Chasing Rainbows (23 page)

He glanced up, catching me watching him. Smiling, he patted at a spot directly beside of him. He'd removed his boots and they sat near the bed. When I didn't immediately come forward, he must have sensed my hesitation. "I can take the couch, Addie. You can sleep in the bed."

I didn't answer, but instead walked toward him as he continued to strum the guitar strings. He was playing an almost sad but familiar melody, and he was watching me. Never once did he look down at the strings; his fingers flowing fluidly. His eyes locked on me.

"I know this from somewhere," I murmured, trying my best to place the melody. He grinned and continued to play. "Don't tell me," I said, when he opened his mouth, probably to do exactly just that.

The music drifted through the room and wrapped around us like a worn, comfy blanket. My mind tried to grasp the lyrics of the song he strummed. Then it hit me from out of the blue. It was Jason Mraz. "I love that song!" I sent him a wide smile back. "I Won't Give Up."

He nodded his head letting me know that I'd guessed right. "I was getting worried. I didn't think you knew this one."

"Do you sing?" I asked, but he shook his head.

"I can, but I'd rather not embarrass myself in front of you tonight," he replied with an easy smile. "My mom plays and she taught me and both my sisters. Well, everyone in my family, except my dad. He's a lost cause."

"Which one of your sisters goes to Crawley High?" I asked, and found myself scooting closer to him on the bed as I eagerly awaited his answer. He seemed relaxed but when my leg accidently brushed against his, his fingers faltered over the strings, missing the chords.

"Damn it," he muttered, glancing down at the guitar. He raised his eyes from the strings meeting mine. "Rashelle goes to high school. Bree is the baby."

When I leaned toward him, his fingers stilled and the music stopped. He seemed nervous, and the thought shamelessly thrilled me. I was tired of running; tired of hiding inside of myself. I wanted him, and knew that he wanted me. It may be selfish, but I wanted to live in this moment; even if it was only for tonight.

Only for right now.

"Kiss me, Jake," I whispered, and watched as his eyes blazed molten hot. He turned away, and for a minute I feared he was going to refuse me, but he laid the guitar on the floor beside the bed then turned back around to face me.

"Are you sure, Addie?" his voice was husky. His eyes filled with a touch of hesitancy but also a promise in their depths. Jake was a gentleman. I had nothing to physically fear from him, and I wanted what I saw inside his dark, heated gaze.

I nodded my head, and he stood and walked to his bedroom door. It closed with a soft click. Faint music drifted through the thin walls from Devon's room obviously to drown out any sounds that him and Kara might or might not be making. My face felt hot. My whole body instantly sparked to a raging fire that threatened to consume me.

The room was dark except for the thin streaks of light seeping in from the streetlight outside his bedroom window which cut through the plastic slats of the blind he'd forgotten to close. Light peeped in from underneath the door also. I waited with heartfelt anticipation, watching as his dark shadow moved across the room and lastly fell over me.

He dropped to his knees in front of me. I held his gaze. I couldn't have looked away even if I'd wanted to. One of his hands slid along the back of my calf still encased in Kara's black plastic knee high boots. A surge of warmth settled low in to the pit of my stomach. There was a tug, and the slight pressure of resistance as the faint slide of the zipper filled the air. He eased it down my leg and past my ankle. His fingers followed the path of the zipper lightly tracing and teasing my skin.

I shivered, thankful for the dark. It kept Jake from seeing the rapid rise and fall of my chest, the flush on my cheeks and the way my hands trembled as I moved them from the bed to clasp them tightly in my lap.

The second boot followed, just like the first one, and he teased me the same way as before, leaving me breathless and craving more. He'd barely even touched me, and already I was a shaking, quivering mess. When he finally pulled the boot free, his hand slid along the arch of my foot sliding up my ankle to the back of my knee as his other hand followed suit, robbing me of my senses.

He inched closer; his broad hands on the backs of my thighs. He yanked, and I gasped in surprise as he pulled me to rest at the edge of the mattress. My dress had ridden up leaving my thighs bare and openly exposed to his eyes. The fabric bunched uncomfortably just below the cheeks of my ass. I was afraid to move, especially when I heard him draw in a sharp breath. He ran his fingertips along my skin, dancing higher and higher, dangerously close to the point of no return. I couldn't make a sound; I was so overcome with emotion. It felt like I was going to explode.

