When he releases me, I hurry to my room, closing the doorbehind me. I can’t let him see how much he affects me. I can’t believe thatafter all this time, my attraction to him is still this strong. It hurt toomuch the first time I left. I can’t get pulled back into his orbit again. Thistime, I may not be able to find the strength to walk away.
The door opens and in walks Jake. He closes it behind him,turning the lock.
“What are you doing?” I demand.
He presents some mistletoe he had hidden behind him,declaring, “You owe me a kiss, Miss George.”
“Jake, please don’t do this.” I panic, retreating from him.
He advances, his gaze traveling up and down my body,inducing a shiver. I gasp when my back hits the wall. Jake crowds me with hisbody, leaving me nowhere to run. My breathing gets ragged.
“Jesus, Syd.” He tips my face up to his. “It’s still there.”
“What?” I whisper, licking my dry lips.
“We can say whatever we want with our mouths, but this? Ourbodies will always tell the truth, Sydney. I’m not out of your system andyou’re sure as hell not out of mine.”
“Jake, we can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I’m leaving in three days.”
“You were always leaving, Syd. Maybe that’s what made you soirresistible… thinking I could make you stay.”
He swoops down, pressing his lips to mine. I give ininstantly, my body recognizing his. My hands slide up his arms and around hisneck as his settle around my waist. His tongue divides my lips and conquers mymouth, taking my tongue prisoner. Moaning, I lean closer, returning his kisswith equal enthusiasm. His hands roam my back, slide down to my hips, thenunder my sweater, fingertips grazing my skin. While one remains on the small ofmy back, the other snakes into my hair, giving it a gentle yank. His lips moveto my neck and shoulder, kissing any exposed skin he can find.
“I need you, Syd,” he growls, voice laced with agony.
“Not here.” He pulls back, staring down at me. “Your place?”
“Let’s go.”
Grabbing my hand, he tugs me along behind him, heading forthe front door. He retrieves his coat from the rack, reminding me I left minein my bedroom.
“My coat—”
“Wear mine,” he cuts me off, impatiently helping me into it.
I try to sneak out, but in his hurry, Jake attracts a fewstares. There’s no time to be embarrassed because he has us in his truck and onthe road in the blink of an eye.
“A bit eager, are we?”
“You have no idea, Sydney.”
For a long while, I watch his hands move on the steeringwheel, imagining them on my body. He’s in deep concentration, and I wonder ifhe’s thinking about the road or me. Giggling, I slip out of his coat. I slideforward on the seat, removing my sweater.
“Stop distracting me, woman.”
“I don’t know if I can wait, Jake.”
“We’re here,” he announces, turning into his driveway.
The moment he parks, he hops out and rushes to my side. Hethrows the door open, lifting me out and throwing me over his shoulder.
“Jake!”
I laugh, forgetting about the cold and the fact that all I’mwearing are a bra and leggings. He stomps through the house and to his bedroom,tossing me on the bed. Leaning forward, he grasps both breasts, pushing themtogether and burying his face between them. His tongue flicks out, trailing apath up to my neck.
