"Yeah?"
"Does this mean I can draw you nude now?"
"As long as it remains private."
She sat up. "What fun is that? I think we could auction it off for charity."
He chuckled as he walked back over to the bed. "Fat chance."
Once he was settled, she lay back down again and watched him. It was hard to believe he was a decade older than she. He definitely didn't look it. Although, she did see a cute little indention in his butt cheek, he had little to no wounds. She knew he had served and been injured, but she didn't see where.
"What?" he asked without opening his eyes.
"Where did you get that little nick in your butt?"
"Nothing sexy, I promise you."
"So it wasn't from the war?"
He shook his head. "There's absolutely nothing sexy about war."
She nodded, even if he didn't see it. "So, gonna tell me where you got it, or do I have to call MJ?"
He sighed. "There is too much gossip flowing between the families."
Zoe laughed, but she poked him in the ribs.
"Ow!"
"Spill."
"Fine. My butt had a date with a BB pellet thanks to Jack."
"Ah. A little sibling rivalry?"
"Nope. Just Jack being Jack. He wasn't paying attention, set it on the table and it went off. Hurt like a bastard too."
She giggled and slipped her fingers through his chest hair. She liked that he had some, especially the little trail that led to his groin. God, the man was sexy. Even now, she could feel her body begging for another round.
"You must have some stories about your sisters."
"Oh, I think most of those stories are about me. I'm the youngest and therefore, I have been treated with little to no respect."
He chuckled as she slid her hand over to his nipple and teased it. He opened one eye. "You might want to be careful there, Zoe. You're about to wake the sleeping beast."
She smiled as she leaned down to flick her tongue over his nipple. Then, to prove that she was ready and willing, she rose up and slipped over him, straddling his hips. His cock pulsed against her sex.
"I think he's already awake," she said, moving her hips.
He groaned and reached for her, but she batted his hands away.
"No. It's my turn to play."
She leaned down again, letting her breasts skim over his chest. God, he smelled good. Then, she kissed him, slowly, deeply, exploring his mouth. When she pulled back, she took his bottom lip between her teeth. She knew he liked it and he rewarded her with a groan.
Feeling even bolder, she kissed down his neck and continued in much the same fashion as he had done to her earlier. Nipping at his skin, then moving the flat of her tongue over it. When she reached his cock, she wrapped her hand around it and gave it a deliberate tug.
His legs moved beside her in restless motion and he bowed up against her hand. With a sigh, she leaned forward and flicked her tongue over the head of his penis. She was about to take him into her mouth, when he said, "Nope, can't do it. Gotta have you now."
She laughed as he pulled her up and over him. "Condom," she said.
He groaned, but pulled out the nightstand drawer. She grabbed it from him, ripping it open. Once she pulled it out, she set it on top of his cock, rolling it down, taking her time. She let her fingers dance over his hot flesh.
He leaned his head back and said something under his breath.
"What was that?"
"You're going to fucking kill me." He bit out every word.
Driving a man like him crazy gave her a little jolt of excitement. He had more self-control than most people she knew.
"Why don't we just destroy each other?" she asked as she rose up and then slid down on him.
She was still tender from their time before, but she didn't care. She rocked against him, teasing both of them over and over, until apparently he couldn't take it any more. He shot up, rolled over, and took command. Again and again, he slid into her. She loved it, loved that he was out of control and wanting nothing but satisfaction. Soon, they were both cresting over the edge of pleasure giving into the need for surrender.
Chapter Ten
A few hours later, Jesse woke needing a glass of water. He made his way to the kitchen, got a quick drink then decided he should call Joey to let her know Zoe was spending the night. She thanked him and told him to get some rest.
He chuckled as he hung up. The woman bossed everyone around. He kind of liked that about her. As he padded back to his bedroom, he realized there was a lot of Joey in Zoe. They weren't related, other than by marriage, but even in this time when most people would spend their time healing, Zoe seemed to be thriving. Sure, she hadn't been able to produce anything lately thanks to the cast, but she had been drawing. She'd shown him a few of the things she had been working on.
He leaned against the doorjamb watching her. It was kind of creepy, but he wanted to see her like this. She always seemed to be in some kind of constant motion. Seeing her still was nice. There was enough light from the kitchen for him to see the serene expression on her face.
He knew he would never be the same after tonight. Damn, he was thinking in clichés now, but Jesse couldn't help it. He felt some kind of connection with her he just couldn't deny. When he was with her, he felt … free. No worrying about the job; no irritation that he had to be back at work on Monday.
And damn him, he was falling in love with her.
"Are you going to keep standing there staring at me?" she mumbled.
He chuckled. "Maybe."
"Kind of stalkerish, if you ask me."
He made his way over to the bed and slipped in beside her.
"You know, I knew you were okay with your naked body, but I would have never guessed that you walked around naked all the time."
He slipped his arm beneath her and pulled her close. She moved this way and that, finally resting her head on his chest and sighing as her body relaxed against his.
Jesse lay there thinking he could definitely get used to this. Just the two of them and the quiet pitter-patter of rain against the window.
She didn't want forever, she had been very clear about that. Jesse just hoped he could change her mind before she realized he was in love with her.
* * * *
Zoe woke slowly the next morning. A sprinkle of sunlight on her face had her frowning. She turned over away from it and tried to get back to sleep.
She stretched then realized this was much bigger than her normal bed.
"Morning," Jesse said. She opened her eyes and smiled. He was leaning against the doorjamb wearing only a pair of jeans and drinking coffee. A girl could get used to a sight like that in the morning.
Morning. As in, she didn't tell Joey where she was. Granted, she was a grown woman but she was staying at their house. She should have let them know.
"Oh, crap."
"Nice. I'm glad I bring that out in you in the morning. I mean, I thought maybe you would have a better response than that."
She jumped out of bed and went in search of her clothes. "I didn't call the Santinis."
"Don't worry."
"Fine thing for you to say.
"No, I called last night and let Joey know." He grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. "So, say ‘Good morning, Jesse.'"
She smiled. "Good Morning, Jesse."
"Now, would you like something to eat?"
She thought about it. "Yeah, I would. I kind of worked up an appetite last night."
He smiled. "Let's go see what we can scare up."
"Uh, I need some clothes. I mean, I'm not a prude, but this goes beyond being free with my body."
He handed her the coffee and pulled her along behind him to the dresser. He opened a drawer. "Here. This should fit."
He let loose of her hand and pulled the shirt over her head. She set the cup on his dresser to work her arms through the sleeves. The t-shirt hit her mid-thigh.
"I like that," he said. She looked up at him and he had a strange expression on his face.
"What?"
"You look good in my shirt." He kissed her nose. "I'll go see what I have in the fridge."
He left her standing there staring after him. The man was definitely getting under her skin. She was used to being romanced in big ways. She hung with artists, so they always seemed to do things over the top. One bought her twelve dozen roses and filled her apartment with them. Another had serenaded her from the street.
Jesse didn't do things like that. He just did those little things, like give her his shirt or share his coffee. Those things meant more to her than the biggest bunch of flowers.
"Hey, I have a new toothbrush I haven't used yet. Left it on the counter."