He remains silent, as if sensing I’m not finished. Which I’m not.
I draw a deep breath and continue. “So if you’re worried about me wanting anything more from you than the help you’re offering now, I won’t. I don’t.”
Relief crosses his face even as the wordliesechoes inside my head. Of course I want more than he can give, because I’ve fallen for my reluctant hero. But that isn’t in the cards. I’ll deal with my pain like I deal with everything else, by throwing myself into my work and building my business.
I just need to convince Jason he can trust me to respect his boundaries. “My plan is for my brother to end up in jail so I can go back to living my independent life.” I force a smile. “We’regood, Jason.You’regood. Most importantly, you survived. Don’t feel guilty because you did.”
He squeezes my hand and rises to his feet, then together we head back to the car.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Faith
Itake mycues from Jason, who is silent on the way home after the trip to the frat house. I give him his space, not wanting to intrude on his personal thoughts, using the time to check in with Kelsey, who has everything at the store under control. She even offers to open in the morning, and since she knows the recipes and we have nonperishable items to sell, I agree.
I realize, however, it’s time to hire more people to help at the store. Not only because of the Colton situation and the fact that I can’t always be there right now, but because I deserve some time off. I’ve been handling things by myself for a year, with only Kelsey part-time to help out. So that is on my definite to-do list and ASAP.
Jason has been so quiet, even on the elevator ride up to his apartment, that it takes me by surprise when, after we enter the apartment, take off our jackets, and hang them in the closet, he spins me around, pulling me against him.
“I need you,” he says, and I have no intention of denying him. Not after how he bared his soul to me earlier, helping me to understand everything about him.
I kick off my shoes and socks, lift my hands and unbutton each button, letting my shirt drop to the floor. His heated stare falls to my full breasts, and as he watches, I reach behind me and release the bra clasp, letting the straps fall down my arms. Cool air rushes over my nipples, hardening them into tight peaks.
Feeling his gaze hot on mine, I unbutton my trousers, releasing them as well. I kick the pants aside.
Jason’s eyes darken with need. “Go on.”
I swallow hard. Hooking my fingers into my panties, I pull them down and off, leaving me standing in the entryway of his apartment naked. I stare at him. His hooded gaze, the flush in his cheeks peeking over the scruff on his face, and the fact that he is fully dressed all work to arouse me unbearably. Dampness slickens between my thighs and my sex throbs with desire. But I am well aware that this is Jason’s show, his pace, his pain that he needs to work out.
As I stand bared to him, he removes his shoes. His socks, shirt, and slacks along with his boxer briefs come next, tossed onto the pile of my clothes. His erection stands prominently against his belly, the sight causing a throbbing in my core.
I lick my lips, and his eyes darken at the sight.
Slowly, I step closer to him, my gaze never leaving his, then I lower myself to my knees.
“Faith,” he says, a harsh warning in his tone.
I look up at him through my lashes and smile. “Yes?”
“Fuck,” he says, his hand coming to rest on my head.
He needs this, that much I know, and if I can make him forget his troubles for a little while, that’s what I want to do. Because I’m coming to care deeply for this dark knight of mine.
I wrap my hand around his stiffness, gliding my palm over the velvety yet rigid length. Dipping my head, I lick the salty white coating off the head and he groans, his fingers tightening in my hair. The tug is arousing, turning me on, but not as much as being on my knees and giving him pleasure. And that is my goal.
With my hand on the base of his shaft, I open my mouth and glide my lips down his cock. His big body shudders and I grow heady with the knowledge that I affect him. Pulling him inside my mouth, I slick my tongue over and under his thick member. I draw him deep until the head of his cock hits the back of mythroat. Forcing myself to relax, I swallow over him, managing not to choke, and he yanks harder on my hair.
I groan around him as he begins to rock his hips back and forth, thrusting his cock into my mouth, using me to take what he needs. With my hands now braced on his thighs, I let him take over. He pumps himself in and out, and I suck him harder, causing a warning tap on my head.
“I’m going to come,” he says gruffly, clearly expecting me to release him, but I have other plans.
I hum around him and urge him to continue. He thrusts once, twice, and comes with a grunt, streaming down my throat, and I swallow over and over until he relaxes, sliding out of my mouth.
“Shit, sweetness, I wanted that to be inside you.”
“It was,” I say with a pleased chuckle. He helps me to my feet and, taking me off guard, lifts me into his arms. I squeak in surprise and wrap my arms around his neck, as he carries me into his bedroom.
No sooner has he deposited me on the bed than he spreads my thighs and comes down over me, his face level with my sex, and begins to lick, suck, and devour me like a starving man. At the first slide of his tongue, I moan, suddenly aware of how very aroused I already am.
