Bad For You - Sherilee Gray Page 0,34

a tough time, never really recovered. Sometimes it gets really bad and she comes here. She stops communicating, doesn’t eat, barely sleeps. I come and play some of her favorite songs; it’s the only thing that seems to work.”

There was nothing I could say to make it better for him. I didn’t want to spout clichéd crap, so I said what I was thinking. “You’re lovely, you know that?”

“Lila,” he said roughly.

“You also have an incredible voice. I was only five when ‘She Will Be Loved’ came out, but I loved it because Kate played it over and over. She’d been head over heels in love with Adam Levine, and I copied everything she did. You were better, and a whole lot sexier. I’m halfway to fan-girling all over right now.” I was only half teasing. I wanted that sad look out of his eyes. I also wanted to kiss the hell out of him.

He blushed a little, something I’d never seen Jesse do, then leaned in and kissed the top of my head. “Come on.”

His big hand gripped the back of my neck as we walked down the hall, the hold possessive, like I was his and he wanted everyone to know it.

I glanced over at him. “What about your dad…does he…”

“They’re not together anymore. The old man got sick of dealing with her and left us…it’s the only good thing that fucker ever did.”

I wanted to question him more, but his expression was closed off.

We reached the desk and he handed the guitar to the woman behind it, the one who’d given me the water to deliver.

“How did it go? Did you get her to eat?”

“Yeah, some dessert as well.”

She gave him a warm smile, and he told her he’d be back soon, then led me out.

He helped me with my helmet.

“You’re a good son,” I said when his eyes met mine.

“Nah, Bambi, just doing what anyone else would do.” He looked uncomfortable.

“I’m not so sure about that. She’s lucky to have you.”

We climbed on the bike and headed for home. I hugged him extra tight all the way.

We finally pulled up in my small driveway and I climbed off. “You want to come in?” I asked when he walked me to my door.

“Love to. But I think I better head home.” His big body was rigid and his jaw was tight. I hated that I didn’t know what to do, that he needed something that I obviously couldn’t give him.

“Okay,” I said, not sure I hid my disappointment very well.

He curled a strong arm around me, holding me so tight it almost hurt as he kissed me good night. I held him back just as tight.

Finally, he let me go and walked back to his bike.

“Your jacket,” I called quickly, undoing the one he’d put back on me for the ride home.

“Keep it for next time,” he called back.

Then he was on his bike and heading off down the street.

I’d always known there was more to Jesse. I’d looked into his eyes and there’d been secrets, pain, so many things, and I’d wanted to know it all.

Today I’d gotten a glimpse behind the good looks and easy humor. I liked what I saw, a lot.

After he left I wandered around the house, feeling a little lost, and later when I went to bed I was too restless to sleep. I made tea, tried to watch some TV, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Jesse and that look in his eyes.

He’d needed me.

He’d needed more from me than I’d given him, and he didn’t think he could ask for it. I wanted to help him feel better. Take care of him. Take that pain away that I’d seen in his eyes. I was his girlfriend. It was my job.

I was off the couch, my car keys in my hand a few moments later.

Suddenly, taking things slow didn’t seem so important anymore.

Jesse

I walked out of the bathroom naked and hard after a shower. I ignored it and shoved on a pair of sweatpants.

I’d wanted Lila so bad today, to the point I’d had to get the hell away from her before I begged her to let me eat her pussy. I should have jerked off in the shower, but that wasn’t what I wanted.

It wasn’t just about a release, not anymore, it was about her. Being with her. I’d never felt like that before. Sex had always just been sex, and I knew being with Lila would be so