The Lover’s Secret (No Exceptions #1)(15)
Author: J.C. Reed

“Look, I understand that you’re worried,” I said, “but—”

“No buts.” He shook his head, his eyes never leaving mine as he interrupted me. “I don’t think you understand, Brooke. I’d kill for you and our kid. Being without you for so long, living with that fear of not seeing you again, taught me that nothing’s more important.”

“Don’t say that.”

“But it’s true.”

I bit my lip hard and turned away to escape the stubborn air wafting from him. Still, even without looking at him, I could feel his determination. My head began to throb. I didn’t want to think about anything. I didn’t want to remember. If only I could press a button that would erase parts of my memory, I would. It wasn’t just the pictures flooding my mind that scared me; it was also the feelings of despair and hopelessness stemming from the knowledge that there was no escape in sight, burning bright inside my heart. In my dreams, the ropes that held me bound still cut into my skin. I had tried, but stopping the pain from haunting me seemed impossible.

“Let’s talk about this another time,” I whispered, shivering in my dress. “Please.”

I wrapped a blanket around myself, got up, and walked to the bay windows.

Jett followed me and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against him in silence. There was something calming about the snowflakes falling from the sky—an assurance that life would go on, no matter what happened; an assurance that I wasn’t so different from others. Somewhere, somehow, someone had suffered just like me, and they had survived. A survivor is living proof that with each day, each year, memories weaken and gradually become a distant fragment of the past. I needed that hope.

“For what it’s worth, I’ll never let you go,” he whispered in my ear, “even if you can’t give me the promise I want.”

I smiled bitterly. The heart is a castle of glass. Sometimes we’re tempted to invite someone in, not to see them stumbling upon our deepest secrets, but to see if they care enough not to break it. Maybe one day I’d give him the key, but not before I saw if he cared enough about me.

Chapter 10

Looking at Jett reminded me how much I adored every part of his body and mind. We were so much alike in character and spirit, and yet we weren’t. The tiny crinkles around his eyes showed how much he loved to laugh. The soft line on his forehead hinted at his tendency to worry even when he tried not to show it. Just like me, he tried to hide his emotions, but there were signs that gave him away.

Unlike me, however, he didn’t deny the obvious when confronted with his demons. Unlike me, he didn’t run when things turned out to be more complicated than anticipated. Everything he did and said served a purpose, which was why I had to find out if he had logged into my account and deleted that email or, worse yet, contacted the legal firm. I figured it was time to get my answers; if I didn’t, the questions would haunt me forever.

I eyed the door, then the dress I was wearing. I still looked like a stripper, but this was my chance, probably the only one I would have today. I had to hurry. There was no time to change.

“Is it bad that I want you again?” I asked and turned to take in Jett’s expression.

He let out a deep, throaty laugh. “I thought you’d never ask.”

His lips found mine, and as he kissed me deeply, the walls around me slowly began to crumble. I was his. Promise or not, he had claimed me. Now I just had to find out if he was my gloomy doom or my bright joy, because I had no intention of accepting anything gray in between.

I pushed him back. “You had your fun. It’s my turn now.” I escaped his grip and began to walk to our bedroom, beckoning to him to follow me.

And Jett did, helpless to my swaying hips, his eyes sparkling with naughty thoughts. Soon, the door closed behind him, and we were alone. I switched on the bedside lamps. His clothes were draped on the back of a chair, along with his belt.

If my plan was to work, I had to be convincing and conniving. I grabbed the belt, then turned around, new confidence spilling over inside me.

“Lie down.” My voice was self-assured and commanding, leaving no room for disagreement. When he didn’t comply, I pushed him down onto the bed.

He looked up, surprised, and his lips curled into a wicked smile as he eyed the belt in my hand. “Are you planning on playing badass?”

“You have no idea.” My smile matched his as I pulled his hands over his head and bound them to the bedpost. Loose enough for him to wriggle around. Tight enough so he couldn’t leave.

If Jett thought it was too tight, he didn’t let me know.

Thank God, the penthouse beds had bedposts; otherwise, I would have been forced to bind him to the chair and make love on the hard floor. The idea of what I was about to do brought a giggle to my lips, but Jett didn’t notice. His gaze was completely held hostage by my short dress—or more precisely, what was under it. I rewarded him for his compliance by gliding my body along his, letting my br**sts rub against his hardness, just the way he loved it. I had to do whatever it took to arouse him and make him surrender to my will.

My fingers grabbed his slacks and pulled them down his hips. A moan escaped his lips as his erection jerked out, its size both fascinating and terrifying, its slick crown velvety and ready to unlock the most primitive of feelings inside me. He looked so impressive and beautiful, I could barely breathe as my fingers ran down his swollen shaft, marveling at his hardness.

Leaning against his hard body, I took a deep breath and smiled as his manly scent registered within my mind; nothing in my life had ever smelled so good. I inhaled the scent of his earthy aftershave and him—rich, smooth, edible, so mouthwateringly sexy that I wanted to take a bite of him.

Soon…but not now.

Pleasure had to wait, because my little act had little to do with sex. I needed more from him now than an orgasm.

“You’re so hot that we need ice,” I whispered against his ear. “In fact, let me get some from downstairs. I’ll be back in a minute.

“We have an ice machine.” He sounded so desperate and eager that I had to stifle another giggle.

“Are you telling me what to do?” I arched a brow in mock annoyance. “Mr. Mayfield, let me remind you that you’re bound and entirely at my mercy.”

“Now that sounds scary,” Jett said, still grinning.

“It is. If I were you, I’d take it seriously.” I stood and threw a sensual glance back at him. “If you behave, you’ll be rewarded with something sexy. Now play nice, and shut up until I get back.”