Claimed: A For Her Novel Page 18

  I nod, knowing there was no other choice. I had to save Jay or my life would have ended with hers.

  “Do we have to call the cops or something?” Jay asks, breaking the sad moment, and Ryan smiles at her.

  “We’re all good.”

  I nod, knowing some of Ryan’s background. He’s got connections that go deeper than even I know, so I’m sure whatever took place at the cabin has all been wiped clean.

  “The team wanted to come in and hang out, but we knew you guys might need some time. We’ll be back in a couple of hours. I’ll bring food.” Paige winks at Jay and then squeezes my arm.

  “I think food sounds good. I’ll go with you,” Pop says and stands next to Paige. I see Ryan pull her back away from him a little and narrow his eyes on my old man. I can’t stop the smile that pulls at my mouth.

  “You can sit in the back with me,” Summer says, and puts her arm in the crook of his.

  “She better be careful. He’s a charmer,” Jay says, and we say our goodbyes and she snuggles closer to me.

  She’s careful not to touch my bandages and to keep her wrist elevated as she wraps her body around me.

  “I was so scared,” I admit. “I was terrified of losing you.”

  “Me too.”

  “Don’t ever do that to me again.” I look down at her and wait for her eyes to meet mine. “Don’t you ever run from me again.”

  “Never,” she says, and I see the promise in her eyes. “I was wrong not to go to you, but they had my sister, and I just panicked.”

  I place a finger over her lips. “I know. I won’t ever allow another situation like this to happen again. You’ll be in my arms and under my protection for the rest of your life.”

  “Promise?” she asks as she pulls my hand away and leans toward me.

  “Promise,” I agree, and place my lips on hers.

  The kiss is soft and warm and filled with promises of forever. I want to deepen it, to roll her onto her back and make love to her. To show Jay just how much I ached for her and how much she means to me. To make us alive and real as we connect. But we can’t. Not here, and not yet.

  But very, very soon.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Jay

  It’s been a week since Jordan saved me.

  “Come here,” he says, grabbing for me.

  I dodge him, and he gives me the cutest grumpy face that almost has me giving in. It doesn’t help that I want him just as much as he wants me, but I’m trying to hold back. The doctor said three physical therapy sessions and he would be cleared for sex. Today will be the third, and I’m trying to be good. But he’s making it really, really difficult.

  “One more session,” I remind him, but he just isn’t having it.

  “How about I do my last session on you?” He reaches for me again, grabbing me this time when I don’t fight him. I’m scared I might hit his shoulder wrong while I’m pulling away and cost us more time.

  “Jordan.” I try to put fight into my rebuff, but it doesn’t work when his mouth comes to my neck and he starts kissing me. “Jordan,” I try again, but he slips his hand into my shorts as he lifts me onto the kitchen counter. I want to tell him to stop. That he shouldn’t be picking me up, but all that comes out of my mouth is a moan.

  “Just need a little something to hold me over,” he whispers in my ear as he runs his finger along my sex. My hips jerk, trying to get closer to him. “Always so greedy for me.”

  I am. Since we left the hospital I can’t bring myself to be far from him. If he isn’t holding me at night, I can’t sleep. I dread when we might go back to work. I want to stay locked to him, where I feel safe and protected.

  “Jordan.” I say his name again, and this time I need to come.

  “I got you, little bird,” he growls before taking my mouth in a soft but intense kiss. I open my mouth for him, sucking his tongue and tasting him. I try to take over the kiss, but he doesn’t let me. I slide my fingers into his hair as he strokes me back and forth, playing with my clit. My orgasm is so close. “Give it to me,” he growls against my mouth as two fingers enter me and his thumb strums my clit. It’s been so long since I’ve had him that I come easily. My body is wound so tight that even the slightest touch is setting me off. I’ve been on the edge of climax for days, and I desperately need this connection to him.

  I pulse against him as he milks my orgasm from me. I cry out his name, unable to hold back any emotions.

  “Fuck, I love watching you come for me.”

