There was no way I could sleep with her until she knew the truth. Well, clothed sleeping, okay. But no sex.
Although an innocent sleepover had seemed like the perfect way to bond with Tara, now that I couldn’t possibly let myself go any farther, it was the only thing I could think of.
7
_____
Tara
The way Jared stared at me made my stomach flutter. He wasn’t just admiring me. He looked like he needed to wrap me up and keep me forever. He made me feel wanted, through and through.
This would be the first time I ever spent an entire night with a man, and I was curious to find out If I’d be able to relax enough to sleep in his arms.
Jared stood up as I plugged my laptop into the large monitor on the wall at the foot of my bed, which was how I watched television.
As I called up a show, it was impossible not to stare as Jared unbuttoned his black shirt and threw it over the back of the chair. He was utterly ripped. The layers of muscle were hypnotic. A large tattoo wound up his side and across his ribs, giving him a much more dangerous look than I would have expected.
Jared slid off his jeans, and I saw another tattoo on the side of his right thigh of an ancient dagger that might have been a Viking relic. I wasn’t sure why this made my pulse pound even more.
We climbed into my tiny bed together, sitting up with our backs against the wall as Jared held me almost casually. I appreciated that he wasn’t trying to get too close too fast, but I found that I wanted his touch. I wanted him.
Our score while playing along with the game show was basically a tie, and at times we lost track completely, but with all of the laughter and teasing, it didn’t matter.
After I turned everything off, Jared lay down, holding us tight together in the narrow bed. “How’s this?” he murmured.
“Good.”
His hand slipped under my top and caressed my lower back gently, which sent prickles of lust over every inch of my skin. “You’re so soft, baby.”
He kissed me gently, sweetly, until I was flushed and breathless. A deep tug pulled at my hips, as I felt the need for more. It was enough to be sleeping next to him so soon, and I knew we shouldn’t go farther, but I wanted him so badly.
His tantalizing kisses were passionate and I could feel the pull between us growing stronger every minute.
Jared broke away reluctantly, smiling in the dim light. “Sleep, gorgeous. Sweet dreams.”
“Good night,” I whispered, pushing my hair out of the way so it didn’t tickle his chin as I arranged my body against his.
Every point where we touched felt like fire. I couldn’t explain it. It was a deep, primal feeling that we were supposed to be together.
Slowing my breathing, I tried to drift off. Breathing in with a count of four, and out with a count of four usually worked, but having Jared’s heartbeat right under my ear was distracting.
Was his heart going too quickly? Was he as aroused as I was?
My hand was splayed across his stomach, and I could have simply reached down to check. I nearly giggled out loud at the thought of being so bold.
I had no idea how long I laid against him, trying to sleep, before he whispered, “Baby, you seem jumpy. What can I do?”
“I don’t know.”
“Should I leave?”
“No – please.” I stretched up to stare at his distractingly handsome face, smiling at him in the dim glow from the streetlights outside the window. “I’ve just never slept with anyone, as in, sleeping beside them. I’m sorry.”
“No, baby, don’t be sorry.” His hand drifted from my hair to my shoulder, then settled at my waist. “Is there anything I can do to help you relax?”
He pulled up my pajama top just an inch so that his fingers rested against my skin. “I can think of one way to drain all the stress from you,” he said gently.
I wanted to answer, to tell him yes, but my lips were already on his. Rolling toward him, my thighs parted in a clear invitation.