Page 41 of Teach Me
Jess wasn’t quite so willing.
Stretching up, she brought her mouth to the sensitive notch of his neck and shoulder and bit down, holding him close as her pelvis rolled into his again. The sound that escaped her turned into a whine of pure sexual need, jacking him even higher. He squeezed his eyes shut. No, he couldn’t do this. They had to stop.
His body wasn’t listening. Lightning quick, he had her rolled beneath him and his mouth on hers, taking her breath and giving her his in a hot tango of lips, tongues, and teeth. Jess gave as good as she got, devouring him immediately and completely. Lust shot an electrical charge up his spine, urging him on, tempting him to let go and take what she was offering all the way to its natural conclusion. That decision was made for him when she reached around to unhook her bra.
The feel of her full, round breasts pressed directly against his skin fed the red haze taking over his mind. He transferred his hand to the curve of her butt cheek, digging his fingers deep, bringing his other palm up to cup her nape. Her moan tasted of surrender.
One strong, slender leg dragged restlessly up his hip. The minute the warm wetness soaking her panties registered along the back of his cock, he felt the tightening in his balls that signaled climax and jerked himself out of her arms. Next thing he knew, he stood across the room with his back to Jess, breath loud, ragged in the sudden silence.
The slide of cotton sheets dragged his gaze back to the bed. Jess fumbled with her bra, straightening the straps before sliding them up her arms. Her hands shook; he could see that, even in the dark. Something deep in his chest squeezed tight.
“Jess…”
Scooting to the edge, she went to get up, then sank slowly back down amid the tangled covers. A lost look filled her eyes. “I just realized—I can’t leave. I don’t have anywhere to go.”
“God, Jess, I just—”
She held up a pale hand. “I don’t want to hear it.Again.It seems like every time we start to get close—” The rest of the sentence dropped with her hand. She grabbed a blanket from the end of the bed. “I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“No.” He stepped in front of her as she rounded the bed. Reaching out to clasp her arms, he tried to explain. “Tonight, the apartment—I just don’t want you to make a decision you’ll regret in the morning.”
Yanking herself away, Jess glared up at him, her anger sudden and hot and palpable between them. “AndI’mtired of everyone trying to make those decisions for me. Jesus! If I want to make a mistake, then by God, I’ll be the one to make it. I know what I want, damn it!” She began to pace, steps sharp, angry. “It’s the shower all over again. What, are you only good at teasing a girl, is that it? Because really, I’m beginning to feel like reverse cock blocking is all you’re good for.”
“What? No!” He took a single step toward her but stopped when she shied away. Rough breaths escaped her heaving chest. When a tear feel from the corner of her eye, he knew he had to explain or die trying. “Look, I— Sunday, I…I panicked.”
She shot him an incredulous look. “Right. The whole picket-fence-and-love thing. Well here’s a clue, Con: I’m not thinking about a picket fence. Or commitment. I’m thinking I just want to forget for a little while, feel good, share…somethingwith someone that is my choice. I don’t think it’s all that scary, especially for a big tough guy like you.”
Well when she put it like that… He dropped his head. In the silence he watched his hands fist and relax, fist and relax, again and again until the rhythm calmed his panic and settled his breathing. And as he breathed, he realized she was right. It wasn’t so scary—unless it was between him and Jess, and then it terrified the shit out of him because she wasn’t just any woman. She was the one who could change everything. He hadn’t believed he wanted that, hadn’t let himself acknowledge exactly what he was feeling for her—but pushing her away was killing him. He wouldn’t do it anymore. She deserved better. And Jack was right; it was time to stop living in the past.
Jess had chosen to move forward instead of always looking back. Maybe he needed to take lessons from her instead of the other way around.
He glanced up. Jess had crossed her arms, one hip cocked out, her plump breasts raised as if in offering to him. The sight brought a hot flush to his cheeks.
“You’re right. This is your decision, not mine.” A sigh escaped. “And I…I want you, more than I’ve ever wanted anyone in my life. So, if you’re sure this is what you want, that it isn’t just today or the past or anything but pure need, then”—he held his arms out to his sides—“you win.” He took a step toward her.
“God, really?” she scoffed. “Don’t do me any favors.”
He could read the hurt in her eyes, but the heavy ache between his legs added irritation to his concern. He indicated his erection, still proudly displayed behind his white boxer briefs. “Does it look like I’m not ready and willing? ’Cause I assure you, baby, I’m both—and more.”
Jess’s gaze zeroed in on his rock-hard, painful shaft. She licked her lips, and just like that, the anger in the room fell away. All that remained was the hunger running through them both. Damn if the woman didn’t have a shitload of power over him—now, tomorrow, hell, maybe forever.
He needed to get a little of that power back. “Strip, baby.”
At the command, she jerked, muscles quivering, fingers tightening into fists.
“Jess, it’s your choice. Either give me the control, or take over. Either way, I’m yours.”And you are mine.He didn’t use those words, the same ones Holbrooke had used. He didn’t mean them the same way her ex had, but he wouldn’t add to the volatile mix of emotions in the room by saying the wrong thing. Again.
She didn’t need the words—what he’d said was enough. The heat that flashed in her eyes told him so. God, it felt like she was burning him alive. Finger by finger, her hands relaxed until they lay completely open, and then, so slowly, Jess slipped the strap of her bra off one softly rounded shoulder, tugging it down until the pink-tipped globe popped out.
He swallowed hard. “Good girl,” he said in a hoarse voice. When she did the same on the opposite side, he shifted restlessly. Without conscious thought, one hand came up to grip the base of his cock and squeeze down hard.Just a little longer.
Jess ducked her head, but not before he glimpsed a small smile tilting her lips.That’s right, baby. Make me lose control.
The bra hit the floor with a softthud, and Jess turned her attention to the silky white panties covering her most private place. She shimmied them down, swaying her hips far more than necessary, he was sure. The expression on her face when she raised her head said she knew what she was doing to him and she was enjoying it.
So was he.
“Now me,” he commanded.
