Chapter 15
Jake
W e sit under the stars; the bottle of champagne now empty beside us. I should have stopped her from drinking any more. She’s already had one too many drinks. She’s staring at the stars, her expressions unreadable.
I’m unsure if it’s the alcohol, jealousy over Jessie, or something else that’s got her so ruffled. But when she mentioned she lied about her boyfriend, I’m torn between relief and confusion. To be honest, I suspected as much. Because if he was real why he never showed up, and how is she so comfortable with me? The way she held me that night of the storm.
What’s holding me back now from kissing her, from touching those lips I’ve been craving? We've been getting close, too close, and it’s unnerving. Hookups are straightforward, simple, but with Mia, a single taste won’t be enough.
Caught in my thoughts, I barely notice her shifting onto my lap, her arms encircling my neck, her legs wrapping around my waist, her scent of jasmine and alcohol intoxicating. “What are you doing, Mia?” They come out in a breathy whisper.
“What does it look like?” Her fingers work the buttons of my shirt as she moves against me. “I want you to fuck me,” she says with a boldness that surprises me. My body burns at her words, a bolt of fiery energy that consumes me.
I shake my head, desperate to bring some kind of clarity to my mind. “Mia…” I plead, gently pulling her hands away from my shirt.
“I know what I’m doing. I want this, I want you.” She stares at me under her lashes before looking down at my pants where my cock betrays me. “Judging by how hard you are right now, you want me, too.” I close my eyes and silently pray to any God that’s listening to give me strength.
“Of course, I’m hard. I mean, Jesus, look at you.” I let out a breath. My lungs are not getting enough air. She’s gorgeous, the kind that can bring a man to his knees and make him do crazy things. “But we can’t—”
She cuts me off. “I know your rules about not sleeping with the same girl twice. This is just for tonight,” she pauses and bites her bottom lips.
Oh God, I love when she does that.
“Douxy baby, I just need an orgasm; can you give me that?”
Sweet baby Jesus.
Douxy?
Her eyes are dark with desire and something else; desperation.
“Damn it,” I curse under my breath.
Her fingers trace my chest. “This is once in a lifetime opportunity, Jacob Harrington, I’ve never hooked up with anyone before. I have this stupid rule that sex needs to be intimate, with someone that I share an emotional connection with.” I hear the pain in her voice. “But I’m making an exception for you.” She breathes out the tension building unbearable between us.
I lean in close to her ear. “When we do this, I need you sober, so you’re able to remember every second.” Be patient; our time will come, princess. I’m not sure I can leave this cabin without getting a taste of her.
“Fine, I’ll handle it myself. Just kiss me?” She lifts her dress, revealing she’s not wearing anything underneath.
What the fuck? She lets out a small moan as she grinds onto the hardness in my pants.
I grab her waist holding her in place. “Mia, stop,” I say firmer this time. I gently lift her up to adjust her dress. “I don’t want you to do something you’ll regret tomorrow.” I hold her gaze as she fights to hold back her tears.
She buries her face into the crook of my neck. “I’m sorry,” she says, her tears warm against my skin. She tightens her arms around my neck. “For tonight, I just wanted the pain to go away.”
“It’s okay.” I rub circles on her back. We stay like this until her breathing deepens and she falls asleep.
Seeing her cry, or sad in general, tears at something deep inside me, as if her pain is my own. I want to take her pain away but not like this.
I desire her, craving her more than anyone or anything in my life—but not like that. I know she’s trying to escape the pain. Trust me, it doesn’t work. She would regret it in the morning.
A wave of warmth spreads through me, her breath against my neck sending gentle ripples through my body.
Carefully, I stand, her body still clinging to mine as if it belongs there. I settle her in the passenger seat of the car, her slight stir barely noticeable as I fasten the seat belt around her. After closing the door, I return to collect our belongings, packing them away in the trunk.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, my eyes can’t help but linger on her as her head rests against the window. She is like the moon, and it’s impossible not to be absorbed by her light and beauty. I reach in the backseat for my jacket and gently place it over her shoulders, my heart rate picking up staring at her peaceful expression. As I drive to the cabin, I keep stealing glances at her.
When we arrive, I open her door and carefully lift her, carrying her up the stairs. Her body against mine sends pulse after pulse crashing into the pool of desires, protectiveness, and confusions she’s awakening inside of me.
In her room, I gently lay her on the bed, removing her heels, each action making my pulse quicken with an intimate tenderness. In her bathroom, I search for something to clean her face, and I find something that says make up remover and its a pack of wipes. Perfect.
I return to her side, and gently wipe one of the cloths around her face. The dark ink that leaks around her eyes. She stirs slightly but doesn’t wake up. I continue until her pretty face is clean and make up free.
After tucking her in, I turn to leave, but her hand reaches out to me. “Please stay with me.” Her sleepy voice pulls me back. I can’t deny her, nor do I want to. I remove my shirt and join her in the bed. She snuggles closer to me, her head against my chest. And I instinctively press my lips against her hair like it’s something I’ve done before.
“Goodnight, Moonie.” The nickname escapes my lips as if it’s always been there.
What are you doing to me, Mia?