Page 47 of Withered

We’re at eye level now, even though I’m standing and he’s seated on the bed. I’m not sure what comes over me, but I cup his cheek and tilt his face so he can see me.

He exhales and says, “I like to be with you.”

I drop my hand, and chuckle, “You were afraid to say this.”

He settles for a slight nod, a little embarrassed, because I see a pinkish hue on his cheeks.Oh my gosh!Jake Henderson is blushing.

I giggle, causing the first aid box to drop. Jake picks it up and keeps it on his desk.

“So, will you?” He asks.

“Will I what?” I ask, my laughter dying slowly.

“Will you stay?”

I don’t know what to say. I want to stay and leave at the same time. Instead of answering him, I ask him a question instead, “Are you still angry at me from when I asked you to leave?”

Jake stands right in front of me and his familiar scent engulfs me, making it difficult for me to think.

“Let’s talk about it later, shall we?” He speaks and adds, “You didn’t answer my question.”

He gets closer to me but I don’t hear half of the things he says. Finding it hard to speak, I manage a nod as I’m focused on those forest-green orbs that I don't realize him inching closer to me until the tip of his nose brushes mine.

Jake’snoseisstilltouching mine, and I’m so concentrated on his eyes that the closer he gets, the heavier my breath becomes. He reaches over and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear without losing eye contact.

“Your hair is so soft,” he adds as he runs his hand through it.

I chuckle. “It probably looks like a bird’s nest now.” I tied my hair up in some kind of bun while I was on my way here.

“It looks fine, but…” He moves his hand further and starts pulling at the scrunchie. My hair cascades down, and he combs it with his fingers. “It looks better now. I like your hair down.”

He’s playing with my hair, and I’m completely surprised he even noticed.

He smiles, showing that cute dimple. I was looking at it when it went away as quickly as it came. I look up to see him staring at me, his gaze moving from my eyes to my lips.

He runs his hand down my spine; goosebumps appear on my skin, and I shiver at his touch, although my body feels hot. Is this what it feels like to be turned on?

I close my eyes so I can’t see him, so I can’t feel the way he was making me feel, but I'm failing. His touch is enough for me to go into firecracker mode.

The moment I open my eyes, he’s peering down at me with a dazed expression, his eyes smoldering.

He starts leaning in closer, but I take a step back and say, “Jake, we shouldn’t.”

“Please, just fucking kiss me. I can’t take it anymore when you are all like this.” He sounds pained, like he’d die if I don't kiss him right now. So I give in and give him what he wants. I can’t deny that I want it too.

I tiptoe a little and press my lips against his in a sweet kiss. No tongue, just a slight pressure of our lips on each other. He tightens his hold on my hair, and I’m gone.

I can feel his lips curving into a smile through the kiss. His hold on my hair tightens more, and I gasp at the pleasure-pain. He takes full advantage, raising his other arm and resting it on the back of my neck. My feet feel light and wobbly, so I place my hand on his chest to steady myself.

His tongue keeps dancing with mine in the most incredible kiss ever. I could never, ever get over Jake’s kisses. Every time we kiss, it’s like we are starting all over. It’s something I’ve never experienced before but want to keep exploring.

The kiss turns into a more passionate and rough one, yet skillful. He knows how much pressure to apply—enough to drive me crazy but leave me wanting more. He is devouring me and has full control over me.

He makes his way to my jaw, peppering kisses all along the way down to my collarbone. His teeth are grazing and biting me. I tilt my head to one side to allow him more access and run my hand through his hair. He keeps repeating his pleasurable assault by biting, sucking, and gliding his tongue over my chest while my heart thumps rapidly against it.

His hand, which was playing with my hair, is now around my waist, bringing me closer and making me lose my balance in the process. We both stumble and fall on his bed, with him on top of me.

My camisole rides up a little, exposing my stomach. I try to cover it up, but Jake grabs my hand, lacing it with his fingers and pinning it beside my head. He does the same to the other hand, all the while kissing me. The lack of oxygen makes me break the kiss this time.

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