Page 20 of Redeemed

"I have," he said huskily. "I want you to release me from my pretend boyfriend status, Sofia, because I wantthisto be real." He gathered her hands in his and held them tightly. "I know for sure that I don't deserve you, and I'll probably fuck it up royally, but I really wantusto be real."

Sofia could feel her heart speed up in her chest. Did he really just say what she thought he did? He wanted them to be real? She forced her eyes up to meet his gaze. The brown orbs betrayed his anxiety as well as his longing.

When she continued to remain silent, he hurried on. "If that's what you want, too. Only if you want it. If not, we can continue to carry on like we've been doing. I mean…"

"Shut up, and come here," Sofia suddenly demanded, pulling her hands from his to bring his face to hers. "Please," she added, before kissing him senseless.

When they at last came up for air, JT's grin stretched across his whole face. It was his the full on 1.000 watt smile she hadn't seen in months. She hadn't realized how much she had missed it. And she'd put it there.

"That's a yes, then?" he asked, cheekily.

Sofia smiled brightly and nodded. "That's a yes."

"Good. Wanted to make sure before I did this," he said, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he lifted her and sat her astride his lap. "Now, where were we?"

Chapter eighteen

Don't You Dare Stop

Oncehehadheron his lap, JT slowed. He wanted to savor her like a man, not rush like a boy. He ran his hands up and down her back and let his eyes roam across her features. How had he gone so long, working with her every day, but never reallyseeingher? God, he really was an asshole. He knew she was too good for him. Too sweet. Too smart. Too everything, but he couldn't resist her any longer. He'd never felt this longing to know everything about a woman before. He wasn't even sure everything would be enough.

Sofia's eyes danced as she settled her arms around his neck. Could this really be real? After all these years of pining for him, could she really be in JT's arms? And not in a pretend girlfriend situation? She was a little confused when she caught the look in his eyes. She'd expected more panty-melting kisses once he'd pulled her onto his lap, but he kept staring at her.

"Is everything okay?" she asked hesitantly.

"Everything's perfect," he replied, reaching up and stroking a thumb across one high cheek bone. He studied her face. "Perfect," he repeated.

Sofia squirmed. No man had ever looked at her like this. Like he wanted to devour her, but slowly, enjoying every morsel. She tried to slow her breathing, but it got more and more difficult the longer he looked at her. She was starting to burn from the inside out and he had barely touched her.

"I think I'm a little obsessed with your hair," JT murmured, reaching up to run the strands through his fingers again letting it cascade like water across her shoulders. "I never imagined how silky it would feel." He inhaled deeply. "And you smell like honeysuckle." He buried his nose in the crook of her neck then started placing small kisses behind her ear. Her eyelids dropped closed, soaking in the sensation of his mouth on the sensitive skin. She whimpered.

"Hmmm?" JT hummed, sitting up to watch her again. "You like that, baby?"

"Uh, huh," Sofia managed.

He smiled against her neck then sat up to watch her face again. He ran his thumb across her full bottom lip and her lips parted.

"So beautiful," he murmured, leaving her lips and tracing a finger up the side of her face. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear again.

Sofia thought her heart would beat out of her chest and her fingers shook as she reached out to study him with her hands as he had her. She traced the hard angles of his cheeks and the stubble along his strong jaw. Without his smile, there was nothing soft about his face. He was all masculine beauty. When she ran a finger over his lips, he took her finger into his mouth and sucked hard.

Sofia gasped at the contact. Butterflies erupted low in her belly as she drew the digit out of the wet heat. "Santo Padre," she whispered breathlessly. ("Holy Father")

JT's hand played at the hem of her t-shirt. His fingers skimmed the tan skin of her belly and around to her back. Her shirt rose as his hands explored her. He started to raise the fabric over her breasts but then stopped. "Okay if we get rid of this?" he asked her, his lids hooded.

Sofia had a brief moment of regret that she had on a boring white cotton bra. She'd dressed for work this morning having no idea a seduction would be happening. Finally, she nodded. "Please," she agreed.

His mouth quirked up at the word, then he quickly peeled the garment from her body. He traced a finger across the tops of her breasts above the white material. He cupped her in his hands, his thumbs brushing across her nipples, before his lips followed the trail his finger had followed. Sofia tangled her fingers in his hair, suddenly glad he hadn't been keeping it short the last few months as he normally did. She let her head tip back and fell into the heat he was causing to rage through her. Without conscious thought, her hips started to grind against the hard length of him she could feel trapped behind the denim of his jeans. A moan escaped him.

She nearly came undone at that sound. "Jesus, more," she said on a groan. "Please."

Her breathy exclamation seemed to spur something in JT. His head lifted from his adoration of her breasts, and he wrapped one hand in her hair, fisting it to pull her closer into his body. His lips slammed down on hers. The tender touches evaporated in the heat of his mouth thoroughly claiming hers. Her nails dug into his shoulders and simply tried to hang on.

After a minute, or an eternity, she wasn't quite sure, JT tore his mouth away from hers. She cried out at the loss of contact. When her eyes popped open to look at him, she was rewarded with a look of such hunger that she sucked in a breath of surprise. JT's eyes were black with desire. For her.

"I want you, Sofia," he growled. "Tell me you want me. This. Now."

Her eyes widened and her lips parted. "I've never wanted anything more in my life," she said on a heaving breath.