  “Hmm,” I moan, feeling more relaxed than ever. He pulls his hand out from my shorts, and I watch as he licks his fingers clean.

  “That taste is going to push me through this workout,” he says before he kisses me deep and hard. I can taste myself on him, and his aggressive desire is turning me on again.

  I push on him a little, and he steps back. “Jay...” he says, and I slide off the counter in front of him, dropping to my knees. I watch his chest rise and fall, his breathing growing heavy.

  “Jay, my control isn’t great.” His voice is deep and rough and only turns me on more. He braces his hands on the counter, and I can tell it’s taking everything in him to not reach out and grab me.

  I look up at him through my lashes. His hair is a little longer than normal and hangs in his eyes. I reach for his gym shorts, slowly pulling them down, and I kiss a trail as I slide them off. His breathing grows heavy.

  “Maybe I need a taste to hold me over, too,” I say softly.

  “Fucking hell,” he mutters as his cock throbs in front of me. I grab a hold of him, and he jerks in my hand. “Baby, maybe...” His words trail off as I lean forward and lick the small drop of come on the end of his cock. His body stiffens at the contact. I didn’t know someone could feel so powerful while being on their knees.

  He’s salty sweet, and I want more of him. It always turns me on when he wants the taste of me on his tongue. I want the same. I wrap my lips around him, taking him in my mouth. His arms above me look tense. I see every muscle and vein as he tries to keep himself under control.

  I lean back, letting his cock slip free of my mouth. “Let go. Use me,” I tell him. The idea of him taking over and claiming his pleasure sparks something deep inside me. I want him to stop fighting what he wants.

  “Open,” he snarls as his hands leave the counter and slide into my hair. He grips it with a hard hold, and I can feel the shift in power. “Take me in.” I do as he says, wrapping my mouth around him. I try to move my head, but he doesn’t let me. He keeps his tight hold on me as he jerks his hips back and forth, fucking my face.

  It’s so erotic watching him use me, taking what he wants and being rough. “Fuck,” he growls and moves faster. I dig my fingers into his thighs, holding on to him. “I’m going to come. And you’re going to take it.” It’s not a request. He’s demanding that I pleasure him, and I’m eager for it.

  I feel myself start to throb. I let go of his thighs and slide my hand down my shorts, needing relief.

  “Fuck, always so greedy for it.”

  I moan around his cock because he’s right. Something about him always calling me greedy does it for me. I’m his and only get like this for him. It’s almost like a little secret we have together.

  “Swallow,” he commands through gritted teeth as he starts to come in my mouth.

  I do as he says. My finger over my clit continues to move as I come. I taste his release in my mouth, and it makes mine all the more intense. He jerks against me, pushing all the way to the back of my throat. I moan as my own orgasm takes over.

  He slowly pulls back. His eyes are hooded and filled with passion. He’s looking at me with so much love as his cock slips free. I see a trace of come still on the tip, and I greedily lean forward, taking him back into my mouth. I want to make sure I get every drop of him.

  He grunts, his
hips jerking, then I’m being pulled to my feet.

  “Jordan.” I try to scold him. He shouldn’t be lifting me, but he ignores me and takes my mouth in a deep kiss. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” he says when he finally presses his forehead to mine. He lifts my hand to his mouth, sucking my fingers clean.

  “That’s mine,” he says as he does it.

  “You’re such a caveman lately,” I tease.

  He’s been a little more controlling lately, but I like it. I know he’s still on edge about everything that happened. Yesterday I had to maneuver myself to get out of his hold while we were sleeping. It took me ten minutes to break free. I barely made it to the bathroom and he was freaking out looking for me because he woke up and I wasn’t in bed.

  “Your caveman.”

  I roll my eyes then hear the doorbell ring, and I duck under his arm. He tries to grab me, but I slip free heading for the door. I already know who it is.

  “John,” I say in greeting when he walks in.

  “Jay.” He nods and smiles at me. “Is he a bear today?”

  I glance over at Jordan, who’s now in the entryway. “You didn’t check the peephole,” he scolds, and I ignore him.

