Gut-wrenching sobs wracked her slight body as I tried to soothe her. Gathering her tighter, I walked us over to the bed and sat with her on my lap. Running my hand gently down her back, I let the tears soak the both of us.
Placing feather-light kisses against her temple while rocking softly, I did not bother with words. Silence was best at that point. She was overcome and overwhelmed with her emotions. She needed this. She needed to let go with someone she trusted to be her safe shoulder to weep on.
As the crying tapered off, exhaustion set in. Emotionally and physically drained, the tension she carried disappeared. With a sigh, she loosened her hold on me and turned her head on my shoulder, where I could feel soft puffs of air escaping her lips.
Knowing I did not have long before she succumbed to the cloak of sleep, I had to make something clear. She had to realize she was not alone in this world anymore.
“Evyn,” I put a finger under her chin, forcing her eyes to mine. “I got you, baby. I always will if you let me.”
Fresh tears filled her eyes, but she did not let those fall. Gratitude and appreciation shone through as she placed her hand against my cheek, swiping her thumb along my jaw.
“I want to let you,” she admitted on a whisper.
“One day at a time,” I cupped her face and brushed my thumb slowly across her skin. “Whatever it is, we will handle it. You complete me in a way I didn’t know needed to be completed.”
“You give me something I never dreamed of having.” She brought her lips to mine and held them there.
Chapter Seventeen
Evyn
Forehead to forehead, small breaths teasing each other’s lips, the unique musky scent of everything Jaxson along with the rain still clinging to him, I took it all in and memorized it. This was my safe place. This was where I would always go when I needed extra security or peace of mind.
Reluctantly, I shifted off his lap and said with only a slight amount of embarrassment, “I’m going to clean up. If you want, I can put your clothes in the dryer.”
“That would be great.” He smiled with a kiss to my nose.
Going into the bathroom, I went through my nightly routine on autopilot. I refused to examine my splotchy face and puffy eyes. It was what it was. He was there for me no matter what I looked like, no sense dwelling on it.
Removing my clothes and putting them in the basket that sat in the corner, I slipped the silk nightie over my head. Just because I wasn’t sexual before Jaxson did not mean I didn’t want to feel sexy at times. I had a drawer full of sexy nightwear and undergarments and could not wait to show all of them to Jaxson.
Walking back into the room, I stopped and stared at the picture he made. Sitting up in my bed with his back against the headboard, his eyes were closed with his face relaxed as soft music played softly. I wanted to capture this sight for eternity and pull it out whenever I felt lonely.
Wishing I could just save the image for happy times, I was always prepared for the bad. Believing in our connection, I had to hold onto the faith we could and would get Paul out of my life.
The thought alone had my knees weak with relief. To live a life where I did not have to worry about him appearing or freaking me out, to not have to pack up my meager belongings and start over again.
Jaxson looked like he belonged there, in my room, in my bed, waiting for me. He was naked from the waist up, the sheet and blanket loosely pooled in his lap. He looked like a famous statue, chiseled for my viewing pleasure.
I must have made a noise because his eyes snapped open and locked on me. Loving the way his gaze ran over my body had the atmosphere thickening around me. The exhaustion I felt only moments before evaporated like it never existed.
One scorching look from him was all it took for me to be ready for relief. What we did at work just that evening- had all of this happen in such a short, few hours?- was a complete surprise to me. I never in a million years would have believed I would have done something so crazy.
I had sex in a storage closet with the bartender, but it was not just any bartender. It was my bartender. He laid claim to me, and I would hold him to that by claiming him right back. Warm and gooey feelings erupted from that knowledge alone.
Swaying my hips more than necessary, I climbed on the bed and sat in his lap again but for a completely different reason. Before, I needed the shoulder to cry on, but now, lust covered my vision.
Hands landing on my hips out of instinct, I put my hands on his shoulders and breathed, “Hi.”
“Hi,” his husky voice echoed back to me.
Studying me, he stayed still, letting me have the control. His grip on my hips loosened, and I moved in silent protest. I did not want to be handled with kid gloves because of the shit hand I had been dealt.
Leaning down, I pressed my lips roughly against his, maybe harder than I should have, but I had to. All of the stirred-up emotions from before combined with the sex oozing from his pores, I felt wild, never to be tamed again.
Up until that point, I took his lead, submitted to his command, and enjoyed every second of it. It was my turn to take control. Knowing the type of man Jaxson was, he would not make a move on me with all the things that had transpired, the raw, open wounds I’d had to open.
It was up to me to show him what I wanted, what I needed. I was of sound mind and body as I felt the rigid length of his erection. Devouring him, riding him until I depleted him, and I was nothing but a pile of mush, was my mission.
Let’s see how I stacked up to seduction. Trailing my hand down his chest, I shivered at the combination of heat, hardness, and smooth skin. He was built and the sexiest man I had ever met, no denying that.
With each glide of my hand along his skin, the more I craved, the more the need arose until I felt light-headed with want. Slipping lower and lower, I moved down his legs, taking the sheet and blanket with me, uncovering the part of him I was extremely interested in.
