Chapter 20 #2
I tugged at his shoulders, urging him over me. He moved carefully, bracing his weight on his forearms as he settled between my legs. The hard length of him pressed against me through our clothes, and I rolled my hips instinctively, seeking more friction.
“Ella,” he groaned, dropping his forehead to mine. “If we don’t slow down—”
“I don’t want to slow down,” I interrupted, my hands sliding down his back to the waistband of his sweatpants. “I want you, Jake. All of you. I have since the first day I saw you.”
His eyes locked with mine, searching for any hesitation. Finding none, he captured my mouth in another searing kiss as his hand worked its way under my shirt again, this time pushing it up and over my head in one smooth motion.
He drew back to look at me, his gaze heating as it traveled over my exposed skin. “Beautiful,” he whispered. “So damn beautiful.”
Then his mouth was on my breast, tongue circling the sensitive peak before drawing it between his lips.
I arched into the sensation, one hand tangled in his hair, holding him to me.
His other hand was sliding down my stomach to the waistband of my pajama bottoms, fingers dipping just below the elastic in silent question.
“Yes,” I breathed, lifting my hips in invitation.
He hooked his fingers in the waistband, drawing the pants and my underwear down in one motion.
I kicked them away, suddenly completely bare beneath him while he still wore his sweatpants.
My lack of clothes felt thrilling somehow, his clothed body partially covering mine.
The soft fabric of his sweatpants brushed against my inner thighs as he settled between them again.
His mouth traveled down my body, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. When he reached my navel, he glanced up, eyes dark with desire. “I want to taste you,” he said, his voice rough with need. “Can I?”
I nodded, unable to form words as he moved lower, his broad shoulders pushing my thighs farther apart.
The first touch of his tongue against my clit had me gasping, my back arching off the bed.
He groaned against me, the vibration adding to the sensation as he explored with deliberate, maddening precision.
I bit my lip to keep from crying out, mindful of Nora in the next room, of the others downstairs.
But it was nearly impossible to stay silent as Jake’s talented mouth brought me closer and closer to the edge.
When he slid a finger inside me, curling it to hit that perfect spot while his tongue circled my most sensitive bundle of nerves, I shattered, waves of pleasure washing over me as I pulsed around his finger.
He worked me through it gently, only pulling away when the aftershocks subsided. As he moved back up my body, I tugged at his sweatpants.
“Off,” I demanded breathlessly. “Now.”
A smile tugged at his lips as he complied, pushing the fabric down his hips and kicking it off. I took in the sight of him, fully naked and gloriously aroused. My mouth went dry at the thought of having all of him.
I reached for him, wrapping my fingers around his length. His breath hissed between his teeth as I stroked him once, twice.
“Condom?” I asked, suddenly practical despite the haze of desire.
“Nightstand,” he managed, reaching over to fumble in the drawer.
I took the packet from him, tearing it open with my teeth. His eyes darkened as I rolled it onto him, my touch deliberate and teasing.
Then he was over me again, his weight supported on his forearms as he positioned himself. “Are you sure?” he asked one last time.
“If you ask that again, I swear to God I’m going to jump your bones,” I laughed as I wrapped my legs around his waist. I couldn’t wait, I pulled him forward, gasping as he filled me in one slow, delicious thrust. We both stilled, adjusting to the sensation of being joined so intimately.
“Okay?” he whispered against my temple.
“Perfect,” I breathed, lifting my hips to take him deeper.
He began to move then, setting a rhythm that had me clinging to his shoulders, my nails digging into his skin. Each thrust built the pressure inside me again, higher and higher. His pace quickened, his control slipping as his movements became more urgent.
“Ella,” he groaned, his voice strained. “I can’t—”
“Let go,” I urged, feeling my own release building. “I’m right there with you.”
His hand slipped between us, thumb finding my center, and that was all it took. I came apart around him, biting his shoulder to muffle my cry. He followed a moment later, his body tensing above mine as he pulsed inside me.
For several long moments, we stayed like that, connected, our breathing gradually slowing. Finally, he eased away, disposing of the condom before pulling me against his chest.
“That was...” he trailed off, seemingly at a loss for words.
“Yeah,” I agreed, nestling into the crook of his arm. “It really was.”
His fingers traced lazy patterns on my bare shoulder. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you?”
I smiled against his chest. “I’m more than okay. However, I might have left marks on your shoulder. Sorry about that.”
He chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest beneath my ear. “They’re worth it.”
We lay in comfortable silence, our bodies cooling in the night air. I felt more at peace than I had in days—maybe years. Whatever tomorrow brought, whatever complications awaited us, we had this moment—this connection.
“What are you thinking?” he asked softly, his fingers still drawing circles on my skin.
I propped myself up on one elbow to look at him. “That I’m glad I’m here. With you.”
His eyes softened as they met mine. “Me too.” He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch gentle. “We should try to get some sleep.”
I nodded, settling back against him. “Stay,” I murmured, already feeling exhaustion pulling at me. “All night.”
“Wild horses couldn’t drag me away,” he promised, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
As I drifted toward sleep, wrapped in his arms, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a very long time—hope.
