His Tattooed Virgin(Divine Creek Ranch 12)(62)

The pillow slipped from beneath her head, and she heard a soft thump. Seth looked over her shoulder and let out a soft chuckle.

Distracting her, he said, “I think we made the Earth move.”

Jayne opened her eyes and lifted her head, realizing something about the room and their position in it was “off.” The giggle started deep inside her as he slowly withdrew and climbed from the bed. Her bittersweet thoughts dissipated as she reveled in her present happiness. She had no right to complain. He reached over her and retrieved the pillow from the floor, stepped around to the foot of the bed, and slid it back against the wall. The room had felt “off” because the bed had scooted at least three feet from the wall with their vigorous movements.

“When fucking rearranges the furniture, you know it’s been done right.”

“Amen, honey.”

He reached for his phone while he was by the dresser and sat beside her on the edge of the bed. Something on the phone screen caught his attention. As she curled around him, he frowned at the phone as though debating, then flicked at the screen and put it on the bedside table, his movements seeming resolute. He climbed into the bed when she backed up, making room for him.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He gathered her to him and draped her over his chest. Within the shelter of his strong arms she felt untouchable and secure.

She lifted her head and looked up at him as she stroked one of his dark drown nipples. “Is everything all right?”

He gazed into her eyes while brushing her unruly, drying curls from her cheeks and tucking them behind her ears. They stayed like that, drinking each other in, until he murmured, “It’s perfect.” He rubbed the pad of his thumb over her lower lip and then kissed her. “You need your sleep.”

She rested her cheek on his lightly furred chest, luxuriating in his masculine scent and the steady beat of his heart. Drowsiness crept over her as they lay there stroking each other, and even a sense of foreboding couldn’t keep her from sleep.



* * * *



Jayne’s heart nearly stopped in her chest when she was awakened during the night. Unlike when he’d awakened her at one o’clock to make sweet, slow love to her again, this time, Seth’s body was rigid and his crushing grip on her upper arm was liable to leave a bruise.

“Stop!” His sharp word erased the dregs of sleep from her groggy brain. He was still asleep, having a nightmare from the looks of it. She stroked his chest calmly, hoping he’d release his death grip on her arm soon. “Tamar!” Pain and betrayal echoed in those syllables, and Jayne knew she had to wake him.

“Seth, wake up.” His body vibrated with tension which suddenly released as his eyelids flickered in the muted light shining in through the blinds. “You were having a nightmare. I had to wake you.”

He seemed confused, and then his gaze landed on her upper arm where he still held her tightly. Jerking, he released her arm, which throbbed painfully as the blood flow returned. He sat up and switched on the lamp by the bed. He gently took her arm between his hands and looked closely at it. His remorseful expression showed clearly in the dim light as he stroked her.

“I’m sorry for hurting you, Jayne. You’re going to bruise.” Nerves tingled as he gently stroked the red spots blooming on her skin.

“You didn’t mean to. I’m wearing something that has sleeves tomorrow anyway.”

He kissed her arm and then pulled her to him and kissed her temple. “I’m sorry for disturbing you like that. The dream…” He let out a deep, discontented sigh.

“Who is Tamar?”





Chapter Fifteen




Jayne let out a slow breath as Seth finished his story. His words had come slow at first, in fits and starts as if he wasn’t sure if she was ready to hear it or not. She took exception to the way Tamar had treated Seth, as though he were an object there for her amusement. He was a big boy and could take care of himself, but she really hated Tamar for treating him that way. At the very least Tamar had been opportunistic and callous to the feelings of others.

Her idea of a moneymaking opportunity had been the blackmail of important people and the videotaping of questionable pornographic material. The gang bang scene he’d described to her had been very disturbing, and she understood why he’d felt the need to stop the video shoot, which had proved fruitless. Security guards had escorted him from the manor house, while Tamar had rejected him and stayed behind to watch them finish shooting the video.

“I caught a ride back to our hotel, but wound up walking the streets of the city until dawn. By then I’d made some decisions.”