Page 71 of Heartless

“Crystal.”

He lifted his index and middle finger to his temple in a salute and walked out of my office.

I sat behind my desk.On the monitor, Sienna was standing by the window.She had changed into shorts and a white tee, and her hair was down.

I went straight to her quarters.After a short knock, she invited me into the sunny room, but she kept her back to me while I made my way to her.

Her gaze stayed on the window.“I’m twenty-four and I have no control over my life.My mom’s dead, Nigel is an asshole who’s also dying.My only friend was my friend until she thought I had what she wanted.”Her head shook slowly.“I have no one, no house and no career.”She paused and let out a trembling breath.“I can’t even write anymore.”

She had friends.Cam loved her.And Sile, whether she knew it or not, had appointed himself as her protector.“It’s going to be okay, Sienna.”

Still talking to the window, she let out a sad little scoff.“Nothing’s been okay since my mom died.”

One of her silent tears trailed down her cheek, and I wrapped her stiff body in my arms.When she curled her arms around me, I tightened my hold.Her breath hitched, and she pushed her face into my chest.I cupped her slender nape to tilt her face up.

She was beautiful even when she cried.I thumbed her tears.“Don’t cry, baby.”

“Jake,” she whispered.And I felt that in my dick.

Angling her face up, I kissed her.When her arms hooked around my neck, I fed on her mouth.She moaned, and I deepened the kiss.

Chapter Nineteen—Where’s your family?

Sienna

The sensual strokes of Jake’s tongue made my lower belly spasm, and I fisted his hair to hold him to me.When his big hands curled around the back of my thighs, I looped my legs around his waist.His low grunt vibrated in my mouth, and my nipples pebbled.

Every inch of my skin lit up.Breathless, I yanked my lips from his.Jake’s wet kisses down the side of my throat burned through my whole body.God...Oh God.Yes.

As my back touched the window, the coolness of the glass jolted me out of the scorching haze.

You were easy.

Dull as fuck.

I clamped my fingers around his stubbly jaw, and my voice trembled.“Jake, stop.Please...stop.”