Heaven

by Rebecca Julia Lauren

She said it with a knowing look in her eyes but I had not clue what the hell she thought she knew. Luckily, or not, she clued me in. “You look at her like you’re imagining her naked.”

  I felt a smile curl my lips upward. “I’m a man, darlin’. We do tend to do that around women.”

  “You’ve imagined me naked?”

  Startled, I stared down at her a moment and lied. “Of course,” I replied smoothly. “You’re stunning.”

  Kate shook her head. “I like Cora. If you’re just one of the many men that are looking to get into her panties because the thought of taking her virginity gets you hot, I’d move on and let Aaron have his chance.”

  I missed the next step and damn near had us stumbling. Steadying Kate, I resumed the rhythm of the Texas two-step that I knew by heart, my mind trying to wrap around the knowledge that I hadn’t misunderstood Cori last night. She’d said virgin, and apparently she wasn’t joking around.

  “Don’t tell me you didn’t know?”

  “She never told me.”

  “Cora didn’t tell me either. I overheard her and her friend Isabelle talking when we’d gone out one night. Funny, I think I might have heard your name as well.”

  The song ended but Kate didn’t let go of me. “If you’re looking for something less complicated, hot sex, no expectations, you should consider leaving with me, cowboy.”

  Hit with an offer that should have been every straight man’s fantasy, I was, shockingly, uninterested. “You should expect more from the men that are lucky enough to share your company, Kate.”

  I saw the surprise in her eyes a moment before Cori stepped up to us, hands on her hips and gaze glittering with emotion. “Sorry, Kate. He’s mine,” Cori announced, fisting the waistband of my jeans and tugging.

  Not resisting Cori, I let my arms fall from around Kate and cast her a look of apology.

  Kate’s fists rested on her hips as her gaze settled on Cori and I. “I hope you know what you’re doing Cora.”

  “Me too.”

  The uncharacteristic uncertainty in Cori’s voice had me reaching beneath her chin and tilting it upward so that I could see her eyes. I heard Kate’s sigh of resignation and her say, “Okay. Well, you two kids stay out of trouble.”

  But my attention was focused on the woman in front of me. “What’s wrong?”

  Asking most women that question would have produced an answer that no man on the planet would begin to understand, but Cori was unlike any other woman. She fearlessly spoke her mind and held nothing back.

  Her expression let me know I’d fired her up. “I leave you alone for five minutes and you’re trying to recruit my friend into your harem? Seriously, Jase. I’m kind of pissed at you now.”

  Fighting back a smile, I locked my eyes with hers. “I was not hitting on your friend. I’d never hurt you, Cori. If anyone should be pissed, I think it’s me.”

  The line of concern deepened between her brows as she considered what I’d said. With a sigh, she closed her eyes briefly before looking up at me again. “Sorry. I guess I was jealous.”

  This was getting better. I grinned. “You don’t need to be jealous. I’m all yours.”

  “Don’t bullshit me, Jase. I can see that you like the idea of me jealous.”

  “Yeah, I do. It’s only fair that you feel some of what I was feeling when you left to go off with your ex.” I was part teasing her, but the expression on Cori’s face made me pause. “Did that guy do something to make you uncomfortable?”

  “It’s all settled now.”

  My ass-kicking switch flipped on at her vague answer. “What did he do?” I asked quietly, seething with leashed anger on her behalf.

  Cori looked at me with surprise then shook her head. “Nothing like you’re thinking,” she assured me quickly. “Just a misunderstanding. It’s cool now. He knows he and I are just friends.”

  I relaxed a little. “You’re not changing your mind about us—“ I stopped searching for the right words to finish the sentence. Hooking up? Having sex? Fucking? I winced and settled for, “About us?”

  “No way,” she answered quickly, doubt skating across her delicate features. “Have you changed your mind?”

  “No.” My fingers brushed her lips, and I heard her breath catch. She was amazing, so fucking beautiful and fun. “Cori, when you said what you did about me ridding you of your virginity, you were joking, right?”