"No regrets, Addie. If you want me to stop, you need to tell me right now," he growled. Then his skillful hands stilled high on my inner thighs as he paused and waited patiently for my answer. His muscled abs rested heavily against my knees. I could feel each breath that he drew as he struggled to remain in control. He was patiently awaiting my decision. Yes or No. The choice was mine. It always had been.

I swallowed, licking my lips. His hungry gaze followed my tongue. "I want you, Jake," I whispered. I'd never wanted anything more. Then, before I could draw my next breath, his lips slammed against mine stealing every thought from my head. There was only Jake. It was just the two of us in his room, surrounded by darkness and I wasn't afraid.

His mouth moved frantically against mine. My hands on his chest were trapped in between the heat of our two bodies. Gently, he eased me back onto the bed, never breaking our kiss as his lips devoured mine, nibbling and sucking. As soon as he broke contact, I turned my head and momentarily gasped for air then greedily sought his mouth once more. I couldn't get enough.

"Addie," he murmured, the sound vibrated deep in his throat. Then his tongue pushed against the seam of my lips, demanding entrance. The way he said my name resonated deep inside of me making my abdominal muscles clench. My heart hammered. Never had anything felt as right as this moment with him….. right now.

His weight pinned me to the mattress as he stroked his tongue against mine and when I tried to mimic his actions and shyly enter his mouth, he captured my tongue between his lips and began to gently suckle. He was making me crazy. Unconsciously, my fingers clenched the fabric of his shirt desperately digging into hard muscles. I squirmed beneath him unable to keep still. I was on fire.

When he finally broke the kiss, I lay there dazed, staring up at him as rocked back on his heels and grasped his shirt. He tugged it over his head and threw it onto the floor. His eyes left mine only once, and that was to travel slowly down my chest and stop at my panties and the length of leg that was brazenly on display for him.

Even in the dim light, I could see the fierce possessiveness of his expression; the rapid rise and fall of his muscled chest as if he were fighting some inner war within himself. He looked as if he wanted to gobble me up whole. It should have scared me, but it didn't. Instead of reaching for the hem of my dress to modestly tug it back down, I reached for him.

My hands traveled slowly up the ridges of the muscles roping his broad chest, savoring the feel of his skin and when my fingertip accidentally skimmed one of his flat nipples, he sucked in a deep breath shivering beneath my touch. I brushed his nipple once more. This time, on purpose. He grabbed my hand drawing it away from his chest and brought it up to his mouth to place a hot moist kiss against the center of my palm, making me throb.

Releasing my hand, he leaned toward me to brush a tender kiss on my lips. Then he pulled back, quickly rising and stood towering over me, highlighted in only the horizontal light seeping in through the blinds. He was a mixture of light and shadows. He was beautiful.

"Last chance, Addie," he said, reaching for the button of his faded jeans.

When I didn't answer, he unbuttoned that very button and slowly slid down the zipper. Suddenly, I was scared. The basics, I knew. Kara had already given me the inside scoop on her sex life, even though I hadn't really wanted to know all the kinky details. The mechanics I knew, but nothing could have prepared me for the sight of a fully aroused Jake standing before me clad in nothing but his boxers.

"Jake," I whispered, and he paused, perhaps hearing the hesitancy in my voice. After a moment, he took a step toward the bed and gazed down at me. I had to force myself to meet his eyes and not look at his arousal. It was intimidating. "I-I've never," I stammered, and then his intent stare was suddenly filled with insight.

"I'll take care of you, Addie," he replied in a calm soothing tone, and there was little doubt in my mind that he would indeed keep his promise.

I pushed myself up from the mattress, now sitting before him. It proved to be a mistake since it put my gaze eye level with the bold aspect of him that was causing me concern.

"Look at me, Addie."

At his command, I looked up. He eyes were on mine and I watched as he dropped to his knees. Before I could even blink, his hands were on my bare skin and stroking along my outer thighs. His gaze lingered on my scars, and I covered them up, but he captured my hands and held them in his.

"No. Everything about you is beautiful, Addie,'" he whispered with a tender smile and placed a quick kiss on the soft skin on the inside of each of my wrists sending my pulse fluttering out of control.

