by A. D. Ryan
Jensen continued to advance on me, a dangerously possessive look in his eyes that excited me. “You,” he growled, “are a liar, Madison.”
My pulse started racing through my veins and my legs trembled when he stopped within inches of my heaving chest. “W—what?” I asked, my voice trembling, and I reached behind me to hold the counter before I melted.
“You said you would be wearing my shirt and nothing else,” he reminded me, his finger looping into the side of my underwear and gently snapping them.
I swallowed thickly. “Well,” I said. “Willow was sleeping with me. Don’t you think that would have been a little inappropriate?”
His lips twisted up into a playful smirk as he gripped my hips lightly. “I suppose I could let it slide this time.” His fingers danced on my hips, and it wasn’t until I felt a breeze on the exposed skin of my ass that I realized what was happening; he was inching the shirt up slowly.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“I’m going to check your bruises. Is that all right?” I nodded once and he proceeded.
I laughed. “You’d better hope my dad doesn’t walk through that door as you’re stripping me in our kitchen.”
Jensen glared at me. “You really know how to kill the mood, don’t you?”
“Just keeping you in line so you don’t get carried away as you so often do,” I teased.
“Me?” He moved to my left side and pushed the shirt up, grazing the side of my breast as he held it in place. “You attacked me, remember?” His thumb brushed my nipple, and I sighed, my eyes rolling back.
Jensen’s hands moved softly over my skin as he inspected my bruises. There was a part of me that was starting to wonder if this was just his way of getting me slightly naked and just claiming he was “inspecting” my injuries. The other part, though, was all “Shut up! He’s getting you slightly naked!” She won time and time again; she was a horny little bitch.
Jensen didn’t look for long—probably afraid that my father would make one of his unannounced morning visits—and replaced my shirt. “Well, it looks good. How does it feel?”
I moved my left shoulder around a little. “A little tight and it hurts when I move certain ways. But all-in-all, it’s not too bad.”
“Good. We should take you to see my mom next week. She can order another scan and we can see where you’re at,” Jensen suggested, turning back to his pancakes.
Taking a sip of my juice and grimacing as the taste soured from brushing my teeth, I moved to his side. “Chocolate chips don’t seem like a good breakfast staple, Jensen,” I scolded lightly as I reached out to pick at the pancake he placed on the empty plate.
“Hey now,” he reached out and grabbed my hand before I was successful in scoring a bite. “No picking.”
I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth and batted my eyes at him. “Not even if I was going to give you the first taste?” In truth, I wasn’t; but now that I had said it, it seemed like a really good idea. Or a bad one, depending on how you looked at it.
He didn’t release his grip on me, so I crossed my left hand over and tore a piece of the pancake off and held it up to his mouth. His eyes moved between mine and the warm, fluffy pancake I held out to him. It took less than a second before his lips wrapped around my fingers, causing me to inhale a small gasp.
I eyed my fingers, wet from Jensen’s tongue as it slid up them softly before he retrieved the pancake. As he chewed, I tried to tell myself that it was insane to think about never washing that hand again. He finally released my right hand, and I had just reached out to tear another small piece off for myself when he stopped me again.
“That’s not fair,” I told him, pouting like a three-year-old. “I shared.”
The way the right side of his mouth twisted up and his eyes sparkled alerted me that he wasn’t actually going to refuse me a bite. Holding my gaze, he reached over and tore a small piece off the pancake and held it out to me. It smelled delicious; sweet and fresh. Without looking away, I stepped into him, wrapped my hands around his wrist to hold his hand steady, and leaned forward to accept his offer.
I watched as his eyes darkened, and I licked my lips before wrapping them softly around the tips of his fingers, taking the warm pancake from him. He released a groan as I moved my mouth up his long, thick fingers suggestively, being sure to run my tongue along them.
Without warning, Jensen dropped the metal spatula to the floor and pulled me to him. His lips were on mine, kissing me deeply, devouring me. I stepped up onto my toes with a whimper, wrapping my arms around Jensen’s neck. He lifted me, my legs dangling between his as he walked me back to the island and set me on it.
