Chapter8
The late afternoon sun shone through the narrow, high window that ran along one wall of the bathroom. Near the ceiling, it was too high up to see through, but it let in more than enough light to make the room feel warm and cozy. The toilet was in a separate space, and the shower area featured a large sink with a huge mirror and a shower with a heated lamp on a timer.
It was already one of her favorite features of the hotel room, but now that she could enjoy the view from both sides, watching Jake in the mirror, she decided that it was her absolute favorite. He looked good from head to toe, and this was the first time she’d had the opportunity to really ogle the gorgeous, muscled body that was Jake Berrington.
He caught her checking out his reflection and arched an eyebrow at her before turning in a circle and letting her take a long, unimpeded look. When he was facing her again, he winked at her and opened the shower door. Jake turned the water on, watching her as he did. When her body responded to a chill passing through her, he smiled.
“I’d ask if you’re cold, but I know that’s not it,” he chuckled, stepping out of her way and letting her get into the shower ahead of him.
She stepped into the warm spray, sighing at the heat that soaked into her skin and warmed her to her core. She arched her back when Jake took his place behind her, rubbing against his erection and letting him know that she was already very ready for him. Sitting naked through dinner the way she had kept her on the edge of arousal, and she couldn’t help but think that this had been his plan all along. It had been all she could do to finish her meal. She wanted him that bad.
He leaned over, his lips inches from her ear, his hard length against her wet thighs.
“I want to take you to a tropical beach somewhere and hide all your clothes,” he said into her ear.
She shuddered in response, and he kissed her neck. Lazily trailing his way from just below her ear to her shoulder and back again, he took his time, in no hurry to end this moment.
“If you’re trying to drive me insane, it’s working,” she joked.
“Nothing like that,” he crooned. “Just savoring every minute with you. Have I told you how beautiful you are?”
“Yes, but a woman can never hear it too much.”
“That’s true. You’re gorgeous. I could look at you all day and never have enough.”
“Just look?”
“Of course not. But I like to start with my eyes and slowly work my way up.”
He was running his hands up and down her torso as he spoke, her skin slick with the water streaming down her curvy body. He stopped at her hips, pausing for a moment as she tensed in anticipation, then working his way up again. He played with her breasts, still kissing along her neck and shoulder.
Deena was writhing beneath his touch, moaning as he toyed with her.
His hand reached around her, and his hand found the heat between her legs.
Finally, she thought, opening her legs to him. She bent forward and pushed back, rubbing herself against him. Her body ached to feel him inside her, and her need grew until she was sure that she wouldn’t be able to handle his teasing much longer. Gently pinching the tiny nub between her folds, he toyed with her, taking his sweet time like he had before and ignoring her silent pleas to hurry.
“I want to feel you inside me,” she begged. “I can’t wait anymore.”
“I bet you can,” he teased.
“Please, don’t make me.”
He chuckled, her anguish delighting him. She could tell that he enjoyed teasing, and his ability to maintain his composure while she struggled was maddening. She decided then and there that she would hold him to that tropical vacation on some distant island, and she would make it her mission to drive him mad with need until he begged her for mercy.
She smiled to herself at the thought.
“You’re positively purring,” Jake said from behind her.
“I have plans for you,” she said.
“I can’t wait.”
“You’re going to have to.”
He laughed, a rich, hearty sound that filled her heart to the brim. She was falling for this man, and she was falling hard. That was bad news when she knew that their time together would be short, but she would deal with that when the time came. For now, she was happier than she’d ever been, and she wasn’t going to let reality intrude on her happiness.
She wiggled against him, her round ass rubbing against his rigid cock suggestively. He was still playing with her, and she could already feel the heat of another looming orgasm. She knew what he was doing.
Wrapping her finger around the bar in the wall that was meant to hold washcloths, she braced herself, arching her back with need with his free hand came around her and grabbed her breasts. He pulled them together so that his large hand held both nipples, his fingers digging into her flesh and setting her body on fire.
“I like it rough,” she breathed, and he squeezed her breasts a little harder until she moaned.
She was on the edge now, trying to hold onto her sanity. When he finally slid into her, he buried himself into her with one hard thrust, then quickly moved against her in quick, deep movements. He held her tight, slamming into her, his hand between her legs holding her still against his thrusts.
Each thrust brought her closer to orgasm, the feel of his large hands on her body delighting her senses. His strong arms were holding her now, only the tips of her toes touching the ground.
He held her there, driving into her until she cried out and her body began convulsing around him. He was relentless, moving faster and harder, bringing more pleasure than she could handle and taking more. When he went rigid, then buried his face in her neck, she knew he’d found his satisfaction. She tensed around him, and his moans grew louder. He shuddered, his orgasm as powerful as hers. They rode the pleasure together, breath coming in quick gasps, hearts racing and water flowing over their bodies.
When Jake gently set her down and slid out of her body, she ached with the emptiness he left behind. Her legs trembled, but he held her tight. She turned, wrapping her arms around him and holding him against her so that there was no space between them. They stood like that for a long time, just letting the warm water rinse away everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours and enjoying the feel of their wet, satisfied bodies against each other.
