“Mmmm.”Sky’s eyes slid closed as hot lava slid through her body.She looked up at him when he stood tall but didn’t move back.
“Let’s go.I want to show you the rest of the house, and then you need to go to bed.You look exhausted.”
“I am a little tired, but I feel too wired to sleep.”
“Come on, I’ll help you.”Jared gripped her hand and started to pull her up the stairs.
Sky held tight to the hand.
Jared showed her the other guest rooms before opening the door across the hall from hers.The first thing she saw was a massive bed.Two comfortable-looking chairs sat by the window, and a large dresser against another wall.Off to the right was a door that led into a large bathroom, and next to that was another door she assumed went to his closet.
Jared leaned against the wall next to the door and watched as she walked around the room.She turned toward him and gave him her attention.
“In a few days, this will be the only bedroom you’re going to be in for the rest of your life.Do you think you’ll be able to handle that?”
Sky gripped her hands together in front of her and was unable to meet his eyes.Too many questions and feelings were scrambled inside her head to answer.
“Come here, Sky.”He was pleased when she came to him without any hesitation.His hands landed on her hips and pulled her in between his spread legs.He smoothed her hair from her face.“Everything is going to be okay.I’m going to take care of you.Just put your trust in me, it will be easier for you.”
She concentrated her gaze on a shirt button in the middle of his chest.“I’ll try,” she said quietly.
Jared tilted her head up with a finger under her chin.His eyes roamed over her beautiful features.Her light gray eyes stayed locked on his dark ones.He lowered his head, going slow, and giving her a chance to pull away.Her eyes closed before his lips took hers.At first, he pressed kisses over her mouth before moving over her face, then going back for a taste of her.
He slid his fingers through her hair, gripping it, controlling her movements.Her mouth opened under the pressure of his tongue.A moan tore from his throat when he deepened the kiss.
She whimpered and clung to his shirt.One kiss led to another until she tore her mouth from his to draw air into her lungs.
Jared picked her up with his arm around her waist and walked them across the hallway to her bedroom.The hand in her hair tilted her head to retake her lips.He pulled her away from him but kept his arms around her.
“Baby, I need to let you go before this gets out of control.I don’t want to push you into anything before you’re ready.”
Sky nodded and let go of his arms.She was relieved he’d put a stop to the kiss, because she hadn’t known if she’d had the strength to.
“Good night,” he said and placed a hard kiss on her lips before he walked out of her room and shut the door behind him.
Sky pressed her fingers to her swollen lips.She could have kept kissing him forever.He was addictive.
She stared at the door.She’d been angry when her father had done this to her, had put her in the situation.But now, she thought it might be a blessing.She smiled.Her father would be furious about the situation, because she guessed he hoped to intimidate Jared.She suspected her father wanted to be able to control him, the situation, and, of course, her, always her.That is why he’d sent her to him.
Her father had talked about Jared being a backward country boy.Gullible, dumb, and trusting.Everything he needed to control her marriage and what he could get from Jared.He never told her the reason he pushed her into the situation, but she knew it wouldn’t be long before she found out.
Sky tugged on her nightgown and brushed her teeth.She turned off the light, lay back against the pillows, and pulled the blankets up to her chin.
She couldn’t seem to catch one of the thoughts racing through her mind.She assumed it would keep her from falling asleep, but her eyelids started to droop, and within a few minutes, she was dragged down into a deep, restful sleep.
Sky was vaguely aware that Jared was her last thought.
