Vote Then Read: Volume II

by Lauren Blakely

  After, she changed into the nightgown. This time, when she saw her reflection, she smiled. If it weren’t for the bruises, she’d actually look halfway decent. Butterflies began dancing in her stomach as she wondered what Jake would think.

  Olivia ran the brush through her hair before turning off the light and walking out. Her breath caught in her chest when she saw him.

  Chapter 17

  Jake was lying on the bed closest to the door. He was shirtless and, holy hell, the man looked flawless. It was so not fair.

  Sitting with his back against the headboard, he looked like a freaking underwear model. And the way he was staring back at her…wow.

  “Wow,” he echoed her thoughts. “You look…” his words tapered off, as if he wasn’t sure what to say.

  “Fine?” Olivia teased, but Jake didn’t crack a smile.

  “Gorgeous,” he whispered breathlessly.

  The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard. Blushing, she tucked some hair behind her ear. “Oh…um…thanks.”

  Hiding her nervousness, she walked around the foot of the empty bed. A soft, rustling sound came from behind her as she made a move to turn down the bedding.

  Fingers gently caressed the bruised skin on her arm, the unexpected contact causing Olivia to jump. She felt Jake pull away, and instantly wished she could take back her reaction.

  “Sorry.” His voice was low as he spoke from behind her. “Did I hurt you?”

  She turned to face him, those damn butterflies swirling around like a hurricane. She inhaled his scent. He smelled of soap and something that could only be described as Jake.

  “No. You just surprised me, that’s all.”

  Jake’s brow creased as he looked down at her. Cautiously, he moved his hand up toward her face, running the back of his knuckles across her bruised chin and cheek. His touch was so gentle, she could barely feel it, yet her pulse raced from the contact.

  “I’m so fucking sorry I couldn’t keep those bastards from hurting you.”

  The guilt in his eyes was tearing her apart. Wrapping her fingers around his wrist, Olivia assured him, “I’m okay, Jake. I promise.” And for the first time in a long time, she believed those words to be true.

  Without breaking her gentle hold, Jake turned his wrist and cupped the side of her face. “I’ve never met another woman like you. So strong,” he leaned in, their lips nearly touching. “So beautiful.”

  The set of crystal blue eyes shining back at her darkened with desire. Olivia’s heart beat with the force of a kick drum as she realized the dream she’d been holding on to all these years was about to come true.

  “Jake,” she exhaled his name.

  He brushed his lips against hers in a barely-there kiss. Moving his free hand around to the small of her back, Jake gently pulled her to him, her breasts pressing against his bare chest. The gown’s thin silk wasn’t much of a barrier, and when she felt his erection against her belly, a shiver raced down her spine.

  The tip of his tongue traced her bottom lip, and she opened her mouth, inviting him in. Their tongues moved together slowly, this kiss very different from the ones they’d already shared. They were taking their time, now. Learning about one another in a whole new way.

  Olivia laid her hand against Jake’s warm chest and began running her fingers across the strong muscles there. She could feel his heart racing frantically beneath her palm, and found comfort in knowing he was just as affected by her touch, as she was his.

  Using her other arm, she grabbed the back of his neck and deepened the kiss. Caught up in their sensual dance, Olivia didn’t even realize Jake had turned their bodies around until the backs of her legs hit the mattress.

  Without breaking the kiss, she sat down, her nightgown making it easy to for her to slide farther back onto the bed. Jake followed her lead.

  He lay beside her. With his weight rested on one elbow, his other hand was free to explore. They continued to taste one another, their tongues swirling and thrusting together perfectly. Jake ran his fingers down her jawline before tracing the pulse line of her neck, no doubt feeling the incredible effects from his touch.

  His hand continued lower, his strong fingers outlining her breast before finding her hardened nipple. Olivia gasped against his mouth. The material covering her was so thin, it was almost as if she were wearing nothing at all. Almost.

  “Jake,” she breathed out his name against his lips.

