“Yeah...oh.” He leaned over and kissed her slowly. “You have to know I would never do that to you. This thing with us, it’s not casual, Liv. Not for me.”
She smiled, her relief obvious, and he felt like an ass for making her think for even one second that he felt otherwise.
“Me, neither.”
“Good. And just so we’re clear, there’ll be no one else. Not for me,” he kissed her again, just because he could, “and not for you.” With a hard stare, he let her know under no uncertain terms, “I won’t share what’s mine.”
Not waiting for a response—because nothing she could say would ever change his feelings about that—Jake stood up and started to walk out of the room.
“Where are you going?”
Without turning around, he spoke over his shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”
He went into the bathroom, found a washcloth, and put it under some hot water. After taking care of the condom and cleaning himself up, he rinsed the cloth out again and walked back into the bedroom.
She was still lying in the same spot. Her eyes were closed, and she hadn’t moved an inch. Jake smiled, taking a second to appreciate the pure beauty that was his Olivia.
He hadn’t lied about his reasons for trying to stay hands-off, but there was more to it. He hadn’t wanted to take her again until he’d told her the truth about her brother’s death.
That was before she walked into her bedroom wearing nothing but that damn towel. The second she did, he’d lost every ounce of self-control. With her, it seemed he had none.
Jake’s original plan had been to show up, confess it all, and beg for her forgiveness. Then, he saw that damn gun in her waistband, immediately turning his entire focus to her safety.
The sex traffickers were no longer a threat. He knew that with absolute certainty. But knowing some other sick fuck could be out there, toying with her, put a knot in his gut.
Even if it was just some harmless fan, Jake still wanted to find the guy and pound his face in.
And he was still going to tell her about what really happened to Mike, but first, he needed to make sure she truly was safe. Once he was certain of that, he’d tell her everything.
For now, it could wait. She had enough to worry about, without adding his betrayal on top of it all. So, he’d keep his secret a little longer. For her sake.
Jake ignored the tiny voice in his head, calling him a spineless bastard and set about taking care of her.
“Spread your legs.” His command was low, sensual.
Olivia’s sleepy eyes opened half-way. “Again? Already?”
He chuckled and held up the washcloth. “I’m just going to clean you up.”
“Oh, you don’t have to...” she started to say. She actually looked embarrassed, which Jake found absolutely adorable.
When he placed the warm rag against her swollen mound, she closed her eyes again and moaned, all traces of embarrassment lost.
“I like taking care of you,” he said softly.
She surprised him when she admitted sleepily, “I like it when you take care of me.”
When Jake was done, he walked over to the clothes hamper in the corner of the room and tossed the washcloth in. He went back to the bed and slid his arms beneath Olivia’s back and knees. She startled when she felt him picking her up.
“What are you doing?” Exhaustion had her words slurring together.
“You need sleep.”
With her in his arms, Jake pulled back the top cover and sheet, positioning her so her head was on the pillow. He walked around the foot of the bed laid down beside her.
Already half-asleep, Olivia rolled over onto her side, facing away from him. He promptly reached over and pulled her back to his chest, spooning her. His cock twitched from the contact, but he ignored it.
Jake kissed the back of her head. “Rest now, sweetheart.”
