by Raquel Belle
Fingers clamped around his wrist, and he froze to gaze down at their connected hands. Heat immediately flared where she touched, and spread to the rest of his arm, then throughout his entire body. “You don’t get to confuse me even more and then run away.”
“I’m not running. I’m ... I’ve taken up enough of your time. You said you were ‘tired.’” His lips curled upward into a wicked smile. “I can tuck you in before I go.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Humor mixed with sexual innuendo is your defense mechanism. I’ve always wondered why you do that.”
He laughed. “Are you psychoanalyzing me? Don’t. You’ll give yourself a headache.”
“You can’t be more messed up than I am. Garrison is my father, remember?”
Jared dislodged her hold on him and pulled her across the couch onto his lap in a swift motion. She landed against his chest with a gasp. “Honey, I’ve always been more messed up than you are, trust me. If you continue trying to figure me out, you just might not like what you see.”
Evie didn’t try to move away. She relaxed against him. “Tell me where we stand, Jared. Please. Then you’re free to go.”
“I wasn’t aware I was being held prisoner.”
“Jared, please. I’d really hate to make a fool of myself assuming we’re something that we’re not. I need you to tell me what’s happening.”
“Alright,” said. Eyes on hers, unwavering, he confessed, “I like you a lot, Evie. More than any woman I’ve ever been with. I’ve started thinking about what it would be like if I were to pursue something more than a physical relationship with you. I’m both open to the idea and terrified by it. I’m terrified to commit, but the idea of you being with someone else right now makes me homicidal, dangerous to any other man you would even look at. And recently, I’ve had no desire to be with anyone else but you.” Jared let out a long breath. “God, that was grueling yet cathartic. Does any of that give you an idea of what you are to me? Because I don’t think I can say any more right now. My system might overload, and I’ll start to malfunction.”
Evie shook with laughter in his arms. “You really are more damaged than I am.”
“Well, growing up, watching my parents’ toxic marriage deteriorate year after year, screwed with my head.”
Her fingers grazed his jaw, and sympathy shone in her eyes. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
He shrugged. “We all have our scars. Well, what did you make of my very painful declaration?” He silently waited for her response.
“After all of that, I’d say we’re dating.”
Jared inhaled sharply.
Her gaze remained fixed on his face, gauging his reaction. “Dare I say, exclusively?”
This time he gulped. “Is that what you want?”
“It isn’t just about what I want.”
Dating. Exclusively. Jared Hawthorne with one woman for an extended period of time. He waited for his mental warning system to go haywire, waited for the revulsion that he usually felt regarding such matters. Surprisingly, nothing happened. “I can work with that,” he said.
“I can work with that, too.” Her roaming fingers made their way upward to run through his hair. He practically purred like a pleased kitten. Her touch always had a potent effect on him, comforting him. “If I promise not to ask any more questions or engage in more psychoanalyzing, will you stay? You don’t have to stay all night. I don’t want you freaking out.”
He kissed the inside of her wrist. “Do I finally get to make love to you in a bed?”
She nodded. “Uh, huh.”
“What a monumental moment.”
Her giggles turned into a shriek when he stood, and she was thrown over his shoulder. “You caveman!”
“Me man, you woman,” he said. “Bedroom?”
He followed her directions with a smile, realizing that he felt happier than he ever had in a long time.
Chapter Fifteen
Evie
Evie landed on her bed, laughing as she bounced up. Her amusement mounted the longer she watched Jared frantically removing his clothes. “What’s the rush, you?”
“I’ve had a hard-on since you opened the door. Were you aware that your nipples were playing peek-a-boo with me the entire time I was trying to carry out a conversation? Maddening.”
It was strange, hearing her bedroom being filled with her hearty laughter. Silence and solitude were what she was accustomed to. She liked having Jared in her home. “I wasn’t aware. Sorry.”
He paused long enough to make eye contact and give her a heart-stopping grin. “Never apologize for giving me a peep show.”
She rolled her eyes and feigned disgust, but her heart flipped, as she gazed at him. It wasn’t just his good looks, but it was what she was starting to feel for him that made her heart flutter. Jared was ... pretty damn amazing once one got to see beneath his many layers of protection. It was safe to say not many saw beyond the rich, playboy he presented to the world. She’d gotten the chance to see more of him, and she was quickly falling for the hidden man she got glimpses of. She even liked the contemptible Jared who made her furious on many occasions. She liked that sometimes he made her want to strangle him and then laugh at the same time. She liked too much about him. That might mean trouble in the long run, but she’d stopped caring about the consequences for a while now.
He was naked and moving toward her like a hungry predator. The carnal promise she saw in his eyes quickened her breathing. Hovering above her, he dipped his head to plant a searing kiss on her mouth. A kiss that made her toes curl and her pussy drip. His mouth left hers, leaving her breathless, as he traveled lower to yank her top down. Her breasts spilled out in offering to his hot mouth. He slowly kissed away her rough evening and her concerns about everything. Jared was the only one capable of such a feat, she had realized. He consumed her so much, that she could think of nothing else when she was with him, especially when his mouth was doing wickedly delicious things to her body.
