Page 134 of Jake's Angel
“It’s alright. You may be as loud as you like. Your floor is empty this evening. I didn’t want someone accidentally seeing you and informing others of your presence here.” Vincenzo tells Gabe. “I figured she would be a screamer, anyway.” He winks and heads back to his office.
He must be feeling his whiskey too.
Taking Avery’s hand, we say our good nights and make our way down to our room. We hear some strange noises as we pass Hawk and Sadie’s room. There’s a room service tray by his door, so I knock.
“Yeah,” Hawk shouts back.
“You’ve got a tray out here with some beer and shit on it, man.”
He cracks the door open enough to reach his hand out. “Hand me those, would you? I should’ve taken the bottle of whiskey from Vincenzo’s office. Beer isn’t going to be strong enough.”
I fight to hide my smile. “Did you bring any tricks with you? You might want to bind her so you can get some sleep and not have to worry about Sadie killing you.”
“I’d still find a way!” Sadie shouts from the room.
“You two have a good night.” Hawk tips his chin and slams the door shut behind him.
I look down at Avery, and she’s still showing zero emotion.
Once inside our room, I close the door with my foot, locking it behind me as Avery drops her bag and curls into a ball on the couch. The overwhelming urge to protect her is gnawing at my chest again. I kneel in front of her and lift her body so she’s sitting up with me between her legs. She’s running her fingers through my hair absentmindedly as I stare into her beautiful but haunted green eyes. She’s here with me, touching me, but her attention is elsewhere.
“What’s wrong, Angel? Talk to me,” I urge. “You’ve been acting strange all night.” I cup her cheeks with my palms, enjoying the feel of her soft skin in my rough hands. The way she closes her eyes at my touch tells me she’s feeling what I feel. That connection we have. Craves it like I do.
We’re like magnets pulling on one another. I just need to get her to open up to me. To see she can trust me. Deciding now is as good a time as any—I cut right to the chase.
“Where are you, baby?” I ask, searching her face for answers. She scrunches her forehead as if she doesn’t understand my question, so I clarify for her. “You’re here, but you’re not with me. You left in a hurry this morning, and you’ve been running from me ever since.” Rubbing my thumb across her cheek, I continue to search her face for any kind of sign she’s understanding me. “You mind telling me why you keep running? Did I do something to hurt you?” I broach the subject, but I don’t push. I know she’s scared, but I need her to say the words.
Avery shakes her head but remains silent. She tries to turn her head away from me, but I keep my hands where they are and keep her eyes on mine. Using the pads of my thumbs, I wipe away the tears that have slipped down her face. I gently kiss each tear-stained cheek and lean my forehead against hers.
“You thought I only wanted one night with you, didn’t you?” She doesn’t answer but tightly closes her eyes as she inhales a deep breath, worrying her lip with her teeth. “Then you didn’thear what I said to you last night, because I distinctly remember telling you—you’re mine now,baby. Every bit of you.” I kiss her forehead and bring my eyes level with hers, but she still won’t open them.
“When I asked if you understood, you said yes, but I don’t think you did.” I kiss her forehead, then her cheeks one at a time, and her lips ever so softly. “You didn’t understand me, did you, baby? You didn’t understand I was claiming you.” I kiss the same path around her face again. When my lips reach hers, she gently kisses me back and tries to deepen the kiss. I pull back, which makes her eyes open, the sting of rejection so clearly etched on her face.
She tries to pull out of my grip, anger and frustration playing out in her eyes, but I hold on to her, shaking my head.
“You changed my world when you came into my life. I’ve watched you stand your ground and hand my Pop and Pres their asses, then retreat into a scared little girl all in the same night. I’ve wanted you from the first moment you opened your mouth and that fiery tongue of yours put me in my place, not backing down one bit from the shit anyone threw at you.I knewyou were mine the moment you kissed me at the diner and every day since. But the moment I fell in love with you was the moment you gave in and you let me see all your vulnerabilities. I knew then you owned my heart, and I would do anything to protect yours. You’re not a one-night stand, Avery. You’re my forever. You’re mine Angel, and I’m yours.”
Tears are flowing now, with no signs of stopping. Her eyes hold so many questions, but then there’s a moment when something flashes.
“I thought you wouldn’t want me anymore since you finally saw how broken and scarred I am. How damaged,” she whispers, looking down at the floor. I move to stand up, taking her handand pulling her to stand with me. I place both hands on her hips and duck my head until we are eye to eye.
“Angel, look at me.” When her eyes finally meet mine again, I tell her, “I want all of you. Especially all the broken parts, so I can help you put the pieces back together. You’re not damaged, and if I hear you say that again, Iwilltan your ass. I’ve threatened it before, but this time I mean it. You. Are. Not. Damaged. You are strong. Beautiful. Brave. Loyal as fuck. AndYou.Are.Mine.”
Before she can say another word, I crash my mouth onto hers. I pull her flush against my body. I don’t miss the little gasp that escapes her mouth when she feels my rock hard erection against her stomach. I begin kissing down her neck and behind her ear, nibbling on the spot I know makes her squirm.
Her body shivers and her breath hitches.
Her hands snake their way up my shoulders and into my hair. She grabs two fists full and tugs. It’s the perfect mixture of pain and pleasure. I growl my approval, then abruptly pull us apart.
Before we can go any further, I need to hear her say the words. I need to know if she understands. She’s not going to run when this night is over. Pulling back and breaking our connection, the look of her swollen lips and lust-filled eyes is the most beautiful thing I think I’ve ever seen. I lean down, touching our foreheads together once more.
“Say it, Angel. Tell me the words I want to hear.”
“I’m yours, Jake.” That’s all it takes. My mouth is back on hers as we tug at each other’s clothes. Not able to get to one another fast enough. She runs her hands under my shirt and across my abs. I reach back to rip it off over my head, giving her what she wants.
“Hands up, baby.” She does as I ask. I remove her shirt and bra in record time. Taking her mouth once again in a heated kiss,I lift, and she wraps her legs around my waist. I lay her back against the couch and unbutton her shorts. She unwraps her legs and lifts her ass, helping me to rid her of the last remaining scraps of clothing that are keeping me from what’s mine. I stand and shuck off my jeans and boxers, standing naked before her. Her heated gaze lands on my cock. She licks her lips and raises her eyes to me.
“As much as I would love to have your mouth on me, Angel, tonight is not about that. Tonight, it’s about making you mine in every way. Heart, body, and soul.” I push her back up against the couch, leaning over her, rocking my erection against her stomach. Reaching my hand down between her legs, I slide my fingers through her slit and find her wet and ready for me.