He drops my hand and reaches for the buttons of his shirt. I wait with bated breath as he slowly undoes them and reveals himself. His bare chest is chiseled, with a light covering of hair over his muscles. Dear God, could the man be any more perfect?
He takes the shirt and holds it out for me, and I turn, putting my arms through the holes. When it’s on, I turn back around and he buttons it up for me. His eyes roam my body, and there’s satisfaction there, like he’s happy I’m in something of his. The move is possessive, and I can’t help but snuggle into the shirt a little, loving the feel of it.
“There. Now I can think straight. Allow me to feed you.”
He pulls me from the door, and it’s the first time I get a look at his apartment.
“Wow,” I say, making him look over his shoulder at me as he leads me into the living room.
“You like it?” he asks.
“It’s breathtaking,” I tell him, unable to take my eyes from the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the city. The building is tall, allowing me to see past the city and to the mountains, behind which the sun disappears.
“I’m glad you like it,” he responds, pulling me down to sit next to him on the sofa. The coffee table in front of us is covered in plates with all kinds of foods. He leans forward, grabbing a plate. His other hand lets go of mine and moves to my thigh. He digs his fingers into me a little. His hold is possessive as his thumb starts to stroke me.
He brings a piece of cheese to my mouth, and I take a bite. I don’t think anyone has ever fed me before. He watches me as I take the bite and swallow, his eyes never leaving me.
“So what was the first?” I ask, shifting a little and making his fingers dig into my thigh a bit more. I stop wiggling.
“First what?” he asks, feeding me another bite.
“Most wonderful moment of your life.”
He smiles, showing off his perfect white teeth and making my heart flutter. Not only because of how handsome he is, but because I know where that mouth just was. Somewhere a mouth has never been before.
“When I saw you.”
I blush again.
“God, I love that. I didn’t even know women could blush anymore.” He leans in, his lips brushing my cheeks. Yeah, probably because women my age aren’t this inexperienced.
Though with him, I don't think that’s going to be a problem. When he touches me, my body reacts. Like when I climbed him like a tree at the dance. I kissed him like I might die if I didn't. Not only that, but Jack takes over and I don't have to worry if I'm doing something wrong. He does it for me.
“Are you always this charming?” I ask, wondering if everything he says is a line. I heard a lot of bullshit in college and know men will say anything to get in your pants. But that doesn’t seem to add up with Jack.
I don’t think he has to work at getting into a girl’s pants. They probably just throw their pants at him. Except me. I kept running away. Maybe that’s why he finds me so desirable, because I’m a challenge.
“No. I’m not trying to be charming. I’m just being honest.” He moves in a little closer to me, finishing off the piece of cheese. “I’m not feeding you a line, sweetheart. The first day I saw you, you had your thick-framed glasses perched on your button nose as you studied some paper in your hand. You had me in that moment. Then you laughed. Full-on out there with your head back. It was something one of the kids said to you, and you felt it with your whole heart. Right then, I knew it was over. I knew I’d find a way to have you. To make you mine. To feel that laugh against me as I held you. Giving you a reasons to do it.”
My breath hitches and my eyes are trained on his. I know in this moment I’ll be his for however long he wants me. I don’t care anymore.
“Getting it, little monster?”
I nod.
“Finally,” he murmurs as his mouth lands on mine.
Chapter Seven Jack
I reach out and brush my finger across her cheek and then her jaw. Her skin is soft and delicate, and her blush makes me hard as a rock.
“I’ve known from the moment I saw you that you were it for me, Raven. Love at first sight might seem ridiculous and people might roll their eyes at it, but for me it’s real. I fell in love with your smile, your laugh, and the way you looked when you spoke to your students. I fell hard and fast for you even before you said a word to me.” Her eyes light up, but I don’t see a trace of fear in them. Only hope. “I love you, Raven. You’re the other half I’ve been missing my entire life, and I’ve waited for you for long enough. Don’t make me wait anymore.”
“Jack, I don’t know what to say. This is all happening so fast.” Her eyes dart around the room and then back to me.
“My mom used to tell me that good things take time, but great things happen all at once. It was an old saying she loved to remind me of when I’d get discouraged about anything. And the day I saw you, her words rang in my ears. You are my greatness, Raven.”
She brings her hands to her mouth and then reaches out, touching my
