Page 12 of Jaded Soul

“Me?” I squeak out. I can’t even finish the question. I'm in shock. I’m an important person in his life?

“Yes, you,” Jett replies, emerald eyes shining with amusement. “I don’t want to scare you off, I just…” He looks away for a second and then trains his gaze right on me. “You mean so much to me, Rowan. I need you to know that. I will do everything in my power to protect you and lo–”

He cuts himself off, but not before I hear the beginning of what he was about to say. Surely that was just a slip of the tongue.

“I, uh, I mean… I want you to be safe and happy,” he corrects himself.

My stomach chooses this moment to growl embarrassingly loud. “Sorry,” I say before untangling myself from him. I cross my arms over my belly, painfully aware of every single roll.

“I’m hungry, too,” Jett says, not letting me linger too long in my own head about things. “Let’s stop by your place and pick up some things for your stay here and then grab breakfast. I’m… sadly not much of a cook. Fiona let me know early on she would be taking over in the kitchen,” he adds sheepishly.

I giggle and give him a kiss on the cheek. Jett doesn't let me get away with that, however. He pulls me in for a real kiss, this time angling his head so he can devour me. I'm completely consumed by his kiss, the way his lips move against mine, the feeling of his tongue sliding in and out, circling mine, and pulling a wanton moan from my very core.

“You’re addictive,” he tells me once we break apart. I blush, but I don’t look away. I never want to forget this moment.Whatever the future holds, this, right here, will be a highlight. I’ll cling to this memory forever.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” I say with a smirk.

Jett chuckles, the rich sound warming me up from the inside out. “Go put some pants on before I get any more ideas,” he says with a wink.

I turn, giving him my back as I head back to the guest room. I put a little extra sway into my hips, grinning to myself when Jett groans. I think I like being a bit of a tease. I never thought I’d have this, have someone like Jett. As crazy of a dream as it is, I hope I can hang on to him. I selfishly want to keep him forever, but it wouldn’t be fair to drag him into all of my drama.

Still, as I slip on the joggers Jett left for me last night, a spark of hope ignites in my soul. Maybe, just maybe, I’ve found my forever home.

7

JETT

Iset the mug of freshly brewed coffee on the sheet pan I’m using as a tray and stare at the measly breakfast offering I made for Rowan. She deserves more than toast, jam, and apple slices, but that’s all I have at the moment. I make a mental note to ask Fiona for some easy recipes the next time we talk.

Carefully lifting the tray, I head toward the guest room where Rowan is sleeping. We didn’t really talk about her staying here another night, it just happened. I’m not complaining one bit. Especially after seeing the studio apartment she’s been renting.

My heart broke all over again for my woman, seeing what her life had been like the last few months. The only sign of anyone living there was a sleeping bag in the corner of the room and two duffle bags of clothes. No way in hell was I going to leave her there. I'm glad we both agreed on that subject.

I pause just inside the doorway to admire the sleeping beauty in front of me. The sun peers through the sheer curtains, silhouetting Rowan’s curvy frame and making her glow like the goddess she is. My eyes trace the contour of her hip, the slight dip in her waist, and her ample breasts, just begging me to lavish them with attention.

I bite the inside of my cheek to calm myself down. My dick hasn’t been this hard in years and we’ve only just kissed. God, I know it makes me a territorial, possessive caveman, but knowing I was her first kiss… Fuck, I like the thought of being her last kiss, too, as well as every kiss in between.

Rowan stirs, snapping me out of my daze.

“Jett?” she mumbles, still half asleep.

“Yeah, beautiful. It’s me,” I say softly as I make my way toward the bed. She sits up and pats the bed, inviting me to sit next to her. “I, uh, made some breakfast. It’s not much. I can do better.” I end my rambling by presenting her breakfast on the sheet pan.

Rowan blinks a few times, her brows furrowing as she looks between me and the food. I watch in horror as her eyes fill with tears. I’m about to apologize and offer to go pick up breakfast somewhere, but then my sweet girl kisses my cheek.

“Thank you,” she says softly, her voice unsteady.

I press my lips to her forehead, breathing in her sugary scent. “Stick with me, angel, and this will just be the beginning. I want to give you all of the things you’ve never had before, starting with this,” I tell her as I set the tray down on her lap. It wobbles slightly and I quickly grab the mug of coffee so it doesn’t spill.

Rowan lifts one of the apple slices to her lips and takes a bite, drawing my attention to her mouth. I’m already addicted to her kisses.

“You’re being such a creeper right now,” she says before popping another apple slice into her mouth.

I grin, taking a sip of coffee and then offering it to her. “I’m beingattentive,” I counter.

“Mmhm,” Rowan responds, taking a bite of the toast. She can’t hide her blush or smile, though she’s trying really hard.

My girl likes my attention. She likes having me here, pampering her. She just doesn’t trust it yet. I’ll make sure shehas no reason to doubt my intentions. I don’t just want her body, I want her heart. Her fucking soul. I want all of her, forever.

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