His tongue swirled around one nipple before giving the sensitive flesh a nip with his teeth, sending electricity through her. “Jared.”
“Do you like when I bite?”
“I love it.” He was a biter. From time to time, he took small nips on her most sensitive spots, just hard enough to make her writhe and moan.
“And I love it when you scream,” he mumbled with her other nipple between his lips.
He was the only one to ever make her scream. She was overwhelmed with pleasure. She’d keep that to herself for the time being. No need to inflate his ego with details of how amazing he was. Another moan escaped her, feeling his mouth trail lower until it hovered over where she craved his attention. Jared enjoyed teasing her. He didn’t immediately give her what she wanted. Instead, he planted light kisses on her inner thighs, until she resorted to begging.
“Jared ... Please, touch me.”
“I am touching you.”
“You know what I mean,” she said, making him laugh.
Finally, his mouth connected with her lower lips, and she was lost in a haze of bliss, her hands tugging at his hair, and her legs quivering. She lifted her hips, shamelessly begging for more. He delivered more until her skin was slick with sweat, and was she shuddering her release with a high-pitched cry that bounced off the walls.
“So delicious,” he said. “I’ll never get enough of you.” He licked his lips, glistening with her essence, and the sight nearly made her shatter again.
“That was incredible,” she said, as she panted, drifting back to earth.
“I’m not done with you yet.” He crawled his way up her body, so she spread her legs wider to accommodate him. His rock-hard length pressed against her center. “No barrier,” he whispered, eyes glued to hers. “I love it.”
She loved it, too. It was a higher level of intimacy. She could feel all of him. “I need to feel you inside of me,” she said, wrapping her legs around his waist.
“Can’t get enough of me, can you?”
The flames licking at her seemed to slowly rise into an inferno, and she seemed to feel the tension building from deep within.
“You’re close—I can feel it,” he said.
She nodded, and her eyes fluttered closed. “Jared …”
“Don’t close your eyes. Look at me.”
She pried her eyes open, and her cheeks heating. It almost seemed too invasive to have him staring into her eyes, witnessing every emotion that would flicker in them when she reached her peak. But, she let him in. For the first time, he was just as open to her, as she was to him. Her muscles tightened around him, and he muttered an expletive, erupting just a second before she did. Her cry mingled with his satisfied groan, as they clung to each other. He moved to roll off of her, but she tightened her legs and arms around him.
“What are you doing?” she asked. Chest to chest, she felt the vibration of his chuckle.
He sighed. “I’m too heavy.”
“Just stay a little longer,” she said. Hopefully, he didn’t get the impression that she was getting clingy. She just enjoyed the body-to-body connection. Perhaps he understood because he rolled them over, so that she laid on top.
“Better?”
She nodded, her face buried between his neck and shoulder. “Much better.” Drowsiness laced her words.
“You can’t fall asleep yet.”
“I told you that I was on my way to bed before you got here.
“We haven’t had hot-shower-sex, yet. You have to stick around for it.”
That perked her up instantly. Lifting her head she grinned. “I suppose I can manage to stay up a bit longer.
***
Evie slowly came awake wearing a broad smile. When was the last time she had woken up smiling? Never. She felt sated, content … and a bit too cold. With a frown, she rolled over in search of the warm body that was supposed to be next to her. But there was only empty space. It was like being doused with ice-cold water. She sat up and listened, hoping that Jared was in the shower or somewhere else in her apartment. There was nothing but silence. She drew in a breath, taking in his scent that was still on her skin. She smelled of sex, Jared, and disappointment.
You can’t be too upset, she reminded herself. Jared probably panicked upon waking up beside her and fled. She had to be patient with him. The man had serious commitment issues, and she’d been aware of that before she declared that they were dating. That didn’t stop her from pouting, as she dragged herself out of bed. The delicious soreness between her thighs reminded her of everything they’d done the night before. Jared was insatiable, but she was probably worse.
She glanced at the clock on her nightstand and gasped. “Shit!” Taking off, she dashed to the bathroom. If she moved fast enough she could avoid being too late for work. Twenty minutes later, she was making her way to the door while trying to get her pumps on. With one on her foot, and the other in her hand, she grabbed her handbag and car keys, while managing to open the door, and nearly collided with Jared. He had one hand raised to knock, and he held a paper bag and a cup of coffee in the other.
He looked her up and down with raised brows. “You missed a few buttons … and a shoe.”
She looked down to see gaps in her haphazardly-buttoned blouse, and then she smiled, sheepishly. “I was in a hurry.”
“So you probably didn’t eat.” He held up the contents in his hand. “Problem solved. I brought you breakfast. Warning, it’s nothing healthy. But, I remember you claiming to have an ‘insatiable sweet tooth.’”
