Page 54 of Splintered Hearts

Jamie shows me around the house, and damn, talking on the phone had been easy, but being here now I feel a little awkward. Maybe I’m just nervous. That’s it. Nerves. It isn’t my fault I’m hyperaware of every movement he makes as he shows me where everything is.

Reaching Hunter’s old room, he lets me pass through to look around the space. “The bed is new, right?”

“Uh, yeah it is.” Okay, good. Not that I’m too worried, but sleeping on the same bed Hunter and Mark used does not haveany appeal for me. “So, how mad was Mark?” I give him a look and Jamie smiles. “That bad?”

“He’s still pissed after I gave you the best orgasm you’ve ever had.”

“It was okay.” He shrugs and I nearly laugh.

“Just okay?” Jamie nods, but I can see the playful gleam in his eye and like that he’s trying to appear unaffected. “What about the way I wrapped my lips around your cock? Just okay?” His eyes dart away, and yeah, I have him right where I want him. “The way I moaned around you as I swallowed your load.” Watching his Adam’s apple bob, I smile. “Your hips jerked, fingers fisted in my hair.”

“Noah—” He looks down, and I see him shift away.

“That’s what I thought.”

“Bed, dresser, desk. That’s what’s in here. If you need anything else, just let me know. I can even get you a bookshelf if you want.”

Changing the subject. Got it. Fine. I’ll let him have his way, for now. “Why did you tell me Hunter had paid the first two months when he left? He doesn’t remember doing that.” Jamie’s brows pinch. “You’re not lying to me are you?” His eyes widen in mock innocence, and I wait.

“Well... I just... I mean, I...” I walk Jamie back until he hits the wall. Curious eyes search me, and fuck, that feeling I had weeks ago when I’d had Jamie like this come back. Sinking between his thighs. Slipping down his sweats. The way he’d sprung out, nearly hitting my chin. I want that again. Tilting his head to look at me, his breathing is ragged. I love having this effect on him.

“Maybe...” God, he smells good. “Just maybe...” My fingers walk up his broad chest, not so subtly brushing one of his nipples. He sucks in a breath and the action sends blood straight to my dick. “That desperate to have me here?” Jamie’s eyes don’tmove away from mine, but I see them flicker quickly between my eyes and mouth. “Come here.”

I see the moment those brown eyes shift from nerves to lust as Jamie leans down and presses his lips to mine. Losing myself, I feel a groan rumble in my chest. Soft and sweet, his mouth works mine deliciously, and fuck, his taste hits me like a drug. Has kissing ever felt this good? Shit, I don’t think so. My palms smooth up his chest, my eyes opening wide as my fingers brush something hard. Another piercing?

Jamie whimpers, catching my wrist. “Wa-wait.” Taking a breath, I step back to give him some breathing room—give both of us some much needed space because fuck. “I didn’t mean to lie, but... I just... I mean, I own this house and—” Jamie curses. “I own it, and it’s not a lot, but like, I know you don’t have a job and you probably want to worry about that first. I mean, I wanted to give you some time before you paid and I... I mean... I didn’t mean to lie, I just—”

“Take a breath.” Laughing, Jamie does just that.

“I know why you got kicked out.”What the fuck.“I’m sorry I lied, but I didn’t want you to worry about it. I don’t need it right away, it’s—” Clutching his chest, Jamie looks like he’s about to pass out, but all I can think of is the shame that hits me.

What the fuck?

Is that what all this is? Pity?

Jamie pities me.

Where’s my bag? Finding it, I reach in and grab my jar. How could I be so fucking stupid? “How much is rent?”

“What?”

“Rent. How much per month?”

“Oh, well... I mean, we’re just splitting utilities. I figure food, we can—”

“How . . . much?”

Jamie’s brow furrows. “About three—”

“Not about. How much?”

“Three fifty in the summer, and roughly six to seven in the winter time because of the heat. We have electric heat, and Hunter and I always split it.”

“When does that start?”

I should hide the fact that I have a huge jar of money, but I’m too pissed to think logically. “What are you doing?” Ignoring him, I count, before putting the jar away and shoving the wad of cash against Jamie’s chest.

“There.”

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