Page 56 of Crimson Love

“And miss out on my weekly dinner with my Lennon and her new beau? I wouldn’t miss it. See you tonight, dear.”

She hangs up before I have the chance to say goodbye. “I tried to cancel. I really did, but Felicity insisted we come for dinner tonight. I hope that’s okay. They really are sweet.”

The elevator dings and we get off at Jett’s floor. “As long as I’m with you, I’m good with whatever you want to do.”

He lets us into his room and dumps all the contents of his pockets on the dresser. I go to the edge of the bed and sit. “Jett?”

He turns and looks down at me. “Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

He closes the small distance between us and claims my chin between his thumb and index finger. “You already thanked me. I told you I’m happy to do this. Hell, I’m ecstatic to step in to protect you. It’s not all selfless. In fact, it’s completely selfish. Nothing has given me this much purpose in a long time.” He drags a thumb over my bottom lip. “But even more, I’m doing this because I don’t want anything in the way so I can explore this with you.”

I pull in a quick breath, but he keeps torturing me with his words that are hard to digest.

Jett frowns. “I was under the impression that you wanted to explore this. If I’m wrong, say the word.”

“I do. But I haven’t had anyone interested in me like this in a long time. The last six years I’ve been leered at, objectified, threatened, and diminished as a woman and human. I might not have physical scars but there are plenty of others. It’s hard for me to believe anyone would want me because of me, and not the idea of me.”

He takes my hand and pulls me to my feet and straight into his arms. “I’m only interested in you because of you. It’s time you get used to that. It’s not going to change.”

“This is new for me,” I whisper. “I’ve spent the last six years surviving. I don’t know what I’m doing. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want it. I do.”

He dips his fingers into my hair and studies my features. “The things I want to ask you ... the list is endless.”

“It hasn’t stopped you before.”

His other hand drops to the small of my back and presses in, holding us as one. His cock is firm against my tummy. My nipples harden against his chest. It reminds me of waking up next to him this morning. For a moment, I felt normal, like what most women my age do all the time, I’m sure.

But not me.

I’ve never.

And I liked it.

I liked how normal it felt, but I really liked it because it was him.

When he pulls in a breath and his wide chest expands, I feel it everywhere. Especially between my legs. He leans down and puts his lips to mine again. When he slips his tongue between my lips, it feels familiar.

I’ve never had familiar.

He feels as good as he tastes.

Just as the kiss is building, he pulls away from me. I blink my eyes open. “What’s wrong?”

His chest rises and falls as he stares intently down at me. “Those questions I have for you ... I need to know things. But you’ve had a horrible few days. I don’t want to add to your stress.”

“What do you want to know?”

He lets go of me long enough to sit on the edge of the bed and pulls me between his legs. My hands land on his shoulders. “Not today. We’ll get to that soon.”

It’s my turn to press him. “I may have lost six years of my life, but I’m not timid. If there’s something you want to know, ask.”

His hands rub up and down my sides rhythmically. A teasing smirk takes over his handsome face. “Don’t tempt me, baby. My questions are intrusive and private. But that’s because I want everything with you.”

I hike a brow. “You don’t have to be careful with me. I may be inexperienced, but I’m not breakable.”

He loses the smirk in a snap. “I’m well aware you aren’t breakable. I didn’t know about the inexperienced part. If we’re getting down to brass tacks, I need to know if anyone attacked you during your time in hell.”