“It was worth saying twice.” And with that she settles in against me, and mere minutes later, she’s breathing the long, deep breaths of slumber.
I’ve fought insomnia for years, so I settle in for a long night of staring at Addie’s ceiling, but as she breathes long and slow against me, her arms wrapped around my waist and legs tangled with mine, I find myself drifting with her.
She just fits.
Chapter Five
Addison
He’s not gone.
I haven’t opened my eyes yet, but I can feel the heat from his body next to me. I can hear his even breathing. Of course Jake Knox doesn’t snore.
I do. Which is only the most mortifying thing in the world.
I open one eye, and sure enough, there he is, still in his clothes from last night, looking all rumpled and sexy as hell. He’s on his back, and I’m on my side next to him, and we aren’t touching.
But with the heat and sexy vibes rolling off of him, we may as well be. God, he’s hot. Like, if you look up hot in the dictionary, there’s Jake’s picture. And when he smiles, all bets are off. He’s been melting my panties off for a month with that cocky smile.
It was nice of him to make excuses for me last night, but I know the truth. I have been horrible to him. Because I’m so damn attracted to him, and my man picker isn’t just broken: I’m pretty sure it doesn’t exist.
My heart just can’t take any more bruises.
Last night, my face almost gained a few bruises, and my stomach clenches again at the thought. What the ever loving fuck was that all about? I’d just reached my car when Jeremy scared the fuck out of me, coming up behind me and spinning me around, pinning me in place and yelling about how he has nowhere to go, and it’s all my fault.
I’m no shrinking violet, so I gave it right back to him, calling him a loser who needs to get his shit together.
He didn’t take kindly to that.
But I never would have believed that he would have hurt me. Jeremy is a lot of things, but an abuser isn’t something that was on my radar.
And then Jake came to the rescue. I’ve never felt such relief as I did when he pulled Jeremy away from me. He was my savior.
And that’s just corny as hell.
Lying here in the early morning sunshine, I can’t help but admit that he’s sexy, and surprisingly has a sweet side.
And it’s not just the way he looks that has me attracted. Don’t get me wrong, my fingertips itch to trace the tattoos on his arm, to feel his hair in my hands. But I’ve also come to learn this past month that Jake is a nice guy.
And I’m mature enough to admit that he scares me more than a little.
Now it’s the morning after. Nothing happened, yet it feels like it was way more intimate than getting naked together.
I roll onto my back, bite my lip, and try to sneak out of the bed, but suddenly a strong arm wraps around my stomach and Jake pulls me tightly against his chest.
“Where are you going?” he rasps into my ear.
“It’s morning.”
His hand slips under the hem of my T-shirt and his fingertips begin to draw circles on my skin.
Holy mother of God, that feels good.
“I’m not having sex with you,” I say primly and try to inch away from him.
“I didn’t invite you to. Stop squirming.” He nuzzles my neck, making my eyes cross, and continues to play my stomach like a freaking guitar. Then he pushes more firmly against me, making me giggle.
“Whatever it is that’s pressed to my ass disagrees with you.”
“That’s nothing. Just a flashlight.”
I burst out laughing. “Do you carry a flashlight in your pocket often?”
“Mostly just in the morning,” he replies seriously and kisses my neck, right under my ear, and my hips circle involuntarily. My nipples are puckered, and I know my panties are soaked.
This man is potent.
Dangerous.
So fucking hot.
“Seriously, Jake, I am not having sex with you.”
“Seriously, Addie, I am not even attracted to you. Stop trying to have sex with me.”
I giggle some more, grip his hand in mine, and raise it to my lips.
And bite.
“Ah, she’s a biter.”
“I’m not attracted to you either.”
“Let’s not get crazy, sweetheart. Yes you are. You like me.”
“You’re delusional.”
He tugs me onto my back, smiling down at me. He drags his fingertips down my cheek, then tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.
And hello, morning breath.
Not him, of course. But I’m quite sure my breath could rival a dragon’s right now, so I tug the sheet up and over my mouth, as Jake’s eyes smile down at me.
“Making sure I won’t kiss you?”
“Making sure I don’t kill you with my morning breath.”
He chuckles and leans in to nuzzle my temple. “You smell so good.”
“Right. Don’t you have somewhere you need to be?”
“It’s Sunday, Addison,” he whispers.
“So? Maybe you need to go to the grocery store. Or the gym. Or church.”
He chuckles. “None of that is on my list today.”
“Well, some of it is on my list.” His hand takes a journey up my shirt again, and those talented fingers skim my skin.
“You make me crazy when you bite your lip like that,” he whispers as the sheet is tugged down around my chin. His green eyes are on fire as he continues to nuzzle me, cuddle me.