When We Fall (Take the Fall, #2)(57)

“Do you want to go first, or should I share my news first?” I ask, attempting to keep things light.

“I’ll go first.” Jase immediately stands up and begins to pace in front of the fireplace. “I’ve been thinking about you and me. A lot.”

“That’s good.”

He stops and holds up a hand. “Please let me get this all out and you’re free to be mad at me, running screaming from the room, or never talk to me again.”

My body runs cold, then hot. “You’re scaring me.”

“Don’t be scared. Look, we love each other, and I don’t think it’s a love that will go away. Ever. I think you and me…what we have is special.”

It’s all I can do not to interrupt him, but I keep quiet and clasp my hands together so tightly that my knuckles turn white.

“Today, your dad threatened to ruin Rowan and me—our businesses, too—if I don’t break up with you in the next three days.”

The room spins and the floor drops. I can’t speak at first. Tears blur my vision, then fall into my lashes. Unlacing my hands, I quickly wipe the tears away.

“I don’t want to do it, Piper. I refuse to let that * dictate my life.” He runs a hand through his dark blond hair. “But I don’t know what to do to stop him from ruining Rowan or…f*ck, going back to jail.”

“Back to jail?” I whisper. My mind whirls at the implications and realization of what my father is doing. My dad threatened to put the man I love in jail for the crime of loving me? Where was he when Mark Williams attacked me? Did he drag him in after I made the report? Did he threaten his family?

Jase visibly swallows. “Yeah. He said he would find a way to make it happen, but I’m not sacrificing us. There has to be a way around it. Don’t know what it is, yet, but we have three days.”

Of course Jase has to break up with me. I won’t stand for him or my best friend getting hurt. Even though it feels like my heart is breaking into a million pieces, I know I have to do the right thing and save him the trouble. He’s been the bad guy all his life, but this time I’ll be the bad guy.

“It’s over.” I jump to my feet and give him a smile that’s patently a product of Mother’s influence. I know how to look like a snob, even if I’ve always chosen not to act like one. “We had fun and all, but it’s over.”

Jase stares at me. “Have you been drinking?”

“I’m breaking up with you.” I clasp my hands in front of me, squeezing them together so tightly that my fingers start to hurt. “It’s for the best.”

Jase’s gaze drops to my hands, then bounces back to my face. “You’re lying.”

My snobby fa?ade dissipates. “I would never lie to you,” I whisper. “I really did have fun.”

“You want to walk away from what we have?” he demands.

I shake my head. “I don’t want you to get hurt on my account. Or Rowan. My dad wants to make you the bad guy, but I won’t let that happen. I’ll be the one to take the fall this time, so you can live without worry about going to prison, or your sister getting hurt.”

In two seconds flat he’s standing in front of me.

“Please don’t—”

He covers my mouth with his in a possessive kiss that makes my toes curl. “You’re not getting rid of me.”

“I don’t want to get rid of you.”

“Shut up, Piper.” Bending his knees slightly, he lifts me by my thighs. Automatically, I grab on to his shoulders. “Don’t say another word unless I tell you to.”

My back hits the wall, but it’s gentle enough that I’m not frightened. I’m more curious and excited than anything else.

Jase leans into me, his lips brushing my ear. “Did you do breathing treatments after I…left?”

Breathing treatments. Why is he—Omigosh. He wants sex. Against the wall. My nipples tighten and I feel a hard throb of desire pulse between my legs. “Yes.” My eyes close tightly and he nips at my throat.

With expert moves, he shoves my dress up to the waist and then unbuttons his pants. His fingers delve beneath the lace edge of my panties. “Wet,” he says, and captures my mouth in another hot kiss.

In no time at all, he pushes my panties to one side and fills me with one hard, smooth thrust.

I whimper at the feel of being stretched by him. At the sting of pain and the overwhelming sensual invasion. He rocks against me, big hands moving to cup my bottom.

His fingers tighten. “Love this ass,” he says against my lips. “Trust me, baby. I’ll take good care of you. I’ll do you right. You’re going to come for me. I’ll make it good.”

Understanding that he needs me, that he needs this connection, I let myself go, with the deep-seated knowledge that he will take care of me, that he’ll make sure that he’s not the only one enjoying this.

“Damn it, you’re too f*cking sweet for me.” He begins to thrust harder. “Won’t let you go.”

I want to assure him that I don’t want to let him go, only that we don’t have any other choice, but my need for him grows and grows until I’m desperate and hungry for his kisses, his touch…his cock. I spread my legs wider and dig my nails into his shoulders.