∞∞∞
Morning came too soon, and with it the sunlight streamed through the curtains. I woke slowly, aware of a warm weight around my waist and steady breathing against my neck. Jake was still asleep, his arm draped protectively over me, our legs tangled beneath the sheets.
I lay still, savoring the moment, not wanting to disturb him.
He looked younger in sleep, the lines of worry smoothed from his face.
I remembered the pain in his voice when he’d spoken of his wife and daughter, the loss that had shaped him.
That he could still open his heart after such a tragedy spoke volumes about his strength.
A soft knock at the door broke the stillness. Jake stirred, his arm tightening around me before his eyes opened, instantly alert.
“Mom?” Nora’s voice called from the other side of the door. “Are you awake?”
I sat up quickly, pulling the sheet over me. “Just a minute, honey!” I called, my voice still rough with sleep.
Jake was already moving, sliding out of bed and gathering his clothes. “Bathroom,” he mouthed, pointing to the ensuite.
I nodded gratefully as he disappeared behind the door. Taking a deep breath, I found my clothes, pulling them on hastily before opening the bedroom door.
Nora stood there in her pajamas, her stuffed fox clutched under one arm. “I’m hungry,” she announced. “And Aunt Kat said to ask you if I could have pancakes for breakfast.”
I smoothed her hair, relieved that she seemed normal after yesterday. “Pancakes sound perfect. I’ll be down in just a minute, okay?”
She nodded, then peered past me into the room. “Where’s Jake?”
My heart skipped a beat. “Why do you ask?”
“Because he wasn’t on the couch when I came downstairs,” she said, as if it were obvious. “Rory said he might be checking the property, but his boots are still by the door.”
“I’m sure he’s around somewhere,” I said, keeping my voice casual. “Why don’t you go tell Aunt Kat I said yes to pancakes, and I’ll be right down?”
She seemed satisfied with this and headed back toward the stairs.
As soon as she was out of sight, I closed the door and leaned against it, letting out a deep breath.
That was a close one. If this continued between Jake and me, we would have to be more careful, like locking the door or waking up at the crack of dawn.
The bathroom door opened, and he emerged, fully dressed in jeans and a Henley. “That was close,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
“Too close,” I agreed. “I’m not ready for that conversation with her. Not with everything else going on.”
He crossed to me, his hands settling on my waist. “Regrets?” he asked, his eyes searching mine.
I shook my head firmly. “Not about last night. Never about that.”
Relief washed over his handsome face, and he leaned in to press a soft kiss to my lips. “Good. Because I’ve been waiting too long for you to slip away now.”
I smiled against his mouth. “Not slipping anywhere. But we should probably go downstairs separately. For Nora’s sake.”
He nodded, stepping back reluctantly. “I’ll go first. Say I was checking the security feeds in my office.”
“Thank you,” I said, grateful for his understanding. “For everything.”
His eyes softened. “Always.”
After he left, I took a quick shower, letting the hot water ease the soreness in my muscles—both from the night at the river and from our night together.
By the time I made it downstairs, the kitchen was bustling with activity.
Kat was at the stove flipping pancakes, while Nora sat at the island with her headphones and tablet nearby, chattering away to Rory, who was nursing a cup of coffee and looking surprisingly engaged in whatever story she was telling.
Jake stood by the coffee maker, pouring a mug and handing it to me as I approached. “Morning,” he said, his voice carefully neutral, though his eyes held a warmth meant only for me.
“Morning,” I replied, accepting the coffee gratefully. “Where is everyone?”
“Declan and Kane are doing rounds outside with Wren, Lana, and Kori,” Rory answered. “Connor and Mia took the morning shift at your place. And Mikhail...” He hesitated, glancing at Nora.
“My dad went to make some important calls,” Nora supplied, the word ‘dad’ still sounding strange coming from her lips. “He said he’d be back for breakfast.”
I nodded, taking a sip of coffee to hide my reaction. It would take time to get used to hearing Nora refer to Mikhail that way and to adjust to this new reality in which he was an active part of her life.
“How are you feeling this morning?” Jake asked, his voice low enough that only I could hear.
“Better,” I said truthfully. “Much better.”
A small smile played at the corners of his mouth. “Good.”
The back door opened, and Mikhail stepped inside, bringing a gust of cold air with him. His eyes found Nora immediately, his face lighting up when she waved at him.
“Just in time for pancakes,” Kat called from the stove. “Grab a plate.”
Mikhail nodded his thanks, but his expression turned serious as he approached Jake and me. “We need to talk,” he said quietly. “Nora, honey, put your headphones on and watch Polly Pocket on your tablet.”
She did just that, and I felt a chill that had nothing to do with the winter air he’d brought in. “What is it?”
“My contact in Moscow came through,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “The evidence is being delivered to Interpol today. They’ll move on my father within 48 hours.”
Relief flooded through me. “It’s almost over then.”
But Mikhail’s expression remained grim. “Not quite. My father knows something is happening. He’s mobilizing all his resources to find us before the authorities find him.”
Jake’s hand found the small of my back, a subtle gesture of support. “How much time do we have?”
Mikhail’s eyes met mine, dark and serious. “If we’re lucky? Twenty-four hours. If not...” He glanced toward Nora, who was happily drowning her pancakes in syrup. “We need to be ready for anything.”