Chapter Seven #2
Jennifer sat on one side of the couch. Her heartbeat immediately went into overdrive when he sat in the middle, very close to her, shifted toward her a bit, and put his arm behind her on the back of the couch.
“Remember the problems I told you about earlier?” He went on when she nodded and looked up at him.
“The first was checking before you opened the door,” he said, watching her carefully.
“The second is letting other men in your apartment, making them feel like they have a chance.” His hand lifted from the back of the couch and drove his fingers through her hair.
“Because they don’t, do they?” His voice grew softer and deeper.
Jennifer’s eyes closed when a wave of need pierced her midsection, spread molten heat, and dampened her panties even more than they already were. She tilted her head into his hand.
His eyes creased with amusement mixed with intense arousal. He growled low in his throat. “Jennifer?”
“Hmmm?” Her eyes opened to gaze at him and slide over his masculine features. Her heartbeat began to race in her ears, making it impossible to concentrate on his words.
This time, he outright laughed. “I asked you a question?” He ran his thumb back and forth over her lips. “If you don’t answer me in the next three seconds, I’m going to have to kiss you,” he threatened.
She blinked up at him in startled confusion when he pulled her across his lap against his chest and lowered his head. He immediately drove his tongue into her mouth. She was absolutely powerless to resist him. In fact, she was eager to give him the control his kiss seemed to demand.
She was unable to breathe, all she could do was feel. The hottest wave of desire swept through her so strongly that fear raced down her spine. It was too intense, too overwhelming. She jerked and pulled back, only to be hauled back into his embrace. She whimpered low in her throat.
The sound of her distress immediately reached him. He lifted his head to stare down into her face, laced slightly with distress. He brushed his fingers over her lips. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t expect that to get out of control so fast, and the last thing I want is to scare you.”
Jennifer swallowed and nodded before she pushed herself off his chest and sat down next to him on the couch. Jennifer adjusted her shirt before she looked up at him through her lashes.
Grant put a hand on her chin and ignored her slight flinch. “Don’t look like that, sweetheart. I need you to believe I would never hurt or push you to go faster than you’re ready.”
Jennifer paused for a moment, then nodded and caressed the wrist that lay across her face.
“It just took me off guard. I’m not used to feeling like—oh, I don’t know, like I had no control of my body.”
His mouth kicked up to the side. “Oh, it took me off guard, too. But always remember, I do have control, and no matter how hard it would be if you weren’t ready, just tell me, baby. Just say stop. Okay?”
Jennifer felt the need right below the surface, and she didn’t know if she had the control to even say no to him.
“Maybe it would be a good idea to call it a night,” she said.
“I agree with you. Because if I stay this close to you, I’m going to want to taste you again.” He stood, grabbed his jacket, pulled her beside him, and tugged her behind him until they reached the door. He turned and pulled her into his arms.
“Will you give me a good-night kiss?” he asked, already bending his head.
Jennifer stood on tiptoe and met him halfway. Standing against him showed the difference in their heights. Maybe it should make her insecure that he was twice her size, but all she felt was dainty and feminine. Grant, with his boots, and she in her socks, didn’t help the contrast.
Grant made sure to keep this kiss slow and short. He lifted his head and looked at her upturned face. God, she was so damn beautiful. He just wanted to sink into her and stay there.
“Jennifer,” he said to get her attention. He tipped her chin up with his hand. “From now on, I’m going to want you to kiss me whenever we meet and let it be the last thing you do before we part. Can you do that for me?”
“Really. Anywhere? What if...” Her eyes widened, and a red tinge covered her cheeks.
Grant nodded. “I don’t care who’s there, Jennifer.” A smile tugged at his lips. “What are you doing tomorrow and Sunday?”
Jennifer ran her hands up and down the roped muscles in his arms. She was amazed at how much larger he was than his clothes showed.
“I’ll be busy all day tomorrow. A few board members are coming in to help me fill out grants for funding the shelter, and that takes all day. Then we usually go out to eat. Sunday, I have to run to the shelter in the morning to feed and water the animals, but I don’t have anything after that.”
“I’ll go with you Sunday and help, then take you to lunch.”
Jennifer smiled, and her head tilted to the side.
“Was that a question? Or demand? And are you sure you want to help me on a Sunday, probably your only day off?”
Grant kissed the tip of her nose.
“Both. And I hardly ever take a day off. In fact, I can’t remember taking a day off. Now, what time should I be here to pick you up?”
“I can mee—”
He interrupted her, his face hardened, and his voice deepened. “Jennifer?”
Jennifer rolled her eyes, which made his face darken further. “Oh, for God’s sake. Pick me up at nine.”
He nodded curtly and kissed her hard and quickly one more time before he opened the door. “No answering the door without asking, and no men. Got it?”
Jennifer nodded and bit the inside of her cheek. She guessed he wouldn’t appreciate her amusement right then. He nodded once and walked out the door.
Jennifer leaned heavily against the door, placed a hand over her galloping heart, and tried to catch her breath.
The sight of him ... large and strong and so handsome.
His musky, masculine scent and the low timbre of his gruff voice, all or alone, made it hard to breathe deeply or have a normal heartbeat.
A stern voice came through the wood. “Jennifer. Lock that door.”
She gasped, and a nervous laugh bubbled up her throat. She immediately turned and latched the locks.
“Good girl. Night, baby.”
Jennifer leaned her forehead and hands against the cold wood. “Good night,” she said quietly.