The look on his face said he’d only be happy with the truth. And she could give him that, easily.
“I mean that you’re special to me, Jayden. In more ways than I can say, and I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me and Zak. You made us feel safe when I was in fear of my life and had nowhere to go.”
“No bastard will ever hurt you again.” He was so close that his words tickled her lips. “No one will ever lay a finger on you, or the kid, in anger again. That’s my absolute promise to you. I’d die protecting you both.”
Oh, dear God.
She curled her hand around his neck, his hair a little damp on her knuckles. Desire made her bold. “This isn’t because I’m grateful, it’s because you’re you.”
The moment their lips connected, she was back at the café—a warm breeze seeming to cast a magical spell around them once again.
He softly slid his hands up her back, over her dress, and gently pulled her close. When their bodies came into alignment, a quiet groan rumbled up from his chest. The sound excited her, as did the way he made her feel small and precious in his arms.
She pressed closer to his bare chest, her breasts flattening, her hard nipples jutting at her bra cups. Warmth glided through her, bringing with it excitement and need.
He tilted his head and deepened the kiss.
Spreading her hands on his back over the grim reaper, she absorbed his body heat and smoothed over what felt like acres of smooth skin.
His lips left hers, and he kissed his way over to her ear, his breath warm and his stubble catching her chin lightly.
“Jayden,” she said, tipping her head back and fluttering her eyes closed.
He caught the crown of her head in his big palm and spread the kisses to her neck.
She’d always been a sucker for a neck kiss and gripped hisshoulders, unable to contain a whimpering sigh. How did this man know how to play her body this way?
“You’re so fucking sexy,” he said, his arm around her waist keeping her close. “I want to do so many dirty things to you that will make you cry out my name in ecstasy.”
She tensed. Her eyes flew open, and she lifted her hands from his shoulders.
“But you’re not ready for that.” He looked into her eyes. “So just kissing, deal?”
“Deal.” She relaxed against him.
A wicked grin tugged his mouth. “But just so we’re clear, kissing can be anywhere on the body.”
He didn’t wait for her to answer. He caught her mouth again, feeding her a deep, intense kiss that made her head spin.
When he came up for air, he was rucking up her dress, slowly easing it over her thighs.
“Jayden.” She looked down as her small white panties came into view. “What are you—?”
“Let me do one thing.”
“I…”
“To show you your body can still feel pleasure.”
“Oh, but…” She set her hands on his hard chest.
“Just a kiss,” he murmured, then butterflied his lips over her neck, over that sensitive spot he’d found so quickly. “A kiss down here.” He stroked his finger over her panties.
Her pussy quivered, and she pressed her legs together. He wanted to give her oral. Fuck. In the name of the good Lord, she couldn’t remember when she’d last had that. But then again, she wasn’t sure it would have been memorable. Oral wasn’t her ex’s thing.
“Just tell me to stop and I’ll walk away,” he said. He was still stroking her, over her panties, just catching her clit and making it swell. “But if you don’t, I promise it will feel damngood.”
She believed him. Hell yeah, she believed him.