Gloriously naked, his dick stood straight up, thick, long, and proud. Fuck, I would be proud, too. Precum gathered around the ring, circling the tip of the head, making my mouth water. The thick vein running underneath his shaft throbbed with the attention my stare was giving it.
“Where are your clothes?” I teased.
“I stuck them in the dryer while you were in the bathroom,” he answered with strain, giving me a boost of confidence because I caused his voice to change, to thicken with desire.
Licking my lips, I lowered to my knees. Having his dick in my mouth was a powerful thing. Even though I was the one on my knees, I was the one in control. Having him come undone for me was the most erotic thing I had ever seen or felt.
Licking around the mushroom head, I heard his quick intake of air as I wrapped my hand around the hard length. Marveling at the size of him, I savored his taste, sucking the tip into my mouth, feeling his abdomen tremble against my free hand.
Opening my mouth wider, I took more of him in, deducing that as the right move if I deciphered his growl of appreciation correctly. Feeling the slight pull of my hair made me moan, going down further on his dick.
Following his lead, I got into a rhythm of bobbing my head and sucking him deeply. If I fumbled, he guided me gently with nothing except care and adoration. That was the biggest part of life I went without, feeling cherished.
Hitting the back of my throat, I swallowed around his dick, making his hips leave the bed. Pulling back to get air, my hand spread my spit and his pre-cum down his shaft. Placing my lips back to his dick, I took him deep and put my all into this blowjob.
I had no idea I could be so turned on by giving a guy head, but I was getting slicker with each slide down his cock. Feeling more powerful with every grunt and cry from him, I blocked everything out except the feelings this act provoked within me.
If possible, I wanted him even more now, seeing how he reacted to me and my attention. Mu
mbling and pulling my hair, I didn’t stop. Since his words were all jumbled, I didn’t know if it was a warning or not, but I didn’t care.
I wanted his cum in my mouth, craved to taste the result of how I affected him. I had to have everything he had to give me.
The first spurt hit the back of my throat, startling me enough to falter, but not for long. Swallowing automatically, I moaned around him at the salty, slightly musky taste filling my mouth.
Having no idea of what to expect, the flavor of his come was not bad at all, and it was thicker than I thought it would be. With each spill down my throat, the wetter I became between my legs. Making him cum made me hotter for him.
His body lost its rigidness as I licked him clean. Sitting up, the triumphant grin spread across my face at the satisfied and slightly awed expression on his. Trying to ignore my own desire, I went to snuggle into his side.
He had other ideas, though. One minute drowsy and close to sleep, and the next, he was on the move. My clothes disappeared, and his mouth got busy running along my throat down to my breasts, where he showed each the same attention and ending with a nip to my nipples that had my back leaving the bed, chasing for more.
With a dark chuckle, he pulled as much of my breast in his mouth as he could before letting go with a pop. Licking a hot trail down my abdomen, his tongue swirled around my belly button. Teeth were tugging on the sensitive flesh right above my pubic bone, and my legs clenched tight around his body.
Effortlessly moving from my hold, he swiped his tongue from ass to clit in one continuous motion. His mouth latched on my lips and sucked hard. Incoherent words and noises escaped me as I tried to stay grounded.
It was a losing battle with the assault happening to my vagina. It was the best kind of torture I could ever imagine. Gasping at the sudden intrusion of his fingers, I let go of the impending orgasm and fucking flew.
Latching onto my core, his mouth wet and hot, he sucked hard. Back arching off the bed, my hands clenched the sheets in tight fists. One of his hands spread across my abdomen, anchoring me down.
Being at his mercy should have scared me, but I wasn’t afraid. I was safe with Jaxson, and he would take care of me no matter the situation, without a doubt.
And take care of me, he did. My orgasm hit like a tsunami, taking me under in pleasure and drowning me in desire. His fingers hit my G-spot with precision as his lips sucked and pulled my clit until I was completely obliterated. White spots flashed in my vision, and breathing became difficult.
Slowly, I came back to myself, gasping at the aftershocks that ran through my body as he continued to lick my pussy. Basically making out with my vagina, that had been the most intimate moment of my life.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, brushing his lips against mine softly.
“That was amazing,” I informed him quietly.
“Yeah,” he agreed with a bright smile.
We both knew that was an understatement but had no idea how to do it justice with words. I felt as though he touched my soul with oral sex. This hadn’t been a spur-of-the-moment hook-up where it was all physical.
With each caress, each taste, each movement went way behind the physical and delved into the emotional parts of each other.
Maintaining eye contact with him, I let him see everything I was feeling, holding nothing back. I may not have been ready to say the words, but I could show him. By the darkening of his gaze and softening of his expression, he understood my message.
Smiling, I cupped his cheek and held it there for a moment before leaning up and placing a gentle kiss on his cheek. Closing his eyes briefly, he looked at peace.
Settling next to me, he pulled my body into his with an arm around my waist. Lips at my temple were the last thing I felt before I allowed sleep to take me under. Safe and secure in Jaxson’s embrace, I slept deeper and harder than I had in years.
