CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
JASE BACKED BROOK LYNN into the door, but still he kept coming toward her until he’d pressed his body flush against hers, her breasts smashed into his chest. He’d been possessed by jealousy for hours, and his control had finally snapped.
Actually, the word jealousy did not accurately describe the frothing monster that had crawled and clawed through his mind.
Brook Lynn peered up at him with those wide baby blues, as if she couldn’t believe what was happening. “I think I’m mad at you,” she said, but she didn’t sound it. She was too breathless. She flattened her palms on his pecs in an effort to push him back and create distance. “So whatever you’re doing, you can just stop.”
He remained firmly in place. “Whatever I’m doing? Honey, I’m going crazy for you, that’s what the hell I’m doing. And if you think I haven’t been trying to stop, you’re crazy. I’ve been trying so damn hard, but I’ve only gotten worse.” As the night had progressed, the thought of her with Brad had made Jase foaming-at-the-mouth wild—like a dog with rabies.
He’d imagined them talking and laughing, Brad rubbing his foot against hers under the cover of the table, holding her hand on the drive home, the guy’s thumb brushing over the hammering pulse in her wrist, and he’d wanted to punch another wall. But when he’d imagined Brad taking Brook Lynn in his arms and kissing her good-night...Jase had jumped in his car and sped over.
When he’d arrived at their house, Jessie Kay had let him inside and lectured him.
You like my sister more than you liked me. I get it. She’s a better person than I am. She’s also endured her fair share of heartache and isn’t out trolling for more, so you better not treat her like trash afterward, or I will personally separate Big Jase from Little Jase.
Then she’d gone out with a friend of hers and all he could do was watch the clock as he used to do in prison, every second a new level of hell. Finally, he’d heard the purr of a car’s engine, seen lights flash through the curtains. When Brad had helped Brook Lynn out and walked her to the porch, Jase had forced himself to move into Brook Lynn’s room. It had been that...or storm outside and attack Brad.
The guy might not have survived.
“Well,” she said now. “Your attitude is shocking, considering you told me to go out with Brad.”
“No. You’re not putting this on me. I told you the choice was yours, and you made it.” Was that bitterness he heard in his tone? Get it together.
“Because I had zero encouragement from you!”
He slapped his hands on the wall on either side of her, caging her in, then rolled his hips forward, brushing his erection between her legs. “Consider this your encouragement.”
“That’s great, wonderful, but let’s just...stop and...and think about this,” she said, panting now. “A lot’s happened today. Taking time to process isn’t a bad idea.”
He would give her anything she wanted—except a reprieve. “It’s too late for stopping and thinking.”
Her eyes widened. “I just went out with another man. I can’t...I shouldn’t...”
“You’re not his—you’re mine.” He leaned down, putting them nose to nose. “You promised me a night, and I will have it.”
Those blue, blue eyes got wider. “Jase,” she said on a soft sigh, and he pressed his lips to hers, silencing her, feeding her the kiss he’d longed to give her all night— Who the hell was he kidding? The kiss he’d longed to give her since the moment he’d met her. One to brand her soul-deep so that she would never forget him.
She opened for him, not only welcoming his tongue but thrusting her own against his. He tasted mint paired with a hint of fresh strawberries, each spiced with a passion he’d never before known.
“Put your arms around me,” he commanded.
She obeyed without hesitation, wrapping one around his neck and the other around his waist, holding him close. Both of her hands trembled as they slid underneath his shirt, reaching bare skin. Breathing became a thing of the past. One simple touch, and yet she branded him.
He kneaded her breasts, reveled in their heavy weight. “I want your shirt off,” he said, already tugging at the material. He ripped her bra in the center—will buy her a new one—and bared her from the waist up, flames engulfing his insides. Gorgeous girl.
“Your turn,” she said, tugging at his shirt.
He jerked the material over his head and dropped it. He meant to kiss her again, needed to, but she stared with rapt fascination at his tattoos and scars.
He saw the question in her eyes and felt he owed her at least a kernel of truth.
“Knife fights,” he told her.
“On military raids?” she asked softly, and he couldn’t bring himself to nod, to lie to her so boldly. She still thought he was a hero. How would she feel when she discovered he was actually a villain?
“Fighting. Hard living.” In prison. Say it. Tell her. But he couldn’t—not yet. Not with her half-dressed before him, almost ready to be taken.
“They’re ugly, I know,” he said. He’d covered most of them with ink, but had left a few free. Reminders of what could happen with a single mistake.
