Page 54 of Wed to You

Her lips slanted over his, nibbling and unable to help himself, he slid his tongue out. She opened and allowed him in. His blood pounded in his ears, making him a little dizzy. He picked her up and pushed her back until she sat on the counter, and he maneuvered himself between her thighs. Her body cradled his erection, which grew from the moment her fingers laced through his hair, and he couldn’t stop himself from groaning as he rubbed against her.

His brain worked only enough to wonder what was going on. She wasn’t repulsed after all, but what did this mean? Why was she all of a sudden open to his touch, and in private, of all places? His libido told his brain to shut up and just go with it. So he did, his hands sliding under her T-shirt, along smooth, silky skin he longed to run his lips over.

Her hands slid under his shirt, her fingers scraping over his nipples, eliciting a hiss from him. While one hand remained under her shirt, he brought the other to her neck, his thumb tilting her head back so he could dive deeper into the kiss. Need consumed him. He burned from the inside out, and only she could contain the fire. He ground against her again, tasting her groan, and, was thrilled by her response to him. It ratcheted up his need. He put both his hands on her backside, squeezed, and pulled her against him, wishing more than anything their clothes would evaporate and he could bury himself in her sweetness. The desire was so acute, he swore he heard ringing in his ears.

“Jagger.”

Don’t talk.He ground against her again, and he thought he might just come right there. He hadn’t come from a dry hump since he was a teenager, but he was quickly veering toward a release he couldn’t control.

“Jagger. The doorbell.” Chelsea’s hands cupped his face and pushed him back. Her breath was harsh, her eyes a bit dazed. “Someone’s at the door.”

It took him a minute to register what was happening; then he heard it too. The doorbell. He let out an expletive. “It’s the pizza.” He didn’t move. Didn’t dare move. If he did, the spell might be broken.

She was the one who moved. She pushed him back again and slid from the counter, not looking at him. He swore and pulled his wallet from his jeans’ back pocket. He put his hand on Chelsea’s shoulder as she took the pizza from the young man, and passed him thirty dollars.

“Keep it.”

“Thanks, sir.” With a grin, the delivery boy ambled back to his car.

Jagger kept his hand on her shoulder, as if the contact would somehow maintain their connection.

She dipped her shoulder and maneuvered around him toward the dining area. “This smells delicious.”

Jagger took a calming breath. “Chelsea.” He followed her to the dining area. She set the pizza on the table and disappeared into the kitchen. He thought about following her and resuming their interlude, but the distance between them was already back in place.

She returned, setting a stack of napkins on the table. “If we use these, we don’t have to wash plates.”

He nodded but stood, glowering.

She sat and finally looked at him. He didn’t say anything. Why should he have to? It had to be clear to her that she needed to tell him what the hell was going on.

She sighed. “I don’t think you’re a grotesque troll.”

“I got that much when you kissed me and ran your hands over my chest.”

She winced and he figured she wished she hadn’t done those things.

“You’re attracted to me but don’t want to be. Why?”

She took a deep breath. When she looked at him again, her expression was serious. “This is a business relationship. Adding sex just confuses that.”

He frowned. “Or makes it more fun.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Then why are we here? I’ve been very clear about what’s expected.”

“Sleeping together isn’t expected. I’ll do better when we’re in public to be more accepting of your affection, but that’s as far as it can go.”

He couldn’t wrap his brain around it. He was attracted to her and she to him. What was the big deal? “It would be easier to pull off the idea we’re in love if you didn’t have an on/off button.”

She sighed. “I need the on/off button or I can’t do it. Can you respect that?”

It was disappointing, but he’d already agreed to it. It would mean a lot of cold showers or maybe hot showers alone with just him and his hand. But ultimately, this was about Kaden. So he nodded. “I can respect that.”

She opened the pizza box. “Let’s enjoy the last supper in my house.” She frowned. “That sounds daunting, doesn’t it?”

He nodded and sat across from her. “Perhaps we can use the Yankee term and call it ‘the last dinner.’”

She managed a smile. “Last dinner.”

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