The water turned off too soon, and she found herself standing on a plush bath mat while Jake gently dried her from head to toe. Watching him take his time on every inch of her body, she wanted him again, but now was not the time. They were both so exhausted, and twice in one day was enough. When this was over, she was taking him up on his offer to take her on a real date, and she wouldn’t let him out of bed until she’d had her fill. But for now, what they’d shared was going to have to be enough.
His movements were slow as he moved from one side of her body to the other, her skin twitching beneath his touch. He went in front of her again, bending down to inspect his work. Deena laughed softly when he kissed her first between her legs, then planted a tender kiss on each of her breasts. He dropped the towel and reached out to cup her cheek, tilting her chin so that their eyes met.
“Goddess,” he said, as if the one word said everything he wanted to say.
When they left the bathroom, neither of them got dressed. Deena was the first to slip into bed, while Jake checked the locks once more. Satisfied that they were as safe as they were going to be, he crawled into bed with Deena.
He pulled her against his naked body, wrapping them both in the warm blankets and sighing.
“That was amazing,” she said. She snuggled against him. “I’m going to sleep for days after that.”
He laughed, but he didn’t say anything. His arms were tight around her, and he was facing the door to the bedroom. Even with his guard down, he was still vigilant, and for some reason, that made Deena feel safer than she had in what felt like an eternity. This man would protect her no matter what, and she had no doubt that he would die to save her life. His devotion humbled her, and she vowed in that moment never to settle for anything less than what she deserved. He was practically a stranger, yet he was treating her better than any man had ever treated her before.
She knew that Jake would probably go back to his life once this was over and done, but that didn’t mean that this time with him hadn’t changed everything for her. She would never again accept the mediocrity that was Holt and men like him. There would never be the excuse of a one-night stand, or that they were friends with benefits and nothing more. Because none of that mattered; at least, it shouldn’t matter. She knew that now. She’d been held by a real man, and she was never going back.
“Why did you choose a high-end, weekly hotel instead of something a little less conspicuous?” she asked. “I mean, we’re right on Stemmons Freeway, in the middle of everything in Market Center. How is this safe?”
“They’re going to be looking for us in cheaper places that are known to look the other way when cash is involved. Those same clerks that don’t mind taking a little money to let two people on the run rent a room don’t mind taking a little money to give us up. It’s win-win for them. Here, there are so many people that come through, and the clerk was so busy, he didn’t even look at me.
If someone showed him my picture, he wouldn’t be able to place me, and he likely wouldn’t put in any effort. He would assume that no one here would be a criminal, and since the name won’t ring a bell, he’ll have no reaction.”
“It’s like we’re hiding in plain sight.”
“Exactly. It’s not always the best course of action, but in this case, I feel like it is. We’re right by I-35 and right in the middle of heavy traffic. Even if we escape on foot, they’re not likely to be able to keep up with us. This is the smartest place to be for now.”
“The airport is nearby too.”
“The airport is the first place they’ll look. If they find us there, we’re sitting ducks.”
“How do you know all this stuff? Are you a secret agent or something?”
He laughed.
“Not even close.”
When he didn’t offer up any more details, she decided to let it go, for now.
“I’m just glad that we’re in this together,” she sighed. “I don’t think I would still be alive if it wasn’t for you.”
“You don’t give yourself enough credit. I think you’re a lot more resourceful than you realize. We’re going to get through this, and when this is all over, I’m going to take you on that date I promised.”
“I can’t wait.”
“Neither can I.”
She snuggled closer to him, the heat of his body seeping into her, making her drowsy. He went silent for a long time, and Deena just laid there in his arms, listening to him breathing and enjoying the moment. She knew it wouldn’t be long before they were on the move again, and she just wanted this moment to last forever.
When he let out a heavy sigh along her neck, she knew that he’d fallen asleep. Even in sleep, his arms remained tight around her. She closed her eyes, letting her body relax and knowing that this time, she wouldn’t be plagued by the nightmares that had awoken her before. She was safe in Jake’s arms, and that was bound to make all the difference.
She laid there for a long time, unable to sleep as easily as Jake had. Deena was content listening to Jake sleep, his slow, even breath so calming. He slept deep and hard, and she wondered when the last time he’d had a good night’s sleep was. She thought he’d been asleep when she’d woken up earlier, but she had been much too groggy to tell. Thinking back to everything he’d shared, she was sure that it had been going on at least a week, if not more.
Did he know why all this started and why his life was in danger? Did he know who wanted him dead? Did he have a plan to end this, or was he just flying by the seat of his pants?
She had so many questions, but she was afraid that the answers would be hard to hear. As long as she could fool herself into believing that they could resolve whatever mess he was in, she could hold onto the hope that they both weren’t going to end up dead. But she knew the reality was far from that simple, and she knew that avoiding the truth wasn’t helping anyone. When they woke up, she was going to have a hard conversation with him and find out everything that she didn’t know. She deserved that much, and she was certain he would agree.
Her eyelids were finally getting heavy, and she closed her eyes, focusing on Jake’s breathing and the way his arms still held her. She didn’t want her last thoughts to be about the murderer, didn’t want to risk another nightmare like the one she’d had a few short hours ago. Turning her thoughts to the meal they’d shared, she finally let herself fall asleep, and this time, she didn’t dream.