Stepping forward, he nudged my legs, and I parted them, inviting him closer. I hooked my legs around his, and he held me close, his hands on my ass, groping, kneading. My hip pulsed forward, and I moaned when I felt his cock thicken against me. My hands slid down his neck and shoulders, stopping on his strong, muscular biceps and holding them tightly.
Jensen’s right hand came up and cupped my jaw. His fingers tangled in my hair as he held my face in place. The fingernails of his other hand bit into the flesh of my ass, inviting currents of pleasure to ripple through me. His fingers, strong and firm, slipped beneath the edges of my panties. He pulled me forward again until I was balanced on the very edge of the counter. His fingertips grazed the silky wet flesh between my thighs, and we both groaned together before he broke the kiss.
“What?” I asked breathlessly, confused about why he stopped.
Jensen licked his lips. His complexion was flushed, and his chest was heaving.
I could only imagine how I looked.
“That was probably a bad idea,” he said, alluding to the pancake sharing. “You have company.”
My face blazed with heat. I couldn’t believe I’d momentarily forgotten about Willow. “Yeah. Sorry. Breakfast is good, though. If that’s any consolation.”
“Thanks. You should probably go and get dressed … just in case your dad stops by.”
I hopped off the counter, still extremely turned on and frustrated. Before leaving the kitchen, I kissed Jensen on the cheek. “One of these days, we’ll finish what we start,” I told him.
He chuckled, turning his head and kissing the tip of my nose. “You can count on it.”
Willow and I crossed paths as I made my way back to the bedroom. She was fully dressed in jeans and a lacy black top, her hair and makeup done.
“Hey,” she said. “Breakfast smells good. Pancakes?”
“Chocolate chip,” I told her with a smirk before closing myself in my room to get ready. I grabbed a fresh pair of jeans and a purple shirt that hugged my figure. As I looked at the way my jeans fit, I decided that maybe investing in a few new pairs might not be so bad. These ones were more than a little worn in around my ass and thighs. Not very flattering.
I stopped by the bathroom and brushed my hair, getting rid of that messy, bed-head thing I had going on. It was a good thing Jensen shooed me away when he did, because when I arrived in the kitchen, Dad was sitting at the table with Willow, sipping his coffee.
“Hey, Dad,” I greeted as Jensen turned from the counter and handed me my own coffee and my pain meds. I smiled appreciatively at him. “Thanks.”
“Good morning, Madi. You excited to go into the city today?” Dad asked as I took my seat.
It had been about six months since my last trip to Memphis, and even longer since I had done any major shopping for myself that didn’t involve groceries. “Actually, yeah.”
“There’s this great shop I want to take you to, Madi. They have the most amazing dresses,” Willow announced.
Raising an eyebrow, I turned to look at her. “Will, what on earth do I need a dress for? Now, if you wanted to force me into more of those jeans you bought me last time, sure. But a dress?”
Willow smirked, and I really wished I knew what was going through that head of hers. “You never know wh
en you’ll need a good party dress, Madi.” I was about to protest when she spoke again. “Okay, okay. I saw a dress there I just have to have. And maybe you’ll find something, too. You never know. Besides, it’s fun to just dress up sometimes.”
I conceded, knowing it was a losing battle—especially since Willow would be doing the driving—and we all ate breakfast together. The pancakes were amazing, but every bite I took had me thinking back to Jensen feeding me that one small piece and what it inevitably led to. I smiled. I couldn’t help it.
I felt a nudge beneath the table and looked over at Jensen. “Penny for your thoughts?”
My cheeks warmed as both Dad and Willow watched me. “Oh, um. I was just thinking about when I can ride again?” Willow and Dad seemed to buy it, but Jensen looked skeptical. I kicked his shin lightly with my socked foot to thank him for the unwanted attention, but he only chuckled under his breath.