Heat blossomed in her chest. He really did remember everything she had said. She took the time to give him a once over. He was in a different suit, and his hair appeared damp. Relief that he hadn’t panicked and fled as she’d assumed he would, flooded her. “I didn’t think you’d come back.” He stepped inside, forcing her to step back.
“I woke up early. You looked so peaceful, that I didn’t want to bother waking you to let you know I was running home to shower and change.”
“Oh ...”
He smiled knowingly. “You thought I freaked out and made an escape, didn’t you?”
“The thought had crossed my mind.”
His smile turned to a disapproving frown, but his eyes gleamed with laughter. “What kind of a man do you think I am, Evie? I only ditch one-night stands.”
Forcing back a laugh, she accepted the offered coffee with a scoff. “I can’t believe I find that remotely funny. You’re rubbing off on me in a bad way.”
“I’ve always been a bad influence.” His voice dipped to a seductive note, and he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. “You should stay away from me, but I won’t let you.” His head lowered, but she dodged his kiss. If she allowed him to kiss her, they wouldn’t make it out of her apartment.
“I’m late, Jared.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am. I believe I have to be at your office in ten minutes. It takes me twenty to get there.”
“You’re sleeping with the boss. You’ll get away with it,” he said.
She slid on her other shoe and buttoned her blouse properly. “I refuse to accept any special treatment. Let’s go.” She relieved him of the paper bag, as she stepped into the hallway. “Thanks for breakfast.” She peeped into the bag of pastries. “Nothing with peanuts, I hope ...”
“No. What do you have against peanuts?”
“The real question is what do peanuts have against me. Those evil legumes have tried to kill me on multiple occasions. I’m allergic.”
“Good to know. Another piece of information that he had learned about Evie Davis.”
She smiled at him over her shoulder, as they walked to the elevator. It struck her that she was completely at ease, walking out of her apartment and heading to work with Jared. She wouldn’t dare allow herself to like such an occurrence too much or get accustomed to it. It was imperative that she guarded her heart as much as possible.
Chapter Sixteen
Jared
“We’ve finally set a date,” Jared’s brother, Liam said.
Jared quirked a brow and took a swig from his beer bottle. His brother’s announcement didn’t faze him as it once had. Realization hit him full force. It occurred to him that he’d changed. A lot. Months—maybe even weeks before—he would have given his brother a long, passionate lecture on why he shouldn’t get married. He would have called his brother insane for making such a commitment. Before, he saw marriage or any long-term relationship as a dreaded prison sentence.
It was amazing how his views had changed, and so quickly. Jared now understood where his brother was coming from. Being with someone you truly cared about and enjoyed being with, wasn’t a punishment. It was possible to be in a monogamous relationship and not be miserable. He’d been officially dating one woman for more than two months, and he actually craved more time with her with each passing day. At first, he couldn't believe it. Jared was convinced he’d wake up one day and come to his senses, and see that there was no such thing as another person who could bring him happiness. But, as the days passed, and as he became happier, it dawned on him that all along, he’d been terrified of love for no reason at all. So, he understood. His brother was in love, and Jared got it.
He glanced at Liam and nodded. “It’s about damn time you made an honest woman out of Katherine.”
There was a sharp intake of breath that sounded more like a wheeze, followed by uncontrollable coughing. It took Liam a while to recover. He rubbed his chest and cleared his throat, all the while gawking at Jared. “You heard what I said,
right? I said I’m ‘getting married soon.’”
“Yeah … I heard you, moron. I’m not deaf.”
Liam’s mouth opened and closed several times, but he remained speechless. He lifted his bottle and took a long drink before shaking his head. “I don’t know what’s going on here,” he said. “Are you doing alright, man?”
“Of course, I’m alright. What’s the matter with you? You tell me you’ve set a date for your wedding, and you still haven’t given me the details. I need to know so I can get myself prepared. I’m sure I’m going to be your best man because I’m the best, big brother ever, and an all-around amazing human. So, give me the damn date already, so I can start making plans.”
“Conceited bastard,” Liam said.
Jared laughed. “Yeah, Evie has hurled that same insult my way plenty of times.” He really wasn’t full of himself, yet he just enjoyed getting a rise out of her, which usually led to a steamy, love making session.
“Ah, it’s all become clear. I knew this day would come, I just didn’t think it would be this soon.”
“What are you babbling about?”
Liam rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “I announced that I’m going to get hitched very soon, and you didn’t break out in hives. You made no attempt whatsoever to convince me not to go through with getting married. At first, I wondered if you weren’t feeling well. I even started to worry that I’d have to have you institutionalized soon because you were obviously on the verge of losing your mind. Then, I thought of the possibility of the real you being kidnapped and stashed somewhere, and you’re an imposter who had taken over the real Jared’s life.”