  Her cautious gaze flicked to mine. “Is that going to be a problem? I assumed with your vast experience that you’d be up for the job.”

  I was so shocked it took several seconds for me to reply. “It’s true? You’re a virgin?”

  “Okay, so it’s a problem,” she said dryly. She turned away, but not before I caught the flash of uncertainty in her eyes.

  I took her arm and pulled her against me. “I’m just surprised.”

  She shot me a cut-the-bullshit look. “Jase, you said virgin in the same tone you’d use to refer to someone with the Ebola virus.”

  That might be true but only because I couldn’t believe that Cori had never had sex. A dose of pure pleasure swept through me, and I got hard thinking about being Cori’s first. Thinking of all the nights I’d gone home and beaten the hell out of my punching bag after Cori had shown an interest in some jerk, I felt a strange sense of relief. None of those guys had ever gotten anywhere with her. I suddenly felt like smiling.

  “I know it’s a little weird at my age, which is another reason why I think it would be best to do it with someone I know.” She glanced up at me with a look in her eyes that made my chest tighten. “You’re probably really good at this sort of thing.”

  I almost laughed because she was so damned serious. “Absolutely, darlin’.”

  Blue-green eyes flicked to mine. “You’ve got a lot of experience.”

  “I don’t want to brag.”

  Fire flashed in those beautiful eyes, and she tried to pull away but I held her in my arms. “Like hell you don’t. Just how good are you, Jase?

  I lifted a quizzical brow at that, more amused than I should have been. Resisting the urge to crush my mouth against hers, I looked down into her eyes. “How the hell am I supposed to answer that question?”

  “Very carefully,” she replied with a smile.

  “Fine. I’m good enough to pleasure you with my hands, body and mouth.”

  Her eyes darkened and I saw the flicker of desire in their depths. “That sounds interesting. I get to do the same to you, right?”

  “You can do anything you want to me, Cori.”

  “Hmm. I like the sound of that.”

  So did I. It took every ounce of decency I had to ask the next question. “Are you sure you want to do this—with me?” I watched her closely and saw the surprise on her face.

  She sighed softly and pushed a rope of hair behind her ear. “Since we’ve already established that you’re practically and expert at it, I can only assume you’re asking if I want to save it for the man I fall in love with.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I’m asking.” I ground the words out tightly, not liking the idea of Cori in love with some other guy.

  “Jeez, I can’t believe you’re saying this. Why are you?”

  “Because I don’t want you to do something you’re gonna later regret.”

  “I may never fall in love, but that doesn’t mean I never want to experience sex,” she said a little too casually.

  “You’ve waited this long.”

  “I’m tired of waiting.”

  Something in her tone had my eyes fastened to hers. She was lying, and I wanted to know why but sensed now wasn’t the time to push. Too bad patience wasn’t one of my virtues. “Taking a lover isn’t going to make you like your mother.”

  She swallowed hard, lifted her clear blue-green eyes to mine and forced a smile. “You know me too well, Jase.” Stepping closer, she reached out and settled her small hand over my heart. “At first I was determined to rebel against Olivia’s lifestyle. I considered becoming a
nun, but they’re pretty insistent that you have to be Catholic.” Cori directed a fierce look my way. “Don’t laugh.”

  “Of course not.” I tried not to even smile.

  Her eyes tangled with mine. “You want to know the real reason I haven’t had sex with anyone?”

  She was so sweet. “Tell me.”

  “It’s because of you.” Her pink tongue flicked out and slid across her bottom lip, and her gaze dropped to my mouth. “There’s no one I want inside of me, but you.”

  My heart slammed against my chest, and I reached for Cori, needing to touch her. Suddenly something small and fierce barreled into me dumping ice-cold liquid down the front of my jeans, effectively dousing my desire for Cori.

  What the hell had just happened?

  Chapter 7

  Cora

  Jase had been about to kiss me.

  My lips still tingled in anticipation of the kiss that was not meant to be.

  Blinking, I glanced over at Jase whose faded jeans were now splattered with cherry-red soda and a little girl with ponytails was staring up at him as if she thought he was the monster that lived under the bed.

