The Wrong Perfect Match (Fullilove in the House Book 1)

by Sidney Bristol

  She shivered and pulled back then.

  Was he serious? What kind of guy just threw that out there?

  Then again, he’d told her all about his plan for settling down and having the kind of family he’d never had. The kid she’d wanted to get back. The kind she’d pushed off into the future for when she was ready.

  It wasn’t a bad dream, but asking her to buy into all of that on the first step was a bit much. Then again, wasn’t that what she ultimately wanted? Someone to go through life with?

  She had Nicole now, but they both wanted more. A family. A chance to do things right, in their own way and time.

  He tightened his hold on her hand. “Brandi, I’m attracted to you and I would really like to see where this goes. But, that takes two of us.”

  “I know.”

  “So, what will it be?”

  She stared into his deep, dark eyes and felt her resolve crumbling.

  Brandi had never done very well when it came to denying herself what she wanted. And right now she wanted him.

  “I don’t know,” she whispered instead looking back at him. He was so perfect. So in control. And it was all because he’d created his life to be this. She wanted that for herself. Someday.

  Jayden guided her hand around his waist and held it behind him. It gave her the perfect excuse to lean in just a tiny bit more.

  At five ten, she didn’t often get to look up at a man. Jayden was likely a smidge over six foot without dress shoes on. Just a few inches, and yet those mattered. She didn’t feel small and delicate, but there was something about his size and the masculinity radiating off him that had her more in tune with her feminine urges.

  “Did you want me to kiss you?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

  Her stomach twisted into a knot. She swallowed down the urge to hide or laugh it off. Jayden was being honest. Now she had to match him.

  “Yes,” she whispered. Her whole body seemed to throb with need.

  Brandi would tell Nicole. She’d come clean and make everything right. It wasn’t like Nicole was even interested in Jayden. Especially if the texts from last night were any indication.

  So what was the hold up?

  Why was Brandi hesitating?

  An answer teased the back of her mind, but she wasn’t ready for that.

  Her focus had to be on finding her father and work. This thing with Jayden could only be for fun or to scratch an itch. That was all she could give him. For now. And for all his, why does it have to end? The truth was he was just as likely to get bored or tired of her and move on. Especially when she couldn’t slide into his neatly ordered life.

  So why not enjoy this moment for what it was? Two dissimilar people finding a temporary connection.

  She tipped her chin up a tiny bit more, meeting his gaze more fully. “Kiss me again?”

  Jayden seemed to consider her question for a moment while his gaze roved over her face.

  Then he bent his head. He let go of her hand and lifted it to run his fingers along her jaw. She sucked in a breath at the barely there touch. It sent tendrils of awareness snaking through her. Her nipples tightened into hard points. She was wearing her most comfortable bra, and yet it felt like it was made out of sandpaper.

  Jayden was so close now she could feel the whisper of his breath on her lips. Coupled with the feel of his heart against her palm, it seemed as though they were completely in synch.

  His lips slid over hers, tender at first. She tightened her hold around his waist in an effort to get closer. His mouth moved, demanding more.

  A hand slid into her hair. Her heart skipped a beat as his fingers tightened their grip.

  What was it about her hair that made her turn to goo?

  Jayden forced her head to the side. He kissed down her neck, his stubble counterbalancing the sensuous glide of his mouth.

  God, she’d said kiss her. She hadn’t imagined a kiss would be a full-body experience.

  He lifted his other hand to cup her cheek as his mouth investigated the dip at the base of her throat.

  Her hand against his chest roved, touching him.

  Jayden was a man of fierce dedication. It was evident from the path he’d chosen, how he attacked problems and even passion. And now it was aimed at her.

  She felt as though she were boiling up, and yet she wanted to get closer, to soak up more of his heat.

  Brandi turned her face, causing him to pull on her hair. Not hard, just enough so she felt a tiny prickling along her scalp. If anything it made her knees wobble just a little. She hooked her arm around his neck.

