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The hunger in Jared’s voice stole Mikki’s breath.
Part of her still struggled to believe this was actually happening, but the rest of her had locked the doubt aside and was diving in headfirst. He studied her for a moment, before he lowered his mouth to the hollow at the base of her throat. He trailed his tongue along her collarbone and up her neck.
While his mouth worked the soft skin along her shoulder, one hand glided under her shirt and up her back. Seconds later, the clasp on her bra snapped free, and the restraint tumbled loose. He tugged the undergarment and her shirt over her head, and cupped her breasts in both hands. She gasped and squirmed, the dampness between her legs growing when he lowered his head and drew a nipple into his mouth.
She leaned her weight back on her wrists, arching her back to get closer to his touch. Her sex ached, wet with need, as he relentlessly nibbled, alternating between the twin nubs on her chest.
He nudged her shoulders, and she fell back onto the mattress without protest. When his lips trailed down her stomach, she lifted her hips off the bed out of instinct. The smooth fabric of the comforter caressed her bare back. Each new texture on a different bit of sensitive skin melted together, making her head swim. He traced a single finger under her waistband, half tickling, and half taunting before finally undoing her jeans. He slid the remainder of her clothes to the ground.
She struggled for breath as the air kissed her bare skin. “How is it,” she managed to say, “regardless of my attempts at the contrary—” she moaned when his lips brushed the edge of her calf, “—I’m always the one naked first.”
He kissed the edge of her knee. She felt more than heard his response, as his lips vibrated over her skin. “You’re complaining?”
His mouth reached the inside of her thigh, and want spread between her legs. Her muscles clenched in anticipation. She managed a breathy “No.”
His tongue trailed along her skin and along her lower lips. “Good.” The single word carried on a deep growl, drilling into her thoughts.
She gasped and tangled her fingers in his hair when he dove between her folds. She couldn’t find any intelligible words any more. When his mouth wrapped around her clit, a new spike of pleasure jolted through her. She squeezed her eyes shut, and stars danced behind the lids. “Oh, fuck.”
“Soon enough.” His words bounced against her swollen sex. “Jesus, you taste amazing.”
He licked and sucked, and she held him close as she drew toward the edge of climax. Just as she was about to peak, he shoved two fingers inside her. Her entire body reacted, her back arching, driving her into his touch. He pumped, fingers hooked up to hit just the right spot, never letting up anywhere, until a shudder raked her frame and she climaxed.
She pulled away from his touch, every inch of her hyper-sensitive. Slowly she opened her eyes. Her nerve endings felt raw and aware. The caress of the air conditioner, the gentle brush of his lips on her skin, the satin-like fabric on her back, it all danced in and out of her awareness.
She struggled to catch her breath, unable to turn her head or pull her gaze from the ceiling. Seconds later, the mattress next to her shifted, and his bare flesh pressed against her side, cock digging into her hip.
He appeared above her, propped up on one elbow, and brushed a loose strand of hair off her face. “Now, we can do it your way.” The gravel in his voice sparked her desire.
The scent she loved—rain and faint cologne—filled her head. She tilted her head up to kiss him. Her tongue dove into his mouth, the salty, bitter taste of her on his lips. She raised her hands to his shoulders and in a single gesture shoved him onto his back and straddled him. “You don’t give up control very often, do you?”
His gaze lingered on her naked form, searing her skin. He shook his head. “Not really.”
She hovered above him. His skin was hot between her knees, and if she lowered herself just an inch or two, the swollen head between her legs would nudge her opening. “I can live with that.” She rested her hands on either side of his head, leaned forward, and kissed him lightly before saying, “Most of the time.”
His hands found her hips, thumbs digging in and lighting her desire. As she straightened, he thrust up. She moaned and sank onto his shaft. He tried to set the pace, hard and fast, but she rocked slowly instead. His groans rolled through the room, echoing in her chest.
One of his hands trailed down her leg and along the inside of her thigh. She whimpered when his thumb pressed into her still-tender clit. She didn’t know if she should pull away or let him keep going. His hips slammed into her, and she didn’t resist the increased tempo this time. Each time he thrust, he bumped her aching sex as well, and she felt another orgasm build inside. She gasped as she came, and he didn’t let up, still pounding furiously. Her head swam, and every inch of her body sang with pleasure.
A long series of punctuated grunts rose from his chest, and she knew he was close. He gripped her hips tight as he came, the frantic pace slowly fading off into nothing.
She leaned forward, head resting on his chest. His heart hammered against her cheek as she struggled to catch her breath. Comfort enveloped her when he rested his palms on her back, holding her in place. They lay there for a few moments, until she thought she might be able to speak again. She rolled to one side and curled up next to him instead, head on his shoulder and hand on his chest.
“You still want breakfast?” His question was quiet even in the still room.
She shook her head, her vocal cords feeling as wobbly as her legs. “I think something else filled me up.”
He chuckled and tugged her closer. “So what are you doing instead of eating?”
*
“FALLING ASLEEP ON MY boyfriend. I don’t know if you know this, but I didn’t sleep much last night, and screwing you takes a lot of energy.” Mikki’s words were warm and soothing against Jared’s skin.
