Jake (California Dreamy) - By Rian Kelley Page 0,24

curled around her neck and he nudged her gently toward him until his forehead rested against hers. “It will be worth the wait.”

“Promises, promises,” she murmured. And he was so close—his breath fanning across her lips and his scent, an honest sweat mixed with spice filling her nose—that she simply closed the distance between them and planted a kiss on him she hoped would challenge his resolve. She stroked him with her tongue and felt him yield to her. Before he could become aggressor, she dipped in to taste him. She moved her tongue against his in a slow rub that called from him a rumbling growl. She rolled to her toes to make their connection solid, and pushed her hands into his hair. She wasn’t going to release him until she was ready. She wasn’t going to give him the opportunity to even think about putting space between them. She would do that this time—be the one to pull away. Leave him hurting for a change. Her mouth moved against his, her breasts pressed to his chest, her pelvis to his. So his reaction was unmistakable—a full, thick erection that grew between them. He rocked against her, separated her legs with a soft nudge of his knee, and lifted her slightly. And then suddenly he was there. Right where she wanted him. His shaft pressed to her sex. She lifted a leg to cradle him, felt him sink into her until her back was pressed against the truck and his body a vise clamped tightly to hers.

She forgot all about breaking away. Of leaving him the one frustrated.

He broke the contact with a curse and buried his face in her hair. He continued to hold her tightly to him.

“This is going to take a minute.” His breath fanned her neck followed by a soft kiss.

“Longer,” she demanded. Her apartment was just blocks from where they stood. They would have to leave the truck parked here—no way would they find a spot any closer—but even as she was planning their great escape she felt him withdraw. By inches at first, so that she felt the cool ocean air seep between them and chill her skin. Then he removed his hands, pushing them through his hair while he took a deep breath that expanded his powerful chest. She knew the language—Jake was getting himself under control. She was really beginning to hate that word and all it implied. “There’s not going to be a longer,” she said and her flat tone was like a blow from a hammer. It made her feel bruised. It probably did the same to him because he winced and then rubbed a hand over the back of his neck.

“There will be a longer,” he promised.

“Yeah,” she cut him off. “Stop right there, Ok? Because I really don’t want to hear anymore about how good waiting is going to be for us. Because it doesn’t feel good. Not right now.” She climbed into the truck and pulled the seat belt across her shoulder. “You know, Jake, sometimes the flower wilts on the vine.”

He leaned against the door, his face tight and slightly flushed. “I’m sorry.”

Chapter Eight

They drove to Callahan’s in silence. The sun was setting and swathes of pink and orange colored the deepening sky.

Ivy ‘s body began to cool, her heartbeat picked up its normal rhythm. Emotionally she remained in a stink. She realized she was probably more upset that Jake could pull away from her so easily than she was about being left with a frustrated, trembling need for more. More of him, more of them and the way he made her feel with even the smallest touch. Her body had never been so hyper-aware of a man. Standing next to Jake softened her skin, made it vibrate, yearning for his touch. And while she knew she had an effect on him, had felt his body’s response to hers so that there was absolutely no room for doubt, he had mastered the art of control. She might come to appreciate that quality at some point, but not right now.

He slid into a parking spot and turned off the engine.

“Do you still feel like dinner?” His voice wasn’t filled with the smooth confidence she’d come to expect from him. She detected hesitancy, words as carefully chosen as footsteps in a mine field.

She turned so that she faced him fully. “I have some rules,” she informed him and watched wariness slide into his face. “So far, you’ve