No Limit (Armed & Dangerous #1)(18)
He brushed the hair off my face and stepped closer. “No, but I’m beginning to. And the thought of someone touching you or hurting you drives me goddamned insane. I wanted to break Davies’ hand tonight.”
I smiled and then bit my lip. “I wanted to break his hands too. I don’t like being touched by strangers.”
“Then I guess you don’t like this,” he said, slowly sliding his finger down my cheek.
My eyes closed briefly, but then I backed away, reluctantly withdrawing from his touch. “You’re not a stranger, Jason.”
“Then why won’t you let me touch you?”
“We shouldn’t be doing this. It’ll only make things harder.”
“I like things hard.” Quite literally, his dick twitched against my leg.
“I can see that,” I murmured.
“What do you say? We’re here, we’re together for however long . . .”
“I don’t just sleep with men when I feel the urge, Jason. I’m not the whore I’m pretending to be.” I tried to pull away, but he grabbed me around the waist.
“I wasn’t insinuating that you were. All I’m saying is that I want you and I don’t know how long I can fight it.”
My breath caught as he lowered his mouth to mine. Before we could connect, I splayed my hands across his back and he froze. “Jason, what happened?” I tried to lift his shirt, but he grabbed my hand, pulling it away.
“It’s nothing, just the aftermath of an accident I was in a few years ago.”
“Aftermath? Had to have been something bad to do that kind of damage.”
He sighed, the pain clear in his eyes. I wanted to hear his story and he was just about to open up when my phone rang. I stood there, waiting, but he nodded toward my purse. “Don’t you need to answer that?”
I looked over at my purse and huffed. “Probably, but I want to hear what you have to say.”
“I’m pretty sure you don’t.” Knowing he wasn’t going to say anything until my phone stopped, I stalked off and fetched it out of my purse. “Who is it?” he asked curiously.
I cleared my throat. “It’s Adrian.”
“As in your ex-boyfriend?” I nodded and his jaw clenched. “Don’t let me get in the way then. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Jason, it’s not like that.”
“No, it’s okay. You said it yourself, if we let things go further it’ll only make things harder.” He stormed off to his bedroom and shut the door.
I had no clue what the hell I was going to do.
The hotel door slammed shut and I regretted ever answering the phone. Jason had been on edge all night and the last thing he needed to do was go out and get into trouble. I feared his trouble would involve stuffing his cock deep inside another female. The thought made me sick, which surprised me. I guess I had some things to reassess.
“Adrian,” I answered, hoping he couldn’t hear the distress in my tone.
“Aylee, it’s good to hear your voice. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too. How’s it going up in Maine?”
“Good. I visit your uncle regularly. He misses you. I told him I was going to call you and give you the good news.”
“Oh yeah? What’s going on?”
“I’m taking a job in New York. One of the hospitals down there needs a thoracic surgeon. The money is good and I’ll be making way more than I am now.”
“That’s great. I’m so happy for you. I’m sad that I won’t see you when I get home, but I know you’ll love being in a bigger city.” It was going to be lonely back home without him but he deserved the chance to grow.
“Which is why I’m calling. I know you don’t want to hear this again since our argument before you left, but please just listen. With the money I’ll be making, I can support you without you having to put your life in danger. I can be what you need me to be. If you want me to be adventurous, I’ll climb mountains and go skydiving. I miss you, Aylee. Please think about it; think about coming to New York with me.”
Sighing, I laid down on my bed, my chest aching. “I don’t know what to say. I would never ask you to change, Adrian. You’re smart, funny, and one of my closest friends. I do what I do because I love helping people, just like you.”
“Will you at least consider my offer? I’m moving tomorrow. I’m leaving my address and a small present for you at your uncle’s. If you don’t come to New York, at least I know there’ll be something here to take care of you.”
A tear fell down my cheek onto the pillow. “You’re too good to me,” I cried.
“It’s because I love you, I always have. No matter what you decide, I’ll always be there for you.”
“Thanks. I love you too. New York is a big city compared to Augusta, be safe on your move.”
He laughed. “That’s for damn sure. Be careful out there.”
“I will.” We hung up the phone and I sat there, debating on if I should go after Jason.
Instead, I changed into my pajamas and sat in the dark, drifting in and out of a restless sleep. Whether I dreamt it or not, I don’t know, but there was a time in the dead of night where a set of arms wrapped around my stomach and held me close. Jason’s scent engulfed me and I held onto him, breathing him in. I fell asleep fast and then woke up to the morning sun, alone. It had all been a dream, but I swore I could still smell him.