did I have to learn all of this stuff? The simple basics of addition and subtraction would probably be enough to get me through life, no matter what my math teachers said.
Even though it was the last thing I wanted to do, I got back to work.
That was my plan, to power through my homework, but soon enough my door opened again. I thought it was my mom, coming back to tell me she was leaving, but when I heard the heavy footsteps, I realized I was wrong.
Strong hands snaked over my shoulders, leaning around me as the chest they were attached to grazed the back of my head. “Math,” Jacob’s rough voice hissed. “I fucking hate math.”
I assumed since he was here and standing so close to me, Mom was already gone. My eyelids fluttered shut, and I let myself get lost in the heat radiating from his chest and into me. I could smell his aftershave, and I wondered if he’d taken some time this morning to shave that normally scruffy face.
Detective Wilde had spoken to Jacob, and from what I understood, they knew each other from his time on the force three years ago. Whatever Jacob said, it sounded like Detective Wilde was all but forced to look for another culprit to the crime and not try to pin it on me, like last time.
“I hate it, too,” I muttered, opening my eyes as I turned in my seat, a slow grin forming on my face as I saw that he did shave. Mmm. A shaved Jacob was always something special, and right now I had him all to myself—and I would for at least an hour. Maybe more.
I’ve never had Jacob in my room. It was…kind of hot, imagining him pinning me down on my bed and making wild love to him on the sheets my mom would eventually unknowingly wash. Call me kinky.
My hand went for his face; I couldn’t help it. A shaved Jacob was such a rare occasion, and I couldn’t help but wonder why he’d done it. Did he know he’d have me alone and prepare that face for duty? I could definitely think of a few things I could do with that freshly-shaven face…
“You’re cute when you shave,” I whispered, my eyes falling to his lips. “You should do it more often.”
His chest rumbled, and I knew what he was about to say. He wasn’t the kind of guy who took much pride in his appearance; the ragged, scruffy look he normally wore was a look he wore well, though. “I’ll keep that in mind” was what he said, and I knew that was basically him telling me to fuck off, but maybe he’d consider it if I begged him.
Mr. Grumps did have a soft spot for me, you know. If I batted my eyelashes and acted sweet, he’d fall to his knees and do whatever it was I wanted. When he’d told me I had him wrapped around my finger, it was true. I didn’t realize it until recently.
I’d use my power for good. Mostly.
His arms were still around me, still leaning on my desk and cornering me in my seat, so I couldn’t get up. I didn’t really want to, not yet. His face was so close to me it was almost blurry, his hazel eyes focused on me. If a dozen sexy, naked women ran through this room, I didn’t doubt those eyes would remain on me.
Jacob, Vaughn, Dante…I’d never question their loyalty. I felt bonded to them, as they were to me. Now, Archer, on the other hand, we’d get there in time.
“What are we going to do in this big house, all alone?” I asked, my heartbeat already starting to speed up in my chest. Ba-boom, ba-boom, ba-boom. It’s ridiculous how much Jacob could affect me, simply by being near. The man didn’t even have to touch me, though when he did touch me, it was even better. Thigh-clenching to the extreme.
“Fuck the rest of the house, we don’t need it,” Jacob murmured. His gaze traveled downward, to my lips, dipping lower to my chest. I wore my pajamas, but the fabric was thin.
Oh, and I wasn’t currently wearing a bra.
Jacob pulled himself away, taking a few steps back as he ran a hand along his jaw. He shook his head, never once breaking eye contact with me. “You are bad, Jaz. Very, very bad. We can’t—I shouldn’t have come in here like that.” Jacob spun