Loving Jared - Nikita Slater Page 0,22

insane to buy such an extensive item for the sisters of a woman he’d had a crush on for less than a week, but that hadn't stopped him. He knew what he wanted and he was determined to get it. Integrating himself into their lives was important to him.

"Had a friend come over and help." Jared smirked as he remembered the look on Enrico's face as he kneeled inside the tiny house and set up the mini kitchen. He’d been so concentrated, so determined to get everything right, that Jared had started to think Enrico was more invested in the project than him.

For a few seconds Amy just looked at him, her face expressionless. Jared was starting to worry that he'd gone too far, that he'd insinuated himself into her life too much, too fast. Maybe she wasn’t ready for that kind of commitment yet. He wasn't going to let her back away from him, but he didn't want to have to be forceful with her. She was too… delicate.

Yeah, that was the right word.

For all appearances, Amy was a tough, no-nonsense, responsible young woman. But Jared saw so much more. He saw the vulnerable girl inside, the one that longed to be a normal 20-year-old; longed to go out partying with friends, to stay over at a boyfriend's house, to break rules, go to school, not worry about money and children. He wanted to give her some of the things that she was missing.

Finally, Amy's expression melted into one of happiness. She threw her arms around him and dropped her lips to his, kissing him soundly. "Thank you."

Jared was so in love with this woman, he wanted to throw her over his shoulder and drag her off to his bed where he would fuck her senseless and show her just how much she was coming to mean to him.

It was too soon for that, but not too soon for a good old-fashioned make-out session. He stood with her, tossing her over his shoulder and laughing as she squealed in his arms. He’d take her to the couch and show her what a sort-of-gentleman he was.

Eleven

Jared followed Amy back to her house where she spent half an hour helping her sisters get ready for bed. She threw a distracted smile at him as she went streaking through the living room in search of a stuffed unicorn named Clarence. Then, she ran back through the living room with a multicoloured toy in her hands.

Jared grinned to himself, stretching his arms across the back of the sofa. He didn’t mind waiting one bit. He was enjoying this small glimpse into the domesticity that went on next door to him.

Finally, after another five minutes, Amy dropped onto the sofa next to him sighing loudly. She looked tired but satisfied, as though she loved the bedtime routine. Jared wanted nothing more than to drag her across his lap and plunder her with kisses. Maybe even go to second base and put a hand up her shirt.

But first, he needed some information. "Your dad called today. Want to tell me about it?"

Amy's face dropped in disappointment and she shrank back on the sofa. Jared didn't like that, so he reached out, plucked her off her side of the couch and set her across his lap, cradling her back in his arm and holding her against him with a hand across her knees. She didn't protest, but it took her a moment to get comfortable.

"Tell me about it, Amy. It'll make you feel better." Jared softened his voice, hoping it would help her open up.

She sighed deeply and settled against his arm, dropping her head into his neck. Jared ran a hand over her smooth dark hair, reveling in the softness and breathing in her strawberry shampoo scent.

"He murdered my mom, right here in this house. I heard him do it, saw her body after… when the coroner took her out." She shuddered against him, and he held her closer. "Yet, there's no remorse in him. He doesn't call often, but when he does it's always for money, or for something else he needs. It's never to check on us, to see if we’re okay. He's never once apologized for killing her. For taking our mother away."

Amy's voice hitched and it took her several deep breaths to get herself back under control. Jared almost wished she would break down and cry against him. He would comfort her, talk to her, help her. He suspected she never