  He rolled the distended nub between his thumb and forefinger, the sensation nothing short of exhilarating. It was as if her nipple was somehow connected to that tiny bundle of nerves between her thighs, and when he gave it a gentle tug, Olivia cried out. Her lower body arched upward of its own accord, begging him for more.

  Jake pulled his mouth away and began trailing tiny kisses up her cheek, stopping at that spot just behind her ear. She shivered again, and when he took her earlobe between his teeth, Olivia didn’t even try to stifle her moan.

  “God, Liv.” His hot breath whispered across her ear and neck. “You make it impossible to be good.”

  “Oh, I don’t know.” She ran her hands up and down his taut arms. “What you’re doing feels pretty damn good to me.” She felt him smile against her neck.

  “Smartass.” He pulled back so he could look down at her, his expression becoming too serious for her liking. “We shouldn’t be doing this.”

  Her heart damn near stopped. “W-why not?”

  Jake’s eyebrows rose. “Why not? For one thing, you’re hurt—”

  “They’re just bruises, Jake,” she interrupted, but he continued on.

  “And you’ve been through hell. Your emotions are probably all over the place, and I can’t”—he licked his lips—“I won’t take advantage of that. Not with you.”

  Olivia worked to keep her voice steady and prayed she didn’t sound as desperate as she felt. “It’s not taking advantage, if it’s what I want.”

  Jake’s brow creased as he slowly brushed a wayward curl from her forehead. “Sweetheart, you need to rest. After what you’ve been through, you need to—”

  Olivia stopped him with a finger against his lips. “I know exactly what I’ve been through, Jake. I also know what I need.”

  She rose up, hiding a wince as her sore ribs pulled, and kissed him softly. Determined to prove her point, Olivia slid a hand down between them.

  Through his boxers, she wrapped her fingers around his impressive erection as best she could and began to stroke him. Jake closed his eyes, his breath hissing between his teeth.

  Olivia smiled. “And all I need right now, is you.”

  He was hot and pulsing against her fist. The wonderfully stubborn man was doing his best to play the gentleman. To hell with that.

  Olivia had literally come face to face with death more than once over the past few weeks. Although, a part of her understood she was probably crazy to be thinking of sex after everything that had happened, she didn’t care.

  Now, more than ever, she understood just how precious life was. There was no promise of tomorrow. Not for anyone.

  Tonight, she was free. Something Olivia had begun to believe she’d never be again. So, tonight was going to be all about living.

  “Olivia…” Jake’s voice sounded strained as he tried reasoning with her again. The man was nothing, if not persistent.

  She smiled and shook her head, her fist slowly stroking up and down. “Stop trying to talk me out of this, Jake.”

  “But…”

  “No buts.” She released him and framed his face with both hands. “I’m not asking for forever here.” She leaned up and kissed him again. “All I’m asking for is this.” She kissed his strong jaw. “Us.” A small kiss to his chin. “Tonight.”

  Olivia held her breath, praying he didn’t say no. When she looked into his eyes, heavy-lidded with arousal, she could see his resolve crumbling.

  Jake gently palmed her face with both hands. “I don’t want to hurt you, sweetheart. The last fucking thing I
ever want to do is hurt you.”

  “You won’t hurt me, Jake,” one of her hands caressed his rugged cheek. “Please. If you want me like you say you do, then give me something good to take away from all of this.”

  Jake had tried. He’d really tried to do the right thing and back off, but he was no saint. Olivia was lying next to him in that unbelievably sexy gown, practically begging him to make love to her. Like hell, she’d ever have to beg him for anything.

  “I’ve wanted you for so long, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t,” he confessed. “You have no idea how hard it’s been not to touch you this way. To not be with you.”

  He ground his hips against her thigh, his swollen cock painfully hard. With one finger, he traced her jawline. “So many nights I’d lie awake, wondering what it would be like to be inside you. I couldn’t tell you the number of times I’ve used my own fist while imagining it was you touching me. So, hell yeah, baby. I want you. Don’t ever doubt that for a second.”

