Providence

“It’s just the truth,” I said in earnest. I was beyond pleased that he compared his always elegant articulation with my stunted, debilitated speech.

Jared kissed me again, this time scooping me into his arms and lowering me onto my bed. His lips traveled over to my ear, and then slowly made their way down my neck.

I slipped my hands under his shirt and ran my fingers up his back, marveling at the incredible muscles of his torso and his baby-soft skin. Jared pul ed his shirt over his head with one hand and tossed it onto the floor. As he did so, his muscles stretched and flexed under his skin, and the butterflies in my stomach erupted into a frenzy.

“Is it hot in here?” I teased.

“Getting pretty toasty,” he smiled, leaning down to kiss me again.

I pul ed away from his mouth, sucking in a deep breath of air. His kisses were not the cautious kind. The electricity from his lips pulsated al the way to my toes. His mouth moved the way it did in his kitchen the night Claire made an unexpected a visit.

“It’s definitely hot in here,” I breathed. With that, I reached down and pul ed my sweater over my head. Jared pressed his torso against me and I moaned as the feverish temperature of his skin burned against mine. I took another deep breath between Jared’s amazing kisses and pressed my fingers into his chest, pushing him away. Jared leaned back, surprised.

“Is something wrong?” he asked, his breath quick and shal ow.

My breathing matched his. “You’ve told me the truth. We love each other, and I’m pretty sure it’s been established that we’re spending the rest of our lives together.”

“Yeah?” he breathed, clearly impatient.

“Please don’t stop,” I begged, staring at his lips.

Jared’s eyes radiated a sky blue as he pressed his mouth against mine. His fingers traced my col ar bone, catching the strap of my bra and slowly sliding it off my shoulder. Every inch of me felt tingly, and the nerves under my skin screamed in anticipation. I pul ed him against me as his lips touched the cusp of my bare shoulder. His mouth parted against my skin and his tongue tasted my flesh, giving rise to goose bumps when the air cooled the heat left behind. I wrapped my legs around him and my thighs automatical y tensed with an overwhelming sensation.

Jared pul ed in a ragged deep breath and firmly worked his mouth against mine. It had less caution than before, eager, a prelude to what we both knew was coming.

He leaned his cheek against mine to whisper in my ear. “Are you sure?”

I wrapped my arms around him, my body aching with a desire I had never felt before in my life. I was more than ready. “Don’t stop,” I whispered, the need for him becoming almost painful.

I felt his hand slowly and deliberately glide down my side, over my bare ribs, past my hips to settle on the button of my jeans. Effortlessly he pul ed it open and the butterflies that had been in my stomach escaped to more southern regions. He steadied himself with one hand on the mattress as he slid his fingers down my hip, in between my skin and the denim. I let a sigh escape my lips, waiting for him to remove any clothing impudent enough to come between us.

“Wel , we can just get it at the….” Beth said, pul ing her key out of the door as she walked through with Chad. “OH!” she squealed as Jared pul ed his shirt over me.

I cowered behind Jared’s body, covering my face with one hand. “Hey, Beth,” I said, stil trying to catch my breath and peeking at her through my fingers.

“Hey! What’s up? I mean…how are you guys? I’m…we’re….” Beth looked at Chad, mortified.

“We were just leaving,” Chad said, pul ing Beth’s arm with one hand and shutting the door with the other.

Jared playful y col apsed on top of me, and groaned with frustration.

I kept my hand over my eyes, too embarrassed and frustrated to speak.

Jared eased onto his side and pul ed my hand from my face. “You’re blushing.”

“I know.”

Jared kissed my hand. “I’m starting to think there is a reason for al the interruptions.”

I grimaced. “What is that supposed to mean?”

He chuckled. “Here,” he said, holding my sweater.

I pul ed the thin lime green fabric from his hand and sat up.

“The only thing the constant interruptions mean is that one of us needs to change the locks,” I grumbled, jerking my sweater over my head and buttoning my jeans. I smiled as an errant thought crossed my mind. “We have an entire week in Nicaragua.”

“With Cynthia,” Jared pointed out. “I’m there to work, you forget.”

I felt the crease between my eyebrows deepen. “You promised it was going to be a real vacation.”

Jared took my hand and held it between his, sitting higher on his elbow. “It wil be. For you and Cynthia.”

I rol ed my eyes and reached for my phone, sitting up to through the numbers. I sent Beth a text message, giving her the al clear and to let her know I would be at study group later.

Jared slipped his shirt over his head and then pul ed me onto his lap. My phone buzzed and I smiled at Beth’s apology-ridden reply. I tried to send her back my unconditional forgiveness, but my attention was drawn to the nibbling at my neck.

“I thought you said it was a good thing we were interrupted,” I smiled, tilting my head against his tickling breath.

Jared’s head jerked up to face me. “I never said that. I said I was beginning to think there was a reason for it.”

“And by that you mean…?” I prompted.

“I was thinking about what Eli said. Surpassing a certain point of intimacy could hinder my ability to protect you.”

“He also said they weren’t sure because we’re different.”

“I’m not sure we should chance it,” he frowned.

“What are you saying? That we can never…?”

He pressed his forehead to my cheek. “I’m saying that it might not be a good idea to test Eli’s theory while we’re in the middle of a war.”

“War,” I grumbled.

“Nina….”

I stood up and walked to the other side of the room, crossing my arms. “No, I get it. Abstinence it is, then. I don’t want you upset that I’m not taking things seriously, again.”

“Nina,” he said, patient, “I’m not happy about it, either. But I have to put your safety first.”

“You sound like a Planned Parenthood commercial,” I snapped.

Jared burst into laughter. “That’s not the safe I was referring to.”

“I know,” I said, narrowing my eyes at his infuriating amusement.

“I’ve never seen a woman so beautiful when angry…especial y when you’re angry about this. It’s very endearing.”

“I’m glad this is so entertaining for you,” I said with thick sarcasm.

Jared shook his head, trying not to smile. He held out his arms. “Come here.”

I stood there a moment, arms crossed, eying him suspiciously. The plan that he would change his mind from my protesting had backfired. He was maddeningly resolved.

I didn’t want to give in, but his arms looked so inviting I couldn’t help myself. Before I knew what I was doing, I curled up in his lap.

“You’re making me crazy, you know. I don’t know why you’re being so stubborn,” I grumbled.

Jared’s shoulders shrugged around me. “I’m being cautious. Beth and Chad walked in on us.”