Jarred by panic, I spun out of the parking lot onto the Old Road. Scanning for any car that might be a black sedan, I sped toward Jasmine’s bungalow. The coast seemed to be clear so I turned down the driveway and pulled my Jeep all the way around the house to try to hide it from view. Questions and doubt swirled in mind, while fear bubbled up in my chest. I didn’t want to scare Jasmine, but my protective mechanism kicked into high gear. I needed to see that she was okay with my own eyes, and feel her in my arms to know that I was okay.
The door to her bungalow was unlocked. Jasmine was on a stool facing two easels in the breakfast nook, concentrating on adding brush strokes to one of the paintings. No makeup, and her hair in a messy bun on top of her head, she’d never looked more beautiful. My loving thought was immediately followed by the darker: if anyone ever tried to hurt her, I’d kill them.
“Hey, you,” she smiled up.
“How was your day, gorgeous?” I leaned down to kiss her, stopping to wipe a fuchsia-colored dot off her cheek. “You need to keep the door locked. Please.”
“Shit, was it open? Sorry, you’re right.”
“Better safe than sorry,” I said, careful not to make too big a fuss about it, since I hadn’t told her about the Trading Post encounter, nor the car following me since. I admired the two paintings, taken by the detail. She had worked on them for days,and it had paid off. “These are next level, babe. They’re gonna love them.”
“I hope so.” She crinkled her face like she worried they might not. “These two are basically done. I’ll start the last two tomorrow.”
Taking the brush from her hand, I placed it gently on the easel tray. Her clear green eyes sparkled with her warm smile as I pulled her by the hand to her feet. “I know so,” I said, circling my arms around her waist and pulling her close.
“Thank you for being so supportive. I know it was you who put Corinne up to this deal.”
“I just gave her your painting.” I smiled into her green eyes, my happy place.
“And a nudge, I’m sure.” She raised a brow, but her smile was soft. “Thank you. It’s an incredible opportunity.”
“No need to thank me. But you’re welcome.” I couldn’t tell her that I would do anything for her. Or that she made me feel things I’d only seen in movies. But I could show her.
“I really missed you today,” I said, shifting my hips against hers.
“Aww. I missed you too. How was fishing?”
“Great. We caught our limit. Dad was sure to point out that you’re my greatest catch though.”
“Really?”
“Really. He told me not to screw it up,” I said with a grin. “Which got me to thinking… I’d better be sure to take good care of you.” I dipped my head to land a kiss. “Fulfill your every desire.”
“I like the sound of that.”
She giggled as I scooped her up in my arms and carried her to her bedroom. It was more of an alcove off the living room, with French doors that were almost always open. Her grip around my neck loosened so that I could lower her onto the fluffy white comforter.
Her soft laugh still clung to me as I eased her down onto the bed. I kissed her gently at first, slow and sweet, savoring the way she opened to me. Her fingers traced the back of my neck, urging me closer, and I let myself drown in the warmth of her lips. Sweet words spilled against her skin—how beautiful she was, how much I’d missed her— as I kissed my way down her body, tasting every inch.
That sweetness became hunger. I kissed her harder, desperate, sliding my hands over the curve of her hips, pulling her against me like I could fuse us together. My thoughts grew raw, frantic: if I lost her, if anyone tried to take her from me, I’d burn the whole world down. Every sound she gave me was proof she was mine.
“You take very good care of me, Kai,” she moaned.
Lifting my mouth just long enough to answer, I said, “Get used to it.”
Her scent stirred a hunger, her taste made me ravenous. She was sweet, yet savory, and the combination made my cock ache. My whole body craved her but my tongue was charged with the task of melting her, at least once, before I could have my way.
Her thighs clenched around my head, and I pushed her further, devouring every sound made. When her release shook through her, I licked her slowly, dragging it out until she sagged backonto the pillows. I kissed a trail up her stomach, savoring, and pressed inside her with a groan that tore from my chest. She was slick and hot, gripping me so tight it drove all coherent thought away.
“Fuck, Jasmine,” I rasped against her ear, thrusting deep. She arched beneath me, nails carving my shoulders, chanting my name like a prayer. Sweet words tangled with filthy ones as I told her she was mine, that no one would ever touch her but me. My hips slammed harder, desperation clawing through me. Every thrust was part need, part promise.
She kissed me back wild, biting my lip, whispering she wanted more, harder, now. And I gave it to her until the bed creaked and my body threatened to break apart. Her cries turned ragged, matching mine, until we both crashed over the edge together, tangled in sweat and heat and a need that felt endless.
Sweaty limbs entangled, I held her tight.
“I’m kind of glad you’re stuck with me," I said with a shaky laugh. “Will you stick around after the bad guys leave us alone?” I was only half joking.
“I mean, it kind of seems like they already have. Not that I’m complaining about having you around all the time, and alllll the orgasms. But, honestly, you can stay at home now if you want. I think we’re in the clear.”
