Page 11 of Jaded Soul

As a big girl, I wasn’t sure how Jett’s clothes would fit. I’m not exactly a tiny pixie woman who looks adorable in anything she puts on. However, when I slipped Jett’s shirt over my head last night, I was surprised and delighted that it was baggy enough to wear as a dress.

Tiptoeing over to the door, I open it slightly and peek my head through, looking up and down the hallway. I dart across the wooden floor to the bathroom so I can freshen up a bit.

Once I’ve washed my face and combed my fingers through my hair enough to tame it down, I decide to head to the kitchento see what the breakfast situation is like. Maybe I can make Jett something to show him how grateful I am for his help yesterday. I don’t want to overstay my welcome, so I’ll just make breakfast and then be on my way.

My gut sinks at the thought of leaving Jett. Hell, this entire town has felt more like home than any place I’ve lived. Maggie was so sweet to hire me as a waitress even though I had zero experience, and the staff was always kind.

I don’t want to leave, but what choice do I have? My father has made it abundantly clear that I’m no longer safe here. The most loving thing I can do at this point is run to a different town, maybe a city this time, and hide out. At least that will pull my dad’s attention elsewhere and he won’t cause any more damage here.

“There you are,” comes Jett’s voice. It’s still a little rough with sleep, which only makes him that much sexier. “I thought you might sleep in a little more. I haven’t really figured out breakfast yet,” he admits, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck.

I’m speechless, not only because Jett wants to make me breakfast, but also because he’s shirtless. As in… all those muscles on display, the curves and dips of his abs, the ink swirling across his pecs and over his large shoulders…

The Adonis takes a step closer to me from where he’s standing in the kitchen, and my eyes slowly work their way up from his hips to his abs, up, up, up, until I finally meet his gaze.

“Careful with that look, beautiful,” he rasps.

“What look?” I murmur, tipping my head back the closer he gets to maintain eye contact. He’s so tall, so chiseled and massive, yet I know he’d never use his strength to hurt me.

“This one right here,” he whispers, one hand coming up to stroke my cheek. “It has me thinking about all kinds of things.”

“Like what?” My voice is barely audible and I gasp softly when Jett’s other hand wraps around my hips, pulling my body flush against his.

“Like tasting your lips, drinking down your kiss, and running my hands up and down your sexy fucking body until I memorize every curve.”

I’m trembling in his hands, the lust nearly crippling me as it shoots down my spine and lands in my throbbing core. My racing heartbeat is echoed between my thighs, each pulsating beat drawing my muscles up tighter and tighter as I try to hold back whatever is fighting its way to the surface.

Jett slides his hand from my cheek to the back of my neck, weaving my hair through his fingers as he tugs slightly to angle my head.

“Would you like that, angel?” Jett asks, his voice deep, dark, and gravelly.

“Yes, please.”

His lips are on mine in the next second, nipping at my top lip and then my bottom lip before slipping his tongue inside. I gasp at the intrusion, my hands crawling up his bare chest and looping around his neck.

Jett pulls me ever closer, tugging my head up and exposing my neck to his greedy mouth. A soft moan leaves my lips when he licks my skin and then sucks the same spot before covering it with a sweet kiss.

“Fuck,” he breathes out, resting his forehead on mine. I’m struggling for air, but I nod in agreement.

“Best first kiss,” I say, though I instantly regret my words. I feel stupid and childish, standing in front of this man who no doubt has women throwing themselves at him.

Jett tips my chin up with his index finger, his green eyes latching onto mine. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of,” he soothes. “I love that I get to be your first. Honestly, Rowan, it’sbeen years since I’ve done anything with anyone. I took off from home when I was seventeen and got into the party scene for a while, but then I moved back home to raise my little sister after our dad died. That was twelve years ago and I haven’t been with anyone in at least that long if not longer.”

"Oh my god," I whisper. "I'm so sorry about your dad. That must have been a shock. And then having the responsibility of being a parent on top of everything." Jett wraps his arms around me and hugs me, tucking my head into his chest and resting his chin there. I love it when he holds me like this.

“My dad and your dad would have gotten along,” he says, making my heart ache. “He was an angry, bitter son of a bitch and I wasn’t sad to see him go.” I nod, understanding that feeling. “I thought my half-sister, Fiona, was protected from his wrath by her mom, my step-mom, Agatha. When they both died in a car accident, the police and coroner determined both of them were high on PCP. I’m just thankful Fiona wasn’t in the car with those fuckers.”

"It's incredible that you dropped everything to look after your sister. That was a huge sacrifice," I tell him, meaning every word. It says so much about his character that he gave up the lifestyle he was living and switched to the role of caretaker. No wonder he's so good with me.

“I don’t view it as a sacrifice at all. In fact, Fiona saved me from my dumbass, destructive self by giving me purpose. I’d do it all over again. Actually, if I could, I’d go back in time and take her with me when I moved out. That way, she never would have been subjected to the bullshit they put her through.”

I wrap my arms around Jett, calming him down and reminding him that he’s here with me. This amazing man kisses the top of my head and then buries his nose in my hair, breathing me in. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be right here in this moment with Jett.

“Fiona is going to love you,” he says after a few moments. I lean back, not sure I heard him correctly.

“You want us to meet?”

“Of course. The two most important women in my life should get to know each other.”