“Ugly? When they proclaim just how strong you are? No. But I wonder...did anyone ever kiss these boo-boos and make them better?”
A tightening deep in his gut. “Never.”
“Here, let me...” She traced the edge of a scar with her tongue, moving along the map to reach another.
He sizzled, as if she’d stroked him with more of those flames, experiencing a hurt so good his knees shook and threatened to buckle.
She reached his nipple, sucked.
Damn. “Harder, angel.”
She did, and he fit his hands on her waist to urge her into a counterclockwise rhythm, brushing her core against his erection. As she gasped with pleasure, he tried to loosen his grip on her, knew he was squeezing too hard, but part of him feared she would float away.
“Jase,” she said, need thick in her tone.
Was she already desperate for climax? “Let me take care of you,” he said, tearing at the waist of her skirt, dragging it and her white cotton panties down her legs. He crouched, ripped off her sandals and yanked the clothing free. He straightened, but didn’t stand, his gaze suddenly riveted on the prettiest little patch of pale curls. He remembered the honey of her taste, and his mouth watered.
“Part for me,” he said.
Her hands flattened against the wall as she rolled her hips toward him, seeking, allowing him to lift one of her legs and anchor it over his shoulder. He started at her knee, kissing his way up, up, leaving a trail of moisture in his wake.
“Please, Jase,” she whispered. “I want it. Need it.”
She wasn’t the only one. Liiick. Right up her center. She was hot, wet. Sweet. And he nearly came from the taste of her alone.
“Yes, yes, there!” Her scream of rapture echoed through the room, inside his head. “Again. Please.”
He sucked on her and bit gently, then a little harder. As he dragged his fingers up, up her leg, she whimpered, begged some more.
He slid two into her wetness, and her back bowed, allowing him to go deeper...so wonderfully deep. Another scream ripped from her as she shot straight into a climax, her inner walls clenching around his fingers. He stilled, no longer kissing her, no longer mimicking the motions of sex with his tongue, but looking up at her—drinking in the pleasure glowing from her features—and waiting.
When she calmed and met his gaze with dazed eyes, he smiled slowly. “I hope you’re ready for more. I’m just getting started, angel.”
* * *
BLISS, RAPTURE...CASCADES of ecstasy. With Jase, Brook Lynn finally understood what everyone was talking about when they raved about sex. This big, strong, fierce man had her pressed against a wall, stripped her, spread her legs and pierced her with two of his fingers, moving them inside her...so amazingly deep...while his tongue took her to heights she’d never dreamed possible.
“Jase.” She couldn’t not gasp his name.
He returned his mouth to her core and continued to taste her. It was beyond erotic, watching him as unending waves of pleasure washed over her. He reached up with his free hand, cupping her breast, plucking at her nipple, and suddenly there was no part of her that couldn’t feel some part of him. Everywhere he touched, sensation branched off, traveling through the rest of her.
Consumed, she thought. She’d heard Jessie Kay and Kenna talk about moments with their men when everything else ceased to matter. When a tornado could have dropped from the sky and ravaged everything they owned, but they wouldn’t have cared, as long as their lover continued doing what he was doing.
I’m so there.
Jase inserted a third finger, bringing her to another swift and brutal orgasm. And as she gasped and shuddered, he kissed his way up her stomach, laved her nipples and then straightened. His hair stuck out in spikes; her fingers must have plowed through the strands. His eyes were hooded in that way she loved, his lips moist with the essence of her.
More beautiful every time I see him.
Her gaze raked over the rest of him. The scars, testaments to the violence he’d somehow managed to survive. The tattoos she was only beginning to understand. The muscles...so strong and yet, with a simple touch I can make them tremble. The long, hard length of him stretching past the waist of his pants, a pearly bead at the tip...
Her heartbeat reminded her of quick flashes of lightning, her blood thundering through her veins. Trembling, she reached for him, drew him closer. The heat he emitted twined around her, making every ache he’d caused a thousand times worse—or better.
“I want inside you,” he rasped.
“Inside me,” she agreed. “Please.”
* * *
BURNING FROM THE inside out, Jase picked up Brook Lynn and gently placed her upon the bed. He kicked off his shoes, removed his jeans and underwear. The ache in his shaft had become unbearable, but the sudden freedom from the constraints of his zipper provided only the barest amount of relief.
He crawled up the bed, and she opened for him.
