Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Laurel had been uncharacteristically brave in the car when she’d told Jake to take her home. But now that they were standing in his house, her bravado disappeared quicker than brownies in a roomful of six-year-olds.
“Are you hungry?” Jake asked, motioning for her to sit down on the couch. “I can make you something to eat.”
“No, thank you.” She was still full from the ice cream, but even if she hadn’t been, her stomach was tied into so many nervous knots, she doubted she’d be able to keep anything down.
Her legs were shaking by the time she reached the couch. When she started to sit down, her knees practically buckled. Her butt hit the cushion with a bounce.
“How ’bout something to drink?”
“Water would be great.” She folded her hands in her lap, not knowing what else to do with them.
Jake joined her a moment later with an ice-cold, bottled water. He twisted off the cap and handed it over.
“Thank you.” She took a drink, the cool liquid lessening the cottony feel of her mouth.
She handed the bottle back, in case he wanted some. He recapped it and set it on the coffee table. Without thinking, she moved it off of the wood and onto a coaster.
Jake grinned.
“What? You’ll get a ring.”
“Wouldn’t want that.” He rested his arm across the back of the couch.
Laurel couldn’t stop a nervous giggle.
“What’s so funny?” he asked.
She motioned to his arm behind her. “Smooth high school move, bad boy.” Amazing how her voice sounded so much more relaxed than she felt.
Jake realized his position and smirked. “ Junior high move, thank you very much,” he corrected, cocky as ever. “This,” he explained, dropping his arm around her shoulders, “wouldn’t typically happen until the lights in the theater went down.”
She suppressed a smile. “Well, of course not. That would be bad form.”
“Damn right. And this…” He pulled her in and lifted her chin with his index finger. “Definitely wouldn’t happen until the previews were over, and the movie started.” He captured her lips with his own, waging a slow, seductive assault on her senses.
Laurel had never actually made out with a boy in a movie theater. If she had with Jake, something told her she wouldn’t have lasted until college to lose her virginity.
The man could kiss!
Jake pulled away too soon for her liking and studied her. Inhaling deeply, he gave a small shake of his head before letting out the breath, a mix of a hum and a growl.
“What?” Was he second guessing bringing her home?
“Nothing, just…” His gaze dropped to her lips a moment before rising back to her eyes. Another small shake of his head. “You.”
She was confused. “Me?”
Is something wrong with me?
He furrowed his brows and kissed her again before saying, “You aren’t like any other woman I’ve met.”
“Is that a bad thing?” she asked quietly.
“No, Princess. Fuck, no. It’s a good thing.” He hugged her close. “A really good thing.”
Part of her wanted to ask exactly what he meant, but another part was lost in the masculine scent of him. It was like a drug working to calm her. An aphrodisiac swirling in her gut making her hyper-aware of everything about him…. The beat of his heart beneath her palm, the heat from his skin seeping through the cotton of his shirt, the way he flinched and tightened his grip on her when she curled her fingers against his chest.
She felt the twinge of arousal. The tell-tale tingle in her core that made her squeeze her thighs together and scoot closer to the man hijacking her senses.
Jake slid a hand down to rest on the swell of her hip. When he started brushing his thumb back and forth across her hip bone, she held her breath.
“Do you wanna watch a movie or something?” he asked.
As if riding a runaway train that abruptly screeched to a halt, Laurel’s insecurities jerked to the forefront.
A movie? He’d just stoked the fire inside her, and now he wanted to watch a movie?
Doesn’t he want me?
All the self-doubt instilled by Ethan’s betrayal started seeping in. She didn’t think she’d read Jake wrong, but maybe she had. It’s not like she’d had a lot of experience deciphering men.
“Do you?” she forced herself to ask.
His answer was immediate. “Fuck, no. I want to ravage you.”
Relief washed over her as arousal flooded her core.
“But then, why did…?”
“I want to do whatever you want to do, Princess.” His eyes softened. “I know that scene with your parents was emotional. I don’t want you to have any regrets.”
Laurel hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath, but she let it out when she heard his words. He wasn’t rejecting her. He was giving her control.
“But make no mistake…” He caught and held her gaze. “I want you. More than anything.”
A shiver tumbled through her. The way he was looking at her confirmed everything he’d said. She could see the desire simmering in the darkening blue of his eyes, the primal longing mirroring her own.
“What do you want, Laurel?” He started making circles on the inside of her hip with his thumb.
