Worse, she'd let him.

The room burst into applause. Anna, breath stuttering in her chest and skin tingling, stormed off the dance floor, gown swirling in her wake.

Jason watched her go, jaw tight, hands clenching once at his side before smoothing into a lazy grin.

Cursing under his breath, he fished out his phone.

"Set it up, Ethan," he said the moment the call connected. "Time Anna de la Vegas feels the humiliation she handed out. And this time? No laughing it off in front of everyone."

Anna stumbled into the garden at the back of the hotel, where the after-party was taking place. She shoved a hand through her hair and then clenched it at her side.

"Stupid. Stupid. Stupid," she muttered repeatedly under her breath. "You knew what he was doing but still fell for it. Stupid."

The image of that smirk after he ran his hand dangerously high on her thigh, and asked her to stop him.

But she hadn't.

Had done nothing but clung to him like a weak little fool. That smirk. That smirk mocked her.

Anna walked further into the garden, a new wave of shame swirling inside her.

She took a chug too quickly from the bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon she had swiped off a table, and coughed as the liquid rushed down her throat, a few getting into the wrong track. She swore under her breath.

She moved to stand behind a pillar in the garden, hoping it obscured her from anyone passing the hallway or getting air in the balconies. Hoping no one saw her like this.

She looked anything but perfect. She definitely didn't feel like it.

She could feel a tingle down her back, over her thigh and it infuriated her to think she was still reacting to him.

Anna tipped the bottle back, speaking around the mouthful of wine. "'Sjust the wind."

After a few more gulps, Anna placed the bottle of Cabernet by her feet, muttering about how she really shouldn't get drunk at her sister's wedding. Laughter from inside punctuated her thoughts.

"I still have to help her with that wedding night get-up," she muttered to herself.

Her arms came up around her, teeth chattering slightly from the night's chill.

A sudden warmth draped over her shoulders. She startled, turning, only to see Jason standing behind her, his jacket hanging loose around her.

Jason tilted his head, a teasing smile tugging his lips. "Careful, Princess. You'll catch a cold before you catch your breath."

Anna tensed, her spine going ramrod straight. Her fight-or-flight mode, which she was constantly in around him, kicked in.

She couldn't leave.

That would look like running off with a tail tucked between her legs and she was no loser. She turned away from him to hide the war on her face.

Maybe she should shrug his jacket off, throw it back at him. But that would be stupid. she was cold and if she was going to stand her ground, she wasn't doing it shivering.

"Who knew chivalry wasn't dead," she bit out, pulling the jacket tighter around her.

Jason chuckled and came to stand beside her, fishing out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his pocket. Anna fought the urge to edge away, put more distance between them, frowning as he lit a cigarette.

He took a puff, then offered it to her. "It'll warm you up."

Her nose wrinkled. "I don't smoke."

"Your loss." He shrugged.

He took a drag. Smoke filtered from his lips as his hand lowered.

"You should stop," Anna interjected, snatching the cigarette as he raised it to his lips again. She flicked it to the ground like it burned and crushed it under her heels. "Your lungs would thank you."

Jason stared, hand hanging, and then, scoffed. "What are you? A doctor?"

"Actually, yes. I'm a resident."

"Right. Forgot that." Jason took a step toward her, his gaze darkening. Anna took one back without thinking. "Well, Doc, how else do you suggest I get warm?"

His gaze dragged to her mouth, dark red, a shade deeper than her dress, and lingered. His fingers flexed at his side and his throat worked once. When his eyes lifted to hers again, the corner of his mouth tugged, like he'd caught the hitch in her breath.

His voice dropped a notch. "We could finish that kiss, huh?"

Anna blinked. It took a beat for her to realize he was talking about that moment on the dance floor. She cleared her throat quietly. "Wh-what kiss? You drunk or something?"

Music and laughter echoed in the background, but it felt far off, like they were in their own world.

He stepped closer, and trying to keep some semblance of distance between them, Anna placed a hand on his chest, pushed.

"Weren't you taught to respect other's space?"

Jason's gaze dropped to the hand pushing against his chest, and when it came back up, it was hooded. There was a fire there, like she had just hit a nerve.

"You always acted like I wasn't good enough." He grabbed the hand on his chest, pulled her flush against him, knocking the jacket off her shoulder. "But tell me you don't feel this right now?"

She pushed against his chest, desperate to create some space between them. "Stop projecting your-mmph."

Jason's mouth covered hers-hot, heavy-his arms around her waist keeping her locked in. His lips moving over hers was anything but sweet. It was heated, pent-up, a tug-of-war. One she was losing.