“I did buy those ex-large condoms you asked for, just never gave them to you,” she said, wrapping her legs around him. “Top drawer in the nightstand.”
Smart girl.
But for the first time in his life, he actually resented latex. He wanted to take her bare, feel all of her and let her feel all of him. It startled him. He’d never gone without a condom, and he wouldn’t start now.
Next time, however, if she were on the pill...
Next time?
He blindly reached for the foil packet even as he bent his head and thrust his tongue into her mouth. She welcomed him eagerly, sucking and meeting his thrust with one of her own. Her nipples abraded his chest, a delicious friction that only intensified his need for her.
“You crave me, don’t you, angel?” He sheathed himself and smoothed the hair from her perspiration-damp cheek. “Ache for me.”
Her gaze flickered with a hint of sadness he didn’t comprehend before she licked her lips, as if savoring the taste of him. She nodded, saying, “Yes, I do. Please take me.”
So polite. So perfect.
Reminding himself that it had been a long time for her, he positioned himself for entry...nearly undone by her heat. He pressed in slowly. Every muscle in his body was tensed, ready for action as sweat trickled from his temples, but he never increased his speed. Her inner walls clamped around him tightly, trying to suck him in, and oh, hell, he’d never felt anything so damn incredible.
“Jase.” She clawed at his back, probably drawing blood. “Deeper. Please. I need you deeper.”
Hearing this woman beg for his shaft might have been the hottest thing he’d ever heard. Acting on instinct, fueled by a primal need to possess and conquer, to give his woman whatever she desired, he plunged the rest of the way in. Her hips arched, and she cried out, a sound of pleasure and pain.
He thought to stay right where he was, to enjoy the incomparable feel of her, to savor, to give her a chance to acclimate to his invasion, but already the tension building inside him was beginning to be too much, forcing him to move. He pulled out and hovered at the edge of her for a second, two, before plunging back in. She gasped, and there were no vestiges of pain, only pleasure, so he did it again. And again. Faster and faster, until the entire bed rocked with the force of his thrusts.
As he hammered in and out of her, he was pretty sure he lost his mind, but decided he never needed to find it. A pleasure fog had taken its place. He existed for this moment and no other. This woman and no other. She surrounded him—branded him all over again. Consumed him. Owned him.
As she writhed under him, her legs wound tight around his waist, her arms around his neck; her head thrashed from side to side. He stilled her with a kiss. A hard, punishing kiss with teeth, a sharp bite, his body still thrusting, thrusting inside hers.
“Jase. I’m going to...going to...” Her inner walls suddenly clenched on him, tighter and tighter, demanding their due as climax overcame her.
He managed another couple of thrusts before exploding, his own climax pulling a satisfied roar out of him. One that nearly shook the walls. He poured every throb and ache into her, experiencing a moment of perfect peace for the first time in his life.
Utterly spent, he collapsed on top of her. Her arms and legs fell away from him as she struggled to catch her breath. Not wanting to crush her, he rolled to his side.
Usually, this was the moment he jumped out of bed, dressed as if he’d just found out his house was on fire and took off. Tonight he gathered Brook Lynn close, unwilling to let her go. He was simply too tired.
She snuggled up close, resting her head on his chest...where his heart still raced like a freaking freight train.
“That was definitely fun,” she said.
“Yes.” He combed his fingers through her hair. “Ask me to stay the night,” he said, shocking the hell out of himself.
Silence.
He swallowed a curse.
“Stay,” she finally whispered.
* * *
BROOK LYNN TRIED counting sheep, and when that failed, she tried counting naked men, but one hour ticked into another without favorable results. Sleep continued to elude her.
Why? It had been years since she’d spent the night with a man, and it should have been 1) relaxing 2) comforting or 3) both. But she remained on edge...confused.
Had this truly been a one-time-only event? Or would Jase ask for a repeat?
Just then, she hated the plaque she’d given him.
“Why are you tossing and turning, honey?” he asked. “If anyone should have trouble sleeping, it’s me.”
True. The bed was only a full, and Jase’s feet hung over the edge.
“Maybe we should do something to tire each other out,” she suggested, tense, waiting for his reaction. Is this where he’ll begin to pull away?
“Agreed,” he said, and she released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “And I know just the thing.” He fluffed the pillows, reclined like the most self-indulgent pasha—and gave her a gentle little shove off the bed. “You’re going to dance for me.”
She came up sputtering. “What!”
