Valiant
“That’s not what I want.”
Maddox shakes his head. “No, it isn’t. I’ll inform the other members to keep it on the low down.”
I rub my arms. “Thank you again.”
He places a big hand on my shoulder. “Always.”
I was wrong about these guys.
They’re not bad people.
No.
They’re the damned best kind.
CHAPTER 25
NOW – BAYLEE
J – Hey sleepyhead. You still awake?
I smile, rubbing my eyes and glancing at my phone. I sent Jack a message a few hours ago just after midnight telling him I missed him. He must have woken up and saw it because it’s only just past two now.
B – Hey you.
J – What are you doing not sleeping?
B – I couldn’t. I’m sorry if I woke you.
J – Nah, you didn’t. I woke up and saw your message, thought I’d see if you were still up.
B – I am.
J – Good. Open your front door. I’ll be there in ten.
My heart flutters.
B – Okay.
I slide out of bed and walk out into the living area and over to the front door. I unlock it, hesitating, but then realize someone is out there watching. Will Jack see that person? No. I don’t think so. Wherever they are, they’re well hidden. Even I can’t see them when I come and go, but I know they’re there. I know it.
I move towards the bathroom while I wait, brushing my teeth, running my fingers through my hair, and pulling on a pair of cotton shorts. By the time I’m done, Jack has arrived. The low rumble of his truck alerts me to that fact. With a nervous but thrilled smile, I walk back out just as he steps through the front door.
He looks incredible—sleepy, but incredible. His hair is still messy from sliding out of bed, and he’s wearing a tight black tank that defines his biceps in a way that has my legs clenching together. His eyes swing to me, drop slowly down my body, and then a smile creeps across his face. A pleased smile.
“There is nothing better than a woman who wakes up looking as good as you look right now.”
I flush.
He turns, locking the door, then he walks forward, catching me in his arms and pulling me close. I step into him, pressing my cheek to his chest and breathing him in. He smells incredible. He’s so warm, and it feels amazing to be wrapped in his arms. I’ve decided it’s the only place I feel safe right now. And I do. With him surrounding me, I feel as though nothing could touch me.
And I think I’d be right.
“Take me to bed,” he murmurs, lips against my hair.
I step back, taking his hand and leading him down the hall to my bedroom. Locking the door behind us, I keep hold of his hand as I lead him to the bed. He stops at the foot of it, letting his eyes sweep over me once more before he says in a low voice, “Much as I love that outfit, baby, you’re going to have to take it off.”
My cheeks get warm and my fingers tremble as I reach for my shirt.
“Ah-ah,” he says in a raspy tone. “I said take it off, I never said you had to.”
“Oh,” I squeak.
He steps closer, running his hands down my body until he reaches the hem of my shirt. He curls his fingers around it and pulls it up slowly, inch by inch, his hands grazing my bare skin as he moves. Once he’s gotten it off, he tosses it to the side before removing his. Then he reaches for my cotton shorts. My heart is pounding by this point because I’m naked from the hips up, and I’m still a little nervous about that.
“Breathe,” he says gently, lowering my shorts and himself as he goes.
I squirm as he slowly drags them down my legs. When he reaches my feet, I lift each to let him discard them. I wait for him to stand up, but he doesn’t. No, his fingers graze up my legs, over my thighs, and around to my bottom. He kneads gently, making my core erupt with fire. Looking up at me, his eyes grow lusty.
“Spread your legs apart a little.”
I swallow but do as he asks. I shuffle until my feet are further apart. Cool air tickles me between my thighs, and I bite by bottom lip. Being this exposed ... it scares me, but it makes me feel exhilarated at the same time. Jack drags his eyes from my face, to my sex, and then, curling his hands around my thighs, he leans forward and presses his mouth right there.
I gasp, hands flying out to reach for something, but nothing is there for me to take hold of, so I reach up and tangle them in my hair. Jack’s tongue does delicious things to me, sweeping up and down my sex, focusing on that sensitive bundle of nerves before dipping lower and then moving back up again. Over and over. He drives me insane, fingers clutching my thighs, mouth devouring me.
“Jack,” I gasp, head dropped back, fingers clutching my hair so tightly it burns. “Oh, God. I’m going to come.”
Jack slides an arm around my hips just as I explode against him, knees going weak. He’s holding me up, because I know—oh, I know—I’d fall if he didn’t. The orgasm is slow, yet it spreads through me like liquid fire. I cry out his name, I moan, I whimper, until all the shudders have been ripped from my body. Only then does Jack release me.
He gets to his feet, discarding his shorts and lifting me into his arms, bringing us both down onto the bed. His body falls over mine, and his mouth slams against my lips. I can taste myself. It’s erotic. I love it. I kiss him deeply, tangling my fingers into his hair, grinding my body against his. I’m ready for more. So much more. So is he—I can feel him throbbing against me.
Wrapping his arms around me, he rolls us until my body is positioned over his. I stare down at him, shifting so I’m straddling him. I never enjoyed doing it like his before, always finding the man below me tended to force my hand, making me move faster than I wanted or harder than I was ready for, and it hurt more often than not.
“Ride me however feels best for you,” Jack says, his voice husky.
It’s as if he can read my mind sometimes.
Gently lifting myself to my knees, I take him in my hand and guide him to my entrance before slowly sinking down. I’m wet, but even with that, the familiar burn engulfs my body as I lower myself until he’s fully sheathed. For a second, I sit there, letting my body adjust around him, and only then do I start moving. For the first few beats, I hesitate, glancing at his face, watching his expression, but all I see in his eyes is pleasure.