Chapter Twelve
J eter grabbed his bathroom bag out of his suitcase along with a fresh pair of boxer briefs. The wait for Tori to finish felt like an eternity. He had to remind himself that women took longer than men to get ready for anything.
The door opened and out walked a fresh-faced Tori. He prepared himself to ignore her until after his shower. Seeing her in the pajama set they’d bought together, with her hair in a high ponytail, wearing no makeup, she appeared younger.
“You all done in there?” He nodded toward the bathroom.
She pulled the suitcase behind her, stopping at his question. “Yep. Do you have a preference for a side of the bed?”
His heart thundered in his chest. He wanted to pump his fist since she wasn’t making him sleep on the sectional. Instead, he shook his head. “I’m good with either. Lady's choice.”
Tori licked her lips, making it hard as fuck for him not to groan. God, did she have no clue how sexy it was when she did that?
“I’m gonna take a shower and brush my teeth. I’ll be quick.” He hurried by her without touching her. That, in and of itself, was a feat he thought should garner him an award.
Behind the closed door, he lifted his head toward the ceiling. His dick jumped inside the confines of his slacks. Jeter walked to the sink and placed his small bag on the right side. He took stock of all her things she’d put on the left in neat little sections, as if she had a ritual of some sort. Women were fascinating creatures. His mother and sister were the same. They always had their things organized by usage. Obviously, it was a female thing.
He ran his hand over his jaw, scraping his palm over the stubble that had grown since he’d shaved last. “I’ll shave in the shower.”
Opening the black bag, he pulled out his shaving kit, along with his body wash. While he loved the scent Tori had on, he didn’t want to cover his own body with it.
His suit came off, and then he laid it over the rail so it wouldn’t get too wrinkly. Completely naked, he moved to the shower enclosure and turned the water on. After feeling the water to ensure it was warm, he stepped in and placed his shower things on the ledge next to Tori’s. The sight of their things next to one another looked good. His and hers. Shit, he needed to slow his damn roll. She lived in Chicago, and his home was in California. Period.
Water pelted his face and body. But nothing erased his thoughts. He grabbed the shampoo, washed his hair, and conditioned it before lathering his hands with shaving cream. Even without a mirror, he quickly shaved his face and neck without nicking himself. After washing the cream off his face and hands, he braced his hands on the stone wall, allowing the water to pelt his back and shower. His cock jumped, still hard from earlier.
Jeter grabbed his shaft, sliding his hand up and down in firm strokes. He pictured Tori with him, imagining her small hand touching him. An image of her creamy skin covered in water as she knelt in front of him had him stroking his dick faster. He twisted his hand, rubbing his thumb over the tip with each stroke. A low grunt escaped him as the first tingle heralded his impending orgasm. Two more pumps of his fist, and the first spurt escaped, followed by another. Jeter jerked his fist faster, watching as his come exploded from the crown of his cock, splashing all over the tile wall and swirling down the drain. He smoothed his hand up and down, letting the pleasure ease slowly. The hand on the wall holding him up shook slightly, making him chuckle.
“Fuck me,” he whispered and released his dick.
Jeter grabbed his shower gel and soaped up again, cleaning up the mess he’d made, and then rinsed. He shut the water off and reached for the towel outside the door. In less time than it took him to get undressed, he pulled the boxer briefs on, along with a clean T-shirt. Padding over to the mirror, he wiped at the foggy surface, startled to see the image he presented. Shit, if he went out to the other room looking the way he did, Tori would know he’d taken care of himself in the shower.
He rolled his shoulders and reached for his toothbrush. His dick filled out the briefs, but at least the fucker wasn’t at half-mast. If she noticed his post-orgasmic look, then so be it.
Nothing usually bothered Jeter, not even if his brothers caught him with his pants down and his dick out or in something. Yet the moment he walked out of the bathroom, he did his best to avoid Tori until he was sure she wasn’t paying attention to him.
“Do you want something to drink?” he asked with his back to her.