He was intimately and pleasantly familiar with it. Boyfriend, he liked the sound of that. “Sounds like a solid plan. And now you don’t have to sneak out in an hour or two before anyone knows you’re missing.”
She stiffened in his arms.
He shouldn’t have brought up her lack of job. Even if he respected her completely for the decision, she didn’t need to deal with the stress of being unemployed right now. “I can help, you know. I have contacts.”
“How would that look?” There was no bitterness in her voice. Only calm. “For me to use the guy I’m fucking for a reference.”
He knew she didn’t mean the words harshly, but they still stung. “Is that all I am?”
“Definitely not.” She kissed along his side before leaning into him again. “But you know what I’m saying.”
He hated it, but he did. “Your skills speak for themselves. You’ll be fine, regardless of whatever threats were hurled when you resigned.”
“I guess.”
He ached to erase the hesitation in her voice, but he didn’t know how. “I’m here in whatever capacity you need, I promise. Even if it’s just to ravage you so you forget your troubles for a few hours.”
That drew a laugh. She sat up and turned so she was facing him. The sheets fell away, and he couldn’t help but let his gaze trace her breasts and waist.
She looked down, and then back at him, mouth twisted in amusement. She tilted off the bed for a second and came back up with something in her hand. She tugged her T-shirt on. “Now are you listening?”
She was too much fun. He nodded. “I was listening before.”
“Right.” Her pursed lips faded into a smile. “Since we already ruined the pillow talk, I need to know something. About the future.”
He pushed himself upright. “You’re talking about making plans?”
She ducked her head, suddenly intently focused on the stark white of the comforter. “No. I mean, yes, but it doesn’t have to be concrete or anything, just kind of a loose idea, and—”
“Stop.” He placed a finger under her chin and raised her face so he could look her in the eye. “I’m teasing. Tell me.”
She let out a tiny sigh, and the corners of her eyes tugged down, marring her smile. “We live several states apart. All this talk about lov—falling for each other, and still seeing each other, the details don’t quite add up. I mean, okay, so I’m a bit transient, especially if I don’t find a new job before my rent’s due again, but you’re a busy guy. You’re not going to have time to drop by whenever, and I can’t afford to travel like that.”
He wrapped his fingers around hers. He hated to admit, he hadn’t thought that far. All of his focus had been on not losing her now. “I’ll make time. And you will find a new job. If you’re interested in Atlanta...there are a lot of good companies out there.” He didn’t even know what he was trying to say. Something was stuck in the back of his head, but he couldn’t reach it. “I’ll visit on weekends until we can make it work. I promise. Okay?”
She nodded, but creases still lined her forehead. “Okay.”
He pulled her back toward him and lay down again, tugging her back to his chest. He wrapped an arm around her stomach. “You’ve been running full throttle all week. Get some sleep. When you’re rested, you’ll be able to think better.”
She nodded and pressed back into him. He held her tight until her breathing grew steady. The sound lulled away his tension and dragged his eyelids shut. They’d both think clearer once they’d slept.
****
A FAMILIAR CHIME ECHOED through Jared’s thoughts, jarring him into consciousness. The first thing he registered was the warm weight in his arms and her mumbles of protest.
He kissed her cheek as he sat up. “Phone. Go back to sleep.”
He could get used to this. Waking up next to her. Fuck, who was he kidding? He was already used to it. What was he going to do when she was gone tomorrow?
The clock on the nightstand said it was three, and the light peeking through the curtains confirmed yes, they’d slept into the afternoon.
He grabbed his phone and swiped Answer. “Yeah?”
“You still pissy and vengeful?” Tate asked.
“Uh...” Jared had to fumble through his memories to figure out what the question was linked to. That morning, arguing in Tate’s room, seemed like an eternity ago. His entire world had shifted since then, and his friends had no idea. “No, I’m so much better you wouldn’t believe it.”
“Right.” Hesitation dragged out Tate’s reply. “Or you started drinking early and without us.”
Jared laughed. The sensation felt natural and light drifting from his chest. “No. I’m actually good. What’s up?”
“V says you’re ignoring her. We doing something or not? Dinner? Cards? Celebrate not losing our shirts last night?”
Or celebrate losing them this morning. He glanced at Mikki. She had rolled onto her back and was watching him, eyes half open, full lips twisted in unspoken question.
He dragged his attention back to the phone conversation. “Yeah, dinner. We need to talk. Give me two hours. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
“Two? Because you need to blow dry your stunning locks? Fine, but you text V, so she stops bugging me.”
Jared said his goodbyes and sent Viv a quick message, assuring her he’d just been asleep and repeating the two-hour time frame. He set the phone aside and focused all his attention on the woman now sitting next across from him.
“You’re okay with dinner, right?” Maybe he should have asked her first.
“With your friends?” Her expression had gone flat.
“Yes?”
She grinned. “Duh? Tate’s kind of cute, have you ever noticed that?”
“No, I hadn’t. And those rumors about college and experimentation aren’t true.”
“Too bad.” She gave him an exaggerated pout. “I’d love to hear the stories. Why do we need the extra time?”
He shifted his weight and crawled toward her. He traced his lips up the side of her neck, inhaling her intoxicating scent. “I want to get to know you a little more first. Or a lot more. If I have to put you on a plane tomorrow, I want to learn as much as possible about you tonight.”