Take a Breath (Take #1) - Jaimie Roberts Page 0,110

myself onto my stomach and prop myself up. I want to get a better look at my man.

He’s laying on his side, gently tracing one finger from my shoulder down to my back. I shiver beneath his touch.

He looks at my body up and down. “My God, you look so damn sexy in that outfit. As much as I enjoyed that little stunt you pulled, don’t ever do that to me again. I’ve waited long enough to hold you. I don’t ever want to feel that restricted again.” I suddenly laugh. “What?” he asks, clearly amused.

I bite my lip. “I thoroughly enjoyed myself, I must admit.”

Flinging me over, he climbs on top. He grabs my wrists and pins them to each side of the bed. “If anyone is cuffing anybody here, it’s going to be me. I have the badge, remember?” Heat begins to build between my legs once again.

Damn! Haven’t I had enough by now? Will I ever?

He kisses me, licking his tongue across my lip. It’s so erotic. “Sweet Ana. You taste so good—in every way.” As quickly as he starts, he releases his grip of me and climbs off. I feel the emptiness straight away and mourn for his touch again.

Jake turns to face me. “Nice choice of songs, by the way.”

“I think so,” I say.

“You like your music, don’t you?”

I nod, smiling softly. “Yes, it helps me to think a lot, especially when I’m running. Whenever I can get out of the house these days, that is.” I glance at him long enough to notice the extremely unamused look on his face. I decide to change tactics. “You know, when I was about twelve years old, I had this Bon Jovi album I really loved. I think it was called Keep the Faith. I used to play it over and over again, but then it broke. I was really upset for a while after.” A slight pain in my stomach erupts as I remember just how it broke in the first place.

I was playing it in my bedroom for about the sixtieth time when Alan came in. I had headphones over my ears as I was desperately trying to avoid making any sound which might draw his attention to me. As it turned out, it was no use. He still came barging in, shouting about being sick and tired of me playing Bon Jovi over and over. He accused me of wanting to fuck him, saying that he would show me what a real man was one day. He took the CD from my player and crushed it under his foot. I was furious. I wanted to scream at him, but when he got close to me, my anger quickly turned into fear. I was scared to death. He grabbed my breast and squeezed hard, causing me so much pain that I yelped. Right then, my mum started calling to him from the stairs, so he huffed and told me to pick up my mess on his way out, and that was it. It was one day out of the many that I would never forget.

“That’s a shame,” Jake says, thankfully succeeding in interrupting my horrible memory. “You never got another CD?”

I hadn’t dared to replace it after that incident.

“No. As I grew up, I got into other music. I still like Bon Jovi, though,” I reply, smiling.

Jake smirks. “But he isn’t as good-looking as I am, is he?”

I nudge his arm, but he’s right. “No, Mr. Bennett, he is not as good-looking as you.” I pause a moment. “You know, I would like to take a shower with you, but I’m afraid your exceptionally large head may not fit through your bathroom door.”

Jake stands to attention, grabs me, lifts me into his arms, and winks. “You wanna bet?” he asks, beaming.

I giggle, dangling my feet about as he takes me to the shower and gently places me back on the floor. He turns the water on while I put my leg up on the bidet to unhook my suspender belt.

“My God, this is a sexy sight.”

I glance up at him, smiling, then we take our shower, lathering each other up. Once dry, I put on a tank top and boxer shorts, then we make our way downstairs to have a quick snack.

I opt for some cereal and fruit, and Jake places a couple of slices of bread in the toaster. We’re eating when Matthew comes through the door. I check the clock and see that