  Without warning the girl began to cry. Jase tensed, frowned, and crouched in front of the crying child. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’ll buy you another drink.”

  Her hands covered her face and she sobbed harder. Jase’s hand gently fell on the top of her head and he spoke in a soft, low tone that seemed to soothe the distraught little girl.

  “They’ve got cotton candy and kettle corn too, if that would help. Come on, sweetheart, let me see you smile.”

  I watched in fascination as Jase’s legendary charm won over the little girl, and her sobs slowed. Cautiously, she parted her hands from her wet eyes and stared in awe at Jase.

  “You’re not mad?” she whispered, her bottom lip quivering.

  “I could never be mad at you, sweetheart. It was an accident.” Jase’s slow smile had the girl beaming at him with hero-worship in her eyes. He held out his hand. “I’m Jase. What’s your name?”

  “Dawn.” Her smile widened, revealing two missing front teeth. “I’m six.”

  “Well, Miss Dawn, you are a young lady.” Jase’s deep Southern drawl had Dawn’s eyes shining with delight.

  Out of the corner of my eye I saw an attractive woman step up to Jase, and I guessed she was Dawn’s mother. She was every bit as enthralled with Jase as her daughter.

  “Thank you so much,” the woman gushed.

  Jase grinned and the woman, who looked to be around thirty, blushed. Pulling a few dollars from his wallet Jase handed them to Dawn, then looked at her mother. “It’s nothing.”

  “I don’t mean that.” The woman looked concerned. “You don’t have to give Dawn anything. You’re kindness is enough.”

  I saw the woman’s gaze drop and mine followed hers to the front of Jase’s jeans, which were soaked with red soda over his crotch and thighs.

  “Let me give you my number and you can call me when you find out how much it’ll cost to replace those jeans.” The woman’s voice sounded husky and breathless. “They fit you real good. It would be a shame for you not to get another pair.”

  “No worries. I’ve got another pair at home if my girlfriend can’t get the drink out, but I’ll bet she can.” Jase’s fingers closed around my wrist and he tugged me beside him. “Cori is pure genius when it comes to fighting stains.” He glanced over at me with a smile in his eyes.

  “That’s right, baby,” I replied easily, looking at Dawn’s infatuated mother. Lowering my voice, I told her, “The last time we went zip lining he had a tiny accident. I was pure magic with that stain.”

  Dawn’s mother’s eyes widened, and Jase grinned good-naturedly, but I caught the flash of warning in his eyes.

  “It was nice to meet the both of you. Thank you for everything,” she told us, taking her daughter’s hand.

  I turned to Jase and felt myself smile. “Was it something I said?”

  He grinned just before his hand shot out and smacked my bottom. I gasped. He chuckled and dodged my hand as I tried to return the favor. Slipping his arm around my waist, he tugged me against him, making my pulse dance.

  “You’re getting me wet, Jase.” It wasn’t until the words were out that I realized how they sounded, and the sexual innuendo had my brows lifting.

  Jase laughed. “I like the idea of you wet.”

  Heat kindled in my lower belly.

  “It’s only fair that you experience some of what you make me feel.” His eyes darkened. “A word of warning—don’t ever say what you did to me again unless we’re alone.”

  “You mean about me wanting you inside of me?” I asked innocently, liking the possessive glint in his green eyes. He shifted and I felt his body, hard and ready, nestled between my legs.

  I gulped. “Jase?”

  “Did you drive?” His voice was strangely thick.

  I shook my head and he took his hand in mine.

  “Are we going to fuck now?”

  Jase stopped suddenly, and glanced down at me. “Jesus, Cori.” He shook his head, tensed and I knew he was struggling for control. “We’re in a parking garage.”

  “You’ve never done it in public.”

  “I’m not taking your virginity in damned garage so stopped looking at me like that.”

  “Sorry. I really want you.”

  He growled my name as he shoved open the door to the stairwell and pushed me up against the wall, his lips brushing my neck. My fingers threaded his hair and I moaned as he kissed my throat. When his mouth reached mine I was on fire.

