Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 47615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47615 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Jag wrapped his arms around me tightly and grunted as he fucked me faster and harder, a truly tooth-clattering ride. And I loved every blistering second of it. His body and mine, finding what we both needed in each other’s arms as the storm raged on.
The sound of our ragged breathing filled the room, our bodies still tangled together, slick with sweat. I felt the exact moment Jag’s mind caught up with what had just happened. His muscles tensed beneath my hands. Right before my eyes, Jag tried to retreat behind a wall, likely to protect himself.
Before I could say a word, he was already pulling away, the sudden absence of his warmth leaving me cold against the wall where we’d just found such heat.
Lightning flashed, illuminating him as he bent to retrieve his boxers from the floor. When darkness returned, I heard rather than saw him moving around my bedroom, gathering his clothing.
“Need my shirt.” His voice had transformed, flat, distant, where he’d been so full of emotion minutes before, like the man who’d just whispered wicked words against my skin.
I didn’t move to help him, didn’t reach for my own scattered clothes. Another flash of lightning, and I saw his blank expression. The fierce openness I’d loved so much had been masked with carefully blank features. I knew this was my first challenge.
“This was a mistake,” he muttered, leaving my bedroom suddenly. I took a breath. He’d come back before he left. His pants were in here, so he’d have to. I waited patiently until he came back with his shirt from the living room. He came back to my bedroom and looked around helplessly. Probably for his jeans.
Something hot and fierce rose in my chest. I’d spent enough time watching my brother and his brothers build fortresses around themselves, keeping everyone at arm’s length. I wasn’t about to let Jag do the same. Not after what we’d just shared.
“Don’t you dare pull that shit with me,” I said, my voice cutting through the sound of rain against the windows. I made no move to cover myself, standing naked before him, hands on my hips. Let the lightning show him exactly who he was dealing with.
His gaze snapped to mine, surprise flashing across his features before the mask slipped back into place. “Ada --”
“I see you, Jagger,” I continued, taking a step toward him. “All of you. I know you’re capable of violence. You don’t spend the kind of time you did in a place like that and not be capable of violence. Not if you plan on living.” That seemed to surprise him. “It doesn’t scare me, Jag.”
“Rat Man is hunting us. You don’t need to be any more involved than you already are.” His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. “Knight would --”
“Fuck what Knight would or wouldn’t do,” I cut him off, firmly but not unkindly. “I’m a grown woman who makes her own choices.” I closed the distance between us, stopping just short of touching him. “I’m already on Rat Man’s radar. I’m already in danger. We might as well face it together.”
I reached out slowly, giving him time to pull away if he wanted. My fingers found the rigid line of his forearm, tracing it to where his hand was balled into a fist.
“I don’t know about this, Ada. I want to have you with me so I can protect you. I can’t do much, but I can keep my body between you and any danger. Mainly because I don’t care what I do to anyone threatening you. I’m dangerous. Ruthless,” he whispered. “You should be afraid of me.” He still shook his head, but the fight drained from his voice. He didn’t want to pull away. He was doing what he thought was best for me.
I shook my head, stepping closer until my bare skin nearly touched his clothed body. “I’m not afraid of you. And I don’t think you really want me to be.”
His free hand came up, hovering beside my face like he couldn’t decide whether to push me away or pull me closer.
I leaned into his hesitant touch as his fingers finally made contact with my cheek. “I’m asking you to stop running from me. Let’s do this together.”
The dam broke. His forehead dropped to meet mine, a shuddering breath escaping him. “Christ, Ada.” His voice cracked around my name. “What am I supposed to do with you?”
“Stay,” I whispered against his lips. “Just stay with me.”
His resistance crumbled like sand washed away by the tide. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me flush against him. This kiss was slower, deeper, tinged with something that felt dangerously like surrender.
“Just tonight?” he murmured against my mouth, even as his hands rediscovered my body.
“And every night from now on.” I made sure to hold his gaze when I said that, so he knew I meant business.