Hometown Love (Love on the North Shore #2)(47)
“Did you ever press charges?”
“No, I didn’t want anyone to know. Other than Morgan, the nurse at the hospital, my therapist, and my support group, you’re the only person I’ve told. I stopped us the other night because I won’t let anyone force me to do anything ever again.”
Mack pulled her closer and hugged her. “I’m glad you told me.” He kissed her forehead. “And we can take things as slow as you want. Neither of us is going anywhere.” Anger toward her former boyfriend still boiled inside him, but he fought to keep it from his voice.
“You don’t…” Jessie’s voice trailed off and she avoided his eyes.
With a finger he titled her chin upward. “Don’t what?”
She looked at him. “You don’t mind waiting?”
“I’ll never force you to do anything. And when you are ready, I’ll be right here.” This time, he kissed her lips, a soft gentle symbol of his promise.
Jessie wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him, her soft breasts pressed against his chest, and soon the anger raging inside him turned into desire. When she parted her lips and ran the tip of her tongue along the seam of his lips, he groaned then opened for her. Immediately, her tongue slipped inside and explored his mouth, leaving it burning with fire. As the kiss continued, Jessie moved her fingers up his neck and into his hair, searing a path of heat in the process.
Determined not to push her further than she wanted, he let her keep the control even though his hands ached with the need to touch her. When she pulled back, his mouth remained on fire much like the rest of him.
“I love you,” she whispered before she kissed the pulse in his neck.
The contact sent another bolt of desire through his body right to his erection. Prepared to stop if she asked, he slipped a hand under her shirt and up her stomach. When he reached the edge of her bra, he paused and waited. Rather than pull away or ask him to stop, she let her own hand wander under his shirt. Assuming he had the green light, he pushed aside the cup of her bra and fondled one breast until her nipple pebbled under his fingers, then he switched to the other side.
Reclaiming his lips, she kissed with a hunger that rivaled his own, and for a moment, he considered stopping before things went any further. Moments earlier, he’d gotten the impression she wasn’t ready for sex. Now, though, her action told another story. He didn’t want her to do anything just because she thought she had to.
Before he could voice his thought, she straddled his lap, the intimate contact sending all rational thoughts away. When she moved against him, he groaned, grabbed her waist, and held her still. “Jessie, we don’t have to do this.” But, lord, how he wanted to.
She leaned back, her eyes bright with love and desire. “I know that. And while I’m not ready to sleep with you tonight, that doesn’t meant I can’t make you feel good.” With both hands, she lifted his shirt, and then kissed his chest.
Pleasure wracked his body as her hands and mouth made a path toward his waist. Unable to do anything else he leaned his head back and enjoyed the sweet torture.
He’d assumed she’d stop when she reached his jeans. Instead, he felt her finger work the button loss, and then she pulled the zipper down. Curiosity broke through some of his raging desire, and he looked down as she pushed his underwear away. Without any hesitation, she ran her index finger down the length of him, and his gaze stayed glued to her touch. Then she leaned forward, her mouth taking his again as she wrapped her hand around him.
***
“Why don’t you stay here tonight?” Stretched out on the couch, he had his head in her lap as they watched a movie. “Neither of us has work in the morning and Grace won’t be home until early evening.” He took her hand and kissed it. “You can borrow one of my t-shirts for bed. Nothing has to happen. I just want to hold you all night.”
She didn’t have to think about her answer. “I like that idea.” Over the course of the evening, their relationship had grown. She knew Mack shared her feelings, and he understood her desire to wait just a little longer before she gave him full access to her body. And while she might not be ready for sex, she’d enjoyed every minute of his hands on her. The only thing she enjoyed more was when she touched him.
A flash of heat went through her as she thought about what she’d done. When she’d taken control of their kiss, it hadn’t been her intention to do anything else. Yet, once she had control of the situation, the power had increased her own desire. When she felt him against her, she’d wanted nothing more than to pleasure him.
“Don’t ever play poker.” Mack smiled.
With her trip down memory lane shattered, she met his eyes. “What?”
“You’re as red as a fire truck and I know exactly what you’re thinking about.”
Another flash of heat scorched her face. “Oh, really?”
Mack sat up. “It’s okay. I was thinking about it, too, and how much I’d love to return the pleasure.”
Her body still ached in need of the release only his touch could give. It would have to wait, though. As much as she loved him and the way he made her feel, she wanted to wait a little longer. “Soon.” She closed the gap between them. “I promise,” she whispered inches from his mouth.