They stumbled back, her back pressed against the pillar she'd been hiding behind, rough against her naked back. She gasped and snatching the opportunity, Jason deepened the kiss. He sucked on her lower lip and Anna's knees buckled, grateful for his arms around her.

He bit her lip and with a low moan she brought her arms around his neck, surrendering to the desire surging through her. She moved her lips against his, eyes shut tight and she felt it, that stretch of lips on hers, satisfaction at her giving in. But she didn't care.

Not anymore.

What mattered was the hand trailing up her thigh through the slit in her gown. The hand pressed to the side of her breast. The way his touch sent sizzles down her spine.

His lips left hers, finding its way down her neck-open-mouthed, hot kisses-and she shivered against him. She brushed up against him, asking for more as her nipples tightened painfully against the friction.

His lips went to her ear, nibbling and then he murmured, "This wasn't supposed to happen." He pulled her closer anyway, grazed his teeth over her lobe, and smirked when she jerked against him. "If you want me to stop, tell me now."

He pulled away slightly and ran his fingers over her cheeks, down to her neck, lower and grazed over a hardened nipple. Anna's back arched, pushing her breast into his palm. He palmed it, moving his hand around in circles. Anna bit her lower lip, her breath faltering.

Jason pulled his hand away and she whimpered.

"Open your eyes."

Her eyes fluttered open, met his and her breath caught at the look on his face. His usually lighter, silvery grey eyes had darkened to a charcoal, storm-cloud, almost black.

His forehead furrowed, jaw tight, and it dawned on her just how much he was holding himself back. His hand at her waist tightened, and he jerked her against him, asking in a voice so deep it sent jolts through Anna's body to the area in between her legs, "Tell me to stop."

And then he pressed against her, pushing her into the pillar, his hard budge heavy on her stomach.

How could she? He got her wound so tight she would snap any second from now. Her hands tightened around his neck, her fingers playing with the hair at the nape of his neck

"One night," she whispered. "Just one night."

His head lowered, their faces inches apart. "You won't forget tonight for a long time, Anna de la Vegas."

Anna's stomach flipped and she knew: She just made a deal with the devil.

And it was going to get her in trouble.

"After you," Jason said as he pushed open the suite door, eyes boring into Anna.

Anna's heart hammered against her chest. She slipped past him, the brush of their bodies sending a shiver through her. She tried to steady her breath as the room's soft lamplight spilled across marble and velvet.

Strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind and she startled.

"Relax, Darling," Jason coaxed, fingers sliding through her hair like he owned it.

Anna swallowed the lump in her throat. "No one can know about this. Not Elena. Not your brother."

Jason tugged her back against him, grounded his hips into her and tugged at her underwear; the elastic material stretched and snapped back against her skin. Anna gasped.

"I know how this works, Sister-in-law."

Heat prickled down her spine. Of course he would. Women probably lined up to be ruined by him. She told herself she wasn't any different.

Just two reckless adults. By morning, they'd pretend none of this ever happened.

Jason caught her chin, thumb stroking her cheek as if he could read her thoughts.

"Stop thinking." He brought her hands to his chest, steady, commanding. "Undress me."

His eyes dared her to disobey.

He placed a finger under her chin, keeping their eyes locked. "Go ahead."

Anna's trembling fingers worked the buttons, but her eyes dropped, greedy for a glimpse of taut, toned muscles that were being exposed.

Jason's grip tightened, tilting her face up. "Eyes here."

Anna swallowed, her tongue darted out and flicked over her lower lip. Her heart thundered so loudly she was afraid he would hear. He crashed his lips onto hers suddenly, a strangled sound slipping from her throat.

He sucked on her lower lip and she moaned into his kiss, parting her lips to let him in. His tongue slipped in, tangled with hers, staked his claim, and when he sucked deep on her tongue, Anna's knees buckled. She clutched onto his shirt just to stay upright as his hand grabbed the back of her neck, angled her head and the kiss deepened.

She rubbed her thighs together, helpless against the onslaught of his masterful lips. He bit her lower lip and tilted his head the other way, pulling her upper lip into his burning mouth.

She tried to breathe. Tried to keep up but he was like a hungry lion having its first taste of food in days.

Heat. Pressure. The taste of him. She was dissolving too fast to resist. She clung to him. Rubbed up against him. Desperate for his touch.

She couldn't breathe. He pulled her impossibly closer, his mouth sucking on hers like he wanted to swallow her whole. She shoved at his chest, in need of air, and he finally broke away with a wet pop.

Anna had just sucked in a quick breath, only to be swept off the ground like she weighed nothing, a yelp escaping her lips as Jason headed for the bedroom.

Her hands slipped beneath his shirt, greedily tracing the warm, hard ridges of muscles. Jason's fingers tightened on her skin.

