Chapter 31
I only need one guess to know the man who is making Jo’s back go ramrod straight, her eyes icing over, flashing with barely constrained fury.
A possessive urge rips through me, and I politely excuse myself from the conversation with Henry, moving toward her in long, purposeful strides. The moment I’m beside her, I slide an arm around her waist, anchoring her to me. Her body melts into mine, but she’s trembling against me.
The principal meets my eyes, first with surprise that quickly turns smarmy and calculating, but I match it stare for stare. My shoulders alone make two of this guy, and he takes two steps back.
“Don’t come anywhere near her again,” I growl. “Don’t talk to her, don’t even look her way. If I so much as hear that you’ve breathed the same air as her, you’ll regret it. Do you hear me?”
His eyes dart from me to Jo. “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just talking to her. Right, Josie?”
He looks at Jo who keeps her eyes trained on her feet. A low growl starts in my chest, my vision going scarlet.
“What did I just say about not talking to her?”
Then I dip down, my mouth to Jo’s ear. “Do you want to stay? Or I can take you home.”
She swallows hard and whispers, “Home.”
My hand never leaves her waist as Jo allows me to guide her to the gym exit.
“You alright?” I ask, once we’re on the road.
Jo hums, tilting her head side to side and we fall silent. The air feels strained and I honestly can’t tell if she’s mad that I stepped in, or if it’s due to her anger with the principal. Whatever it is, the tension is taut as a bowstring.
We reach her house in silence, and together we head up her walkway. Her fingers fumble with her key, trying to unlock her front door, so I take the keys and turn the lock. Still, without a word, we both enter and remove our shoes. Jo stands stock-still, her back to me.
“Jo, sweetheart,” I say quietly. “Was I out of line? I know you can handle yourself, but when I saw him beside you, something in me snapped.”
Finally, Jo turns, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
“No one has ever done something like that for me. I’m the defender, I’m the one who jumps in to fight whatever battle there is. That’s what I’m known for. But someone stepping in for me is a first.” She pauses, shaking her head. “And I don’t know what to do with everything I’m feeling right now.”
Jo’s hands are balled into fists at her side, her chest heaving. But I don’t think it’s anger that’s got her so worked up. No, I think it’s something else entirely.
“You still don’t get it, do you?” I ask, taking a step closer. “You will never have to be that person unless you want to. Not with me around.” I pause, letting the words settle before I speak. “I’ll fight whatever battle right alongside you, or in your place.”
Her answering response is barely above a whisper. “I’m still so scared.”
I take another step closer. “Don’t be,” I say, my voice pitched low. “I’m here. Let yourself trust that.”
We’re so close my chest brushes hers. And without considering what I’m doing I draw her to me.
“There’s something we didn’t get to do tonight.”
I loop one arm around Jo’s waist and with the other I thread my fingers with hers, bringing them to rest on my chest.
“What’s that?” Jo breathes out.
“I didn’t get a slow dance.”
She’s already pointed out my dancing, and my singing isn’t much better. But without a care, I begin singing the words to Chasing Cars. Jo relaxes against me, hopefully remembering this song was playing when she made her wish all those years ago.
“Would you lie with me and just forget the world,” I sing into her ear as we sway slowly, my cheek resting against her hair.
Jo stills, but then her arms wrap around my neck, hungry lips on mine.
Quickly, I take control of her mouth, possessing it with each swipe of our tongues.
I pull her lower lip into my mouth and Jo gasps, tightening her hold on me.
While I could stand here kissing her all night, my straining cock has other things in mind.
My restraint is slipping—I can feel it. Rarely one to lose control, there’s no option other than having Jo lose hers right along with me.
She’s clearly thinking the same, because with her mouth still on mine, she begins unbuttoning my shirt. Apparently frustrated with her slow progress, Jo rips it open, buttons flying in every direction and I’m shrugging out of it.
“Take my dress off,” she says against my mouth. “Please, Tyler. I need you. My word is balderdash.”
“Bedroom,” I say, my voice rough with need.
We’re nothing but needy sounds and exploring hands, kissing our way down the hall, pausing only long enough for her to twist the doorknob.
Inside, I find the zipper at her back and drag it down, letting her dress fall to the floor.
My dick grows painfully hard because I’ve been starving for this.
Jo in nothing but a strapless bra and lace panties is so much more than I remembered.
I don’t even know what part of her I want in my mouth first.
“It’s not the same body as before,” Jo whispers hesitantly. “I’m not ashamed of my body, but it’s changed.”
