Madi shook her head. “You can’t and you won’t. I wouldn’t let you, even if you tried.”
Jake smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. She pulled away from him, after giving him a chaste kiss on the lips, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I’m going to make coffee. Want some?” he asked.
Madi nodded and managed to give him a small smile. He kissed her forehead then turned, dropping his towel and pulling on a pair of jeans. She tried not to let him notice her staring, or she’d never make it into the shower. After all the sex they’d had the night before, she desperately needed one.
Jake strode out of sight and Madi plodded into the bathroom, hoping the water would wash away the feeling of dread lingering in the air. She knew she’d have to say goodbye. The hands of time were pushing forward even as she desperately tried to hold them back.
After her shower, she quickly dressed and made her way into the kitchen, wrapping her wet hair into a bun. Jake smiled as she approached, and he handed her a mug. “We need to talk,” he said.
Jake’s expression pulled her out of her thoughts. He was serious, and she felt anxiety flood through each cell in her body.
Jake must have sensed her nervousness because he smiled in reassurance. “Everything’s good, babe. We just need to talk about security.”
Madi sighed, partly in relief and partly in disgust.
“I won’t try to dodge Nate again. Don’t worry.”
“Nate’s not going to be with you anymore.”
“He’s not?” Madi smiled briefly as she considered the possibility that she no longer needed protection.
“Rob’s moving to Chicago for a few months. At my request, he’s taking your safety into his own hands. He’s your new guard.”
Madi pursed her lips and started to speak, but Jake’s hand rose to stop her.
“Before you say another word, please know that I’ve given this a lot of thought. Rob was a Navy SEAL. There is no one I trust more to protect you. I won’t be able to function if I know there is even a small chance that you aren’t safe. Even if you don’t like it, will you please not argue with me? Just this once. Let me have my way.”
Madi frowned as she studied him. He rolled his eyes and leaned against the counter, folding his arms across his chest. “Go on… I know it’s coming. Go ahead, let me have it.”
Madi pursed her lips and stood from the breakfast bar. She lifted her mug to her mouth and took a lingering sip of coffee, fully aware that Jake was watching her every move. She placed her cup in the sink and filled it with water—several times. She opened a cabinet below the sink, reaching for the soap. She slowly began to wash the mug, knowing Jake was impatiently waiting. Jake huffed in irritation, probably fully aware that she was goading a reaction from him. Why did he think he knew her so well that he could predict she would argue?
Madi meticulously dried the mug before placing it back into the cabinet. Jake’s eyes followed her every move. She reached for his cup, but his hand stopped her. Her eyes lifted to his in fake shock and he shook his head. She proceeded to take his mug and wash it, too. Jake pounded off into the hall and to his room before slamming the door.
Madi jumped and cringed, knowing she may have taken it a little too far. But the truth was, she hated being a foregone conclusion. She didn’t like that he thought he knew what she was going to say and how she would say it. Knowing he was waiting for it took the excitement out of expressing herself. She found more pleasure in knowing he was left guessing. That was kind of messed up, but she didn’t want to bore him by being an easy puzzle. There was more to her than just the side he thought he knew. She had another side, too.
She leaned on the counter and considered what he’d said. Having Rob nearby did make her feel safe, but who would be there to keep Jake safe? Within a few seconds, the need to talk returned and she dashed to find him. Just as she was about to turn the handle, Jake opened the door. They both stopped in surprise. There was something about the way he looked at her. In those brief seconds, he looked angry, frustrated and hot as hell. Before she knew what she was doing, she flew into his arms and locked her lips with his. He grabbed onto her and pushed his tongue into her mouth as his hands gripped her waist. His fingers rushed into her wet hair, releasing the bun. They moved backward with purpose, onto the bed, as Jake deftly stripped her of her jeans, shirt and bra. Before she knew it, she was under him and he was unzipping his jeans. He pushed her underwear to the side as he entered her, as if there wasn’t enough time to remove her panties before he had to have her. She moaned at the feel of him. She clenched her muscles around him as his mouth pressed against hers. He was fucking her and she wanted it. Sometimes, love was slow and deliberate. Other times, it just needed to be thrust into your veins like a drug through a needle—painful for a moment, but worth it for the ecstasy that followed.
She met every thrust with her hips as she pushed back into him. He stretched her and she reveled in the feel of his power. She moaned and he groaned as beads of sweat danced between them. She pushed him onto his back and pulled his pants down his legs before sliding her panties off and straddling him.
She bit her lip as she pulled him into her. He moaned as she lifted herself onto him and pressed down. He lifted his waist and sat up as she plunged deeper into him. He grabbed her hair and twisted it around his wrist to control her, and she moaned in approval. Their eyes met and sparkled with the same need as they smiled in unison. He stood and flipped her down onto the bed, taking control once more, as he poured himself into her. As his body writhed in satisfaction, hers longed for more.
She could never accuse him of being a selfish lover. He stayed inside of her and continued to thrust as his hand slid between them, pursuing her release. Madi could feel herself building as he expertly touched, twisted and pulsed his hand over her.
“Open your eyes and look at me,” he commanded.
Madi did as he asked and he stared into her eyes as she fell apart. He didn’t stop moving as her body clenched over and over and over again. She was coming in waves and he knew it. She could see just how much he wanted it. How much he wanted her.
When she reached up to grip his hands, stopping the movement, he bent forward and pushed his forehead against hers. He closed his eyes and Madi tensed, knowing he was still inside of her. She still felt full.
She looked into his eyes and touched his cheek. His eyes opened and he gently pushed into her again before kissing her lips and sliding next to her. After they were both spent, she lay in his arms, aware that words needed to be spoken.
“I’m fine with Rob coming to Chicago. Just promise me that you’re not providing the best security for me at the risk of your own safety.”
Jake shifted to face her. “Is that what you think I’m doing?”
Madi nodded and Jake ran the back of his fingers across her cheek. “I have Dave, Caleb, Greg and a slew of other guards, not including Ang, who is dangerous in her own right.”
