I stroked a hand up and down his back. “That might be the food more than me.”
He sniffed again and I felt him smile as he realised what I’d cooked for him. “You made me lasagne?”
“I did. From scratch.”
He chuckled. “If you keep spoiling me like this, I’m never going to let you go.”
I held him a little tighter. “That’s the plan.”
After dinner,I led Jake to the sofa and pulled him against me to watch some TV. As predicted, he made a token protest about not needing to be fussed over, but within half an hour he had his eyes closed.
I kissed the top of his head, letting him sleep. Today had to have taken a toll on him, despite what he said. As much as I wanted to get my hands on him and explore every inch of his glorious body, I wanted this too.
I wanted to be the one to give him the comfort he needed when he was at his most vulnerable.
I wanted to make him feel safe.
Loved.
That thought gave me pause. I did love Jake, had done for years, but was Iin lovewith him? Maybe it was a little too soon for that, but judging by the way he felt sorightin my arms, I knew it wouldn’t be long.
I kissed the top of his head, smiling when he moaned in his sleep and snuggled closer.
And I was totally okay with that.
“Hey, come on.”I gave Jake a gentle nudge. “We should go to bed. It’s late.”
He sat up quickly, forehead scrunched in confusion as he looked around. “Fuck. I can’t believe I fell asleep.”
I rubbed his back. “You had a stressful day.”
“I had plans, though. Plans that involved less clothes and not falling asleep on the fucking sofa.” He looked so utterly disappointed with himself it made me smile.
“If it’s any consolation, I fell asleep as well.”
“Goddess, we’re like a pair of eighty-year-olds. I’ll never get you naked at this rate.”
I laughed then. “It’s only been two days since we started this. There’s no rush.”
“I know,” he whined. “But there’s so much I want to do to you.” He sat up and tugged me until I got the message and straddled him.
“We have work in the morning,” I protested as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer. But I didn’t object as he grabbed the bottom of my T-shirt and pulled it over my head.
His shirt followed mine onto the floor, and all thoughts of going to bed vanished as his bare skin met mine. He was so warm, all hard muscle under soft skin, and all I wanted to do was touch him. To show him he was everything I wanted and more.
I ran my hands along biceps that tensed as he gripped my hips. Taking his jaw in both hands, I kissed him as he held me in place, thrusting up so I felt how hard he was beneath me.
Maybe he needed this too.
Maybe I did, because despite my intentions, it was me who toppled us to the side, manhandling Jake until he was lying on top of me, our remaining clothes shoved down and out of the way.
“I thought you were tired?” He didn’t wait for an answer, trailing kisses down the side of my neck.
“I was.” I moaned when he bit down on my shoulder, hard enough to make me writhe under him. “I thought you needed sleep more than this.”
His head shot up, eyes wide awake as he looked at me. “Never.” He rolled his hips, slow and steady, with purpose. “I’ll never need something more than this.” He kissed me again, and I clung to him. “More than you,” he added, and a wave of possessiveness washed through me, drawing my wolf to the surface like a siren call.
Mine.
