For now, this was all we needed.
Chapter 25
Vivian
It wasn’t —by any means— some undying declaration of love, nor did it need to be. I understood Jesse from the depths of my core because his fears, his hopes, his hesitations were the same as mine. At this point, I’d give anything for the quiet comfort of his embrace and breathtaking kisses.
I guided him to my bed. I threaded my fingers between his and pulled him with me, sitting him down on the edge of the mattress before crawling into his lap. I straddled him and went straight back to kissing him, lips locked together in a perfect fit.
And he was gentle. So gentle and sweet in the way he stroked my back and cupped my cheek and sucked on my bottom lip. His large hands roamed freely, curious in their exploration, but not once was he rough with me. He handled me with care, like some precious work of art or fine crystal. It pleased me to no end that this strong, powerful man was nothing but tender when it came to me.
This man who’d saved me on more than one occasion. This man who’d put himself in harm’s way for my sake. This man who was terse with others yet infinitely patient with me.
When he spoke, he spoke softly, a low murmur in my ear. Words an intimate rumble in my chest. When he looked at me, it was with nothing but adoration. Veneration. Borderline worship. His gaze had weight that lingered and traced over my form as I slowly undressed, peeling away clothes and discarding them to the floor.
He murmured sweet nothings against my skin, working his way down my neck to my collar bone to my chest. His warm breath tickled my skin, leaving goosebumps trailing behind him in his wake. And even when he held me close, it still didn’t feel close enough.
I slipped my hands beneath his shirt and lifted it off and over his head, pressing against his chest to get him to lie down. He smiled up at me, almost in awe. He played with my hair, twirling my locks about his forefinger with an almost boyish bashfulness.
“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere.”
“I mean it, angel.”
I leaned down and kissed his chest, working my way down to lick his abs. I slipped off his lap and knelt before him, pressing my lips to the bulge in the front of his pants. I hooked my fingers over his waistband and pulled them down, licking my lips as his cock sprang free. Jesse propped himself up on his elbows to watch as I teased his head with the tip of my tongue.
“You really don’t have to,” he said.
“I want to,” I assured. “All those times you drove me crazy and made me beg… It’s time you got a taste of your own medicine.”
His pupils were dark and wide. “My angel’s turning out to be quite the devil.”
He grunted as I took him into my mouth. I hollowed my cheeks and sucked him down in earnest. No sooner did I start to swirl my tongue around to tease him relentlessly did I find his fingers in my hair, guiding me down the length of his shaft. I took him as deep as my throat would allow, but there was just too much of him to swallow. I stroked the remainder of his cock with my free hand, working in tandem with my mouth.
“That’s my girl,” he cooed. “So fucking beautiful.”
I bobbed my head up and down, savoring the heat of his length on my tongue. It was fun watching him unravel, slowly but surely, with every pass.
“Slow down,” he warned, grasping my chin to pull me off. “It’s your turn.”
“I wasn’t finished with you yet.”
He helped me onto my feet, circling my waist with one arm. I stumbled into him with a light laugh.
“Lie down,” he said. “I need to go get a condom.”
“How do you want me?”
He leaned in close and whispered in my ear. “Surprise me.” The cheeky wink he gave after was the icing on the cake.
Jesse left briefly, but I wasn’t worried. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that he’d hurry back. A burning excitement filled me from head to toe, the anticipation enough to make me vibrate out of my skin. When he returned, he couldn’t help but smirk.
“Why are you still standing? Couldn’t figure it out?”
I tilted my chin up defiantly. “Didn’t you say something about wanting to fuck me up against a wall?”
He licked his lips. “Did I say that?”