Page 59 of Boarded Hearts

“This. What I want to say.” With a steadying breath he continues, “I have no idea what I’m doing here, Felicity. I’ve got no experience with women other than how to please them in bed. I don’t know if I’m what you want, but I also don’t think I’m a bad bet. You rock my world, consume my thoughts, and make me feel like I can be a better person. It’s like you’re the antidote to my demons, and I’m hooked.”

I don’t know what to say, so I don’t say a word. Instead, the silence is replaced by a pounding sensation, and at this point, I’m not sure if it’s my heart or Jon’s.

“Date me.”

“W-what?”

“Date me, Angel. Let me show you how a man should be. Let me hold you, kiss you, take you out, and spoil you. Let me call you mine because, goddammit, I need to call you mine.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “I, Jon?—”

He cuts me off, and his hands fly to cup my face as he holds my gaze intensely, his piercing gray eyes searching mine. “I know you’ve sworn off relationships and with that guy you call your ex, I’m not surprised. But don’t let him ruin what I know could be something amazing between us.”

I bring my hand to his cheek.

“I’m going all in here, Felicity. I don’t know if it’s going to backfire and crush me, but I have to try. I need to try with you.” He closes his eyes and rests his forehead back against mine. I can see the anguish written across his face as he waits for my answer, but really, there was only ever going to be one outcome. Yes, it’s so soon after my breakup and yes, I swore off relationships wanting to choose my independence first, but honestly, I’ve never felt so free as when I’m with Jon.

“Okay.”

He pulls back, hands grasping my shoulders.“Okay? As in okay, okay?”

I smile up at him. “As in okay, okay.”

Before I know it, I’m seeing my hallway from upside down as he marches toward my bedroom.

“Jon, I just got back from the gym.” I giggle.

“And it’s driving me crazy. I need to taste you.”

“T-taste me?”

He throws me on top of my bed, ripping his shirt over his head. There’s a sense of urgency to him I’ve never seen before, almost like a starved wild animal finally unleashed on its prey. And I have a feeling that prey is me.

“Do you trust me, Angel?”

“Yes,” I gasp.

“Then let me make you feel all the things I already know about you.”

Oh.

God.

“Sit up.”

Slowly unzipping my hoodie, he bites down on his bottom lip as he drinks me in. Next, my sports bra is lifted, his fingers caressing my skin as he guides it over my head, leaving me bare from the waist up.

“You ready to let me take control?”

A delicious shiver racks through my body. “You like to be in control?”

“With you, I’ll be anything. But yes, I like to dominate.”

My heart pounds in my chest at the thought. “Then dominate me.”

Pinned to the mattress, my arms above my head, Jon holds me by the wrists as he straddles my body, his jeans and belt undone at the waist and hanging open. He’s gentle in his touch but assertive enough to leave no question as to who’s in charge.

My bedroom is lit only by moonlight and the streetlamps below.“I haven’t closed my blinds.”

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