I gasped at his words. I couldn't believe that he thought the very thing I tried to hide was beautiful. My scars were beautiful to him. My whole body felt heavy; as if it were weighted down by the ferocity of my quickening desire. He leaned in and pressed his lips along the curve of my neck while his hands still firmly held mine. Our fingers entwined and sunk into the mattress near my hips while his tongue sinfully darted along my skin nipping and sucking. I shivered, suddenly feeling cold but hot all at the same time. My breasts swelled as he suckled softly along the tender skin of my neck taking his time. It was as if he were savoring the taste of me before moving on to the curve of my shoulder.

My mind went blank, bombarded by the overload of sensations he was arousing inside of me. I was glad that he was taking control. He made me feel safe. He made me feel desired despite my flaws. I didn't have to think with him. I just had to be. And there wasn't a doubt in my mind just how much he truly wanted me scars and all.

"You smell so good," he whispered. Then his teeth scraped against my tender skin. Out of control, I jerked against him and suddenly, my hands were free. Before I could utter a single word, he was pulling at the hem of my dress.

"Raise your arms, Addie."

His voice sounded huskier than usual, but other than that I was amazed at how calm he seemed, while inside, I was shattering into a thousand tiny little pieces. I craved more of his touch and did as he asked. He sucked my lower lip in between his teeth capturing the moan that threatened past my lips when his knuckles accidently grazed the outer curves of my breasts. Cool air washed over my bare skin and clad only in panties, I crossed my arms over my breasts suddenly feeling self-conscious under his stare.

"Don't hide from me, Addie," Jake whispered roughly.

He wasn't touching me, but held a long strand of my hair between his fingertips. It was still my decision. I could say no right now and end this. I could say no at any time and Jake would stop. I trusted him with all of my insecurities and my imperfect body.

I trusted him with my heart.

Chapter nineteen

W
HEN
I
OPENED MY EYES,
I
BLINKED GROGGILY
, feeling disoriented. This wasn't my room. I came fully awake with a jolt, remembering what had transpired between me and Jake last night. Wearing a smile, I stretched and realized that a warm hand held mine. Carefully, I sat up in the bed trying not to disturb him. He was still asleep. His head rested on the pillow beside mine. Even in sleep, he was beautiful, his features softer and more relaxed. He was perfect. Long lashes lay against his lean cheeks. They were the only soft part about him besides his lips and his heart. The rest of him was pure steel.

I studied the angular planes of his face, thinking about how much I truly loved just looking at him. I flushed, suddenly remembering the explicit events of last night as my face grew warm. Afterward, he'd made a trip to the bathroom and returned with a towel and damp washcloth. To my embarrassment, he'd taken care of me then held me tenderly against his chest. I'd felt treasured. We'd talked for a while until once more this fierce attraction between us threatened to consume our very existence.

In the early morning hours, he'd ended up searching through the unpacked boxes in his room while I sat on the bed giggling. The floor resembled a warzone filled with the causalities of clothes he'd carelessly tossed aside in his haste. He'd been searching for a box of condoms he had yet to unpack and when he'd found them he'd flashed me a triumphant smug grin that curled my toes. He'd dived back onto the bed tickling me until my laughter had grown silent and turned into needful pleas.

There was just something about him. I'd been shameless, but he hadn't seemed to mind. I still didn't know how I'd face him when he finally decided to open those cobalt blue eyes of his this morning. He was perfect, and I still had no clue as to what he saw in me with all of my imperfections. I was scared. Afraid that I was falling for him, and just the thought of how I might actually feel in regards to him was enough to make me want to run for the door… enough to make me want to run as far away from him as I could, but I didn't want to think about that right now. It was too much, too soon, and I wanted to surprise him with breakfast in bed.

Uncurling my fingers from his, I scooted to the side of the bed. There was a pinching soreness between my thighs. With a grimace, I sat up to slip out from underneath the sheet and placed my feet on the ugly orange carpet I despised. I grabbed Jake's shirt from the floor slipping it over my head and pulled my hair free. It fell against my back in a tangled mess. I couldn't find my panties. They were probably buried underneath all the clothes Jake had flung all over the floor. His T-shirt fell to mid-thigh and still smelled of him.