The simple movement shouldn’t feel as good as it did, but apparently the man had a roadmap to her erogenous zones and had memorized every on-ramp and turn. She pressed her hip against his hand, answering him without saying the words, but he didn’t respond.
Didn’t he get her meaning? Okay, to be fair, a little hip move wasn’t super obvious. Maybe he was waiting for instructions.
Cranberries, does he literally want instructions?
Remembering how he’d required her to voice things out loud before, he probably was waiting. Fudge!
“I…”
“Hmm?”
That wasn’t even officially a word, but knowing he was listening so intently, made her hesitant. Maybe baby steps?
“Could you, um, maybe kiss me again?”
He grinned. “No maybe about it.”
Dipping his head, he brushed his lips across hers. A tantalizing, feather-light caress that promised more, if she was willing to take it. Laurel leaned into him, increasing the pressure. Jake moved his hand to her thigh and gripped tighter at the same time he ran his tongue along the seam of her lips. She opened for him, shivering when his tongue slid across her own.
Asking him to kiss her and having him respond immediately gave her a boost of confidence.
Since her hand was already on his chest, she tried something subtle again and let it drift lower. When she traced the ridged muscles of his abdomen, they tensed beneath her touch.
Jake hooked his hand around her legs in response, and lifted them across his own.
“This okay?” he asked. He must be feeling her cautiousness, so was confirming consent.
When she nodded, he captured her lips again and deepened the kiss. Sliding his hand up to her ass, he hauled her onto his lap.
“Jake...” Laurel could feel him hard beneath her. Butterflies took flight in her stomach, and she couldn’t refrain from wiggling a little.
He let out a low growl. “Can you feel what you do to me?” he asked, moving against her. “One kiss and that sexy little shimmy, and I’m at your mercy.”
Jake at her mercy? Was he kidding? All he had to do was glance at her with that smoky look in his eyes, and she got wet.
But, at her mercy was good. She could work with that. Testing his statement, she moved against him again. He inhaled sharply through his nose and dug his fingers into her hip. His response thrilled her, and knowing she could affect him made her want to do it again. She intentionally repeated the action, rubbing herself against his thick length. Once more, his fingers tightened. They’d probably leave bruises, since she bruised like a peach, but she honestly didn’t care.
“Fuck, Princess. Are you trying to kill me?”
Was she? She’d never deliberately teased a guy to try to turn him on. It gave her a heady rush she wasn’t used to, and she liked it.
Throwing caution to the wind, she toed off her shoes and repositioned herself so she was straddling Jake’s lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him and slid her hips again.
“If you don’t stop doing that,” Jake ground out, “I’m not gonna be responsible for my actions.”
“Oh, really? What will you do?” she asked, wiggling some more.
Who the heck am I?
She’d never been confident sexually. Less so after Ethan. And she’d never been the aggressor. But with Jake, she felt safe. He made her feel desired and sexy.
“Make you scream,” he told her, moving a hand between their bodies. He rubbed between her thighs, coaxing a breathless moan from her lips. “Unless you tell me not to… I’m gonna take you to bed and fuck you until you scream for me.” He sucked her bottom lip into his mouth and continued fondling her. “Do you want me to make you scream, Laurel?”
Heat flashed in his eyes, like blue lightning in a bottle. And just like that, the balance of power tipped in his favor.
She whimpered and moved against his fingers.
“What was that, Princess?”
“Jake…”
“I didn’t catch that.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
He applied more pressure. “Yes, what?”
She wanted him. She’d never wanted a man more, but all her newfound bravery fled when she was faced with speaking her desires out loud. “Yes, please?”
“Uh-uh.” He shifted her so he could slide his hand into her leggings, beneath her underwear. When he touched her this time, she cried out.
“The correct answer,” he rasped in her ear, “is ‘yes, I want you to make me scream’.” Trailing his fingers through her wetness, he ordered, “Say it.”
“Yes—” She gasped when he thrust a finger inside. “I want you to.”
“Want me to what?”
Fudge. He was literally going to make her say it. She wasn’t sure she could, but Jake demanding she speak the words…? That was fudging hot. This dominant side of his was driving her wild. It was like a spell bending her to his will, and she was helpless to resist.
“Make me scream,” she forced out.
“Good girl.” He added a second digit and scissored his fingers, stretching her before pushing them deeper.
