Page 125 of The Devil's Heir

I narrow my eyes. "It's calledyou're a big fat liar."

"So you weren't staring at me then?" he asks as he wraps his arms around me.

"Well, I was, but…"

Jarek gives me a smug grin before swooping down and kissing me. When he breaks the kiss, he chastises me. "You should be in bed resting."

"I know, but I can't sleep. I don't want to be alone."

His eyes soften, and then he pulls my head to his chest. We stand here for a moment, but my stomach chooses now to start rumbling, and I let out a laugh.

"Looks like the food is done just in time. Go sit, and I'll bring you a plate."

"Where did you learn to cook?" I ask, genuinely curious.

I figured he's been pampered his whole life. When would he learn how to do anything for himself?

"After high school, I went to Crawford University. It's where the elite go to learn how to take over the family business and such. We had to fend for ourselves there."

"I can't even imagine the Jarek Falcon I knew doing any of that," I tell him honestly.

Grinning, he brings our plates and sets mine down in front of me before setting his down. He then grabs his glass tumbler and me some water before returning and sitting at the small table across from me.

"I didn't know what the hell I was doing. Thank God I was roommates with the guys, and they taught me how to do all the basic things, like cook."

"Who exactly are the guys?" I ask, cutting into the juicy steak on my plate.

"Joey, Koval, and Elliott."

"Your capos?"

He nods.

"I haven't been around the other two, but Joey seems to be a nice guy. Well, aside from abducting that woman."

Jarek chuckles. "I only think he did it because he really likes her, but he will never admit it."

We sit in silence for a bit while eating our food. When I'm full of the steak and fettuccini noodles, I set my fork down and watch Jarek finish his own. I want to know more about his life, but I'm unsure if he will tell me. I take a risk and ask anyway.

"What happened to your parents? I remember hearing rumors, but I know how true those can be." I wait with bated breath as I watch his features change from relaxed to morose. "I'm sorry. You don't have to answer that…"

"No, it's fine. They died in a house fire when I was nine years old. I believe they were murdered, but it hasn't been proven."

"Oh, God. I'm sorry—I didn't realize…"

Jarek takes my hand and pulls me, so I stand and go to him. I straddle his lap as his hands rest on my bare thighs.

"It's okay. It was a long time ago, and although I'm no longer sad about it, I will continue searching for the truth."

"My parents died in a car crash, so I know how it feels to lose both parents." My voice comes out in a whisper, and I raise my hands and cup his cheeks.

Bringing my lips to his, I don't plan on the kiss being a passionate one, but my emotions turn wild, and that's exactly what it turns into. Jarek slides his hands further back and squeezes my ass. A feeling of want hitsme like a cement truck, and suddenly, my hands are going to the waistband of his joggers, and I'm pulling them down.

"I want you, Jarek…"

"I don't know if we should…" he mumbles against my lips.

I ignore him and reach into his sweatpants. My hand wraps around his girth, and I stroke him a few times as I work his pants down further. He doesn't stop me; when he groans, I know it's a green light.