Page 79 of Ensnared

Jaykobtosses down an oily rag and leans against the washing machine, turning slightly so he can look down at me.Thebemused look is still on his face.

Please, please, please,Isilently beg up at him through my lashes, for the first time wishingIknew exactly how “womanly wiles” were meant to work.

Aftera long moment, he finally looks back atDomand drawls, “Nah.She’sgood here.”

Mybones go weak, andImelt into his side.Heshifts soI’mpressed more closely against him.Peeking,IseeDomstanding tall and dark and frightening just a few feet away.Uneasily,Iwonder ifJaykwould even beableto take him.He’shuge and deadly-seeming in his own right, but there’s something aboutDomthat commands absolute fear and respect.Lethalviolence lives in the hard slash of his jaw and the blunt strength of his wide, rough hands.Handsthat could break every bone in my body to use as toothpicks.

Jaykob’svoice hardens. “Youcan get out of my shop now.”

Domcrosses his arms as he studiesJayk.

“Seriously?” he asks dryly.

Hedoesn’t sound angry.BolsteredbyJaykob’swarm strength,IstudyDom.Hisstance seems relaxed.

Jayklifts one shoulder in a shrug. “Gobeat onLucky.Heput her up to it.”

“Shestole a bazooka,”Domretorts.

Yep, definitely dry.

Jaykrolls his eyes. “Yeah, she steal it so she can play with it?Thecircus rat has a thing for explosives.It’swhy you hid it in the first place.”

Domsighs, then turns his golden gaze on me.Ratherthan molten, blazing fury which, let’s face it, is the main expressionI’mused to seeing from him, allIsee is firm exasperation.

“Stayout of my room.Youtry and take anything else that doesn’t belong to you, andI’llhold you down and haveBeaubeat your ass so you can’t sit for a week.Runningoff toJaykwon’t save you then either.Understood?”

Iflush and duck my head. “Yes, understood.Sorry, sir.”

Domnods once, and givesJaykoba final, puzzled glance before he shakes his head and leaves.

Iheave a sigh of relief.

“Ohhh, thank you, thank you, thank you,”Imurmur reverently, not sure ifI’mpraying toGodor thankingJayk.

Whenhe doesn’t say anything,Ilook up.He’sstaring down at me, almost as puzzled asDom.I’mstill nestled into his side butIcan’t bring myself to move, enjoying the comfort of his closeness.Ibecome very aware of the delicious, very male scent of him.Icolor, shifting.

“What?”Iask.

Itouch my hair, annoyed with the strands that became tangled in my flight, and my glasses slip down.Jayknudges them back up my nose, careful not to touch my skin with his oil-greased fingers.Mylips part in surprise at the gentle touch.

“Whythe hell did you run in here?” he asks, sounding uncomfortable.

Mygaze drops from his eyes.Itlands on his lips, andIvividly remember how they felt branding my skin.Shiveringslightly,Ipress closer again.There’snowhere to go, of course.We’reas close as we can get with our clothes still on.Theadrenaline is settling but my body still feels wired, electric.

“I’mnot sure,I—”

Jaykshifts again, this time moving soI’mno longer pressed against his side.Henudges me with small, insistent pushes, untilI’mpressed back up against the wall and his front is flush against me.Hishard length is hot and insistent against my stomach.

“Ijust thought that... you might help me?”

Ididn’t mean for that to come out as a question.

“Becausewe fucked?” he presses.

Howcan he look so good covered in grease?

Withoutstopping to think about it,Ilet my hands run up his chest.Ridgesof muscle play against my palms.Hesaid he wenteasyon me last time.Whatwould hard be like?

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