Page 58 of Embody

Nineteen

JT

BELLAMY DOESN’TWANTto like the place, but she can’t fool me—she loves it.

I can almost hear her thoughts. She doesn’t think accepting would be “right,” too proud for what somehow got into her head as “pity” or “charity.” Despite that, she’s well on her way to losing the battle with herself, and mark my words…no way she’ll turn this place down. Her inner struggle though, crinkled little brow and lip gnawing—adorable.

And her biggest issue, I’m sure of that answer too. Bellamy can’t wrap her brain aroundwhyI’m doing these things for her, especially so soon. Even though I’ve tried to explain many times…it really is all I know.

Maybe I should ask Aunt Emmett to give her a call, tell her how Uncle Sawyer came busting in and rearranged her life in a blaze of raging testosterone,far exceedingwhat I’m doing. He had Emmett moved into a duplex right by him and driving a car he arranged in the blink of an eye.

Speaking of cars…gotta figure out something there because the thought of Bellamy running to the bus every day, lugging a heavy backpack and wolfing down breakfast on the fly doesn’t sit well with me. At. All.

Okay, maybe I won’t have Emmett call.

I silently follow behind her as she looks around, slowly running her fingertips across the marble countertop, walking inside the shower to secretly marvel at its spaciousness and hesitantly sitting on the bed, bouncing a little to test it out.

“So, what do you think?” I finally ask, already sure of the answer by the sweet look of wonderment on her face.

“You know what I think,” she says in a pitiful pout. “How could I not love it? It’s beautiful. Huge.Andfurnished with nicer things than I’ll ever own. But,” she smiles, loaded with equal gratefulness and obstinacy, “I can’t accept. I’m fine where I am. More than fine, because I earned it.”

I lean over her, hands braced on either side of her hips,mattress is pretty soft,and mouth temptingly close to hers. So close, the tiny puffs of her nervous breathing warm my lips. “You’re precious, and I respect the hell out of youtryingto refuse. But you’re moving into this apartment, Bellamy. You have to. I evicted you from the other one, remember?” I wink.

“You weren’t serious about that.”

“Oh, but I was. You’re moving. Period. End of sentence. And discussion.” I brush my lips along hers, loving the slight tremble my touch elicits. “Tomorrow work for you? I just so happen to know a Squad of helpers who’ll have your old place cleared out in no time. All you have to do is decide what’s going where.”

“Jefferson, I don’t want Brynn or your family to think I used her, was only friends with her, to get rich people favors,” her voice cracks.

I stand up straight and laugh heartily. “My sweet, beautiful Bellamy. What am I gonna do with you? Trust me, every single person in my family will knowexactlywho was the hunter and who was the prey in our arrangement. I told ya, it’s an inherited trait. My mom, older sister and every aunt has been in your same situation. So, don’t worry about that shit for another second.”

She sighs, silently gathering her thoughts. And with a final huff, concedes. “Obviously, I want to keep all my personal stuff. Pictures, clothes, books, toiletries and dishes. And my own bed sheets. The rest can go to Goodwill.”

I pull her up by the hand, tugging her against my body. “That’s my girl,” I hum on her lips and slide my hands in her thick mane of hair, devouring the sexy fucking mouth I can’t go too long without.

I kiss her rougher than I mean to, a feeling of possession that I never thought would happen to me making it impossible to be gentle. When she whimpers, soft and sweet, and wraps her arms around my neck, I feel it even stronger. Unfathomably so.Damn.

I’ve kissed more girls than I can count, and rarely,maybe never, did I stop there, satisfied. But Bellamy? I’ll take just her mouth, all night, if she’ll let me and be a very happy man.

She won’t though…pulling back no sooner than I finish the thought. “We better go,” she breathlessly tortures me. “It’s not my apartment yet.”

“Actually, it is,” I grunt, going for her mouth again.

She laughs, pushing on my chest to stop me. “I thought you were hungry? It’s getting late. If we’re gonna eat, we need to do it soon.”

“True,” I regretfully agree. “How about I run and grab us something while you pack up your private stuff? You know, anything I don’t want Judd or Ryder seeing when they help move ya. Lingerie, your vibrator or any other toys andallpanties and bras.”

This time she snickers, her face flaming crimson. “Um, you better pick up somethingrealclose by then, ‘cause it won’t take very long to dump my one drawer of panties and bras in a bag.”

I know my eyes are bulging with unchecked shock. “Are you trying to tell me you don’t own a single piece of lingerie or toy?”

“That’s what I’m telling ya.”

“How is that possible?”

“Quite easily,” she shrugs. “Why buy lingerie I can’t afford that no one’s ever gonna see? And why spend money on “toys” I’d never use?”

“But what about getting off? You what, always use your fingers?” Just flies outta my mouth itself.

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