Page 80 of Something that Could Last

“What’s wrong?” He places a hand gently on my shoulder, but I shrug him off, keeping my back to him. I can’t face him just yet. I blink back the tears and take a few cleansing breaths. When I finally turn around and meet his eyes, they’re filled with concern.

“Jacob,” I whisper.

“Tell me what’s wrong.” The pleading look on his face nearly breaks me.

“What are we doing here?”

“What do you mean?”

“I meanthis,” I say, motioning back and forth between us. “Us.” I pause and take a deep breath so I can continue without shattering. “What happens when you leave? This can’t go on forever.”

He steps towards me, leaving almost no space between us, resolve etched on his handsome face as he peers down at me. He looks fierce, almost intimidating. “Yes, it can.” He snakes one hand into my hair, cupping the back of my head. “And it will.” His mouth crashes against mine and he slips an arm behind my back, pulling me closer. I gasp when he tugs on my bottom lip with his teeth. He picks me up and places me on the bed, crawling over my body. I feel his hot breath against my skin as he kisses his way up my neck.

“You aremine.” His icy blue eyes darken, and I believe him. “I’m not giving you up so easily.” He cups my cheek and presses his lips to mine, telling me everything I need to know with a kiss. “We’re going to make this work. We’ll do whatever we have to do.” His lips find a new place to kiss between every sentence. My cheek. My forehead. My nose. “What we have is too good to give up on.”

I shiver. Knowing he’s willing to try, willing to put in the effort of a long-distance relationship, fills me with hope. And a little fear. This won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

We make love for the first of many times tonight.

LUCKILY, THE FOODis still warm when we emerge from the bedroom. Luke and Tiff are already seated at the table with their plates in front of them. I hadn’t noticed the candlelight, bottle of wine, or the soft music playing in the background when I stormed in earlier. Heat floods my face, my cheeks flushing in embarrassment over my earlier behavior. I was on the brink of a full-blown panic attack. The thought of losing Jacob had me in knots, a firecracker ready to explode.

I slide into the vacant seat next to Tiff and give her a weak smile. She grasps my arm and pulls me close to her. In a low voice she asks, “Is everything okay?”

“It is now,” I assure her. She studies me for a moment, and when she decides my answer is genuine, she releases me and returns to her meal.

Jacob pours me a glass of wine, our eyes meeting over the flicker of tiny flames. There’s a new intensity in his gaze, a look of resolve that wasn’t there before. He’s determined. This means as much to him as it does to me, and he’s willing to try. I bring my glass to my lips and drink, never taking my eyes off his, silently promising him the same.

I relax more and more as dinner goes on. Jacob and Luke entertain us with stories about their teenage years and all the trouble they got into. I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time. Their tales of rebellion and bad boy ways are oddly endearing.

“How about a dip in the hot tub?” Jacob whispers in my ear as I place my dirty dishes in the sink. He grabs my hip and presses his lips to my temple.

“Okay.” I smile to myself, savoring the feel of his warmth against my side. I slip into the bikini that I never did take home and meet him outside. The night air remains warm from the heat of the day, but the water still feels sublime. After a long day, my back and feet appreciate the relaxing effect the bubbling hot water has on them.

Jacob pulls me into his lap and rubs lazy circles over my arms, then he cups his hands in the water and pours it over my shoulders. I shiver when the cooling air hits my wet skin. Strong arms wrap around my middle, crushing me to a rock-hard chest. I sigh with contentment. Nothing feels better than being wrapped in his embrace.

His lips graze my jaw, feathering soft kisses from my chin to my ear. I arch into him when his palm presses into my lower back and breathe him in as he nuzzles my neck, feeling his desire growing against me. My body responds to his arousal, moisture pooling between my legs. I want him again.

Jacob practically growls when I swivel my hips, rubbing myself against his erection. Strong hands and deft fingers slide up my back and tangle in my hair. He sucks my bottom lip into his mouth before plunging his tongue inside and I taste the sweet, crisp flavor of wine on his lips.

Before I can register what’s happening, I’m being lifted into the air, water dripping off my body and splashing into the pool below. Jacob sets me on my feet just outside the hot tub. He steps out and wraps a towel around my shoulders before pulling me into him.

“You’re driving me crazy,” he groans.

I could say the same about him. He drives me wild with desire. I’ve never wanted somebody so badly in all my life. No matter how much I have, I can’t seem to get enough of him. My body and mind are overwhelmed with the most glorious sensations when he’s near me.

He scoops me up and carries me into the house, his eyes never leaving mine until he sets me on my feet in front of the shower. Just like the first night we made love, he slowly rids me of my bathing suit, pulling the strings of my bottoms with agonizingly slow movements. The wet material slaps against the tile as he moves to liberate the strings behind my neck.

My breath catches when his lips skim my jawbone and his teeth nip at my ear lobe. Two triangles fall from my chest and my nipples tighten as cool air hits my damp skin. Jacob studies me for a moment before speaking.

“Turn around.” His low growl makes my stomach clench in the most delicious way possible. Anticipation settles low in my groin, causing a flood of heat and need. I obey and turn my back to him, feeling the remaining strings loosen from my back, and my top falls to the floor.

His eyes rake over me when I turn to face him again. Emboldened by his obvious appreciation for my body, I reach out and slip my fingers into the waistband of his shorts. I tug them loose and slide my palms against his hips, never breaking eye contact. His arousal springs free as I push his shorts the rest of the way down his legs.

He turns on the water and we step into the spray, steam surrounding us and fogging the glass. All I can think about is making love to him, touching him, kissing him, licking and sucking, but Jacob has other things in mind. He squirts body wash into his hands and works it into a rich lather, his fingers working like magic over my tense muscles. He cups my breasts from behind, kneading them and stroking his thumbs over the sensitive buds. My head falls back against his chest and I moan. His hand slides up my neck and cups my face, turning me so I’m looking up at him.

“You are so beautiful.” His thumb glides across my lower lip and I suck it into my mouth. A silent gasp parts his lips. His eyes flash with carnal need and he groans. I pull back slowly, letting his thumb pop free. “Shower’s over,” he growls.

Without another word, he hoists me into the air and carries me to the bed. We don’t even bother drying off. We’re both needy and impatient, and there’s only one way for us to get our fix. His lips are on mine, urging me to open up to him. He settles himself between my legs and I rock my hips forward, needing him inside me, but he holds himself back. He teases me, rubbing his length against me but never entering.

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