  The admission left him shaking. Olivia looked up at him with widened eyes, his words leaving her a little bit shocked…and a whole lot turned on.

  Licking her lips, she whispered, “Then take me, Jake.”

  The final thread in his control broke loose. This time, when he kissed her, he wasn’t gentle. Jake slammed his mouth against hers, his hand moving down along the outside of her leg.

  He grabbed the back of her knee, pulled it up, and slid his fingers beneath the gown’s lace trim. His hand continued its journey upward, caressing the soft, smooth skin of her outer thigh. When he reached her hip, Olivia opened her leg wider, his fingertips touching the lace at the edge of her panties.

  Jake covered her mound, and she inhaled sharply. When he felt her core’s wet heat, his cock leapt beneath his boxers. Holy fuck. She was soaked clear-through.

  He swallowed her moan and her hips lifted, pressing herself harder against his hand. Jake prayed for self-control. His dick was already so full and hard, it took everything he had not to tear the tiny scrap of lace away and start pounding into her until he found relief.

  Not that Jake was opposed to getting a little rough in bed. Just not tonight. This was their first time together, and he was determined to make it as good for her as he could.

  He’d go slow and gentle…even if it killed him. Which, he was beginning to think, was an actual possibility.

  Understanding her need for more, Jake used his middle finger to slip beneath the silky fabric. He growled in appreciation when he found smooth, bare skin. His finger ran the length of her wet slit before slowly easing into her core.

  “Jake!”

  Hearing her gasp his name like that was the sexiest fucking sound he’d ever heard. Between that and the way her body was clenching down on his finger, Jake was dangerously close to complete and total embarrassment.

  His cock jumped against his lower belly again, more than ready to feel her tight, slick heat. Once that happened, Jake knew he’d never want to leave.

  Moving in slow, easy thrusts, he pushed his finger in and out of her body. In. Out. In. Out. The tiny mewling sounds coming from the back of Olivia’s throat told him she liked what he was doing.

  Wanting to give her more, Jake added a second finger. She cried out, and he could actually feel how close she was. Jesus. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  Olivia lost in the throes of passion was truly a sight to behold. Jake hadn’t even gotten inside her yet, and this was already the most memorable sexual experience of his life.

  No other woman had ever affected him this way. It made sense, though. This wasn’t just any woman. Unlike the others from his past, what was happening between him and Liv was anything but casual.

  Jake withdrew his hand and brought himself to his knees. The sound of protest coming from Olivia made him smile. She was already flushed, her eyelids heavy with unadulterated passion. She was absolutely stunning.

  “Don’t worry, baby,” he leaned down to give her a quick kiss. “We’re just getting started.” Reaching down with both hands, he lifted the hem of her gown. “As beautiful as you look in this, it needs to go.”

  She gave him a sly smile and together, they worked the material up and over her head. Jake let it fall from his grasp, not caring where it landed. When he looked back at her, his heart lodged itself in his throat.

  Olivia was lying before him, wearing nothing but those black panties. Her hair was splayed out onto the mattress, her gorgeous body on display…and she was offering herself to him. He felt like the luckiest bastard in the world.

  Jake’s gaze dropped to her perfect breasts. He’d seen them in the cave, but they’d both been so consumed with lust, he hadn’t been able to truly appreciate their beauty. He studied the right one, then the left.

  His gut clinched when he noticed the bruises that had been hidden before. Carefully, he reached down and traced the blue marks on her delicate skin. Jake felt sick to his stomach when he realized what they were from.

  “Jesus, baby,” he rasped through clenched teeth. “What did he do to you?”

  The pain and guilt in Jake’s eyes threatened to ruin everything, and Olivia feared their perfect moment had come to an abrupt end. Refusing to let that happen, she put a hand to his face and firmly said, “Nothing that won’t heal.”

