Nonstop (Open Skies #3) - Becca Jameson Page 0,42
want you to think I’m a freeloader. And I don’t have a job, and I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do with my life, and I just… I just really need you to know that I’m trying and I’m falling in love with you.”
He suddenly lurched forward, grabbed her around the waist, and hauled her onto his lap. He tugged her down so that she was lying on the Adirondack chair alongside him, their bodies plastered together.
His hand went to her hair as he held her tight and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m being an ass. I shouldn’t have accused you of not caring.” He tipped her head back and met her gaze. “I’ve been falling further and further in love with you from the moment we met in Kraft’s kitchen.” He wiped a stray tear from her cheek with the pad of his thumb.
She snuggled closer to him, setting her cheek on his shoulder.
“I need you to understand that I’m in this for the long haul. You’re not alone. If you wake up in the night gasping for air, I’ll be next to you making sure you have it. If you can’t go back to work and you need to change careers, I’ll help you out while we figure out your next step. Together. Like a couple. Okay?”
She nodded, but she was still scared. Could anyone really put up with her forever? She was never going to be completely like other people. She would carry scars and have bad dreams and freak out sometimes. She believed Bracken when he said he could do it, but did he really know?
Finally, she lifted her gaze. “I need you to do something for me.”
Chapter 17
Bex held her breath while she stared at him.
“Anything.” He searched her face.
“I need you to have sex with me.”
He licked his lips. “You’re sure?”
“Never been more sure of anything.”
He smiled. “I think I can honor that request.”
She shrugged. “It’s just a small thing. No big deal.”
He chuckled. “It’s a very big deal, and I don’t take it lightly.”
“Obviously, or I wouldn’t still be a virgin after sleeping in your bed for weeks.”
He spun them both around, sitting upright while standing her in front of him. He held her hips while he met her gaze. “I’ll grant you this wish if you do something for me in return.”
She giggled because his expression was full of mock seriousness. Whatever he was going to say was going to make her laugh. “Anything you want.”
“Starting tonight, no more clothes in bed. As sexy as you are in tank tops and tiny shorts, I want to hold you naked in my arms when we sleep.”
She flushed for no good reason. “I think I can handle that.”
“Good.” He stood, took her hand and led her into the house. He didn’t bother to turn on any lights, just continued down the hallway to the bedroom, beelining for the bed.
After turning on the lamp next to the bed, he spun around. “I hope you meant now,” he teased as he pulled her shirt over her head.
She giggled again. “Now is good.”
“Excellent, because I’ve wanted to make love to you for so long that my cock has started to protest.”
More laughter. “We can’t have that.”
“Also, I’m going to want to have sex with you day and night for a while. I’m deprived.”
She couldn’t stop smiling as he pulled his own shirt off and then went to work on her jeans, unbuttoning them and lowering the zipper. Moments later, she was in her bra and panties. He was in his boxers.
He sat on the edge of the bed, pulled her between his legs, and cupped her face, meeting her gaze before lowering his lips to hers. “I don’t take this lightly, baby. I want it to be special for you.”
She slid her hands up his biceps. “It already is special. Don’t make a big deal out of it. We’ve done everything but take that last little step so many times I’m practically not really a virgin.”
He chuckled and then kissed a line to her ear. “Rebekah, you’re in for a wild shock.”
She sucked in a sharp breath. Was he right?
He leaned back and unclasped her bra, his gaze going to her breasts. “So gorgeous,” he murmured as he cupped them with both hands and thumbed her nipples. He’d touched her often enough that she was familiar with the sensations he elicited, but she’d never really been fully naked in front of him.