My heart wrenched.
Jake’s pain, his grief, was still so raw, like it had happened only yesterday. His eyes were clouded with memories of love and loss, and I felt a surge of empathy wash over me as the weight of his revelation manifested like a wedge between us.
Two years ago, this beautiful, broken man bound me to him in ways I was still trying to understand. With just a look, he tethered my soul to his, and I’d never been able to cut myself loose. It took one night for Jacob Irons to become the love of my life, but I knew I’d never be the love of his because that spot had already been taken.
And in an instant, I understood the gravity of his grief because I felt it, too.
His eyes searched mine, finally narrowing when he found what he was looking for, and he rumbled, “It’s not what you think, Saint. I’m not saying I’m over it because it’s not something a man ever gets past, but I’ve accepted it. I came to terms with what happened to Allie a long-damned time ago.”
I felt the burn in the back of my throat, and I croaked, “What if I can’t compete?”
His hand cupped my cheek, and my eyes closed so I could savor the contact of his skin on mine. “You don’t need to compete,” he rasped. “She’s her, and you’re you. You’re different women with different needs and wants. Allie was special to me, but you are too, Saint. You were special the second I laid eyes on you.”
My eyes fluttered open, and I whispered, “Same.”
His face lowered, and he nuzzled my cheek. “I haven’t been able to take my eyes off you all fuckin’ night. Then you went up on that stage and blew my mind even more. I’ve never felt so lucky to know somebody or to bear witness to the magic you create. Do you know how fucking insanely amazing you are, Saint McClure? Do you know how much I respect and admire you?”
My breath caught in my throat.
“I’m a washed-up ex-pilot with a shitty attitude and a chip on my shoulder the size of fuckin’ Kansas. You’re so far outta my league that I’d have to aim for the stars just to reach you. And you sayyoucan’t compete.” His breath fluttered against my skin with his chuckle. “Get the fuck outta here with that bullshit, woman.”
His lips trailed down the side of my neck, and I shivered from top to toe as his tongue flicked out and traced a line. Then, he lifted his head, and his lips met mine, and we came together with such force that I cried out into his mouth.
For the last two years, I’d lain in bed every night burning for Jacob, not even contemplating that he felt the same way. His confession had left me reeling, and my heart pounded as I struggled to process the tidal wave of emotions crashing over me.
I loved how he bared his soul; loved how this strong, capable, alpha man’s man could convey words that weaved around my heart and wrapped it up warm and cozy. I loved the safety he offered and the way he saw deeper than anyone else ever had.
I also loved the way his kisses made my thighs clench and my nipples harden. I loved how he could make my pussy wet with just a blazing glance from his icy yet molten eyes, and I especially loved the way he was kissing me right now like he was starving for me.
He terrified and exhilarated me all at the same time. Nobody else could bring my body to life with just one touch. No other man had ever made me feel like I was toppling from a cliff edge, but it was okay to fall because he’d be there to catch me.
The same spark from two years before suddenly ignited in my heart, and I knew if I didn’t have him, I’d die.
I wrenched my lips away from his and leveled him with a look. “I want you.”
One side of his mouth hitched, and he smirked his sexy smile. His hand caught mine, and he tugged me further backstage toward the dressing rooms, muttering, “Let’s fuckin’ go.”
His grip was firm, his strides determined as he pulled me behind him like an errant child.
I stumbled trying to match his pace, my heart pounding as hard as Styx’s drum, and I giggled euphorically at the curious glances of the roadies and stagehands who were standing around chatting in groups.
We rounded a corner, and he pulled a key from his pocket and opened a door to one of the dressing rooms. Immediately, he tugged me inside and pushed my back against a wall, his body pressing into mine. Soft lips found my neck, trailing kisses down toward mybreasts. “You sure about this?” he growled, his tone low and scratchy.
I groaned, my eyes rolling into the back of my head when I felt his cock hard and ready against my belly, and I whispered, “Fuck yes.”
Jacob’s mouth crashed onto mine, the force of his kiss making my mouth open so he could spear my tongue with his. He lapped and lathed and sucked and nibbled until my brain exploded with tiny shocks of electricity. Our teeth clashed as we fought for control, and I felt my lips swell from the force of his incredibly hot kiss.
Strong hands cupped the cheeks of my ass and slid the hem of my dress up to my waist. Then, a ripping noise sounded as he tore my G-string apart before letting it drop to the floor.
I squealed as I was hauled into the air, Jacob’s fingers still gripping my ass, and my back slid up the wall as he lifted me until his mouth was level with my pussy.
“Legs over my shoulders,” he rasped.
I obeyed, bringing one knee up, then the other, and hooking them over his broad shoulders just like he commanded.
“This fuckin’ pussy,” he growled against my inner thigh. “Dreamed about it. Jacked off to it, fucking jonesed for it every day for two goddamned years. Don’t ever ghost me again. Don’t ever keep you away from me ‘cause next time, Saint, I’ll hunt you down.”
My hands went to his hair, and I scraped my fingers through it, his words sending a thrill through my belly, which already clenched with the need for Jake to put his mouth on me.