We all helped clean up the kitchen before Dad headed out to start in the barn. Jensen promised he was right behind him.
“Have fun today, girls,” Dad said before closing the door behind him.
“Okay! You ready to go, Madi?” Willow asked excitedly.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I joked before turning to Jensen. “You’re sure I can’t stay home?”
He pondered my request for a moment. “Sorry. I think you’ll be okay. Have fun. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Fine. Maybe I’ll get Willow to stop somewhere and I’ll bring something home for dinner. Any preferences?” I asked as I slipped on my shoes.
“I’ll go wait in the car,” Willow announced. “You know, give you two a moment alone. Just a moment, though. Don’t make me come back in here.” She may have been small, but not even I would mess with her when she used that tone.
“So, any dinner preferences?” I asked again once Willow was outside and climbing behind the wheel of her new Charger.
Shaking his head, Jensen wrapped his arms around my waist. “Surprise me. I’m pretty easy.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Oh, really?”
Chuckling, he shrugged and moved his face to mine to kiss me softly. “Your twisted little mind would go there, wouldn’t it?”
“Don’t even try to pretend that’s not what you meant,” I challenged, and he just feigned shock and continued to claim he had no idea what I was talking about.
Willow was clearly growing annoyed because she began honking her horn. “Okay, you should go before the half-pint rips us both to shreds. I don’t think I would want to go up against her,” Jensen joked, before placing one last chaste kiss on my lips. “Have fun. You have your painkillers in case you’re gone too long?”
I nodded. “Yup. I’ll see you tonight.”
Jensen and I left the house together, and he opened my door for me, closing it once I was inside. “Hot car, Willow,” he praised as he checked out the interior.
She beamed as she always did when someone complimented her baby. “Thanks! Brandon got it for me when he got promoted.”
From across the yard, I heard Jensen’s name being called, and we both turned to see my dad walking toward us. “Well,” he said, looking back at me with a smile before pushing himself back up. “I guess I should get going before I lose my job.”
“I’m pretty sure he’s not going to fire you. He pretty much owes you for taking care of me,” I reminded him, reaching out and placing my hand on his.
Saying one final good-bye, Willow backed out of her spot and we were on our way to the city for a day of trying on clothes and, I hoped, a day at her spa. After moving to Memphis two years ago, Willow opened up her own salon and spa called Visions of You. It was very successful and something she really enjoyed doing. Because she owned the place, a trip to the city was never complete without the two of us going in for facials and full body massages.
“So,” Willow said as we drove on the highway. “I think we should do a little bit of shopping then stop for lunch before heading over for massages. What do you think?”
I frowned. “With my ribs, I don’t think I can have a massage.”
“Oh, pish! We’ll figure something out! Beth is amazing and will take excellent care of you,” she promised.
The two-hour drive to Memphis flew by as Willow mapped out all the shops she wanted us to hit. The first store we went into upon arriving was a little dress shop called JJ’s House. Willow ran through the store grabbing dress after dress off the racks for me to try on before handing them off to an associate to start me a fitting room.
“Will, I thought we were here for you?” I inquired.
She lifted the tiered skirt of a royal blue strapless dress and smirked at me. “Oh, we are. But I know what I want. We need to find you a dress, too.”
“Why do I need a dress?” I asked, repeating my question from earlier.
With her hands on her hips, she turned to me. “Madison, please. Just stop being so damn difficult. We’re here to have fun. Indulge me. Please?” It was hard to tell her no when she batted those big, blue peepers at me, so I huffed in exasperation and stepped behind the curtain to change, leaving her clapping in my wake.
The first dress I put on was a light pink, lace-covered dress with a really short skirt. The sleeves on it were long and puffy at the shoulder, doing absolutely nothing for my collarbones, and the color completely washed me out. I stepped out from behind the curtain, and Willow scrunched her nose.
“Seriously? Why did you pick this? It can’t look good on anyone.” As the words left my mouth, a girl two rooms down looked over at me, a bright smile on her face until she heard what I had said—and saw what dress I was talking about.
