Page 127 of The Making of Marnie Jones

She shook her head in amusement. “What future plans?”

“You'll have to wait and see.”

Safe and protected, she slipped into a gentle, peaceful sleep.

***

Marnie awoke slowly to the sense she wasn’t alone in her bed. Momentary panic was replaced by memories of the night before. Jake's empathy and kindness touched her, but her own actions made her cringe. She'd been so close.

Shoving aside her maudlin thoughts, she slipped from the bed. Vanity pushed her into the bathroom, and she was glad it had. It took her a good two minutes to detangle her hair. She splashed cold water on her face.

You’ve got this.

Emerging from the bathroom, she faced a grinning Jake who now lay on his side, head propped on his elbow.

“Come back to bed?”

She tilted her head. She could do this. Her hands sought the buttons of her pajama top and before she lost her nerve, she quickly popped them open, letting the top slip down to the floor. Just as quickly she scooted out of the bottoms.

His dilating pupils reassured her. He held back the covers and she dove under. As soon as she was secured under the blankets, she met his gaze.

“What changed your mind?”

She quirked an eyebrow. “Woman's prerogative. Now, please kiss me.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

He moved in and her eyes drifted shut. The first touch of his lips was feather soft, but soon he applied more pressure, using his tongue in clever and wicked ways. Soon, that feverish feeling raced through her. Soon the kiss scorched, as hot as any that preceded it. He delved his hands into her hair, levering himself to pull her even closer.

He moved his hand along her side down to her hip. As he pulled back from the kiss, he murmured, “I have an idea.”

She opened her eyes.Idea?Was she up for this? She sought her place of peace and found it quickly. “I like ideas.”

“Let me remove your underwear?”

Desire ratcheted up, and she let out a shaky breath, hoping he got the message.

“Say it.”

“Please remove my underwear.” She tried to stifle a giggle but failed miserably. “Is there always this much talking involved?”

He chuckled ruefully. “Not often, but you’re special.” He placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. “Never forget that.”

In response, she wrinkled her nose.I just want to be normal.She didn’t want to be different. “What if I don't want you to give me special treatment?”

“Marnie—”

“No, Jake. I froze last night, and you kept your promise you’d stop any time. Show me, please. Show me what it can be like.” Her gaze was steady on his. This was something she couldn’t yield on. If this—whatever this was—had a chance, he needed to see her as a woman, and not a victim.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay.”

He swooped in for a kiss and was mere inches away before he paused. “Crap.”

She rolled her eyes, this time managing not to snicker. “Not an auspicious beginning.”

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