  “I thought I’d gotten him toned down, but I guess not.” I shoot a glance back to Jordan, and he’s still giving me a stern look. I have to bite my lip from smiling, knowing that will only make it worse. “I’ll leave you to it,” I tell them, turning to leave.

  “Little bird,” Jordan growls. I turn to look at him. “Come here.”

  I should tell him not to boss me around, but my body doesn’t listen. I think Jordan knows if he says anything in a growl to me, my body will obey. When I get to him, he slides his hands in my hair, pulls me close, and kisses me.

  When he breaks the kiss, he rests his forehead on mine. “Check the peephole.” I can feel the strain in his body.

  “Okay,” I tell him, and he visibly relaxes. I want to tell him no one can get up here unless they are approved, but I know small things will make him feel better. So I give it to him. Plus, he’s right; I should have checked the peephole.

  He reluctantly lets me go when John clears his throat. I give him one more quick kiss, and he grabs me back for another, and I know what he’s thinking. His eyes bore into mine. When this physical therapy session is over, he’s coming for me. I turn to leave, excited and praying the next hour doesn’t feel like twenty. I need Jordan just as much as he needs me. I need his weight on my body. We need to mend our bond and join our bodies in the most primal and intimate way possible.

  “Are you looking at her ass?” Jordan clips out from behind me, and I roll my eyes.

  “If I’m going to look at anyone’s ass around here, it would be yours,” John says in response to Jordan. I snort at that.

  When I get back to the bedroom, I make the bed and go about tidying up. I glance at the clock and see only ten minutes have passed. I groan and flop down on the bed then grab my phone from the nightstand and call Summer.

  “Hey,” she answers, sounding chipper. As bad as everything was, this whole ordeal seems to have changed our relationship for the better.

  “Hey,” I reply. “How is everything?” It’s so different to be able to call my sister for no reason, but that’s what we’ve been doing. We’ve talked on the phone every day since I left the hospital.

  “Great! I got an interview next week,” she tells me.

  “That’s great. Where is it at?”

  “Some yoga studio a few blocks from your old place. The pay isn’t great, but I know I’ll enjoy it.”

  “That’s awesome. I’m happy for you.”

  “Thanks. How’s your arm?”

  I smile. She’s been kind of doting on me since it happened, and I can’t say that I don’t like it. There’s something about our roles reversing that feels different but nice.

  “Still the same. At least they’ve given me a smaller cast now, not that big clunky one.”

  “All the better to move with,” she says and I can picture her eyebrows wiggling.

  “Dork,” I say, and laugh at her.

  I’m glad she’s feeling more settled. She, out of everyone, has seemed to have dealt with what happened the best. She and Pop are best friends now. She goes over there all the time to help out with anything he needs. I don’t think Pop needs the help, I think my sister really enjoys his company. I get it. Pop is so different from our parents. He actually makes you feel like he’s your dad and he cares and loves you with his whole heart.

  When I called and told our parents what happened, my mom gave me the “I told you not to move to New York” line. Nothing more. I thought she would at least try to come out, maybe even check on us a few times. But neither of us heard anything.

  She lets out a little sigh, but it sounds happy. “You guys need anything? I can bring over food or something.”

  “Nope. We’re all good,” I confirm. Food is the last thing on my mind. All I can think about is the clock. I glance over again and see the hands have barely moved.

  “All right.” I hear the laughter in her voice. She knows what today is, and now I have a feeling she’s teasing me. She knows I didn’t want anyone to come over today.

  “Whatever,” I mumble, making her laugh harder.

  “Hey, at least you know you’re going to be getting some. It’s a dry land over here, and I don’t see the rain coming anytime soon.”

  That makes me laugh. I love that we have this now. Those forty-eight hours were the worst hell I’ve ever been in, but at the end of it I got my sister. We’ve formed a bond now, and we actually feel like a family.

  I hear the doorbell. “Hey, someone’s here,” I tell her, rolling off the bed.

  “Call me later.”

  “’Kay. Love you.”