Smiling sheepishly, I retreated back behind my curtain. “Pay no attention to the lunatic behind the curtain,” I said, trying my best attempt at humor. Willow thought it was hilarious as she cackled from her seat outside my room.
The next two dresses were okay. The first was a basic black strapless dress with pockets. I thought I looked great in it, but Willow hemmed and hawed saying she didn’t think it was quite right.
“Quite right for what? I have nowhere to wear a dress like this. How can it not be right for hanging in my closet?” I demanded, folding my arms across my chest and glaring at her. She was being awfully cryptic and I didn’t like it.
“Next!” was all she said, physically turning me and pushed me back into the room.
Next in line was a purple organza dress with a jeweled collar. It looked pretty frightening, but I trusted Willow when she said it would look better on. It did, which was good. There was a peek-a-boo slit down the chest before it was belted around the waist and then flowed out into an A-Line skirt. It was cute. Not little black dress-cute, but still cute.
I stepped out and Willow vetoed it again within seconds. “You know,” I said, making sure the irritation was audible. “You’re about to choke on this dress.” I was only half kidding.
“Come on. Just one more. Try the cobalt one. I think it’ll look spectacular with your eyes and skin tone!”
Growing more and more frustrated with her insane need for me to find a dress, I changed out of the purple one and into the blue satin one that was left. The neckline was a plunging V that showed just enough cleavage to not be considered trashy and the back had a zipper that ran all the way from the bottom of the skirt to the top of the mid-rise back. It fit like a glove and I loved how it made me feel. Willow was right (which shouldn’t have shocked me, but did), and when I stepped out she nodded emphatically.
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” she cheered. “Madison, you have to get that one.”
The smile that I wore gave away just how much I wanted to buy the dress, too. However, when I looked at the tag that was positioned just below my arm, I choked a little. “Willow! It’s two hundred dollars!”
Willow got up to inspect the tag herself. “Yeah, marked down from five. Madison, just get it. You look sensational.” I couldn’t argue with her there. What I could argue with was that she wanted me to pay two hundr
ed dollars for a dress I would likely never even wear.
“Where would I wear it?” I asked.
There was an impish grin on her face as she shrugged. I started to think she maybe knew something I didn’t. “I don’t know. But can you really pass up a deal like that? Come on. Hell, if in a month’s time, you still haven’t worn it, you can come visit and we’ll go out on the town. Okay? Please?” She was begging now—as in literally down-on-her-knees, hands-folded-in-front-of-her begging.
“Fine,” I told her, pretending to be annoyed, even though the smile I wore said otherwise.
While I paid for my new dress, Willow had the associate run to the back for the one that she had put on hold the other day. Willow had all the dresses in the world, so I wasn’t sure why she needed to add yet another one to her insane collection.
“Brandon has a work party. I can’t wear something I’ve already worn.” Willow’s logic did not resemble that of a sane person. The girl was kooky.
After paying for our purchases, we walked out of the boutique with our white garment bags, laying them flat in Willow’s immaculately clean trunk before walking down the sidewalk to browse in a few more shops. I bought three more pairs of jeans, paying more for them than I normally would have—especially since I could have bought three pairs of Levi’s for the price of one. Willow assured me that they were great quality and would last a long time. She helped me pick out a few dressier tops that were still casual enough that I could wear them whenever and not just to the clubs I never went to.
We shopped for two hours, and I had to admit, I was having a blast. It was nice to hang out with her and talk about life and guys. We were just leaving the lingerie store when my stomach started rumbling and my side started to ache a little, so Willow decided it was time for lunch. She led the way to a near-by diner where she assured me they had the best vegetarian menu in all of Memphis.
Each of us ordered a veggie burger and a side salad, then talked some more. Whenever I talked about Jensen, Willow donned a grin so wide I knew it had to hurt her cheeks.
“What?” I inquired.