“I already grabbed a bottle of water. Thank you, though.”
He nodded without turning around. Inside the fridge, he found several bottles of beer, water, and a few cans of pop. Like Tori, he opted for a bottle of water. He unscrewed the lid and chugged half the contents.
“Damn, that’s good,” he sighed.
A gentle laugh made him look over his shoulder. “I thought the same thing. You’d think we hadn’t had water in ages instead of the brief period since the incident.”
Jeter pivoted to face the bed. Tori sat against the headboard with the comforter pulled up to her waist, looking too damn sweet and young for the likes of him. He opened the bottle once again. Keeping his eyes locked with hers, letting the cold liquid slide through his mouth, swallow after swallow. After he emptied the bottle, he dropped his arm to the side. There was a war within his mind. He wanted her. He wanted to be deep inside her like he needed his next breath. That’s the honest-to-good truth. He didn’t understand it, but there it was.
There had been a time in his life when he’d been a fuck or get fucked kind of guy. He’d been sure those years were behind him. Obviously, he’d been wrong, or Tori brought out the caveman in him. No matter what his stupid mind and body wanted, he’d keep himself in check. He’d never forgive himself if he scared her, never mind hurt her.
“You look like you’re either going to throw up or pass out. Do I scare you or disgust you, Jeter? Honestly, whichever it is, you might want to let me know so I can know how to navigate this situation. I promise I won’t try to jump your bones if that’s what has you freaking the fuck out,” she muttered.
Chuckling, he moved toward the bed. Before he could speak, she grunted and crossed her arms over her chest. His eyes zeroed in on the cleavage she inadvertently put on display with the move.
He groaned and held out his hands. “You got it all wrong, farfallina. You certainly don’t disgust me. Far from it, in fact. Scare—that might be a little accurate.” He puffed out a breath. “I find you way too enticing and don’t want you to feel uncomfortable with me lying next to you. I swear on a stack of Bibles, I won’t lay a finger on you unless you give me the green light.”
Why the fuck did he add the last part?
HER MIND WENT BLANK . Jeter wanted her. All she had to do was say yes.
Holding out her hand, she beckoned him to come to bed. “Then we are good. Come to bed, Jeter. I think we both need sleep.”
Yeah, she totally lied. What she wanted to say was she needed him to touch her, possess her, and make love to her. Hell, he could fuck her ten ways to Sunday, and she’d say thank you, sir. Can I have another? However, she wasn’t sure if they were ready to take that step yet.
“If you’re sure.” He swallowed.
She watched his throat work. The sight of his Adam’s apple bobbing turned her on. Every little thing about Jeter set her body aflame with need. Like in the romance novels she’d read about, she swore her heart beat to a new rhythm that matched his.
He turned around, giving her a perfect view of his amazing ass in the tight boxer briefs. She had no choice but to ogle him as he flipped the lights off throughout the large space. Like a jungle cat, he prowled back toward the bed. The man was all muscle and sex appeal. The thick, ropey muscle on each side of his hips that leads down captured her attention. Whatever those were called had to be the most drool-worthy thing ever created.
The bed dipped, jerking her out of her thoughts. She looked up, catching his laughing, green gaze. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
A shiver wracked her at his words. “Don’t say that.”
His hand slid over her legs and up until he cupped her jaw. “Damn, I didn’t mean to scare you. Will you let me give you a kiss goodnight?”
Her tongue darted out, wetting her dry lips. “Yes,” she whispered.
Jeter nodded once, and then he moved closer. Their chests touched. Tori lifted her arm, sifting her fingers through his hair, needing an anchor while he brushed his lips over hers.
His warm breath feathered over her mouth when he pulled back. “Need more,” he muttered.
She didn’t attempt to speak as his arms wrapped around her and pushed until she was lying flat. He held himself above her, continuing to kiss and lick her mouth in such a sensual exploration, that Tori felt as though he was making love to her with his lips.