  Jayden finally lifted his face, his nose bumping hers. She looked up into his heavily lidded eyes and knew that she wanted a whole lot more than kisses from him.

  He tightened the hold on her hair, tilting her head just right. She sighed as he closed the distance between them and kissed her mouth again. Brandi wrapped both arms around him, lifting up on tip toe so she was that much closer. The hand at her back slid lower. His tongue teased her own.

  She wanted—no, needed him.

  Brandi tugged his shirt up enough for her to get her hands under it. His skin was so smooth and warm.

  “That’s not fair,” he muttered against her lips.

  She nipped at his lower lip. “Do you need an invitation?”

  “Yes.”

  She chuckled.

  He hadn’t needed an invitation to stop by Sunday.

  Was he learning something? Or was this just his smart mouth popping off?

  “How detailed does this invitation need to be?” She had her forearms under his shirt now. Or close to it. His clothes were well-tailored, leaving little room for her.

  He lifted his head just enough for her to be able to see him. “Depends on what you’re inviting me to do.”

  Brandi bit the inside of her mouth to keep from grinning then turned in his arms. He released his hold on her hair, letting his arms encircle her waist instead, while she edged closer to the bar.

  She reached blindly into her tote, finding the small notebook with the embossed paper. Laying it on the bar, she slid her favorite pen out of her pocket and bent to the task, all while acutely aware of the man at her back.

  “To Jayden Fullilove,” she muttered.

  He pushed her hair over her shoulder, letting his breath tickle her neck as he spoke. “D. Jayden D Fullilove.”

  “I’m very sorry. To Jayden D. Fullilove, Your presence is requested—”

  “Are you really writing this?” He chuckled and peered at the notebook.

  She lifted a shoulder and glanced back at him, shifting her ass against his not so subtle hard on. “You said you needed an invitation.”

  His smile was so enchanting and bright, as if the concept of her silly invitation appealed to him.

  She could work with that.

  “Your presence is requested at my place of residence tonight for dinner and...” Her cheeks heated as she considered how to word this.

  “And?” Jayden pressed a gentle kiss to her neck causing her heart to almost stop beating.

  “How specific should I be?”

  He splayed his hand against her stomach. Her skin tingled and warmth pooled between her legs.

  “In my experience, it’s best to set clear expectations.” His voice was a low rumble she felt more than heard.

  She wished she could erase the and in her sentence. Oh well.

  “Dinner and making out,” she said as she wrote the words.

  His lips caressed the shell of her ear. “Is that all?”

  She peered over her shoulder at him. “Who is writing the invitation?”

  He grinned at her, which was somehow also very hot. “Touché.”

  Brandi kissed him, because she could and she wanted to. Jayden groaned and gripped her tighter.

  “Tell me what else I can do,” he muttered against her lips.

  Brandi panted for breath. One kiss and he was doing her in. She slanted a gaze down at the paper so s
he at least got close to the line.

  “Heavy petting,” she added.

  “Is that so?” Jayden’s hand crept lower, covering her hip then down her legs.

  She pressed her thighs together. “That’s what the invitation says.”

  “Hm.”

  Brandi was given no warning. One moment she was on her own, two feet, and the next Jayden had scooped her up.

  “Wait—what?” She squealed and clutched his shoulders.

  He carried her to the sofa and set her down. His eyes locked with hers as he pushed her legs apart and knelt between her thighs.

  This was really happening.

  Jayden leaned toward her. His hand slid up her leg and under the hem of her shirt. His fingertips grazed her stomach, leaving behind trails of tingling skin.

  “What would you like me to pet?” He didn’t just ask her. It wasn’t just a question. It was all of him. His voice was deep and sensual. His every fiber focused on her. All that intellect and drive aimed at her.

  “What do you want to pet first?” she countered.

  Brandi liked sex. She had a healthy appetite and very little ability to say no. Which had gotten her in trouble over the years. But she rarely let an opportunity pass her by.

