Bound and Determined by Shayla Black Page B

mysterious music once more. Rafe picked it up and walked back to the bedroom, handing it to Kerry.
    Answering the phone, she nodded at him. “Hi, Jason.”
    “What took so long? Are you okay?” Rafe heard the other man say.
    “Fine. Great. Phone was in the other room.”
    “Oh.” Jason hesitated. “Everything all right?”
    “Everything is fine. Wonderful, in fact.”
    “Yeah, you sound pleased. What’s going on? Does that mean Paul Bunyan is less crabby today?”
    Paul Bunyan? Rafe frowned at Kerry. She ignored him.
    “We’re . . . coming to an understanding,” she hedged.
    “Really? Are you sure, sweetheart? If you need my help, I’m there for you. You know that.”
    Sweetheart? Sounded like boyfriend material. Irritation clamped Rafe’s gut. One blow job did not a relationship make, and he knew it. But damn it, for the next forty-something hours Kerry was supposed to be his, fairness or lack thereof aside. Rafe didn’t give a shit if this guy had any prior claim. In fact, if Jason was stupid enough to allow the woman he liked/loved/wanted to bone within five feet of another guy, especially a naked stranger trapped in a remote cottage . . . well, Rafe would be happy to make sure ol’ Jason learned a hard lesson. Rafe also planned to make sure that “Sweetheart” didn’t forget him anytime soon.
    Kerry smiled into the phone, annoying him even more. “I’m okay, really. Rafe is going to help.”
    “Just like that? Did he finally listen to reason?”
    She hesitated, flicking an uncertain gaze his way. “We understand each other now.”
    “What does that mean?” Jason sounded unconvinced. “I know the guy gave you a really hard time both before and after he woke. He’s not scaring you, coming on too strong? Maybe I should come out there.”
    “Thanks for your concern, but it’s not necessary. We’ve just about got everything worked out. The plan worked perfectly after all.”
    “You’re sure? I can be there in forty-five minutes—”
    Done listening to Jason’s posturing, Rafe grabbed the phone. “Look, asshole. It’s under control. I agreed to help. Back off. She’ll call you if she needs you.”
    Glowering at the phone, Rafe pressed the Off button and tossed it on the bed.
    “What was that about?” Kerry asked with a scowl. “He’s just concerned.”
    He snorted. “Concerned with finding a way into your pretty panties, I’d guess. Is he your boyfriend, Kerry?”
    Fighting the urge to ball his hands into fists, he stared at her, waiting. The bitter feeling churning in his gut was totally unfamiliar, but he recognized it as jealousy. The thought of this Jason guy calling her sweetheart and maneuvering his way into her lingerie pissed him off.
    “I told you in the limo—not that you probably remember—but I don’t have a boyfriend.”
    Oh, he remembered. “I’m guessing Jason would be happy to volunteer.”
    Kerry shook her head, frowning. “No. He has a girlfriend. Mara is great. I think he’s going to propose soon, in fact. Jason is just Mark’s best friend. I’ve known him for, like, five years. He’s never even made a pass at me. And even if he was interested, Mark made it clear to Jason that I’m off-limits. Seriously, I’m pretty sure Jason thinks of me as a sister by default.”
    Staring at Kerry’s pretty, pink-tipped breasts, the enticing curve of her waist, the beauty of her smile, the soft exterior that hid true female grit, Rafe couldn’t imagine how any red-blooded man could look at Kerry and think sister. Even her delicate feet were graceful. Was Jason blind? Stupid? Tempestuous, zany Kerry was one of the most interesting women Rafe had ever met.
    “Okay, stop with the skeptical expression,” she said. “I’m going to have to tell you something, and I didn’t want to. It will only freak you out.”
    “I’m already freaked out. You’re out of your mind if you believe Jason isn’t looking for a way between your legs. If your ‘friend’ is a