Positioning herself in the doorway, she kept the cat from escaping, but also blocked him from entry. He swallowed hard and shifted on his feet. “I want to love you, Tara. So fucking bad. And I’m sorry. Sorry I lied. Sorry I—”
She took a small step toward him, followed by another. He broke off and took a stumbling stride forward. When she launched herself into his arms, he caught her easily, hugging her so close she could barely breathe. The flowers hit the patio, and he buried his face in her neck. She held on to him, tears slipping down her cheeks.
This was it. This was the real thing.
She couldn’t let him slip out of her fingers because she was scared.
He took a breath. “Does this mean you forgive me?”
Tara cupped his cheeks, like he always did to her. “Yes. And it means…I love you so bad, too.”
Next thing she knew, his mouth was on hers. He backed them toward the door, kicking it shut behind them. “Wrap your legs around me. Now.”
Tara did as he demanded, meeting his hungry kiss with an open mouth. She couldn’t get enough of him. His lips on hers. His tongue. His taste. The way his stubble brushed against her as he worked his magic.
All of it added up into one perfectly wrapped package that was Jake.
And he was all hers.
He lowered her onto the couch, his lips never leaving hers and his hands moving over her body. Grabbing his hair, she tugged him back down and kissed him. He groaned and deepened the kiss, his erection pressing against her core.
“I missed you so fucking much,” he moaned, kissing a path down her neck. He squeezed her breasts. “I promise not to lie to you again. Not to trick you. Not to hurt you. Do you promise not to leave me again? To be mine?”
Tara blinked back tears and tilted her face to his. “I won’t leave you again. I’m all yours.”
“But do you want to be mine, in every sense of the word? Can you accept me the way I am—flaws, needs, and all?” He took a shaky breath. “I know you had fun with me before, but can you live like this? Can you really be mine?”
“Yes. So much yes.” She kissed him, then backed off before it got too hot and heavy. “When we were separated, I missed everything about you. From the way you worried too much, to the way you bossed me around in bed. The idea of not being under your control in bed is…empty. It makes me feel empty. I want to be yours. And I definitely want all of you, too.”
“Then it’s all yours, and so am I.” He froze with his lips a breath away from hers. “But first? Beg me.”
“Please kiss me before I die, sir.”
He let out a harsh sound and captured her mouth again. He pulled the skirt of her dress high, exposing her white satin thong. When he pressed his thumb to her clit and sucked on her nipple through the flimsy dress, she arched her back. Tried to get closer. To get his mouth on her, without the darn clothes in the way.
He better not be planning on “punishing” her today.
He sat down and pulled her on his lap, yanking the dress over her head in one smooth movement. After taking her bra off with startling ease, his mouth was on her, sucking hard. She cried out and scraped her nails down his back. He scraped his teeth against her hard nipple, making her shiver. Killing her with every move.
He knew how to drive her insane with a single touch.
To make her need with a quick motion or bite.
And she loved relinquishing control to him.
He moaned and released her nipple, unzipping his pants as he kissed his way to the other one. Before he took it in his mouth, he murmured, “You’re so ready for me, sweetheart. You want me to come inside of you right now, don’t you? Hard and fast until you scream my name.”
“God, yes.” She nodded and yanked at his hair, wanting to demand he follow through right now, but knowing it would only backfire in the end. She knew the game they played, and she loved every second of it. “Please.”
He let out a low laugh. “No. Not yet.”
“Jake.” She pulled harder, frustration coursing through her. “Now.”
“That wasn’t a pretty request.” He flicked his tongue over her racing pulse. “Now you’ll have to wait longer.”
Excitement, and desire, crashed through her at his soft warning. “Argh,” she managed to get out through gritted teeth. “I mean, yes. Of course, you’re right. I’ll wait, sir.”
Laughing under his breath, he threaded his hands through her hair and kissed her. She clung to him, refusing to let him go. When he broke off the kiss, he gripped her spread thighs tight and stared up at her with heated eyes. “Ask me nicely.”
She looked at him, not daring to look away. “Make love to me, please.”