She bit her lip, then grinned. Without a word, she strolled to the couch. Tossing aside a couple of t-shirts, she gingerly sat down, reached for the beer and took several long gulps. When she was satisfied, her nerves were somewhat under control, she leaned back, keeping the bottle nearby, and watched him.
This is awkward. Jake tried to remain calm, but it was hard to ignore the intense desire he had for her. Trying not to let his gaze linger too long for fear he would lose control and freak her out even more, he downed a beer. Without stopping he rushed to get another, handing a second one to her.
The instant her fingers brushed his, the electric current firing through his veins, he knew he was losing it. Their eyes locked, he was sure she was beckoning him, when all of a sudden, she withdrew, looking down. His body ached, but he forced himself to make a slow retreat to the couch, this time sitting closer to her. Maybe some music. He reached to flip on his laptop. Watching closely, he settled next to her, his thigh melting into hers.
"Hey, whatever happened to you, I want you to know you're safe with me.” The buzz was taking over his head, killing any inhibition that was stifling him.
He didn’t constrain his fingers, allowing them to flutter through her hair. He could see the heat in her face, but she didn't speak. Without stopping to think it through, he brought his lips to hers, gentle and slow at first, then with mounting passion. The urgency of her kiss intensified and she clung to him like she never wanted to let him go. When he looked into her eyes, they were radiating with desire.
Taking her cue, he moved down to her breasts, flicking his tongue in circular motions around her pink nipples. As they hardened, he let out a loud groan and began to greedily suck them. He felt her shudders beneath him growing more violent as his tongue slithered along every crevice of her body.
Kristen couldn’t believe this was happening. Her head dropped back, her eyes closed, her mind and body slowly drifted into a void of insurmountable pleasure as he began to slowly remove her jeans and panties. It was unexpected, even incomprehensible, but everything had changed. All that mattered was the blissful feeling overcoming her as his tongue found her center and the powerful spasms rocked her body. All she craved was his tender touch, the warmth of his skin adhered to hers.
When he finally entered her, she was floating in ecstasy. The tempo increased to a frenzied momentum, his breathing rapid and ragged. When she climaxed, she screamed out his name over and over between gasps. At that moment, she was sure it was the only name that she would ever utter again.
For him, it was magical and time seemed to stand still. Nothing mattered but the intense, euphoric feeling, the likes of which he had not experienced in ages. The magnitude of his orgasm convulsed through his body, like the ebbing aftershock of an earthquake.
Without a word, he lifted her in his arms and carried her to his bed. After what seemed like an eternity of lovemaking, they lay back, naked and satisfied, languishing in the madness of their passion. With a slow motion, he sat up and lit a joint. She rose and he found himself unable to tear his eyes away from her face. There was a rosy aura about her that sent a tingling warmth through his body. Although he didn’t want to let her go, he allowed his hand to fall from her arm. With a reluctant sigh, his eyes ingested every flowing curve and mound of her toned body as she sauntered off to the bathroom.
Kristen's head was spinning when she entered the bathroom. Everything was happening way too fast. She knew it was only hours since they had met at the café, but the events of the afternoon were fuzzy. It was almost impossible to remember leaving the café, and when and how she ended up totally naked in his bed. Now as she leaned weakly on the countertop, staring at her image in the mirror, it was as if a stranger were looking back at her. Splashing cold water on her burning cheeks didn't help. The bruise glared back at her, bright and ugly. It was turning purple. Fucking Logan!
An urge to climb out the bathroom window and slide down the fire escape to the street came over her. But when she popped her head through the tiny window and peered down, she had to laugh. It would've caused quite a commotion since she was stark naked and terrified of heights. Instead, she would have to return to the bedroom and deal with her insecurities.
As relaxation consumed Jake he slumped against the headboard, lost in a beautiful daydream. When Kristen returned without a word, she slid next to him. She felt his glance and met it with an innocent smile as he placed the joint between her lips. Inhaling the smoke into her lungs, she let herself relax and her doubts waste away.
When she handed it back, he wouldn’t permit her eyes to escape his. The mystery was back, but laden with worry. He took her hand, caressing it in an attempt to distract her.
"Where'd you get the bruises?" He was unwavering, taking in every inch of her face. “And please don't tell me you walked into the wall.”
Without warning, she was on fire, aware it was crucial that she form the right words in her mind before she spoke. Do not mess this up!
"I'm married!" She blurted out without a second thought, her heart pounding so powerfully she was certain it would burst.
He held onto her hand, squeezing harder. Taking a deep breath, he raised one of his thick eyebrows, watching her. It was an unusual habit of his.
"Did he do it?" He tried to hide his disappointment at her revelation and kept his tone complacent and calm.
Her lips started to quiver. She bit down on them, fighting back tears. He sat waiting. He wanted an answer. She managed a weak nod.
"I fucking hate him!" The fierce intensity of her words startled her.
He straightened up while studying her. "I guess that explains yesterday, in the park, huh?" It sounded more like an assertion. He shook his head as he pondered it. Taking another hit of the joint, he got up for a beer. After a long gulp he handed it to her. She cradled it in her hands, staring at it, speechless.
He knelt beside her, caressing her face. "Whatever you need, I'm here for you, baby. Just tell me. But no head games. I want honesty, okay?"
It was useless. She couldn't control her tears any longer. I want to trust you, to believe every word you say…
"Okay?" He persisted, but she was mute and simply shook her head.
At that moment, he made a silent vow to always protect her. Putting his arms around her, he pulled her close. They held onto each other, the silence interrupted by the slapping of the raindrops against the window.
* * *
It was getting late and Jake had to start thinking about getting ready for work. In the two hours after Kristen confirmed his suspicions, he'd been trying to deal with it in his head. He wasn’t sure he could come to terms with the situation, but he also couldn't deny the incredible potency of his feelings for her. The really troubling part was when he had tried to discuss it further, she held back and didn’t seem overly concerned about the imminent danger of her situation. That was what was the most infuriating to him, not the fact that she was married. I can deal with her being married. But what will I do if that maniac beats her really bad, or even worse, ends up killing her? It’s no use trying to convince myself she’s trouble I should avoid. It’s too late for that. As crazy as it seemed, he was in too deep to retreat.