  His brow was still furrowed, and she could see the muscles in his jaw bulge. “I don’t want to hurt you.” He’d already told her that but, apparently, felt the need to say the words again. “You have to tell me if I do something that hurts, or makes you uncomfortable.” Jake’s too-serious eyes reached hers. “Promise you’ll tell me.”

  Olivia released a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. He wasn’t stopping. Thank you, God! She quickly nodded in agreement, but it wasn’t enough.

  “Need the words, sweetheart.”

  “I promise.” He still didn’t look convinced, so she decided a distraction was in order.

  Olivia slid her hand down his belly like before, only this time, she slid her fingers straight into the waistband of his boxer briefs. Jake sucked in a breath, and she purred, loving the way he felt in her hand.

  His cock was like hard steel wrapped in velvet. He was so big, her fingers couldn’t quite reach all the way around. God, she couldn’t wait to feel him inside her.

  Jake closed his eyes, moaning loudly when she began to move her fist up and down his pulsing length. Olivia loved the way his hips reflexively thrust toward her with each stroke, and when she ran her thumb over the tip, she was surprised to already find moisture there. The temptation too great, she began spreading it around his sensitive skin. Jake jolted against her hand, and she gave him a smug smile.

  “You like that?”

  He gave her a jerky nod. “Too much.” Moving swiftly, he removed her hand from his boxers and guided it to the mattress beside her. “No touching.”

  “But—”

  “Baby, if you touch me like that again, this is going to be over before it’s even started.”

  Olivia’s smile widened, loving that she could affect him so strongly. Jake quickly wiped any sense of smugness away when he leaned down and took one of her breasts into his mouth. She gasped as he sucked, his tongue circling her nipple, and when he gently pulled it between his teeth, she cried out his name.

  Moving to the other breast, Jake gave it the same, exquisite treatment before pulling away with a pop. He moved his body lower, leaving a trail of wet kisses as he went.

  She desperately wanted to touch him, but any time she made a move to do so, Jake would stop and place her hands back to her sides. As much as she wanted her hands on him, Olivia wanted to feel what was about to happen even more, so she forced herself to remain still while he continued his downward path.

  When his mouth reached the top lace of her panties, he stopped and stood from the bed. She started to protest, but stopped when Jake hooked his fingers into the sides of her waistband before sliding them down and off her legs.

  As they f
ell from his fingers onto the floor beside him, Jake let out a throaty grunt of appreciation. Olivia was baffled at the way he was looking at her, as if she were a prize he had won. Didn’t he understand? She was the one who’d hit the jackpot.

  The man was built like a god. Not an inch of spare flesh anywhere on him. His broad chest and ripped abs looked so perfect, she’d swear they were sprayed on, if she hadn’t felt them for herself.

  As she lay there, Olivia knew she was looking at male perfection in its greatest form. Then, he pushed his boxers down.

  She’d held him in her hands only moments before, so she already knew he was big. Still, Olivia couldn’t help but stare. His erection was protruding out from his belly like an angry spear ready for battle. She was embarrassingly wet, could feel herself dripping with anticipation. No other man had ever affected her so strongly.

  Olivia began to feel nervous. What if she disappointed him? She knew Jake hadn’t led a celibate life. He’d been full-time military and had traveled the world. There wasn’t a woman in her right mind who would turn him down.

  She couldn’t blame Jake or the women from his past. He was a healthy adult male, after all. Of course he’d had others. Others who had to have been more experienced than she was.

  Her mind became filled with doubt. What if she didn’t measure up? What if she couldn’t perform to his expectations? What if—

  “Hey.” Jake’s gentle voice snapped her back to attention. Her eyes met his as he stepped forward, his fingers massaging her calves. “Where’d you go?”

  “Nowhere,” she lied.

  He shook his head, his eyes always seeing too much. “No lies, Liv. Not here.”

  Damn. He was right. They were about to be as close as two people could get. She needed to be honest with him.

  Licking her lips nervously, she said, “I was just wondering…I mean I’m worried that…” God, this was so embarrassing. She couldn’t seem to be able to get the words out.