Chapter Eighteen
Jaxson
Mind mulling over each detail Evyn revealed to me, I spun ideas around and around until I thought I would make myself sick. Her safety was of utmost importance. Logically, I knew I could not be with her twenty-four-seven, but I wanted to be.
Relying on my instincts had kept me alive for twenty-five years, and I could not ignore what my gut was telling me. Protecting Evyn was everything. Someone scared her, made her go out into the world on her own, and kept her moving.
Refusing to allow anyone to get close to her, she kept herself safe the only way she knew how by isolating herself. I could not even fathom how lonely it was not to have anyone to turn to, no one to talk with, or someone to lean on when life got to be too much.
Determined to give her that, I understood the limitations I would have considering how she protected herself instinctively, but I was up for the challenge and more than willing to put in the work for her.
Taking over her kitchen, I set about making breakfast with the limited supplies she had on hand. Omelets seemed the way to go with toast on the side. It was easy, quick, and mindless- good thing I did not have to use my brain because it was on overload.
Sensing movement behind me, I turned to see Evyn leaning against the doorway wearing the shirt I shed the night before. She took my breath away with how naturally beautiful she was. Running her hands through her hair did nothing to contain the wildness of it, and I smiled in triumph since our activities from the night before made it that way.
Taking the time to remove everything from the stovetop and turn the burners off, I made my way to her. Blushing and fiddling with the hem, she held my gaze with determination. Uncertainty was there, but she overcame it, making her sexier than she already was.
She’d shared a lot of deep, heavy things with me, and I knew it could not have been easy for her. She chose me to give that to; I was humbled and would do everything in my power to prove her faith in me was correct.
Sliding an arm around her and burying my face in her hair, I inhaled her sweet scent, detecting my smell on her. Sighing in satisfaction, I was glad she smelled like me, wore my T-shirt, and looked well and truly fucked all night long.
Pure male appreciation filled me as I placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. Stepping away from her, we had to stop touching before the eggs turned cold, and breakfast became ruined. Cold eggs were the fucking worst.
Besides, we had some important things to discuss, and finding out what she was wearing under that shirt would have to wait. With that nice thought in my head, I was not too ashamed to admit the flush I felt against my neck up to my face.
“Have a seat, and I’ll grab your plate,” I instructed gruffly.
Enjoying the domestic scene we were in, I served our breakfast at her bar. Taking the seat next to her, I kissed her temple and ate, soaking in the peaceful feeling of the moment. Tough decisions would have to be made, difficult conversations would have to be had, but we could just be for a little while.
I could undeniably get used to this every morning. Sitting across from a beautifully mussed-up Evyn was going in my memory banks as the best sight I’d ever seen. A typically made-up Evyn was gorgeous, but this version was sexy as fuck.
“You’re moving in with me,” I declared with no hesitation.
Like fuck I would let her stay by herself when I knew she had a stalker out there. Fuck that. The moment she let me in, I was all in. She was mine as I was hers, and I would do whatever I could to protect her and keep her safe.
“What?!” she screeched.
There was no other word for it. She damn well screeched for the first time. I had never heard that insane sound come from her. Damn, but did that hurt the ears. It felt like she used an ice poker and jammed it in my ear to hit my eardrum.
Damn!
Holding back the wince, I repeated calmly, “You are moving in with me.”
Of course, I said it like it wasn’t a big deal, but it was. No one went into my ho
use and stayed. It was my space, and I was selfish with it. All my life, I had to share space with other kids, and none of the house parents respected any space. It was all theirs, and that was that.
Even though it seemed as though I made an impulsive decision, I didn’t. Each and every decision I have ever made has always been thought through thoroughly. Weighing the pros and cons, I realized, without a doubt, this was the best option.
Evyn was too good of a person, beautiful inside and out. She did not deserve to run scared every day of her life. She was meant to flourish and live happily. I wanted to help her get there.
“I... I... I,” she stuttered, looking completely dumbfounded.
I couldn’t really blame her. We had been a couple for like a minute, but this was the right thing to do. Our relationship status was not the point; keeping her safe was. Period.
Sure, it sounded ludicrous to demand she co-habitat with me, but I had to do something. Knowing there would be times when I could not be with her had me want to lose my shit. Although he never did anything physically to harm her, I did not trust him.
“Something has kept you moving, running from place to place to avoid him. You told me you documented every time you had an encounter with him, something I definitely want to read, but I will not ask that of you. That’s something you will have to decide to share with me. I need you to feel safe. I want to provide a place for you to just be. Maybe this guy will give up and leave you alone. But what if he doesn’t? Are you really going to keep running?”
Her mouth opened and closed like she could not find the words to my mini-speech. I’d dropped a bomb on her, and she required time to digest it. Not wanting to push her further than I had, I needed to give her some extra assurance.
“Look, I have an extra bedroom that has nothing in it, like nothing at all. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with it, so I didn’t do anything. It’s yours if you want it. I want this relationship to work, and I would love nothing more than to go to sleep next to you each night and wake up to you every morning, but that is not a requirement to stay with me. I want you to be comfortable and in control of your surroundings.”
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