Jared (The Protectors #2)(47)
“Hey?”
Jared’s voice broke into her memories, her hands had stilled on the button of his jeans. She was afraid to see the look in his eyes that she had seen in Otis’s eyes, the look of disappointment.
“I don’t know what demons you’re fighting, but I plan on putting them to rest.” Jared’s voice was sure and strong. “If you’re having second thoughts because you don’t want me that’s fine, but if it’s because of something in the past I plan on erasing that tonight. I want you Tessa. Never have I wanted anything more.” He reassured her, his eyes kind.
Tessa shivered, his words exactly what she needed to hear. “I’m sorry.”
Jared’s features changed to disappointment. Reaching around her without touching her, he turned off the water. “I’ll get you a towel and some clothes.”
“No. You don’t understand.” Tessa stopped him from leaving the shower. “I’m sorry I’m acting like this. It’s just…this is new to me.”
“What do you mean this is new to you?” His eyes narrowed then shot open in shocked surprise. “You’re not a….”
“No.” Tessa hurried to reassure him she wasn’t a virgin. “But I’ve only been with one man and…”
“Oat?” He growled, his eyes turning dark.
She nodded. “He never looked at me. It was always dark or under the covers.” Tessa blushed feeling like an idiot, but she wanted him to understand that this had nothing to do with him. It was all her and he was right, she did have demons. “Nothing I did pleased him. He made me feel cheap and stupid if I tried to do something different. So I’m sorry I’m acting like a sixteen year old virgin, but I don’t think I can handle seeing the look of disappointment in your eyes that I saw in his every time he rolled off me.”
Jared sighed, rubbing his hand down his face. He felt the cold roll off her body as she stood naked and wet before him. Reaching out he grabbed a large towel wrapping her in it. “First of all….” He brushed a wet strand of hair off her face. “Oat is a f*cking idiot.” He raised his eyebrow waiting for her to agree.
Nodding her head, Tessa did agree with that wholeheartedly.
“Secondly, while I understand your feelings you need to understand mine. The first moment I watched you run into our integration room holding that gun I knew I was going to have you. In my eyes you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He leaned down and kissed the corner of her mouth. When she started to speak he placed a finger across her lips. “And lastly, if you ever bring up that sorry son of a bitch when I have you naked and in my arms I will find the dumb bastard and kill him.”
A slow smile crossed her lips, but when her gaze met his she saw he wasn’t kidding. Unfolding the towel that hid her body she spread it out and dropped it from her hands standing in front of him without a hint of shame. She felt beautiful for the first time in her life and she’d be damned if anything was going to ruin this moment for her. “Thank you.” She smiled up at him, wanting him to know what his words had meant to her.
His smile spread to meet hers. He picked her up holding her close to his chest. “Now let me show you how welcome you are.” His voice was low and sexy as he stepped out of the shower.
Chapter 20
After making sure his grandfather was situated Sid had thrown Adam a set of keys so he could take Angelina home. She had been wonderful helping him with Gramps and now they sat in front of her house. He turned off the car leaving the keys in place. The only noise in the car was him clicking off the lights. Adam glanced at her house seeing no lights on. “Sorry I’m getting you home so late.”
Angelina shrugged her shoulders glancing at the house. “It’s okay.” She turned back toward him. “Nobody really pays attention to my comings and goings. Kind of nice at times like these.” She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
Adam frowned. “I didn’t know you had feelings for me Angel.” He started to explain feeling tremendous guilt. “I was so full of myself back then”
“Back then?” She snorted. “It wasn’t that long ago Adam, but I really don’t want to talk about it. I’m not a charity case wanting you to feel bad for the little girl who once was.”
“I’m not….”
“Yeah, you are.” She pulled her legs up in the seat to turn more toward him sitting on her knees. “Poor little Angelina. She liked a guy who didn’t know she was alive. So what. I was just one in a thousand….a million, in the same situation.”
Adam’s eyes searched her face. “I see you now Angel, does that matter or am I too late.”
Angelina looked past him out the window. “I wouldn’t be sitting in this car with you right now if you were too late Adam.” Her eyes found him again. “My feelings for you haven’t changed. Oh, I wanted to hate you, tried to hate you when you would pass me with Ms. Perfect by your side. She was never good enough for you.”
“You tried to hate me?” Adam frowned.
“Oh, yeah.” She snorted again. “You should see last year’s yearbook. Every picture of you and Ms. Perfect that I could find, and there were many, is grafitied by yours truly. I know that seems childish, but it made me feel better.”