Page 44 of Roots of the Wicked

“Good morning.” She sat up, shaking the rest of her sleep away.

“I need to get going.” I sat up too, preparing to stand. I didn’t want to force too much of my “lame” behavior on her all at once.

My attempt to kiss her on the lips was derailed. She had turned her head away quick enough for my lips to connect with her cheek. I huffed in frustration. Why did she have to be so damn difficult?

“Not even a little kiss Jax?”

“I tolerated your lameness all night, but I refuse to start my day off with it too.” She fought back a smile, but I could tell she was still unsure about where our relationship was headed.

“You don’t have to keep your guard up with me all the time. I’m not trying to do anything to hurt you. I just…” I wanted so much more than sex from her, but I didn’t know what pushing her would do. I had never inserted myself into anyone’s life this way.

“Just what?” she asked.

“I just wanted a kiss.”

Her features softened and a wide grin broke out on her face before she gripped and tugged my arm, pulling me closer. “You better give me what I want, woman.” We laughed.

My lips eased into the soft supple bends of hers, and I was drawn into the flowing waves of euphoria our kiss produced. The warm energy she fed into me made my heart flutter and my body jittery. My eagerness to deepen the kiss persisted, and I dragged her into my lap.

We eventually broke the kiss, but I couldn’t bear to break our connection, placing my forehead against hers. When I opened my eyes, hers were there waiting on mine. Urgent and demanding, the connection possessed me, and I didn’t know what to do with my emotions.

“You’re still lame,” she tossed at me in a low tone.

I laughed. Her remark was the perfect distraction to stomp down the surge of emotions that had rocked me to my core. She stood off my lap and retook her seat. It pleased me to see her smiling.

Once I had my shoes on, I walked myself out, shaking my head and laughing at her. I called over my shoulder, “I’ll call you later, baby.”

“Way too lame, Chase,” were her last words before I closed the door behind me. If she thought she was getting rid of me, by any means, she could think again.

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