Her stomach tightened, anxiety creeping in. “I haven’t got any bacon… What about a packet of salt and vinegar crisps?”
“Nah, that’s okay,” he replied, pulling out his phone and ordering a monster-sized pizza. “I’m starving and you love pizza, right?”
“Who doesn’t?”
His laughter rumbled in the air, warm and infectious, settling over her like an electric charge. It was impossible not to smile.
“Why are you really here?” she asked.
He stretched his legs out in front of him, leaning back on the couch as he scrubbed his face with his hand, tired but still full of that cocky energy.
“Truthfully… I can’t get you out of my head.” His gaze fixed on her, the words coming slower, like he was wrestling with them. “I think about you all the time, Shannon. And I’m not happy knowing some fucker thinks they can hurt you with no consequences.”
Shannon’s breath hitched, a shiver running down her spine as his words wrapped around her like a tight knot. She swallowed hard, her gaze darting to the TV to avoid meeting his.
“There are plenty of other women out there to think about,” she said, her voice distant. “You’re only here tonight because I’m someone you can’t have. And that makes you want it more. That’s all, Jamie.”
He shook his head, a grin tugging at the corner of hislips. “Nah, love. That’s not true. I’ve already had you. Remember?”
The memory of him, the way he made her feel, surged up like a wave, threatening to drown her. She clamped down on it, determined not to let him see how much she still craved him.
“I threw you out for a reason,” she said, trying to sound firm, but even she heard the waver in her voice.
She glanced at him, taking in his full lips, the strong curve of his jaw and dark stubble scattered across. When the television clicked on, voices broke the silence.
With his attention fixed on the list of movies, Shannon dared herself to reach out and touch him. Just the thought of running her fingers through his thick hair, straddling his powerful thighs, right here, right now—it was all so tempting.
But then reality hit her.That’s his plan. He’s only here for sex. And Niall could find him here…
“Yeah, you threw me out.” Jamie sat deeper in the couch, the cockiness in his voice dripping as always. “But I knew you just needed space. Time to process.”
He turned toward her, offering a cocky wink before looking back at the screen.
“I said the word,” she shot back, though her voice faltered.
Jamie scratched his jaw, his posture lazy, but his eyes stayed locked on hers, molten and intense.
“I know,” he said, almost like he was studying her. “In the moment, you needed to say it. And I proved to youhow powerful it is. But we both know I’m not walking away, Shannon.”
Her heart skipped, a rush of heat flooding her. Was he serious? Did he really feel it too, or was this just another game, part of the charm offensive he’d perfected?
"Jamie." She sighed, folding her arms over her chest, trying to maintain some distance. "I’ve got nothing to offer you anymore."
His gaze flickered toward her but didn’t linger long. He shrugged, not even acknowledging her comment.
“I like gangster, vampire, and action movies,” he said, scrolling through the options. “Or porn. Let’s see what’s on.”
“I like action,” she whispered, leaning back, her mind all over the place.
It wasn’t about the movies or the pizza that was on its way. It was about him and how he seemed to fill the room with this enigmatic energy, this pull she couldn’t fight.
He was here now, and the moment felt dangerously normal. She could play it cool and ignore the way her core ached when he was near because he’d eat, then she’d send him on his way.
Simple.
He scrolled through the list, pausing on a title.
“This one’s cool. It’s scary, but you can cuddle into me if you need to.” He smirked, looking over at her without really expecting a reaction. “I’ll always protect you.”
