Page 59 of Jase

My hand slid to her back, pulling her body into mine. At the way she melted into me, I couldn’t be wrong.

“I’ve kissed you before, and I’m about to do it again. Say yes, and this time will be different. This time I’m not going to stop.”

Full lips parted as Kody kept eye contact, nodding.

“Not good enough. Say it. I want you to mean it.”

“Kiss me.”

Two words. Not ‘yes or yeah’ like I expected. She gave an order. A direct statement, and it did its job. I gripped the back of her neck, leading her right to my lips. The hunger that met me almost stole my control. I grabbed her romper at her lower back with my other hand, twisting until the thin strap over her shoulder broke. Our tongues swept against each other, massaging before she added the smallest amount of suction. The action sent a frenzy of lust roaring through.

“This is why you can’t sleep? Do you miss your vibrator?I could help you with that.”

I moved to nip at her neck, sucking against her skin as I waited for her answer.

“Jase, I.” She wiggled in my arms.

My breath came out broken and deep as I let her go. My heart was racing. “That’s not a yes.”

“I…” Her lids closed as the wind increased, sending her hair flying all over again. “I’m scared.”

“Of what? Of me?”

“Of this. Of…I feel the attraction between us. It’s been there from the beginning, maybe for both of us, but I’m not good for you.”

“Don’t say that. You’re wrong. I’m not the good one; you are. I’ve killed for you, Kody. I’d do it again without a second thought if it meant protecting you. Who’s the bad guy here?”

“I am. You wouldn’t be doing that if I didn’t give you reason to.”

“You?Them.Not you. You didn’t do this. You’re not causing this. In life, there are people. Truly, evil people. They take advantage. They hurt; they kill. I’m the shield between you and them. When it calls for it, I’m the sword. I’m okay with that.”

“But I shouldn’t be.” Her hand flew to her mouth, and I saw the truth all too clearly. She wasn’t against my killing. Not really. That’s what scared her.

“Shouldn’t?” I grabbed the front of Kody’s romper, jerking her back to me and crushing my lips to hers.

“You know nothing. You’ve done nothing.” My fingers dug into her ass as she held to the back of my neck with her good hand. Harder, I kissed, drinking in her whimper.

“You could get hurt.”

“So could you, but I won’t let that happen. I’m going to keep you safe. Both of us. I promise.”

Her weight molded into me, and I leaned down, sweeping her into my arms as I carried her inside. Her good hand cupped my jaw, and I fumbled with the door as she kissed against the side of my neck. The sucking she added nearly had me stopping so I could ravage her on the living room floor. I passed her room, sending my bedroom door crashing into the wall. Kody’s head lifted, noticing the change just as I lowered her to my bed. The look she had was one I read all too well.

“I know what you want. Mine are better.”

“You mean…?”

My lips tugged back on the side. I maneuvered to position over her, looping my arm around her lower back to scoot her higher. Still, I stayed on top, trapping her legs between mine.”

“Lay back.”

Kody’s lips brushed mine, but I didn’t return her kiss. I kept our eyes locked, letting her feel the dominance as she slowly lowered. When I took her hand and let my teeth graze the inside of her wrist, I saw her let go. Her hand relaxed in my grasp; her lids lowered just the slightest amount. It was beautiful, and a moment I didn’t want to rush.

I fingered the remaining strap from her outfit, crossing the expanse of her chest. Her cleavage barely showed. My finger dipped between her breasts, and I grabbed the material of the romper, jerking down enough to break the remaining strap. Kody gasped. Only then did I bring her wrist towards my headboard. I opened the middle drawers pulling a cuff free. At the sounds, her breath caught.

“Chains. You have chains?” Her head was tilted. She looked between them and me. For the first time, fear, yet…more. Her chest rose and fell as she pushed her hand higher. I paused, scanning her face. She wanted this. Maybe more than I’d seen her want anything. The chains were significant. I remembered that’s what she’d worn with David.

I pulled the cuff down level with the side of her face, giving a little tug. It was as far down as it’d go. She’d have no room and no control. She needed to see that. And she did. The transformation was telling. The apprehension was there, but a new form. She wasn’t afraid of the chains. She was scared I wouldn’t continue.