  “Love you, too,” she says before hanging up the phone.

  I make my way down the hall to see Jordan heading for the door, too. I beat him to it this time, stopping to look through the peephole.

  “This is really barbaric. Shouldn’t my hacker boyfriend have a camera out there and all I’d have to do is check a monitor?” I tease, pulling open the door. He picks me up by the waist and places me behind him, grunting a little.

  “Dang it, Jordan, don’t hurt yourself or you really won’t be getting any!” I give him a smack on the back. He grunts again like I really hurt him, but I know better.

  “Pop,” Jordan says, and I blush when I realize what I said in front of him. Pop laughs, and I bury my face in Jordan’s back.

  “Whatever,” I moan as a laughing Jordan pulls me forward. I try to reach out to hug Pop, but he doesn’t let me go. “Was he always this much of a caveman?” I fake a sigh.

  “I never let my wife out of my hands either,” Pop says, leaning down and kissing my cheek. The word “wife” makes my heart flutter in my chest.

  “Don’t you have something you should be doing?” I look up at Jordan. He has a sheepish look on his face.

  “I sent him home,” he finally admits. I reach out and grab Pop to look at his watch.

  “You had another twenty minutes!” Jordan just shrugs. “Come in,” I tell Pop, pushing Jordan out of the way. “Do you want something to eat?” I ask him.

  “He’s not hungry,” Jordan answers for him. I turn around and give him a hard look that seems to do nothing.

  Pop just laughs.

  The doorbell goes off again. “Fucking hell,” Jordan mutters. I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Pop sits down at the breakfast bar.

  “What’s wrong with him?” My face pinkens at the question, not wanting to tell Pop Jordan is horny and wants me in bed.

  “He...ah...” I’m saved when Jordan comes back into the room with Ryan and Paige.

  “Company,” Jordan grunts. I don’t know if I want to laugh or cry.
Laugh because he’s acting like an adorable grumpy bear that can barely talk, or cry because I, too, want to be alone with him.

  Paige takes me by surprise, walking in and wrapping me in a hug. “I’m so sorry,” she says. When I pull back, she has tears in her eyes.

  “I’m fine, I promise,” I try to reassure her.

  “It’s my job to make sure everyone is safe. I—”

  “Stop,” I tell her. “It’s my fault, too. I should have said something sooner.” That guilt still weighs on me, so much so I’m not sure I should go back to Osbourne Corp. to work. I messed up. I should have told someone about the emails.

  “Stop, both of you,” Pop snaps. We all turn to look at him. “No one can control crazy. This isn’t anyone’s fault. Trust me. I’ve been there. The ifs, ands, and buts will get no one anywhere but stuck in a place you don’t want to be.”

  Pop’s words sink in, and I know he’s right. We need to let it all go. Living in it only gives the ones who hurt us more power.

  I look over at Jordan, whose eyes are on me like they always are. I don’t think it will be that easy for him. His possessiveness seems to be growing each day. He reaches for me and pulls me to him. I go to his side, melting into him. I know he understands what his dad is saying, but I’m not sure how much is really sinking in. I think he still needs more time.

  “We wanted to let you know to take as much time as you need,” Ryan says, breaking the silence. “Miles said he doesn’t want to see you back for a while,” he adds, looking at me. I nod. Everyone at work has been so sweet to us. I’m not used to having so many friends and people around. It’s a lot to take in. To get used to.

  “Okay, fuck it,” Jordan finally says, his impatience getting the best of him. “Everyone has got to go.”

  Everyone turns to look at him. My face warms, but it’s clear he’s at the end of his rope. “I’ve been waiting all week for this.” I feel like my eyes are about to pop out. I can’t believe he just said that in front of his dad and his boss.

  “Jordan!” I yell.

  “Nope, little bird, I’m done sharing. Everyone out. I want to be alone with my woman,” he says. I feel like I’m going to die of embarrassment, but when I look around at everyone, they are all smiling. Well, not Jordan, because people don’t seem to be moving at a speed that makes him very happy.