“Em, open the door.” He leans his backside against the railing while wearing that cocky grin that makes me want to take off my panties. “I hear you breathing on the other side of the door. It would be rude to leave me here. I’d have to walk to theapartment next door to get the landlord’s number. Call them. Wait for them to–”
I snap the door open and glare at him. “You’re a pain, do you know that?”
“No, I’m not.” He steps inside the door and cups my cheek. “Unless your attracted to pains. If you are, I’d gladly be one for you.”
“Please.” I roll my eyes, but it does nothing to stop the fluttering of butterflies in my stomach. His eyes are warm and open as his thumb brushes over my cheekbone. My eyelids flutter shut. I need more of this. More of him.
“Please, what?” His warm breath fans my lips as his hand slides from my cheek to cradle the back of my neck as he tips my head back with his other hand.
Is this real? For how long? Damn it, this is Jake. He doesn’t do long-term or serious. I pop my eyes open and lick my lips. “How was your day?”
“I think we’re past the formal, ‘How was your day shit’,” he growls and claims my mouth.
The pressure from his kiss is soft but firm, and the second his tongue flicks against my lips, I open and wrap my arms around his neck. This feels right. He feels right. His body is solid against mine as I arch into him and hum low in my throat.
My throaty response causes him to growl in approval. He lifts me by my thighs until I’m wrapped around him.
“That’s better.” His lips trail along my jaw and to my ear. “I thought for a second that you didn’t miss me today.”
I arch my neck toward his mouth as his lips skate along my flesh. The light touch sends goosebumps scattering in all directions.
This man makes me weak. I shouldn’t do this. I should tell him to stop and leave before I get hurt. But I can’t. I thread my fingers through his hair and grind my core against his erection.
He pulls back. “Did you?” The question in his eyes makes my pulse beat faster.
“Yes, I missed you.” When he looks at me like that, I can’t form the words to lie. Even if it comes back to bite me in the ass. I lick my lips with my heartbeat continuing to pulse in my ears. “Did you miss me?”
“I’ve missed you every day for over four years.” He inhales as if he’s questioning what he’s getting ready to say. “Of course, I missed you today. I finally had you in my bed and when I went home tonight after work, and you weren’t there, it felt wrong.”
“Over four years?” I frown and drop my feet onto the floor. “That’s not possible.” How dare he lie to me like that. He hasn’t missed me for over three years. He could barely stand me. My hands ball into fists. “Don’t lie. It’s insulting and humiliating. I don’t need your pity. Is that what this was? A pity fuck?”
“Em….” He grasps my shoulders to keep me in one spot. If he hadn’t, I’d have been at the door, flinging it open and demanding he leave.
I fight with everything within me not to close my eyes because if I do, the first tear will spill, and I’m not about to let him see me hurt. Not now. Not today. Not after everything I’ve endured being rejected by him.
“Listen to me for a second. Please.”
“I don’t want to listen.” My eyes sting but thankfully the air in the room dries them out. “You knew I had feelings for you back then. And now, you’re using it against me. I can’t believe you–”
His mouth crashes against mine. This time without the softness of before. But I have no more luck in denying him now than I did when he walked through the door. I fist his T-shirt to shove him away but end up pulling him closer. Our tongues war with each other as walks me backwards until my shoulders are pressed into the wall.
When he pulls back, his chest heaves and his eyes are laced with lust and anger. “Will you listen this time, or do I have to shut you up again?”
“That’s kind of a stupid question. I’d be an idiot not to want to kiss you again. You’re very good at it.”
He claims my mouth again. This time a smile plays on his lips. Seconds turn to minutes as my limbs turn weak and my brain melts into mush. I want him. I don’t even care if he’s lying to me. Or if I’m a pity fuck.
“I want you,” I say against his lips.
“No.” He shakes his head, braces both arms on either side of me and presses his forehead against mine.
“Asshole.” I dip my head under his arm, only to face the immovable object of his body as he dodges in front of me.
“You really need to stand still and listen.”
“Why?” I cross my arms over my chest and tap my toes on the floor.
“Because if you’d stand still for one second without me having to shut you up, you’d hear what I have to say.”