“Oh, fudge! Jake, please make me scream!” Through the fevered haze his fingers were igniting deep in her core, it dawned on her that she was already screaming. Just not in the way he meant… yet. She had no doubt that if he kept doing what he was doing, she was going to come any second and scream whatever the heck he wanted.
With a smirk, Jake withdrew his hand and lifted her as he stood. Before she knew it, she was lying on his bed, and he was standing next to it. How had they gotten here so fast? Ten minutes ago, she’d been nervous to kiss him, and twenty seconds ago, she’d begged him to make her scream.
“What’re you thinking, Princess?” He reached behind his head and pulled off his T-shirt in one quick motion.
Thinking? How could she think with him half-naked in front of her?
Her eyes traveled down his body, taking in every hard plane and chiseled feature. When her gaze stopped at the bulge in his jeans, she wet her lips. She didn’t even realize she’d done it until he chuckled.
He undid the button of his jeans, but didn’t touch the zipper. After a moment, he said, “Can’t make you scream with jeans on, now can I, Princess?” He put his hands in his back pockets and waited. After a deafening few moments of silence, he asked, “You gonna do something about it?”
Her eyes flew to his. “You want me to…?”
“What do you want?” he countered.
I want you inside me.
He waited, his cool demeanor in direct opposition to the fire sparking in his eyes.
A dozen faltered heartbeats passed before it sunk in that Jake wasn’t going to budge. If she wanted this—wanted him—it was up to her to make the next move. Pushing herself into a sitting position, Laurel swung her legs over the side of the bed. She was shaking, partly from having to step outside of her comfort zone, but mostly because she’d never been more turned on in her life. Rallying her resolve, she stood before Jake. But instead of unzipping his jeans, she kissed his chest. His muscles tensed, and she quickly looked up to find him watching her. Never breaking eye contact, she placed another kiss onto his skin. Getting braver, she moved to circle her tongue around his nipple, making him hiss in a breath.
He ran a hand up her back and with a flick of his wrist, undid her bra.
Wow, he can do that through a shirt?
He grasped the hem of her shirt and pulled. “Up,” he ordered.
She dutifully raised her arms.
When the cool air hit her heated skin, she shivered, and her nipples puckered.
“Turnabout is fair play,” she heard Jake murmur, before he pushed her bra off her shoulders, then bent to take one of her dusky peaks into his mouth. He swirled his tongue, like she’d done to him, then sucked while he palmed the softness of her other breast.
When he switched his mouth to the other side, Laurel moaned and arched against him. She was too aroused to be embarrassed that she was topless.
“Zipper,” Jake rasped, lightly biting her hardened peak before sucking again. When she didn’t do as he’d instructed, he grasped her wrist and directed her hand to his waistband.
“Fudge,” she breathed. With trembling fingers, she pulled the zipper tab, listening to the scrape of metal as she drew it down.
Jake’s mouth pulled up on one side. “Do you realize you swear in food?” he asked, removing his sneakers and socks, and shucking off his jeans.
Laurel didn’t respond. She was too busy taking in the fact Jake was now standing before her in nothing but a pair of boxer briefs tented by his huge erection.
“It’s fudging cute,” he said, stalking toward her like a panther hunting its prey. He didn’t stop advancing until the back of her legs hit the bed. “Hope you’ve got a few more desserts lined up…” He peeled her leggings down as he kneeled, directing her to step out of them. “Cuz I can’t wait to hear what you say when I do this.”
Before Laurel had time to contemplate his last comment, he latched his mouth between her thighs and tongued her through her panties.
She gasped and tangled her fingers in his hair to keep from falling over, holding on for dear life as he continued to torture her through the cotton material. Without warning, he yanked the panties down her legs and resumed his position, dragging his tongue up her bare slit.
“Holy cranberries!” She jerked in response to the contact, falling back onto the bed.
He chuckled. “‘Cranberries,’ huh?” Throwing both her legs over his shoulders and holding her in place, he began licking her sensitive flesh, alternating between targeted swirling and long, deliberate strokes with his flattened tongue.
Oh, my ever-loving…
There weren’t enough sweets in a candy store to describe the delicious sensations he was making her feel.
Laurel’s lower half was suspended off the edge of the bed, fully supported by Jake’s shoulders and hands. She gripped the bedspread for leverage as he continued his onslaught, nearly punching her nails through it when he penetrated her with his tongue.