  “Jase.”

  His eyes flicked to mine. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

  My throat went dry. “Please.”

  He dipped his head, his mouth hovering over mine, but he didn’t kiss me, not yet. I felt his hand move up my side, along my ribcage so close to my breast, but he didn’t touch me there either. His thigh slipped between mine, and I shifted, rubbing against him. I whimpered at the erotic friction and his lips brushed mine.

  We kissed hungrily. Our tongues met, my breath hitched and suddenly I couldn’t think of anything but the feel of his mouth on mine. His thigh rubbed against my core and I moaned my pleasure.

  Just when I thought I couldn’t take another moment of the exquisite torture, his thumbs flicked my nipples and he swallowed the sound that came from deep inside of me. His mouth, fingers and thigh swept me into a frenzy that was unbearably sensual. My entire body tensed and I shattered crying out his name.

  He held me while I came, and brushed his lips tenderly across my temple when the last of the waves had died within me. “Better?” he whispered.

  I was weak, and if he hadn’t been holding me I wasn’t sure I could stand on my own. But I felt incredible. “If I say no, will you do that to me again?”

  “Absolutely,” he promised.

  I smiled, my heart swelling. “After I return the favor, I’ll hold you to that.”

  He nipped my neck lightly and I shivered. “You don’t owe me anything. The pleasure was all mine.”

  “I want you to know how thankful I am. Now, I know why you’re irresistible to women.” I heard the pout in my own voice and almost winced, thinking how much I sounded like one of the harem.

  Lifting his head, Jase’s gaze locked with mine. “Was that you’re first orgasm?”

  Wow, I actually felt myself blush. “No. It was just the best one.”

  Jase’s eyes glittered with interest, and I knew what he was thinking.

  “You’re the only one that’s ever made me come, Jase. The other times I’ve been solo.” I glanced away, self-conscious of the way he was watching me. “Thank you.”

  Jase’s green eyes turned nearly black, and I knew how hungry he was, how much he was holding back. “Watching you come is all the thanks I need.”

  Something in his voice made my chest constrict. I ached to touch him. “Jase.”

  “I love hearing you say my name
.” He smiled and brushed a strand of hair from my face. “Moaning it is even better.”

  “Let’s go home and finish what we’ve started,” I suggested.

  Voices in the stairwell had Jase stepping in front of me protectively. Seconds later a couple passed us. Once they were gone, Jase turned to me. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “You’re taking me to bed, right?”

  “I’m taking you to heaven, Cori.”

  I had no doubt that he could.

  Jase

  I was still shaking from what had happened between Cori and I in the stairwell. If it had been anyone but Cori, I’d have hauled ass as fast as I could, but no way could I leave my best friend when she was clearly vulnerable, despite that she pretended things between us were casual. I knew better.

  Holy fuck, I hoped this wasn’t a mistake. I’ve always been attracted to Cori, but it was easier to ignore the pull between us before I’d touched her. I don’t even know exactly what had happened. One minute I’m seducing her, wanting only to give her pleasure, and the next thing I know I’m shoving my best friend against a wall and ready to get into her pants with a need that scared the shit out of me.

  She wanted to finish what we started, but I didn’t trust myself around her. Not after the hurricane that had ripped through me after a kiss and a little petting. Cori was virgin and she deserved more than a quick hard fuck from me. She deserved things I didn’t know if I could give her, but I was going to have to try.

  I didn’t do relationships, wasn’t ready for one, even with Cori, but I couldn’t turn her down either. The thought weighed heavily on my mind as I drove us to the place where Cori and I loved to hang out.

  “I love this place.” Cori threw the comment over her shoulder, her eyes shining with delight as she stared at all of the lights and sounds of the carnival. “What’s first tonight?”

  “Ladies choice.” She was going to choose the Ferris wheel. I knew it, already had the tickets, and had started psyching myself up for the ride.

  She looked concerned. “Mirror Maze.”

  “You want to ride the Ferris wheel.”

  “But you don’t.”