“Stop talking, sweetheart,” I say, my voice reverent but not harsh. How could she think I’d see anything short of perfection? Sinking to my knees, my hands find her hips as I press a kiss to the silver streaks etched across her stomach.
“This body brought life into the world.” I kiss lower. “This body carried you through a lifetime of hardship. Your body is strength wrapped in softness.” Another kiss. “And if it’s all right with you, tonight I’m worshiping every inch of it, because this body is mine.”
Hooking my thumb into the thin material of her panties, I drag them down and she steps from them. I stuff them in my pocket, and Jo snorts a laugh.
“I like those panties,” she objects. Parting her, I lick up her center once, because that taste I got the other day wasn’t enough. Jo gasps and I murmur against her pussy, “I’ll buy you a hundred more. But these are mine.”
Standing, I reach behind her to unhook her bra, exposing those perfectly full breasts. While kissing down her neck, I walk her till we’re facing her full length mirror, brushing light strokes across both nipples, coaxing the sweetest moan from her throat.
“Look at us, sweetheart. We could be so good together.”
Jo says nothing, her quicksilver eyes studying our reflection.
I pull her to me, splaying one hand across her abdomen, my other hand moving to her swollen clit.
Running a finger through her arousal, I make small circles, applying pressure.
Jo’s lips part and she tips her head to rest against my chest, eyes fluttering shut.
“Tyler,” she gasps.
“Eyes open. Let me see my favorite color, Josephine,” I command, increasing the pressure until her breaths come in short pants. Unable to keep a grip on my very fraying restraint, I remove my hand and Jo releases the cutest pout.
“I need to be inside of you. Do we need a condom?”
“IUD this time.”
I walk Jo to the bed till her knees hit the edge and she sits, working the buckle of my belt.
Her fingertips graze my hip and she’s working my pants down.
I step from them, and she slides my boxer briefs down, taking my leaking cock in her hand.
With her hand wrapped around my shaft, she gives it one strong up and down, and moves to lower her head.
“Absolutely not,” I say, guiding her head back up. “What did I say?”
Jo’s eyes flicker to mine. “That you need inside of me.”
“Scoot to the head of the bed.”
Jo does as I say, and I lower my palms to the bed and crawl to her, bracing myself so I’m hovering above her.
“I want you to watch when I claim this pussy as mine, sweetheart.”
With the head of my cock, I rub it through her gathering wetness. Jo’s eyes lower to where I’m notched at her entrance.
“Look at you, doing what I ask.”
Slowly, I thrust into her, releasing a tormented groan as I do. Jo’s whimpered response only makes me want her more. She’s clenching my cock so hard I see stars behind my vision. Jo flexes around me, and I groan.
“Jo,” I rasp. “I’m gonna come if you do that again.” Pausing, I gather myself, trying to reign in my control, because nothing has ever felt so right.
With slow movements, I rock in and out, whispering praises.
“You’re doing so good, love.” The word spills from my lips without thinking. “It’s like we were made for each other.”
She nods, wrapping her legs around my waist allowing me to sink even deeper into her tight heat. Jo arches up into me, and I feel the tips of her nails dig into my back, leaving tiny half-moons, proof that we are real, this woman I thought was forever gone from my life.
Lowering my head, Jo sighs when my lips reach the soft line of her clavicle, trailing open mouthed, hungry kisses up her neck. Her pulse flutters wildly beneath my lips, her hips undulating against me, slow at first, then quickening to a frantic, needy pace.
Matching her pace, I thrust deep, the headboard of her bed moving in sync with our love making.
Her fingers trail down my back, nails sinking deeper into the skin there adding intense pleasure with that slight bite of pain.
Then she surprises me by threading her fingers through my hair and leaning up to kiss me.
We’re connected in every way possible, and I fucking love it.
I can practically hear the word mine, mine, mine thrumming to the beat of my pounding heart.
Already so close to the edge, I know I won’t last much longer like this.
“Tyler,” Jo pants. “I think I’m about to come.”
Raising up slightly, I press two fingers to her lips, coaxing Jo to take them into her mouth.
“That’s right, sweetheart. Get them nice and wet for me.”
She follows directions so sweetly and I reward her by pressing my fingers to her swollen clit, circling slowly then faster, her inner walls immediately fluttering around me.
Jo cries out, spiraling out her climax, and I soon follow, our heaving breaths mingling in the dark. Pressing my lips to hers, the urge is there to confess how I feel, but I think it instead.
I love you. I’ve loved you for fourteen years. I will always love you.