Page 22 of Guarded (Hopeless Blessed #3)

Noah

T hree hours later, we left the gallery several hundred pounds lighter.

The whole time we’d browsed, I’d waited for Jeremiah to show some signs of boredom. For a yawn or him checking his phone.

But there was nothing.

Not only did Jeremiah hang on my every word, he made comments that showed he was listening. He asked insightful questions and gave his own opinions on the various pieces.

And he hadn’t let go of my hand once.

I wasn’t sure what was making me hornier.

That he’d reached out to my friends for ideas on what I’d enjoy.

That he’d listened to me and seemed actively interested.

Or his touch. How his thumb would occasionally slip up my wrist and idly stroke over my pulse point.

His breath on my ear as he whispered about a particular painting.

The way he pulled me close to his side when a group sidled past.

Our last date had been fun and unexpectedly sweet .

This one was the same, but enhanced and with an extra element to it. A very horny element.

It was as though Jeremiah had covered himself in honey.

I couldn’t think about anything other than licking it all off.

Kissing his easy grin off his too-perfect lips.

Sliding my arm under his jacket to trace the muscles in his back.

Seeing what colour the skin on his neck would turn when I left marks there with my mouth.

The more we walked and talked, the more my need for him grew. It wasn’t even connected to the bond. The ache had gone completely silent the instant I’d stepped into his arms by the car.

This wasn’t the bond. It wasn’t even his raw sexuality, simmering in every smirk and glance.

It was him. It was the effort Jeremiah was making. The interest he was taking in me. Objectively, he hadn’t done much, but it was more than anyone had ever done for me before, at least in the context of a lover.

Lover. That wasn’t how I was supposed to think of him. I knew that.

Trouble was, the box I was trying to shove him into was falling apart by the second.

The more it did so, the greater my need for him grew.

“I’m glad we found those pieces,” Jeremiah said as we ambled down the road. We’d instinctively turned in the opposite direction from the car. Neither of us was ready to part yet. “You’ve got exceptional taste.”

I peered sideways at him. “That feels like it’s a compliment to both of us.”

“How so?”

I nudged him with my shoulder. “Well, you’re my mate, right? If I’ve got exceptional taste, that must mean you’re very tasty. ”

He groaned. “Satan, it’s killing me to hold back the obvious cheesy comment.”

I giggled. “Don’t do it for my sake. As previously established, I love a bit of cheese.”

“Fine,” Jeremiah sighed, “but don’t hold this against me.”

“I promise,” I said solemnly. It probably would’ve been more effective if my lips hadn’t been twitching with how hard I was holding back my laughter.

He dropped his voice low as his gaze met mine. “I’ve been told I’m very tasty.”

The words didn’t have the effect either of us had been expecting.

The laughter died in my throat as I stared into his amber eyes.

Fuck, I bet he was tasty. Every inch of him.

Saliva filled my mouth as I thought about licking down the column of his neck.

Lower. Down his chest. Circling a nipple. Carrying on down until…

Jeremiah sucked in a sharp breath, tugging on my hand. Within a blink, we were down an alleyway between a bakery and a deli.

My back hit the wall as Jeremiah crowded into me. Flames flickered in his hungry eyes as he boxed me in with his arms. “Want to tell me what you were thinking about just then, Noah?”

I swallowed once. Twice. I’d practically been drooling a few seconds ago, and now my mouth was dry as sand. “What do you mean?”

He tutted lightly, stepping closer. I held back a whimper, wishing he’d not left those last few inches between us. “You’re forgetting I’m a demon, Noah. The seven deadly sins and I are old friends. But do you know which was always my favourite? ”

I shook my head dumbly, unable to think with him this close.

“Lust,” he breathed. He lowered his head until his lips were a scant centimetre above my own. “Something tells me it’s your favourite too.”

The words had my brain coming back online. Putting my hands on his shoulders, I used my considerable strength to switch our positions.

A small oof came from Jeremiah as he hit the wall.

He gaped at me as I smirked. “You’re right.

