Page 20 of After Us (Next Generation 6)

Jaron looked me square in the eye. “I would have done the same thing. If I knew that you weren’t going to wait for me, there would have been no point in getting released.”

I shook my head. “Never. I’m here. I’ve always been here.”

He kissed my nose. “I know.”

“Who is she?” I heard myself ask.

He stiffened. “No one important.”

“Jaron.” I latched on to him when he went to pull out from beneath me. “Listen, I’m not going to freak out. I just want to know who she is.”

Jaron met my gaze. “An ex.”

My heart dropped to the floor beneath me. “Oh…was she before…”

“She was long before Paris if that’s what you’re asking me.” Jaron wrapped his arms around me and stood, keeping me in his embrace. “She works at Rouge.”

My eyes widened. “The club Gigi teaches at?”

Jaron nodded. “Candace is the owner, along with her husband.”

Gigi talked about the club often, but I never heard her mention Candace’s name. But I also hadn’t been around much since she started teaching there. Our friend was a dance instructor after blowing her knee out several years ago. Clearly, I needed to get out more.

“We would stop by there whenever we were in her part of the city. Before you, I was bored. I had an itch that needed scratching and I used her.” Jaron wrapped his arms tighter around me.

“Did she scratch the itch?”

He grunted, carrying me out to the living room. “Not even close, baby.” He sat us on the couch, keeping me in his arms.

I pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and wrapped it around us. “Did you love her?”

“No. She was convenient. She was also married. Still is. Her and her husband have a fucked up relationship. He found out about me and didn’t do anything.”

“Really?” How could her husband be fine with that? “I know that if it were you, you definitely wouldn’t be fine if I…”

“If you what?” Jaron asked, his body stiffening.

“Fucked someone else.”

“Get that thought out of your head, Piper, because you are mine. And mine only. Understand me?”

I shivered at the deep vibrato rumbling from his chest. “I understand.” I thought a moment. “Was she in love with you?”

“She said she was. But I think she was just looking for some form of happiness that her husband couldn’t give her at the time. They’re now in counseling and seem to be doing better.” Jaron ran his hand beneath my shirt, brushing his fingers over my lower back. “I don’t want her, Piper. Whatever you’re thinking, you have nothing to fear. I’m yours. I’m Brynn’s. Both of you are my girls.”

I nodded, laying down and snuggling my face into the crook of his neck.

His breathing evened out, his stiff body finally relaxing beneath me for the first time since he was released earlier that afternoon.

“I love you, Jaron,” I whispered, kissing his cheek.

***

Warm lips brushed down the length of my neck. A heavy cock rested between my thighs. Hinting. Begging. Swelling for more.

I bit my bottom lip to keep from moaning out his name. But it didn’t stop me from thinking it.

Jaron. Jaron. Jaron.

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