with anyone since her ex. Jack couldn’t believe a beautiful, wonderful woman like Jenna hadn’t been with another man in so long. It amazed him she’d chosen him. His size and strength had frightened her more than once already. As much as he wanted her, he wanted to take his time. He didn’t want her nervous, or anxious, the first time they made love. As much as it hurt, and he was hurting, he’d wait and know she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Next time, he’d make sure she didn’t feel anything but pure pleasure, no nerves, no fear.
“We’ll wait until the timing’s better. About the other, I’d never hurt you, Jenna. Never.”
“Thank you for understanding. It means the world to me you’re willing to give me the time and courtesy I need right now.”
He could seduce her. She wanted to be seduced. That much he knew for sure. Making love was a natural expression of what they were feeling for each other. Each passing hour the need they shared grew between them until it was palpable. With the amount of heat between them, it was only a matter of time before they came together in a blaze. Right now, he had to put her needs above his own.
He let loose the pent-up groan in the back of his throat and settled beside her, missing the feel of her skin against his. He allowed her time to get up first and head back to her room to shower. He didn’t want to make her any more nervous by getting out of bed naked and aroused. His t-shirt looked great on her, the hem skimming the middle of her thighs, teasing his senses, heating his blood even more. He’d like to spend the rest of his life waking up with her in his arms and her wearing his clothes. Actually, nothing at all. He’d be thinking about her firm round breasts, her supple body, and long legs wrapped around him for the rest of the day.
He showered, shaved, and dressed before Jenna came walking down the hall wearing nothing but a towel.
“See, I knew you couldn’t hold out. Come here, darlin’.” He held out his hand to her.
She swatted it away. “Very funny. I need you to put medicine on the cuts on my back.”
“Now see, you’re just no fun.”
“Come on, baby, play doctor with me,” she said with a throaty, whiskey smooth voice that could have seduced any man. It worked. She seductively brushed the hair back from her face and lowered her lashes demurely. He lost his breath.
“Definitely killing me.” He barely got the words out after she spoke to him with that voice.
“Yeah, well, I’ll make it up to you later.”
“Promise?”
“Oh, yeah.”
Easy enough for her to tease and play with words. The way she held herself ready to bolt at any sudden move he made toward her and the tinge of embarrassment pinking her cheeks as she stood before him in nothing but a towel told him just how uneasy and nervous he made her. The last thing he wanted her to feel when they made love the first time was hesitant. More, he needed her to feel safe enough to let her guard down and be herself, knowing he wasn’t a threat in any way.
With that in mind, he tamped down the sexual energy radiating off him and put the medicine on her back. The cuts were almost healed thanks to the ointment, and most of the redness had disappeared or turned to bruises. The stitches looked good, they’d need another five days before he could take them out. In all, he couldn’t believe how fast she was healing.
As he finished his task, the house exploded with activity. Caleb, Summer, and Lily arrived through the kitchen and someone rang the doorbell.
“I’ll answer the front door while you get dressed.” He kissed her on the forehead and headed downstairs.
“Jenna,” he called back up. “It’s the messenger.” He escorted the man to the dining room table and headed for the kitchen to see his family.
EVERYONE WALKED OUT of the kitchen as Jenna finished signing the last of the papers. She handed them to the messenger, who assured her they would be delivered to Ben the next morning. He handed her several marked envelopes containing all her copies and left.
Jenna’s phone rang.
“Hello.” They stood around the dining room table watching her.
“It’s Ben. I got everything taken care of from your last email. Who is this surprise for?