Jeter shifted, easing his body along the side of her. “You’re so fucking beautiful.” He pulled her top lip into his mouth. Sucked and released it.
“So are you. I love your tattoos.” She ran her hand over his shoulder and down his left arm, covered in ink.
He grunted. “I like yours too.”
Tori looked down, shocked to see her shirt had ridden up and exposed the tattoo on her side. “Thank you.”
“Can I?” he asked, placing his hand on the end of the T-shirt.
She lifted slightly so he could tug the top up to look at her entire tattoo. The design started below the waistband of her pants, up past her breast.
“Like a phoenix, did you rise from the ashes, farfallina?” he asked, tracing the lines of the feathers all the way up toward her breast.
Her lungs forgot how to work, or maybe she forgot how to breathe. “No... I wish I were that brave.”
She’d run like a bat out of hell, not like a majestic bird of prey.
“Mmm, you’re incredibly brave, in my opinion.” His thumb brushed dangerously close to her underboob, making her wish he’d go that extra inch and touch her where she longed.
Jeter leaned down, brushing his lips over her tattoo. Staring up at her, he held her eyes with his mesmerizing gaze. She knew he could feel her body tremble under his. Hell, if he were to slip his fingers down her pants, he’d find her wet and willing. At this rate, she’d need to change into another set of pajamas.
“You smell so sweet. I wonder if you taste as delicious everywhere.” He murmured against her flesh between biting licks and kisses.
Tori reached for his shirt, yanking at the hem. “Off.”
Her control nearly snapped. She didn’t want to lay like a log and let him do all the work. No, she wanted to touch and feel him like he was with her. The man sat back on his heels, reached behind his head, and pulled the shirt off in that sexy way men do. He never took his eyes from hers as he tossed his T-shirt to the side, then reached for hers. She sat up, helping him shimmy hers off. His eyes trailed down her body, locking on her exposed chest.
Licking his lips, he leaned forward. He pinched her right nipple in between his thumb and forefinger and covered her other with his lips. The dual sensation made her arch her back. She wrapped her arms around his head, holding him in place.
“Oh, yes. Dear god, that feels amazing.” She shifted her legs together, knowing the ache there would only feel soothed by his touch.
“You have no idea how much I’ve wanted to do this. You’ve ignited a deep craving within me I didn’t think was possible. I swear I would do anything to touch you, taste you, sink into you. There’s never been another woman who has made me want them the way I want you, farfallina. It’s crazy, but there it is.”
His tongue lashed at her nipple, then he sucked on the tip again before switching to the other. He used his hands, lips, and teeth to play with her breasts, making her moan. Tori had heard of women coming from men playing with their breasts but thought it was a lie, until now. A tingling sensation flashed from her nipples to her clit with each suck of Jeter’s talented mouth. She was so close to coming her body trembled.
Jeter lifted his head and moved his hand down her abdomen. Where his hand touched, his lips followed. She wanted to howl in frustration. However, the closer he got to her waist, the more her body lit up. Anticipation built.
He eased her pants down with one hand while she lifted her ass, shifting to lie between her thighs. Jeter looked up at her, smiling a wicked smile. “I knew you’d smell delicious everywhere. Let’s see if you taste as good as I thought.”
His mouth covered her pussy in an open-mouthed kiss. She moaned at the feel of his tongue swiping through her folds. The sound of his deep groan vibrating against her flesh continued until he sucked her clit inside his warm mouth. She couldn’t stop the cry of ecstasy from escaping. Her back arched off the bed, hips swiveled.
Thank fuck he was there, holding her down with his strong arms over her hips.
“So fucking wet, farfallina. I could feast on you for hours,” he said, licking her from clit down to her vagina.
“I’d die, Jeter. Seriously, I need more. Please,” she begged, reaching for him.
He licked her again, then pressed a finger inside her, followed by another. “I know what you need. Fuck you’re tight. Do you want to come on my face or my fingers?”
She shook her head. “Your cock,” she breathed.