  Maybe this one time she should say no, but she was too far gone.

  “Hm.” Jayden’s gaze roved over her face then down her chest.

  Her nipples perked up immediately.

  He leaned in and kissed her lips in that same, unhurried fashion. She cupped his face with her hands and held him there. The hands at her waist grew bolder as he explored with his fingers. She arched her back as he skimmed her spine with his knuckles.

  She panted against his lips. The need inside of her was sharp and hungry. Taking their time was nice and all, but her appetite was far too big to tease like this.

  Brandi reached down and grabbed the chiffon bow at her neck, tugging it free. With her other hand she hauled the delicate garment up over her head, leaving her in slacks and her comfy bra. It was flesh-beige with a stretchy white lace over it. Not the sexiest bra in her wardrobe, but it wasn’t like she got many options for pretty bras in her size.

  Jayden’s eyes went wide and he stared at her newly revealed cleavage as if he had just glimpsed the Hope Diamond for the first time. Brandi couldn’t help but grin at his purely male reaction.

  He eased back, sitting on his heels with his hands on her thighs. “You know we don’t have to—”

  “No one makes me do anything I don’t want to do,” she said with a smirk. “Anything worth doing is worth doing all the way.”

  Jayden’s already molten gaze seemed to flame hotter.

  Goose flesh broke out on her arms. She resisted the urge to crawl out of her clothes and just rub against him. While her baser instincts weren’t wrong, she was enjoying this banter with him.

  Jayden cupped her breasts, his eyes going wide. He was almost reverent in the way he touched her. She tipped her head back and let herself enjoy this. There was something about a strong man’s touch that got to her.

  He dipped his fingers past the lacey cups of her bra and found her stiff nipple.

  Brandi gasped and stared at the popcorn ceiling without seeing it as he began to play her body. She was dimly aware of his eyes on her as he teased first one nipple then the other.

  He hooked his finger in the plunge of the bra, then drew it to the left, tugging the cup down. She bit her lip as cool air kissed her heated skin.

  Jayden leaned in and wrapped his lips around the exposed nipple. His tongue swirled over and around the stiff flesh. She gasped and clutched his shoulders. Her back arched and she wrapped her legs around him.

  He captured the same nipple between his fingers, toying with it.

  She wanted his hands everywhere. All over her.

  Desperate, Brandi twisted her arms behind her and released the catch on her bra.

  Jayden sat back, allowing the garment to fall on the floor.

  For a moment they sat there, both panting with need and simply looking their fill.

  “You are so damn beautiful.” His tone was reverent, and no part of her doubted his words.

  There was something about Jayden that made it impossible for her to not believe him. He was a man of standards. He wouldn’t call her beautiful to soothe her ego. If he said it, that was his truth.

  “You’re not so bad looking yourself,” she purred.

  His gaze flicked up to her face for all of a quarter second.

  Jayden lifted a hand and using a single finger caressed the lower curve of her right breast.

  She sucked in a breath, feeling that touch all the way to her core.

  “Would you look at that?” One side of his mouth hitched up.

  “W-what?” she managed to get out despite the dryness in her mouth.

  His gaze remained riveted on her nipples. “So much change all from one touch.”

  At this point she wouldn’t be surprised if she could cut glass. There was so much need coursing through her veins she had half a mind to jump the man right there on her living room floor.

  That wasn’t a half-bad idea.

  Jayden seemed like the kind of guy that wanted to take his time, and right now she wanted a fix.

  Brandi couldn’t help but smile, not that Jayden noticed.

  She planted her hands on his shoulders then pushed, going to her knees at the same time.

  Caught off-guard, Jayden sat down, barely catching himself before he rolled to his back. She straddled his hips, wishing she were wearing a lot less clothing.

  She flashed him a smile then guided both his hands to her breasts.

  He palmed both, all while watching her face.

