Chapter Eight
Jessa
No one besides Uncle Jackson or me has driven Carla. I was surprised when Lane asked. No was on the tip of my tongue but then he said he’d like to meet Jackson—something Jerome did everything possible to avoid.
Now watching him expertly handle my baby, putting her through her paces but not abusing her, I know I made a mistake. But the desire running through me keeps me from regretting it.
Lane’s large, calloused hand on the wheel is firm but also gentle. Same with the one on the gearshift. He eases the stick through each shift, not slamming it into place. I’m almost positive I’m getting a preview of how he’d be in bed.
The thought has my pussy throbbing. There are so many reasons why I shouldn’t be going there, but the urge to experience him handle my body the way he is my car is overwhelming.
I’m so caught up in his expert handling of the vehicle, I don’t even notice where we’re headed.
When he comes to a stop, I gasp at the view before us.
We’re on a raised bluff overlooking the river and the old industrial district of town.
The sun is almost to the horizon, and the sky is lighting up with orange, reds, and golds.
“Come on,” Lane instructs as clambers out and pockets the keys.
I scramble to follow him across the cracked pavement. Just beyond the rusted railing, he drops down on a bench. Sitting beside him, a gasp tears from my throat at the exhibition of color.
“Wow.”
“I know, right?”
My head swings in his direction to find his heated whiskey-brown eyes on me.
They have me entirely transfixed, the spectacular display of nature wholly forgotten.
We’re seated so close I can feel the warmth of his body through our clothes.
Chills like I only get from driving Carla run through me as he looks at me with a hunger that suggests he’s starving, but not for food.
My breath quickens, my stomach somersaulting as he holds me captive with only a look. His nostrils flaring is the only movement either of us make. My gaze dips to his mouth surrounded by scruff before lifting to his again.
“Your move, Jess,” he murmurs as if afraid to break the spell we’re under.
That’s the only possible explanation for what’s happening because I swear my body and limbs move of their own accord as I lean in, pressing my lips to his. My eyes fall closed, arms wrapping around his neck. A sigh escapes at the contact, and absolute bliss falls over me.
It doesn’t take long for him to gently claim control of the kiss. Just like with the car, he’s gentle and firm at the same time. His hands trail lightly up and down my sides before sliding behind me, pulling us snug together.
But it isn’t nearly enough. I need more. Without breaking our connection, I place one knee on the bench beside his hip and swing the other over his lap, settling on top of him. I gasp at the contact of my core with his hard cock.
His tongue sweeps through my mouth, his hands fisting my ass cheeks as he groans.
Disappointment floods me when he pulls away.
His forehead rests against mine as his breaths come in pants.
“Need to slow down. As much as I would love to have my way with you right here and now, this place is far too popular for what I want to do. Besides, I’m in desperate need of a shower. ”
I bite my lip, leaning back so I can look him in the eye. “Then you’d better take me home so we can take a shower.”
His eyes widen at the words I’m positive he was not expecting. I know I certainly wasn’t, but damn if I don’t want it now the suggestion is out there.
“Are you sure?”
I shake my head. “Yes.” Then nod. “No.”
He huffs a humorless laugh. “That’s clear as mud. We should wait until it isn’t.” His head drops to my breasts with a groan, and I barely hear him mutter, “I deserve a freaking medal for my restraint.”
My nipples pucker when he inhales deeply. I slide my hands up to the nape of his neck, twining my fingers in the dark red, wavy locks, knocking his hat askew. Using my hold, I pull his head back so I can look into his eyes.
What I see there, a combination of disappointment and desire, has me making up my mind. No other man has put me above their own wants before. My pulse races as I rock my hips, rubbing my core against his steel-hard length trapped between us.
His fingers on my hips tighten, eyes narrowing.
“You’re playing a dangerous game here Jess.
I’m only human and my control is only so strong.
Or are you trying to make me blow my load right here in my pants, because woman, it won’t take much more of you rubbing this sweet body against me to do so embarrassingly fast.”
The suggestion I could make him come like this has my core clenching, but I’d much rather have him inside me when he does. I lean in to tell him so. “As hot as that sounds, I’d rather feel you inside me when you do,” I murmur against his ear.
I lean backward to see his eyes roll back in his head as he groans, “Fuck me.”
The corners of my lips tug up, and I rock my hips again, “I’m tryin’.”
A squeal tears from me when he abruptly stands with me in his arms. My eyes widen in shock. “Put me down. I’m too heavy, you’ll hurt yourself!” I admonish.
“Woman, I’ve got so much fucking testosterone pumping through me right now I could pick the car up without breaking a sweat.”
His stride doesn’t falter as he makes a beeline for Carla. It does nothing but amp up the need to have him inside me. To feel all this muscle and raw power being used to give me pleasure I’m sure will be unlike anything I’ve experienced before.
He sets me down beside the passenger door, pressing me against it. His nose trails up my neck before his teeth latch onto my earlobe. My hands fist in his T-shirt with a whimper.
Releasing the dangling flesh, his breath whispers across my ear, causing chills to break out on my skin. “I know you said no pet names, but I can’t wait for the day I get to call you mine.”
“Pretty presumptuous of you. I’ll never belong to any man.”
“I bet you I’ll have you begging me to own you before you know it.”
A scoff. “I’d like to see you try.”
“Challenge accepted woman. Oh, and another heads-up, sometime soon I’m going to have you bent over the hood of this car.”
My panties flood at the gush of wetness from his words. Never has a thought even close to that crossed my mind before, but now I have no doubt that the image of him doing so will be permanently tattooed there.