Page 68

I wanted him. Sweet baby Jesus, I wanted this man. He knew what to do with me. I could tell. He would tune me and play me like his damn guitar. God, every inch of him was toned and solid. He was so strong and he smelled so good.

“I’m on the pill, okay?” I breathed. “For my periods.”

“I got tested last month. I’m clean. And Kristen gave me a condom. So did Josh.”

I laughed and it was drowned by his lips back on mine.

This was real. This was happening.

My breathing was ragged when I reached for the top of his pants and his breath hitched as I tugged at his belt. Then something in the familiar metallic clink of the buckle whipped me instantly back into the room.

Brandon. The last time I did this was with Brandon.

I sobered in a heartbeat. All the passion bled right out of me. I fell back onto the cushions, limp. “Jason, I can’t.”

His hands stilled immediately. All twelve of them.

“I’m not ready. I’m sorry,” I whispered.

He hovered over me and put his forehead to mine and closed his eyes, catching his breath. His chest pressed into my bare breasts and I could feel exactly how much he wanted me, digging into my leg.

God, I felt awful. I should never have let him inside. The porch was safe. Bright as hell, but safe. The porch didn’t come with expectations.

With possibilities.

He breathed against me for a minute, and I felt him cooling down.

“I just need more time. It’s too soon.” I bit my lip. “Don’t be mad at me.”

He opened one eye and looked at me gently. “I’m not mad. I could never be mad at you for that. Look at me.” He held my eyes. “I get it. And I want you to be ready. You’re not doing either of us a favor if you rush things. Okay?”

It was so earnest it made my heart melt. “Okay.”

He smiled softly at me and kissed my forehead. Then he reached up and grabbed a throw blanket and pulled it over me, tucking it under my arms, and got up and put on his shirt.

I sat up on the sofa and clutched the blanket to my chest and I watched him as he went to let Tucker out of the laundry room. The dog bounded over to me and jumped into my lap, licking me.

Jason leaned down with a hand on the top of the sofa and kissed me. “I’ll pick you up for the airport at five thirty. Get some sleep.” He smiled at me.

“Thank you for understanding.”

He shook his head. “You’re worth the wait. You’re worth everything.” He winked and let himself out, and Tucker followed him, close on his heels.