Jared (The Protectors #2)(45)
Reaching down Tessa twisted the knob pushing the door open. It was a large plain room with a huge bed obviously for his long thick body, a recliner in the corner and a dresser. “I don’t want to take your room Jared. I can sleep in the recliner. I’ve slept in worse, believe me.”
He sat her on the bed tossing her bag beside her. “You will sleep in my bed.” His tone was final.
She wanted to ask if he’d be in it, but didn’t. She felt more comfortable with him after their talk, but not that comfortable. “But where are you going to sleep?”
He walked across the room pushing open another door. “I don’t sleep much and we usually do runs at night. I pretty much work around the clock.” He flicked on a light in the other room. “Here’s the bathroom. The phone is over there. I need to give you my cell number.”
Tessa handed him her phone and watched as he plugged his number in her contacts. She watched him closely. He was so handsome and seemed so in control over his surroundings. It made her heart beat fast and hard knowing that she could reach out and touch him. She took her phone back tossing it on her bag. “Thanks.” Was all she could think to say.
“Call me for anything.” Jared demanded walking toward the closet grabbing some clean clothes which reminded Tessa how filthy she was.
“Is there a shower in the bathroom?” Tessa looked that way, but couldn’t tell.
“Yeah.” He frowned, looking down at her feet he had cleaned and wrapped before leaving her house. “We’re going to have to figure something out. You really shouldn’t be walking around with your feet unwrapped until some of those cuts heal. You don’t want to get infection.”
Tessa nodded. “I can just shower with the dressing on, then rewrap. It’s no big deal.” She rummaged through her bag grabbing clean clothes, toothbrush and comb. Standing, she grabbed her stuff limping to the bathroom with shuffled steps. Her immobility with Jared carrying her everywhere had made her feet stiff and walking now was torture, but she tried to hide it.
Watching her closely Jared stood still, but ready if she needed his help. “There’s towels under the sink.”
Making it to the bathroom without screaming in pain was a great accomplishment until Tessa tripped over the small rug she hadn’t seen. She stumbled forward slamming her battered feet on the tile floor to catch herself. Before she fell face first Jared grabbed her around the stomach pulling her flush against his body.
“I’m sorry.” Tessa groaned in both embarrassment and pain. “I’ve been nothing but trouble for you since you met me.”
Tightening his arm around her stomach he leaned down, his breath tickling her ear. “I love trouble.” His whisper made her shiver. “You need me to help you.” It wasn’t a question. He reached down grabbing the sweatshirt she had put on at her house lifting it over her head, but she stopped him.
“I can do it.” Tessa tugged as he pulled.
“Stop.” His tone was firm, but gentle. “Let me help you. I don’t want you slipping in the shower.”
Okay, she didn’t want him to see her naked in the light. Yeah, she had a serious issue with that. If she ever would be naked with him she hoped it would be dark, under covers with minimal touching on his part, only important area touching. “Will you look?” She asked, shyly looking away.
“Probably.” When her eyes shot back to his, he smiled. “Sorry, but honestly I’m not that much of a gentleman honey. You’re a beautiful woman and I would love to see that body you hide under oversized shirts.”
Tessa was so stunned by his words she let him slip the sweatshirt over her head. Snapping out of her ‘duh’ state she crossed one arm over her breast covered by a simple unsexy bra and the other crossed over her not so flat stomach. Her cheeks flared with heat as his eyes slid down her body.
“Never hide from me.” He frowned at her, his eyes snaring hers in a stare so intense her heart beat a rapid tempo. His large hands cupped her shoulders then slowly ran down her arms to her elbows. Gently he pulled her arms away from what his eyes sought. When she bowed her head shyly, he tipped her chin up with his fingers. “You are breathtaking.”
Tessa searched his eyes and only saw truth. The look in his eyes said he wanted her. A confident thrill surged through her body. His hand opened grasping her whole chin, his thumb running back and forth across her lower lip before sliding down her neck. His eyes never leaving hers as one finger continued the path down her neck, between her breasts to stop at the front clasp of her bra. The only sound in the small bathroom was her shallow breaths and the click of the clasp. Her eyes closed praying he wouldn’t be disappointed when he finally looked, finally saw in the light what she tried to hide. The sight of her body had never brought pleasure to the only other person who had ever seen her naked and she was terrified….terrified that he would find her lacking.
“Open your eyes Tessa.” Jared ordered softly, his palm resting between her breasts. “I want you to see how much you and your body please me.”
Her eyes drifted open as if in a dream to see this handsome man looking at her with desire burning in his darkening eyes. She felt his hands, feather light, push the straps of her bra down her arms, his eyes still on hers until her bra hit the ground. His hands swept back up her arms as his eyes lowered, a deep growl escaping his throat. “I have never wanted anything more than I want you.”