“I’ve been on the shot since I was sixteen,” I explain. “Now, answer the question. Are you clean?”
His gaze softens, and he gently pushes the hair from my forehead. “You know I am.”
“Then…” I lift my head and nip at his bottom lip as I rub my inner thighs along his hips. Teasing him. Begging him. Giving him permission to take me without protection. “What are we waiting for?”
The head of his cock nudges against my entrance as he lines us up. Nibbling on his neck, I wait for the familiar burn that always accompanies the first few seconds when he pushes inside of me. It’s inevitable when a girl like me gives herself to a guy like him. Part of me wonders if it’s an allegory. How loving a guy like Jagger, whether it’s physically or emotionally, brings a sweet ache with it. I wouldn’t change it, though. Wouldn’t want to fall for anyone but him, even if I had the power to control my feelings or direct them toward someone else. The idea alone feels so wrong, it kind of makes me want to cry.
Hooking my ankles around his waist, I pull Jagger into me until his pubic bone is pressed to mine. So. Damn. Full. I close my eyes, memorizing the heat of his body. His scent. The way his skin grows slick with a slight sheen of sweat along his back like he’s holding back until I’m ready.
“Fuck,” he breathes out. “You feel so good, Vi.” He sighs. “You always feel so good.”
“Make me come,” I whisper.
He rocks into me, slow at first until my nails scrape along his spine and his movements turn frantic. I take it all. Every thrust. Every muttered curse. Every mumbled groan. Slipping his hand between us, he rubs at my clit with the slightest pressure until breathing feels almost impossible. It’s too good.Too overwhelming. Too addictive. Like I could fall apart at any second, and he’d be there to catch me. He bucks into me, over and over again, my muscles tightening, and my unsteady breaths mingling with the sound of his low grunts. He’s close. I can feel it. The urgency. I scrape my fingers along his shoulder blades, my clit throbbing with need.
The familiar twitch of his cock pushes me over the edge, and I squeeze him like a vice, shattering into a million pieces.
As he comes down from his own orgasm the same way I’m coming down from mine, he catches his breath against the crook of my neck. It’s a slow fall. Like a snowflake, drifting along the gentle breeze until it finds a pleasant place to land. Here. In each other’s arms. And I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Forget the parties. Forget my childhood home. Forget my amazing apartment. I just want to be here. With him.
“I fucking love you, Vi,” he murmurs.
My muscles tense as I register his words, convinced I’ve misheard him while praying I didn’t. I keep my eyes closed in case this is a dream. If it is, I’m not ready to wake up. Not yet. “What did you say?” I whisper.
“I said, I fucking love you,” he repeats. I open my eyes as he lifts his head. “Never thought I’d say those words.” He presses his forehead to mine, giving me a smile that’s almost pained. “Guess I should’ve known better.” He kisses my nose. “Count on my Little Thief to steal my heart along with my logic.”
With a quiet laugh, I squeeze my eyes shut again, savoring his words along with the feel of him still buried inside of me. I never thought I’d be here. Not with anyone, let alone Jagger Harden. “Your logic, huh?” I tease.
“You have no idea,” he grumbles, but it’s laced with an airiness that’s been missing since we hooked up in the bathroom at the banquet. “Are you going to say it back, my Little Thief?”He cups my face, balancing his weight on his elbows again while urging me to open my eyes and look at him.
When I do, what’s left of the oxygen in my lungs dissipates. This man. This freaking man. I never thought I’d fall in love. Never thought I’d find anyone to earn the sentiment. Honestly, I thought it was a weakness. Romantic love. Then I met Jagger Harden, and he managed to change my mind in a way I don’t think even he understands. I don’t regret it. Falling for him. Not one bit. If anything, I’m grateful. That he managed to steal my logic, too.
With a soft smile, I murmur, “I love you, too.” My confession hangs between us as he rubs his thumbs along my cheeks.
“Is that a…is that a tear I see?” he challenges. Bending down, he kisses the moisture from my temple as it cascades into my hair. “Mmm. Salty.”
Another laugh escapes me, and he presses his lips to mine, letting me taste my tears. “Definitely salty,” I agree. “Sorry. I have no idea why I’m crying. I’m not sad, I’m…”
“Happy? Sore? Disappointed?” he teases.
“All of the above.”
He pulls back. “You’re disappointed?”
“Only that it took me so long to let you in.”
The pinch in his brow smooths, and he kisses me again. “Nah. You’re perfect, Vi.” With a sigh, he offers me a forced smile. “So fucking perfect, I’d do anything for you.”
“Well, good thing it’s not necessary,” I quip.
His dark gaze penetrates me to my stupid soul as he sobers slightly. “Good thing.”
After we clean up and I use the restroom, we climb back into bed where he tucks me into his side and restartsRockyon his laptop. And just like the goo he’s turned me into, I melt into him and fall asleep, but not before a single thought dances through my mind.
Lexie was totally right. I was bound to sleep over, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
52
JAGGER
