Page 12 of Desperate Temptations
J essa stared at his hand. She got the impression he really wasn’t giving her a choice.
She sighed and tried to relax. How could she get herself to let go of this?
She felt dread tightening her stomach at the thought of quitting or giving up.
She just wanted to get answers, but the undeniable fact was she knew Cain could get the answers quicker than she could.
Before she lost her nerve, she slowly raised her hand, grasped his much larger one for a brief moment, and then tried to let go. Her eyes darted up to his when he tightened his hold as she went to pull away. She gave up the struggle and lifted her chin in false bravado.
“Deal. But this is void if you don’t keep your part of the deal.”
He nodded but wouldn’t release her hand. Heat slid up her arm and through her body, spreading like warm molasses. Her body was coming alive as her eyes darkened in pain. Tears came to her eyes as a stab of guilt grew in her chest. She didn’t want to feel, not this desire.
His face shifted to tenderness. He pulled her gently into his arms and held her tightly against his chest.
“Why are you crying again, Sweetheart?”
She shook her head and wrapped her arms around his trim waist, holding tight, while her tears still fell silently down her cheeks.
This felt so good. She hadn’t been embraced since Drew was alive.
The feeling of comfort and peace she felt in Cain’s arms, mixed with the flood of passion, combined with guilt, was turning her inside-out.
He squeezed her and tucked her closer to his big body. One hand pressed her head to his chest, the other glided leisurely up and down her slim back.
“Talk to me.”
She shook her head, pulling her chin down, and pressed harder against his chest. She didn’t want to talk about it. Her feelings were too raw to discuss.
“It’s nothing, Cain, I’m just emotional tonight, I guess.”
Cain bent his head down and whispered in her ear, causing massive, heated shivers to run down her spine. She knew he wasn’t going to take no for an answer this time.
“It’s something. Now tell me.”
Jessa sniffed and wondered how she could explain something she didn’t understand herself. How her world had gone from gray and cold to vibrant and warm, just by meeting this man. In one moment in time, Cain brought life back to her when nothing else had in the last two godforsaken years.
“I never expected I’d feel like this again,” she murmured without raising her head.
“Like what?” he asked, rubbing her back, spreading heat wherever he touched.
“Wanting someone again.” She had known of the intense passion within her, but what she felt for this man surpassed anything she’d felt with Drew.
Drew had always been so sweet and gentle with her.
He never asked her for anything more than the sex life they had.
It was good, but she knew deep down she had desires that surpassed anything Drew had given her.
She had learned to ignore her passions because the love she had for her husband was enough.
He nuzzled the top of her head.
“I’m glad you’re starting to want me. I’m sorry it’s upsetting for you, but you need to come to grips with the fact that I’m here now and I’m not going anywhere.”
His hands cupped her face and lifted until his gaze caught hers.
“As soon as I can, I’m going to strip you naked, tuck you under me, and keep you there until we’re both so exhausted and sore from fucking, we can’t move.”
In ways that alternately thrilled and frightened her, Jessa wedged her arms between them. She wanted to get away from him, but at the same time, wrapped herself around him. This was too much, too fast. She shook her head vigorously.
“No. God, Cain, this ... this thing between us can’t happen.”
“Sshh.” Cain pulled her back into his arms. His voice was low and smooth. “Why, Baby? What’s holding you back?”
Jessa froze as her breath caught in her throat.
The thought of giving herself to this man sent waves of pure molten lava through her veins, weakening her legs.
She took a deep breath, her arms going around his waist again.
She craved the comfort he could give her, even if he was the one who caused it.
He was making this so hard. She whispered into his shirt.
“Because until I know who killed Drew, I feel like I’m still married to him.”
Cain’s dark brows snapped together, his jaw and mouth set. His voice was ruthless, and he cupped her chin so he could see her face.
“The hell you are. Drew’s been gone for close to two years.”
Swallowing a sob that rose in her throat, she said, “It’s not that easy. Drew was my whole world for over five years.”
His look of determined intensity was making her flustered.
“I’m not going to give up on this, Sweetheart. I’ll be patient, but be warned, I’ll do everything I can to encourage you to give yourself to me, and then there’s no going back.”
So fast she had no time to move, he drew her tighter against him and pulled her into a hard, possessive embrace.
She whimpered, feeling the tension, the hardness he did nothing to hide.
Surprised, she looked up at him and groaned when his mouth covered hers hungrily, thrusting his tongue into the depths of her mouth like he wanted to absorb her or eat her alive.
Jessa’s eyes fluttered closed. Her eyelids felt too heavy to stay open.
Her breathing became labored. All she felt was the need that raged through her body.
Her body trembled, locked in the grip of something so powerful she no longer felt she had control.
Never had she felt this overwhelming, out-of-control desire. She discerned nothing but this moment.
The needy moan that slipped past her lips stunned her, bringing her back to the present.
She jerked her head back. Good God, she wasn’t ready for this, for him.
Jessa stared at Cain. Her eyes were glazed, her breathing ragged, her lips wet and swollen from his kiss.
She pushed away from him when his head lowered, intent on retaking her mouth.
If that happened, she didn’t know if she was strong enough to pull back a second time.
This was one of the hardest struggles she’d had to endure, and she was nowhere near strong enough to deal with it. She couldn’t understand the wrenching pain that developed in her midsection.