It is my favourite sin.” I slid my leg between his, grinning as his bulge brushed against my thigh.

He let out a groan, his lids heavy as he pushed his hips forwards.

“If you’re expecting me to be docile and submissive in bed, I’m afraid you’re going to be sorely mistaken. ”

I loved sex. I might not be very good at it, nor have much experience, but I loved it all the same…when my brain didn’t get in the way of my enjoyment.

Hopefully Jeremiah wouldn’t hold my lack of skill against me.

“You mean desperately turned on.” His head hit the wall as he let out a filthy moan. “There’s nothing I love more than tussling for control in the bedroom.I want to own as much as I’m owned.”

It was like he’d peeked inside my brain and plucked out my deepest fantasy. Maybe fate really did know what she was doing when she put the two of us together.

Now I was the one leaning in. I didn’t go for his mouth, instead licking a stripe straight up the front of his throat. I dipped back down to circle his Adam’s apple lightly before pulling back.

Jeremiah was staring at me with eyes like saucers, his lungs working overtime. “What was that? ”

“That’s what I was thinking about doing earlier.” I winked and slid my leg from between his. “You said you were tasty, and I wanted to see if you were right.”

“And was I?”

I hummed, pretending to consider it. “You know, I’m not sure. It’s not enough evidence for me. I think I’d have to conduct a more thorough experiment.”

Once more, I was twisting through the air, hard brick scratching against my back as a growling Jeremiah pinned me in place. Wicked lust dripped from his smile. “Just say the word, Noah. I’m happy to let you taste me wherever and whenever you like.”

I shivered as he trailed a finger along my collarbone. All my reasons for keeping him at a distance were fading away in the face of my need for him.

He’ll make me forget anyone else exists.

That had my racing heart slowing a little. Was that what I wanted? To become so engrossed in him that everything else ceased to matter?

Again, that was a place I’d been before. I’d prioritised Lyle’s needs and wants above everything and everyone else.

Even myself.

I wasn’t sure I wanted to go back there.

Jeremiah’s hand fell away, and he stepped back with a wry smile. “Too much?”

I went to disagree but caught myself. If nothing else, Jeremiah deserved my honesty. “A little. I want more, I do. It’s just…”

“It’s fast.” His smile was strained, but it was there. That counted, right? “It’s okay, Noah. We move at your pace. Always.”

I pushed off the wall with a sigh. “Wanna know how much my dick is screaming at me right now? ”

“Probably as much as mine is.” He glanced ruefully at the bulge in his jeans. “It’s very unhappy that I’m being reasonable and respectful.”

“Ditto.”

I wasn’t sure which of us was more surprised by that. Jeremiah’s brows shot up and his jaw dropped.

“Do you—” He cleared his throat and tried again. “Do you not want me to be those things?”

“I do.” I huffed out a breath. How could I explain my thoughts when I didn’t understand them myself? “I want you to respect my boundaries.”

Jeremiah closed the distance between us. “But?”

My tongue swiped out to moisten my lips. I didn’t miss the way he hungrily tracked the movement. “But I also don’t mind if you want to push me a little. I like…I like knowing how much you want me.”

He didn’t say anything, leaving me to replay the words in my head. As soon as I did, shame flooded my cheeks. “God, that sounds awful. I’m sorry. You must think I’m incredibly shallow and?—”

“I don’t,” he said firmly before smiling widely. “I’m just starting to understand you, Noah. That’s all.”

“Really?” I gave a humourless laugh. “That’s good, because I sure as shit don’t understand what’s going on in my head.”

Jeremiah chuckled, brushing his lips against my temple. “Don’t worry, Noah. I’ve got you. That’s all you need to know.”

Three emotions ricocheted through me with such speed that it took me a second to process them: Happiness that Jeremiah understood me. Shock at how much I wanted him to have me. But most of all, fear. Fear because I was falling, and I didn’t know how to stop myself .

Jeremiah was everything I’d ever wanted, the one fate said was to be mine for all eternity.

So why couldn’t I just accept that and be happy about it?