His voice next to her ear was hoarse and thick with desire. "Careful," he rasped. "Keep touching me and I'll fuck you right here on the cold floor."

A shiver shot through her, her nipples tightening at his words. Heat surged to her lower belly, wetness pooling in-between her thighs. As if having a mind of their own, her fingers danced over his shoulder, up his neck and to the hair at the nape of his neck. She tugged.

He stopped dead. He let go and she slid down the length of his body, every inch of him imprinting against her, every ridge and hardness. His hardness poked at her thigh and she froze.

Jason stepped away from her, shrugged off his shirt. "Strip."

Her throat went dry at the sight in front of her. The six packs. The muscled chest. The hard, taut muscles of his shoulders.

Her hands trembled as they reached for the strap tie behind her neck. She tugged at it and in one fluid motion, the silk pooled at her feet. She stood there in her lace thong, bare skin, nothing else.

His sharp intake of breath washed over her. His gaze dragged over her breast to her mound that the thong did a bad job covering. Every part of her body his dark, hungry gaze touched, burned.

His voice was deeper than any she ever heard. "On the couch."

She obeyed without thinking. She made her way to the couch and sank into the plush cushions.

"Spread your legs."

She hesitated, biting down on her lower lip. A frustrated groan left Jason's lips and Anna jumped at the sound. Before she could blink, she was pushed back on the couch, Jason's lips over hers.

His hands grazed her nipples, and he shoved her thighs apart, settling between them. He took her breast into his mouth, biting, sucking, tugging until sparks shot to her core.

"Jason-" she gasped, desperate.

Pleasure jolted through her, straight to her pussy and she arched into him. His teeth grazed her nipple, fingers tugging, hard, at the other. An ache so deep bloomed in her pelvis, and her hip arched off the couch, searching. With a hard suck on her nipple, he pulled away.

Anna whimpered, reaching out.

"Wider."

She obeyed, flushed and trembling, feeling the wetness soaking through her thong.

"Open your eyes."

Anna's lashes fluttered and her breath caught as she met his hooded gaze.

"Sit up."

She did.

"Watch me."

She nodded, not sure she could speak. Her body pulsed with a need so consuming. She'd never felt anything like it. He ran a finger down her wet, hot length, through her flimsy thong, teasing, and her hips jerked.

"So wet for your brother-in-law," he murmured, cruel and reverent at once, his fingers caressing her inner thigh.

Anna's pussy pulsed with need and she whimpered. "I- please-"

Jason smirked. He grabbed her thong and with one pull tore it off her. Anna gasped and then cried out as his finger flicked over her clit. She arched her hips, aching for him. He ran his fingers along her length, pressing down when he got to her clit. Anna's hands clenched and she shut her eyes, biting down on her lower lip.

Jason stopped his onslaught. "Eyes on me."

Anna's eyes flew open, lowering to watch him. As if rewarding her obedience, Jason slipped a finger into her opening. Anna gasped, working her hips, desperate for more.

His eyes trained on her, Jason slipped another finger into her. And another. Anna's lips parted wider with each finger and her legs shook, her breath coming in quick successions. And then Jason began to move his fingers in and out of her.

In. Out. In. Out.

Anna's head fell back on the couch, her loud moans, and the wet sounds of Jason's fingers fucking her filling the room.

"Look at yourself," he said roughly. "so fucking hungry for me."

Anna's head jerked off the couch to watch him, rotating her hips against his hands. Jason's pace increased, his fingers curving when they moved deep inside her, hitting her spot, his thumb rubbing on her clit.

"Oh my god," Anna whimpered, hips jerking off the couch as she felt the high roll in. "I-faster-please."

Jason's fingers pulled out of her and she cried out at the loss, only to shatter again when his tongue replaced them. Hot, wet, relentless, a delicious feel against her pussy.

She gasped, grabbing onto Jason's hair as his tongue began to lap at her pussy, his hair rubbing against her clit, driving her closer to that cliff.

Jason hummed as he sucked on her pussy, his teeth grazing her clit.

Her head fell back, her grip on his hair tightened and she bit down hard on her lip, drawing blood. Jason swirled his tongue inside her and pressed a thumb against her clit.

Without warning, an orgasm slammed through her. Her cry pounced off the room, eyes shut tightly, her legs spasming around Jason's head even as he continued to tongue-fuck her, sucking up all the juices that spilled from her.

Jason pulled away as she slacked against the couch, crashing down from her orgasm. He knelt between her legs, tongue darting out to lick up her juice dripping down his jaw.

Anna moaned at the sight, running her fingers over his abs and chest.

"We're just getting started," he murmured. He grabbed the hands roaming his chest and brought it to his fly.

"Unzip me."