Page 59 of The Last Love Story
“Jade—”
“No. Why did you do that? It was fixable. Why didn’t you let them fix it?”
“Because you should have a working air conditioner.”
“And I would have!”
He throws an arm out. “For how long? A few weeks until it breaks again?”
“Then I’d have gotten it fixed again. You can’t just come in here, throwing your money around. You’re already doing too much for me as it is.”
Frustrated, I walk past him down the hall to my bedroom. I hate feeling like I owe him. Him doing this makes it feel even more contractual—even though I still don’t understand what he’s getting out of it.
“Who says it was only for you? I live here too,” he says from behind me.
Those words make my burning anger turn ice cold.
I hadn’t even considered that he did this for him. Am I that self-centered? Glancing at my bed, my heart aches.
Why would he want to be forced to share a bed with me? Despite all the jokes?—
“Jade.”
He spins me to face him, as I try to hide the hurt that’s overpowering me. Intensity grows in those blue eyes as he stares at me.
Then his eyes go over my shoulder to the bed, and his face falls a little. “That’s not what I meant. I only said I did it for me because I’ll benefit too. No one likes being overheated, and on the second floor, it would be that way for most ofthe day. But if it was just me, I’d figure it out. I wouldn’t care that much. You’re upset I did this, so I was trying to downplay it, but I can’t. I did this becauseyoudeserve to be comfortable in your home and to have less to worry about over the next few months while you’re recovering from surgery. I want to give you that peace of mind. I want to take care of you.” His voice drops to a hoarse whisper, and his fingers brush my temple as he sweeps some hair behind my ear. “Let me take care of you.”
My eyes are locked on his, my hurt and anger both gone. All that’s left is warmth. Desire. Desperation for him.
“Then take care of me,” I breathe.
He searches my face, lifting my chin.
“What do you mean?” he croaks.
“You told me to ask my husband if I need any help. Well, I need some help. And I want you to take care of all myneeds.”
He crashes into me, arms wrapping around me as his mouth slants over mine possessively.
I’ve written a lot of book boyfriends, but I’ve never had someone kiss me like they kiss their women. Sometimes I wondered if it was mostly fiction. But now, Justin is kissing me so… voraciously. Like it would physically hurt him to hold back.
I didn’t think I’d be the girl who would want to be owned, but now I know that feeling isn’t toxic. It’s not about control. It’s about giving in to each other, getting lost in each other, and knowing how deeply wanted I am. It’s vibrant, wild passion.
He walks me backward toward the bed, and when the backs of my legs hit the mattress, he stops and pulls away, breathing heavily as he looks down at me.
“You take my breath away, darlin’.”
I flush at his words. I’m not even naked yet.
Though I don’t like the ugly words that dance through my mind, I can’t completely tune them out.
What if he doesn’t like how I look naked?
“What are you worrying about?”
“It’s been a while since I’ve been naked with someone.”
His eyes light up. “Then I feel even luckier. Like all this”—he drags his finger across my collarbone—“has been saved only for me.”
