Loving Jared - Nikita Slater Page 0,32

she asked, her voice still shy.

"Doesn't matter. I usually sleep in the middle, never picked a side."

She looked horrified. "Everyone has a side. Which side do you get out of bed to go to the bathroom, or to get a glass of water? Only psychopaths don't have sides of the bed."

Jared chuckled, reached out to snag her wrist and dragged her down onto the bed, forcing her to sprawl across his lap. She twisted around to clutch at his shoulders and then pushed away from him, rolling onto the bed. His eyes zeroed in on her thighs as the nightshirt slipped.

"Did you just call me a psychopath?"

"Pick a side of the bed and I'll take it back." Jared was glad to hear the sass returning to her voice.

"Fine." He gripped her by the ankles and dragged her until she was flat on her back. Then he climbed over top of her and pinned her to the bed. "This is my spot now."

Amy laughed so hard she snorted, which made Jared laugh out loud too. He smoothed the hair off her face and bent down to kiss her full lips, lingering over them. It was difficult, but he finally pulled back. He was going to be a gentleman tonight if it killed him.

"I don't mind if you want to sleep on top of me." She wiggled her hips underneath him and Jared's eyes nearly crossed as his cock sprung to attention, thinking it was going to get a little bit of action.

Jared mentally told it to shrivel back up, because it wasn't getting anything tonight. Jared rolled off the bed and went into the bathroom to take care of his nightly routine. When he returned, Amy was laying on the far side of the bed, facing him.

“Why were you in jail?”

Her words were curious, but not demanding or judgmental. He was surprised it took her this long to ask once she learned he’d done some time. He’d been worried that she might pull back, especially considering what her family had gone through.

He sat on the edge of the bed, turned so he could meet her eyes. “I did some things when I was younger. Necessary things, but not anything I’m proud of. I’m gonna be honest with you here. There are some things I can’t and won’t tell you about my life.” He reached out to take her hand, holding it tightly. “You mean a lot to me, Amy. I don’t hurt women and children and I will never do anything that puts you in danger.”

Her brow furrowed, as though she wanted to ask him more. She held her silence for several long seconds. Then she nodded. “See that you don’t.” She leaned up on her elbow and tugged his head down to hers for a quick kiss. “I care about you too. I trust you and I won’t ask again, but if you ever want to talk about it, I’m here.”

Jared grinned and kissed her back. “You’re the fucking best.”

She smiled back. “I know.”

She lay back down and curled onto her side, her eyes drifting shut with exhaustion. It was early still, not even 10, but she was rapidly heading into sleep.

Jared tucked the blanket up around her shoulders, kissed her temple and left the bedroom to do a final check of the house. He made his way downstairs, where he checked every window and door to make sure they were locked. Then he double checked the alarm, which he'd set after they'd settled in for the night. Before going back up the stairs, he made sure to set two bowls, two spoons and a box of cereal out on the counter. If the girls got out of bed before he and Amy, they’d be able to help themselves to some breakfast.

As Jared made his way back up to the bedroom, he pulled his phone out of his back pocket and sent a quick text to Teagan, assuring the teenager that his sisters were safe and taken care of for the night. He also mentioned that if Teagan needed to come back, he should come to Jared's house, and not his own.

Teagan's response was mature and measured. He assured Jared that he was fine and would spend the night at his friend's place. Then he said that he would check in on Amy and the girls in the morning.

After going into his bedroom and silently closing the door, Jared turned to look at Amy who was now sound asleep on