  “Better,” she said.

  “Is it?”

  She trailed her finger up his chest, hooking it around the topmost button. “Yes.”

  Brandi slid the disc free, exposing a small patch of brown skin and the collar of his undershirt.

  Of course he was the kind of guy who wore undershirts. It was a little dated, and yet—it fit him. Jayden was a bit of an old soul that way. And she liked that about him.

  “What are you smiling about?” he asked.

  She met his gaze and her smile widened. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  He tugged gently on one nipple. “That’s why I’m asking.”

  Brandi gasped as a fresh wave of arousal hit her. He rubbed the abused flash and she groaned.

  Naked.

  She needed him naked now.

  Brandi focused on the buttons, tugging them free while her arms tangled with Jayden’s. At long last she had his shirt unbuttoned. She grabbed the undershirt and yanked it up. He chuckled and let go of her, lifting his arms. She pulled both shirts off and tossed them out of the way.

  It was her turn to look at him. She’d seen his strength in action, but admiring it was a totally different kind of activity. One she wanted to enjoy.

  Brandi splayed her hands against his chest and stroked down to his abs.

  Every bit of him was hard and toned. Because of course he did everything to the point of excellence, even with his workout.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  One side of her mouth screwed up. She couldn’t help but smile. “Nothing.”

  “Liar.”

  She planted her hands on his shoulders and shifted her hips. His erection pressed against her and she felt him shiver and saw the sudden clench of his jaw.

  Someone was playing it cool...

  Jayden grasped her hips, shifting her body so that she rocked against his cock, all while he stared into her eyes. Her cheeks heated at the feel of him and how intimately close they were.

  The only thing stopping him from being inside of her were a few layers of fabric.

  Suddenly Jayden wrapped an arm around her waist and rolled.

  Brandi grunted as her back hit the carpet and a large, warm body settled over her.

  She braced her hands on his shoulders and
shifted. “No fair.”

  “Fair?” He quirked a brow at her. “We’re just taking turns here.”

  “Really?” She arched her back, enjoying the sensation of her nipples sliding along his warm skin.

  Jayden bent his head and kissed her. He surrounded her, taking up all the space in her head.

  This man was dangerous, and she didn’t care. She wanted him.

  His hand closed over her breast again and she whimpered. She wanted his touch, and yet she was so very sensitive.

  Spend some more time on the floor

  “Jay? Jayden?” She held on tight to him.

  He nuzzled her cheek. “Hm?”

  She kept her eyes closed as she spoke. The need was too great. Her voice was ragged with it. “I really fucking need you inside me now.”

  She felt him freeze over her, his whole body taut.

  Brandi wasn’t one to beg, but she was close to it.

  “Are...” He drew in a breath, his ribs pressing her even deeper into the plush carpet. “You sure?”

  She opened her eyes. The familiar notes of need in his voice sounded a lot like her own.

  Heat blazed in his eyes along with a little uncertainty.

  “Yes,” she said with far more confidence.

  He wanted her. She wanted him. It was a simple equation.

  Jayden pushed up off her and grabbed her hand. He stood, helping her stand on jellied legs.

  She felt her heart pulsing in her throat.

  Was she really doing this?

  Well, yes.

  It wasn’t that out of character for her to fall into bed with a man if they had chemistry.

  But was she doing this with him? Jayden? Her roommate’s one-time date?

  Jayden kissed her before her mind could answer, and after that all she could hear was, right now, right here.

  He backed up, pulling her with him.

  “Um, bedroom is the other way,” she muttered.

  “One thing first.” He turned them so he stood at her back and she faced the kitchen bar. He picked up the pen for her. “You have to finish something.”

  “Oh my God.” She snatched the pen out of his hand. Was he serious?

  Okay, part of her found this endearing.

  She cleared her throat and glanced over the words. “To Jayden D. Fullilove—what are you...?”

  He unfastened her stretchy slacks and gravity did the rest.