“Jake,” she panted, stuck in the vortex he’d created. A maelstrom of carnal urges and excruciating pleasure built in intensity the more he worked her. When her legs started shaking, he redirected his attention to her swollen clit and sucked it into his mouth. Instantly, a scream ripped from her throat as her orgasm thundered through her.
She hadn’t caught her breath and was still seeing stars when Jake moved them fully onto the bed.
“Not a bad scream, Princess,” he told her, brushing away a strand of hair that had caught on her eyelashes. “But I don’t believe I heard my name.”
“Jake, I?—”
He silenced her with a kiss. Slow. Deep. Stirring up the whirlpool of need within her again.
“That doesn’t count,” he said in a husky voice, nuzzling his cheek along hers, breathing her in. The days’ worth of stubble on his jaw felt scratchy against her smooth skin. “You still in this with me?” he asked.
The change from commanding dominance to tender concern melted her heart. She’d never met anyone who was such a dichotomy. He, plain and simple, obliterated her defenses and any lingering reservations she may have had left.
Instead of responding, she reached down and grasped him through his boxers.
Jake groaned. “Good answer.” He moved her hand underneath the material, putting Laurel’s palm into direct contact with the satin-covered steel beneath her touch.
She curled her fingers around his thick length and began pumping up and down.
“Really good answer.”
Cupping her cheek, he turned her face toward his and claimed her mouth. She was so lost in the kiss, she forgot to move her hand.
“Did I tell you to stop, Princess?”
Laurel’s cheeks heated when his hand covered hers and moved it along his length a few times until she took over.
He nipped at her lower lip before thrusting his tongue deep. Slipping his hand between her legs, he slid a finger into her heat.
She gasped and arched against him. “Jake…”
“What, Princess?”
With a “come hither” motion, he stroked her G-spot, making her moan.
“Do you want me to fuck you?” he growled. “Tell me now because this is your last chance to stop before the next thing inside your sweet pussy is my cock.”
Laurel’s body ignited. She burned like she had a hundred-and-ten-degree fever, and Jake was the only medicine that could help. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind she wanted him. In fact, it was suddenly crystal clear that Jake was the only man she’d ever want.
“Yes,” she mewled, writhing against his hand.
“Yes, what?”
“Yes…” She closed her eyes and bit her lip before whispering, “Fuck me.” She never said that word, but if that’s what it took to get Jake inside her, she’d say it a million times.
His eyes darkened as he searched her face for any hesitation. She knew he wouldn’t find any. She wanted him, and the way his eyes turned midnight blue proved he could tell.
“That’s some awfully filthy language for a grade school teacher,” he said with a grin, sliding off the bed to strip his boxers and retrieve a condom.
Laurel stared transfixed as she watched him roll it onto his hard length. Wow, he was… she’d never seen such a…
Cranberries, I hope that fits!
Returning to the bed, Jake positioned himself between her legs. He reached down, brushing his fingers through her slick folds.
She knew she was beyond wet. Like embarrassingly, should’ve-gotten-a-towel-or- three wet.
“Fuck, you’re drenched.” He rubbed his tip along her slit, a wicked glint lighting his eyes. “Ready to be corrupted, good girl?”
Before she could answer, he drove into her with one swift motion.
Laurel flung her head back into the pillow, mouth opening wide on a gasp as her body took him in. The sweet sting of being completely filled lessened when he stilled and waited for her to grow accustomed to him.
“Okay?” Jake asked.
She nodded, so he withdrew and thrust back in. He raised his eyebrows in question, again waiting for confirmation. Despite his forceful, take charge and give orders way, he still ultimately relinquished power to her.
She nodded once more, so he thrust harder.
“Wrap your legs around me.”
When she did as she was told, he powered into her and started moving his hips in earnest. Deeper. Faster. Harder.
“Hang onto me, Princess.” His voice was a feral growl. “I’m gonna fuck you like you’ve never been fucked before.”
Jake was true to his word. He rode her hard, taking her to the stratosphere and making her soar. She’d honestly lost count of the number of orgasms he’d given her, and she’d screamed his name so many times, she’d probably be hoarse in the morning.
Exhausted, they’d finally fallen asleep, but that hadn’t stopped Jake from waking her during the night to do it all over again. When she couldn’t take any more, he’d wrapped her in his arms, and she was out like a light.
She could swear he’d whispered something while she’d been hovering on the edge of consciousness, but the oblivion of sleep had consumed her so quickly, she couldn’t be sure.