All the while he kisses me, his lips soft and sweet before they turn hard and demanding. I open up to him, drinking in his every breath.
When we finally part it’s out of sheer necessity, both of us panting, hearts pounding, synchronized thuds beating between our pressed-together chests. Jack hoists me up on the counter, stepping between my legs, his forehead coming to rest against mine.
I place a soft, closed-mouthed kiss on his lips. “That was definitely worth the wait.”
He grins, lowering his mouth and nibbling at my jaw. “Most definitely.” He brings his lips back to mine, wrapping my legs around his waist and pressing into me.
His kiss is consuming, burning from my lips down to the tips of my toes, which are currently curling inside my boots.
And I want him. I want him in a way that’s different from how I’ve ever wanted anyone before. I want him around me and over me and inside me. But I also want him next to me, and beside me, and with me.
I cup his cheeks in my hands and drag my lips from his. “Would it be totally hypocritical for me to ask if we can take this slowly?”
Jack’s eyes search mine. Somewhere along the way his glasses disap peared and the green has darkened, a shady forest. “ ‘All in’ means ‘all in,’ Sade. However you want it. However you need it.”
I wiggle my eyebrows. “Don’t get me wrong, I both want and needit.” I press my hips to his, feeling the evidence of his own want and need. “But I also don’t want to fuck this up.”
He laces our fingers together. “We’re not going to fuck this up.”
“I might.”
He plants a soft kiss on my cheek. “I won’t let you.”
I loop my arms around his shoulders. “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into, Jack Thomas.”
“You’re not nearly as scary as you think you are, Sadie Green.” He cups my ass in those big hands, pulling me from the counter. “Want to go downstairs and watch a movie?”
“Is that code for ‘wanna go downstairs and make out’?”
“I mean, yes? If that’s okay?” He finds his glasses and slides them back on, giving me a sheepish grin in the process. The result is so cute I want to bite him.
“Yes, that’s okay. If I can put my pj’s on first.” I’m already heading for the stairs, running up to change. And when I meet him down in the basement, I’m dressed in my flannel pajama pants and an oversized T-shirt. And he looks at me like I’m the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen.
I don’t remember what movie we put on in the background because it doesn’t matter. The night is for kisses and cuddles and falling asleep in Jack’s embrace.
“Sadie.” Jack’s soft whisper tickles my ear.
I groan and try to roll over, but I’m trapped in the cage of Jack’s arms. Which is actually a good thing because I almost rolled right off the couch. “What time is it?”
“Either super late or super early. I think it’s time to head up to bed.”
I nuzzle into his neck, planting sleepy kisses on his throat. “I think that depends on whose bed.”
He turns his head, his lips capturing mine. “Do you have a preference?”
Never having actually seen Jack’s bed, I opt for the known. “Mine, please.”
We head upstairs, hand in hand. I peel off to my bathroom so I can brush my teeth. Jack heads to his own room to change.
Once in my room, I pull down the covers and shimmy out of my pajama pants. I tuck myself under the covers, pulling the duvet up to my chin. Jack comes in a minute later, having shucked his sweater and jeans for just a pair of flannel pants. He slips into bed, pulling me into his embrace. I hitch a leg over his, tangling us up completely, tucking my head underneath his chin.
He runs a hand over the bare skin of my calf. “You really had to come in here with no pants, huh?”
I splay my hand over his bare chest. “I’ll have you know I hate sleeping in pants. Much as you seem to hate sleeping in a shirt.”
His fingers dance up my thigh. “You probably wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve dreamed of having these legs wrapped around me.” His strong fingers grasp behind my knee, pulling me closer to him.
“I’m guessing about as many times as I’ve dreamed of those fingers doing... things... to me.” I tilt my head up, placing a soft line of kisses along his jaw. Where it was smooth this morning, it’s now stubbled and rough.
