Chapter Seventeen
Ariella
I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat. Did he want to see me in my underwear? Of course, he did, I had invited him into my house. I didn’t think he only wanted a drink, did I?
“You first,” I said, my lips almost touching his. His body pressed tight against mine, his fingers caressed my lower back, just as he had earlier, inching my shirt up. His warm hands stroked my bare skin, but he didn’t remove my shirt, just teased me.
Jaxson took a half step back, pulling his shirt up and over his head, letting it hit the floor with a thud. “Your turn.”
Goosebumps from the chill in the air pebbled my arms, but my breathing came out louder, ragged, and heavy as warmth flooded my senses. The room temperature hadn’t changed. It was me, and I was the one getting hot and bothered by looking at Jaxson shirtless.
Could I let this happen? There was still one more secret, a big one that he didn’t know. I should have told him earlier tonight, when he asked, but I’d held onto that last piece and guarded it along with my heart.
When I didn’t budge from my position, his fingers grazing my skin slid my shirt up, inch by inch, taking his time—lifting my arms into the air, letting him undress me if that’s what he wanted to do.
He fell to his knees, his lips on my stomach, his breath warm and inviting, making my body unsteady.
“I need to tell you something.”
His hands held my hips, keeping me against him as he kissed a warm path up my stomach and across my bra. Jaxson’s fingers grazed over my breast, teasing me, tasting me with soft kisses as he pulled my shirt up and over my head, discarding it to the floor.
“Is it about your health?” he asked, pausing briefly, his gaze latched on mine.
I shook my head. “The doctor gives all clear,” I said, forcing a smile along with my joke. Sex I could do. There were no rules against engaging in intimate physical activity. While I wanted to tell him the truth about what I did for a living before I was fired, now didn’t feel the right time.
“Then that’s all that matters,” he grinned, his eyes dark with want. He captured my lips in a searing, heated kiss, his fingers tangling in my hair, pulling me closer and tighter against his body.
“You still have too many clothes on. You weren’t wearing sweats earlier,” I reminded him as my hands went to his hips, caressing the waistband of the soft, stretchy material.
“Go ahead,” he told me, giving me permission to undress him.
I hooked my fingers in both his sweats and his boxers, bringing it all down in one motion, bending down to guide his pants off. My eyes raked over his naked body, every inch of him. I wanted to take him in my mouth, taste him, touch him, caress him in every way I knew how. How long had it been since a woman dropped to her knees for him?
He cleared his throat, and that seemed to gather my attention, my gaze stared up at him.
“You’re killing me,” he groaned between gritted teeth. Jaxson hoisted me from the floor and planted my feet firmly on the ground, not allowing me to be on my knees.
I giggled unceremoniously, licking my bottom lip, wanting to taste him. Jaxson lunged forward, his tongue swiped against my lips, and pushed into my mouth in haste.
With one hand on my hip, the other in my hair, he pulled me harder against him. I still had my pants and bra on, and he stood naked. It seemed like a dream come true for me. I’d imagined what he looked like, what his skin was like under my touch, but I never thought I’d experience a night with him.
He pulled back, each breath heavy, his eyes narrowed. “Every time you stick that tongue out or chew that bottom lip, I’m going to kiss you, hard.”
“Is that a threat?” I liked what he had in mind.
“Only you would take that as a challenge, Freckles,” Jaxson growled out as he spoke.
I didn’t want to admit how he drove me wild and my body flushed at the nickname he’d given me. My insides were warm, and my heart pounded against my ribcage like a prisoner trying to break free. Heat burned over my skin and inside, waiting for sweet release.
My tongue darted out and dared him to kiss me hard. I wanted to experience what he had to offer. I liked this dance, the way we played, the not soft and sweet.
He grabbed my hips, yanked me toward him, his mouth descended hard on mine, his tongue stroked my lips and pushed his way into my mouth.
I opened my lips and granted him access. Allowing him whatever he wanted. I was at his mercy, willing to do anything and everything. All he had to do was to take command.
He lifted me into his arms, and I wrapped my legs around his body. Jaxson carried me to the bed, our lips fused in passionate kisses, neither of us untangling first. In haste, we hurried to the mattress. Jaxson’s body covering mine, crawling above me, releasing my grip on his hips. I kept my mouth with his, fire fueled kisses never seemed to cease.
His hands pushed at my pants, and I offered help, lifting my hips so he could slide the material off. I moaned in protest when he pulled back from my lips. Sliding my slacks down my hips and kissing a trail between my thighs, he continued teasing me.