Chapter 12 #2
“How about you owe me an orgasm instead?”
She chuckled. “Okay. But I need to refuel. You’re very, ah, vigorous.”
“Vigorous?” he echoed, smirking. “Sunflower, you haven’t seen vigorous yet.”
When he tickled her sides, she squealed and broke free from his embrace. Sliding out of bed, she tugged her sweatshirt down. “I thought as men got older, they lost their sex drive.”
He moved closer, that predatory look gleaming in his eyes. “Allow me to shatter that myth.”
“You already did!” He’d shattered everything, including the possibility she’d ever want another man after being with him. “Why do I get the feeling I just woke the beast?”
“Beast, huh? I’ll show you beast!” He lunged for her, and she spun and bolted out of his room. As she scurried down the stairs, she heard his deep laughter as he chased her.
Of course, he caught her. There was no escaping him. He was far too fast and agile. Easily trapping her against a wall, he pinned her arms above her head and kissed her senseless, making her forget she wanted a respite.
He didn’t forget, though, and after getting her all revved up, he pulled back and gave her a sly smile. “Time to refuel.”
Threading his fingers through hers, he led her into the kitchen, sat her down at the table and poured them each a glass of water, adding a wedge of lemon.
Then he put together a plate of cheese, crackers and grapes.
She was coming to learn Jayson Knight was a very thoughtful man. It was new, and a nice change of pace.
Unlike the other men in her past, and there were only a sad few, Jayson was insanely attentive, always focused on her wants and needs above his.
When she needed a break, he gave her water and fed her a snack.
When she mentioned she was cold, he found her pajama bottoms and turned up the thermostat.
When she started to bake the cake again, he cleaned up the flour from their earlier shenanigans and washed the dishes.
Once the cake was finally in the oven, they sat at the table he’d built with his own two hands and talked.
About everything and nothing. She enjoyed getting to know him better and, in the back of her mind, hoped she’d be able to finagle a last minute vacation from work so she could stay in Cielo Springs longer.
If she were being honest, she wasn’t sure if she ever wanted to leave. But that wasn’t a decision to be made in the heat of the moment or the afterglow of the best sex of her life.
For now, she planned to bask in Jayson and all the glorious affection and attention he was bestowing on her for as long as she could. Reality could wait another few days. At least, she hoped so.
When the oven buzzer went off, she removed the cake and set it on the counter to cool.
Jayson pulled out the box of candles while she whipped up her famous cream cheese frosting.
They chatted easily, laughing often. His genuineness at getting to know her better made her feel so many things.
Most of all, she felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be.
Once the cake cooled, she frosted it, quite aware of how he watched her every move. There was an appreciation in the depths of his hazel eyes, and something told her he wasn’t ready to say goodbye yet, either.
“Hmm, looks like we’re about thirty candles short,” she teased.
“Ha ha.”
Chuckling, she placed several and lit them. “Happy belated birthday, Jayson,” she murmured, their eyes locking over the flickering flames. “Don’t forget to make a wish.”
His mouth edged up and, after thinking a moment, he blew all the candles out with one breath.
She couldn’t help but wonder what he wished for. And, secretly, she hoped it might have something to do with her.
They shared a slice of cake, playfully feeding each other pieces, and he declared it was the best cake he’d ever had.
When they reached the last morsel, she beat him to it.
But instead of eating it, she lifted her fork to his lips.
His hand wrapped around her wrist, tugged it closer, and he locked eyes with her as he sucked the utensil clean.
Much like he’d done to her earlier. A shudder ran through her body.
Then he pulled her onto his lap and captured her mouth in a soul-destroying kiss.
“Have you recuperated enough for round two?” he asked, nibbling her neck.
“Two? I thought we were gearing up for round four.”
“Technically, I think you’re right.”
“Hmm, I don’t know,” she teased, squirming in his lap, unable to miss his hard-on. “I might need to warm up first.”
“Whatever you need, Sunflower.”
The endearment made her hesitate. It made whatever was happening between them seem so real. More permanent. And as much as she wanted that, it scared her that he might not be on the same page. “Why do you keep calling me that?”
“Sunflower?” He shrugged. “I guess because I remembered the painting in your living room. They’re cheerful and bright. A lot like you.”
“Do you know the story about sunflowers?” He shook his head.
“Not as cheerful as you’d expect. According to Greek mythology, the water nymph Clytie fell in love with Apollo, the god of the sun.
Every day, he drove his golden chariot across the sky, dazzling everyone on earth.
At first, he loved her too, but then he turned his affections toward another nymph. Typical, fickle man.”
“What happened?”
“His rejection nearly drove her mad. In a jealous rage, Clytie told the other nymph’s father about her affair with Apollo.”
“I’m betting that didn’t end well.”
“No, he buried her alive as punishment. Apollo was furious and turned Clytie into a sunflower. But her love for him was so strong she watched him move across the sky each day—just as sunflowers follow the sun.”
“That’s a depressing story.”
She huffed out a resigned snort. “I suppose I am like a sunflower. I also wasted too much time on the wrong man.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” The sincerity in his voice filled the lingering cracks in her heart from Ian. The fact that he’d sit there and listen to her talk about her ex put Jayson Knight in an entirely different category of men. He really is a unicorn.
The man kept proving he was one-in-a-fucking-million.
But she shook her head, turning on his lap to straddle him. “No. I can think of better things to do.” She rolled her hips against his hard cock. Pressed her lips to his neck. “Make me scream, Jayson.”
A breath shuddered out of his lungs. She looked up to see him grin. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Scooping her up, he laid her out on his beautiful, hand-carved table and made her scream his name again.
And again.
And, bless his overachieving heart, again.