He switched on the bedside lamp. “Your list, remember? You said you wanted to dance for a man. Definitely a lover. Well.” He held out his arms, all behold my magnificence. “I now qualify on both fronts.”
She’d actually written “preferably a boyfriend,” but she didn’t point that out. “I’m not dancing for you, Jase Hollister.”
His eyes narrowed to tiny slits. “You’re sure as hell not dancing for anyone else.”
The fierceness of his tone made her shiver, warmth spilling into her blood, tingles moving along her sensitized skin. If she did this, he might make love to her again. Or laugh at her.
Another gamble. But the result would answer both of her other questions, wouldn’t it. If he laughed, he wasn’t worth her time. If he made love to her, he still wanted her.
“Fine,” she grumbled. “I’ll do it.”
His expression mocked her. “That’s all well and good, but I already have to deduct points for your attitude.”
“You’re going to score me?” she gasped out.
He offered her a sad, pitying smile. “Another point lost for a delayed start—and a silly question.”
Well, then. She’d have to do something to earn points.
“Before I begin,” she said, “I should probably lay out the ground rules.” Still naked, she sucked on the end of one finger and slowly traced a path down her stomach. “At no point during my amazing performance are you allowed to touch me.”
His gaze followed the motion of her finger, only to whip up to her face and narrow as her words registered. “Did I forget to mention that every rule you make costs you one thousand points?”
Ha!
“Good thing there’s only one rule, then. Ready?”
“Do it.”
She began to undulate her hips, giving him a preview of what was to come, and his pupils expanded. “Hands on the headboard, Hollister. I don’t trust you to keep them to yourself.”
When he failed to comply, she cupped her breasts and pinched her nipples. “I’m about to change my mind,” she said.
With a frustrated groan, he grabbed the headboard.
“There’s a good boy.”
Brook Lynn undulated her hips again...more slowly...slllooowly...
A sheen of sweat glistened on Jase’s forehead, and his knuckles bleached of color. “I’m giving you a point for technique.”
Turning, revealing her backside, she glanced over her shoulder and lifted her hair...let the strands tumble back into place. “Only one?”
Bad-boy Jase released the headboard long enough to cup his now-rock-hard length. “Look at what you’ve done to me, angel.”
“And I’m just getting started.” Brook Lynn bent over and slowly lifted her upper body, her gaze never leaving Jase. She heard an erotic melody in her head, though no music played, and moved to it. Bump, bump...griiind. Her hands roved over her curves, kneaded her breasts.
“Come here,” he rasped. “Please, angel. I need you.”
She didn’t have the strength to resist. She crawled up the bed, rhythmically shimmying closer and closer to his erection before retreating. Another groan rose from him. On her knees, she continued to move her hips, sliding her hands down...down...between her legs.
“Let me touch,” he rasped. “I need to touch.”
Roll...roll...she worked her way around, so that he once again had a backside view. Roll...roll...
“Angel, please.” He leaned forward, warm breath fanning down her spine. His tongue flicked out, stroking over her nape, and the contact sent shivers through her body.
“How many points have I gained now?” she asked, heart drumming a wild staccato in her chest.
“All of them.”
She glanced over her shoulder. His features were taut, the fine lines around his eyes more noticeable, his lips pulled tight. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple. Knowing she affected him so strongly empowered her, and she tangled her fingers in her hair, raised her arms high in the air. She swayed her hips left, right, all the way around, always rubbing against him, as her hair fell back into place.
The beat in her head quickened, and so did her motions. Faster and faster, hardness to softness, flesh against flesh. Her breaths came faster, too. Her heartbeat. A moan from her. A groan from him.
Faster...faster... Her every nerve ending ached, tingling.
“Brook Lynn, you have to stop. I have to have you.” His palms gripped her waist. He pushed her forward, to her hands and knees, and positioned himself behind her. Her hair fell over one shoulder, leaving the other bare.
The implants!
She stiffened, but he leaned forward and kissed the shell of her ear, like he’d done before, careful not to put any pressure on the implant itself, and slowly she relaxed. He didn’t mind the bulky plastic and flashing lights, she realized. Didn’t think she was a Frankenlynn freak.
“Please, angel. You are so beautiful,” he whispered. “So damn perfect in every way.”
The words titillated her more than his kiss, more than his touch. “Inside me,” she said, her body aching as if it had never been filled. “Now.”
“I’m going to make you feel so good, angel.”
And he did.