Chapter 3
The slight spark of exhilaration I felt with Jessop had died off. He invited his sister-in-law, Rosie, and her colleague, Dodge, to babysit me.
Rosie's husband, Rhodes, was not pleased that she was in a potentially dangerous situation. I wasn't pleased either.
Aiden wanted me, but he couldn't reach me right now. Jessop wanted to keep me safe. I understood. However, he needed to understand that with so much protection, Aiden wouldn't even try to reach me. My ex wasn't desperate to return to prison.
Rosie entered the house and whispered to Jessop. I was angry, too. Rosie was here in her capacity as a security specialist with a private investigator's license to protect me. She should have included me if something was going on. So should Jessop.
"Ugh!" I said it loudly enough for him to hear, and I directed a harsh stare his way.
He paused and frowned. I didn't hang around.
I left and locked myself in the guest room that had been designated as my temporary bedroom.
I was also irritated by being put in a room alone. I was confused and did not like it.
Footsteps echoed down the hall. As they came to a halt outside my bedroom door, I narrowed my eyes. The silence was oppressive as I waited to see what he would do. I had no doubt that it was Jessop out there.
He sighed heavily and knocked. "Pen, can I come in? We need to talk?"
I paused briefly before stepping to the door and letting him in. He looked at me warily before entering and closing the door behind him.
He flipped the lock.
I raised an eyebrow. "Sure, of yourself, huh?"
"With you, I'm not sure of anything." He sank tiredly onto the bed, leaned forward, and locked his stare on mine, laying his arms on his thighs.
"I messed up, Pen. I should have asked you what was wrong.
Instead, I left you." A hand brushed over his shaggy hair.
He was referring to my tears after the best night of my life.
To my amazement, he took a step toward me before dropping to his knees. He took my hands in his, brought them up to his mouth, and kissed them longingly. His kisses felt warm and tender against my skin. I felt a small tremor in his hands.
"Jessop," I whispered.
"Let me get this out, Pen." He gulped heavily. "I have loved you since your senior year of high school."
My jaw dropped.
"Shocked, huh?" He stood and cupped my face. "I've been a jerk to you, and I hope you'll forgive me. Once that guy is no longer a threat, I will show you how much I love you."
He rendered me speechless, and all I could do was stare back at him.
Jessop gave me a confident grin. "Who knew you could be quiet?" He chuckled and pulled me into his arms.
I slowly wrapped my arms around his waist and groaned into his chest. "You haven't loved me that long," I mumbled.
"Oh, babe," he said, laughing. "You have no idea what it's been like to love you from afar."
"How did I not know?" Tears streamed from my eyes as I lifted them to Jessop's face. "I'm not lovable."
"Sweetheart, you're so lovable that I don't plan on letting you go." He brushed a soft kiss on my lips. "I did a good job hiding my feelings from you. For years. Until recently. Aiden always knew how I felt. That bastard—"
I swiftly covered his mouth with my hand. "Don't mention him right now." I paused. "Did you love me, or do you love me?"
He smiled. "Babe, I love you."
Seconds later, I threw myself into his arms. "I love you, too. I never imagined I'd be able to say that."
"This isn't the best time to talk about it, but I know you're upset with me for how I behaved after the most incredible sex of my life. I wanted to get everything out in the open so we could move forward.
"Rosie and Dodge are here because I want you to be safe, and I trust them."
"But you're not telling me what's going on."
Jessop scowled, then shook his head. "Rosie had a message from Rhodes." He grimaced. "It was what he would do to me if anything happened to his wife."
"Ah! I thought—"
“—that we were keeping things to ourselves."
I nodded with embarrassment.
Jessop scanned the room and caught my gaze. "Do you want to sleep in my room?” His cheeks reddened.
"I'd love to."
"It's very manly in here.”
Jessop paused and looked at me. "Manly, huh?"
"Yes." I paused. "You know, I love the kitchen too. Talla told me what you two did with it. You remembered our design boards from high school."
"Babe, you had everything pink!" He shook his head, a smile spreading across his mouth. "We did incorporate some pink, though."
I snickered. "I still like pink."
He smiled and stepped into my personal space, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. "I can't believe I get to touch you like this."
"You can touch me a lot more if you'd like."
The heat in his eyes intensified, and my body grew hot and achy.
"I'd like that very much," he said quietly, his voice low and hoarse. I shuddered as he drew closer, his lips just inches from mine.
My heart sped up as I waited for his next words.
His warm breath touched my skin, sending a rush of excitement through me.
When his lips finally touched mine, it felt like fireworks had gone off in my chest. He pulled me in until I was pressed against him.
My soft curves caressed his firmer ones.
Particularly his arousal. He had no way of disguising it.
His pulsating length was thick and lengthy.
I sighed softly, unable to resist the tremendous yearning that had overtaken me.
His hands stroked my body with the same hunger I felt.
My hands crept beneath his shirt and touched warm skin.
His stomach quivered at the first touch.
I pushed my hands upward, pulling his shirt off with them.
He growled, tugging it over his head. My hands massaged his cock through denim.
Jessop cursed and pressed his lips to mine in a hard, demanding kiss.
Anxious to get my hands on his flesh, I yanked on the belt and sighed when I finally got it free. I swiftly unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans. When his jeans fell to the floor, I could feel his hardness in my hands. Jessop's breathing accelerated as I stroked him, and his moans mixed with mine.
"Too many clothes," he mumbled, quickly removing my clothing.
His mouth quickly latched onto my breasts, sucking and biting them hastily.
I arched my back in delight, feeling the fire between us sizzle.
Jessop's fingertips caressed my flesh, inducing incredible pleasure that caused me to gasp and writhe against him.
"I need you, Jessop," I whispered, catching my breath, as he pulled me down onto the bed and helped me get settled.
"Inside me, now." I grabbed his shoulders and pulled him closer.
I felt the tension rise between us as he thrust deeply inside me.
I shuddered from how good he felt. I dug my nails into his shoulders and pulled him down, pressing my lips hungrily against his.
He held me in his arms and took over the desire-filled kiss.
My fingers dragged down his body and dug into his buttocks.
He shuddered and hardened. With heated eyes, he plowed into me as if he couldn't get deep enough.
Each thrust made my pussy tremble with delight.
I felt him everywhere. One hand played with a breast and nipple, sending sparks of fire to where his cock stretched me.
Meanwhile, his lips and tongue did things to my mouth that made my blood boil.
"Pen," he muttered softly. "I'm there. Come with me."
As soon as he finished speaking, my body shuddered with ecstasy, and a keening howl escaped my lips.
I held him close, loving the sensation of my orgasm as it hit me like a hurricane.
Jessop gasped and gave one final strong thrust before I felt his cock twitch with relief.
Warm semen gushed inside me, combining with my climax to create the perfect fusion of ecstasy.
He collapsed on top of me, leaving us both breathless and delighted.
"I love you, Penelope Bailey," Jessop's gruff voice echoed across my flesh.
He shuddered and groaned. "Those tugs of pleasure around my dick are going to make me hard again."
"Hmmm," I muttered, exhausted. "I like you hard."
He chuckled. "Let me clean us both up. You're almost asleep."
I knew I had a soft grin on my lips, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't open my eyes.