Naughty Neighbor - Lauren Runow Page 0,59
Pissed him off. Then, she went to Hera, queen of the gods, and said the same thing to her. Hera grabbed some rope, tied Cassiopeia in her throne, and launched her so high in the sky that she got stuck upside down. Hera pretty much shouted, ‘You think you’re beautiful? Now, you can show the whole world for all of eternity!’ And now, she does. Just upside down and tied to her chair.”
I let out an awkward laugh. “That’s horrible. I thought constellations and stories of the gods all had romantic meanings.”
“This one still does.” He taps my nose and looks back up at the sky. “Cassiopeia’s husband was so grief-stricken when he heard about what had happened to her that he asked Zeus to send him to the sky with his wife. Like a good friend, Zeus did, flinging Cepheus right next to his wife.” Jake points to the left of the W-shaped stars and says, “They’re still clinging to each other. Cepheus kinda looks like a stick house that children draw.”
“I see it!” I say way too loudly when I map out the stars he’s talking about. I turn my head slightly, so I can see him. “You’re really smart, Jake.”
“I wouldn’t say that. But when I like something, I study it well.”
“What do you like? Other than stars and flowers, of course.”
“What do I like?” He taps his chin, as if pensively thinking. “Good wine. A great book.” He winks, and I roll my eyes. “Clothes. Now, I know my dad teases me about this, but I really do appreciate a finely made shirt. Music. I follow a lot of underground artists around the city. And most importantly”—he places his finger under my chin and tilts my head, so our lips align perfectly—“I like you.”
“Does that mean you study me?”
“Daily.”
His lips are warm as they place the softest of caresses against mine. My skin prickles with gooseflesh as his mouth lowers to my jaw and sucks lightly when he moves to the tender skin on the side of my neck.
“You’re an introvert, but when you let someone into your world, you light up the darkest rooms.” He stops kissing me and looks in my eyes, as if his words shouldn’t be overlooked by his actions. “I mean that. You hide behind your computer, but when you step outside of your walls, you’re witty and entertaining. You’re bright, and I haven’t had this much fun, just talking to a woman, in a long time.” His tone is deep, and his face is serious.
My heart stills, as does my breath, at his very sweet words. It’s not just what he said. It’s how he said it. He stares into my eyes. I feel the heat of his gaze, and I know there are more words he wants to say, but he’s holding back. Not because of his own insecurities, but because of mine.
“So, you like me for my brilliant mind,” I joke pathetically.
He doesn’t flinch. “Trust me, I want you for your gorgeous ass and tits, which are so damn hot, even when they’re covered in an ugly-ass sweatshirt.”
“They’re not covered tonight. Well, not by much.”
“Is that an invitation?” His eyes grow dark as his chest rises.
“It’s a demand,” I whisper centimeters from his mouth.
He lifts me by the waist and settles me onto his lap. His lips are hard against mine as his hands glide gently up my sides.
Our tongues dance as I wrap my arms around his neck, pushing my breasts on him and grinding myself against his naked form. Without a suit on, his cock flinches up with the contact, sliding against me with the thin material of my bathing suit feeling like it’s going to burst at the seams.
He undoes the strings of my top, and it falls to the water, bouncing and floating in the bubbles. There’s a shadow casting over his face so it’s hard to tell, but there’s one thing I can see clearly. Jake is happy.
“You’re beautiful, Lace. I don’t tell you that enough, but damn, every inch of you is drop-dead gorgeous.”
“I bet you say that to all the girls.”
“I might have, but I swear to God I never meant it as much as I do when I look at you.”
His hands rise to each side of my face, caressing my cheeks and pulling me down for a kiss so passionate that I might combust right here. My breasts rub against his hot skin, and the feeling of us so