Jaded Jewels (The Coveted Saga 2)

I was a teenager, dammit. This was supposed to be a part of being a teenager, and so far, my love life was rivaling every Shakespearean tragedy known. Maybe I needed this as much as Jared did.

I deserved to feel like this for one night. I deserved to be wanted and not have to fight so hard for the affection I desired. He wasn't the right guy, but he was right enough.

When we finally had to come up for air—well, when I needed air, rather—he pulled me to his body and wrapped his arms around me. I could feel his blazer body getting warmer. It made me smile to know how much he genuinely cared for me.

It was a battle of reluctance and willpower when I told him our night was coming to an end. He walked me to my room after the movie finished, and I held his hand, acting as though this had been a date.

He stared at our joined hands as he said, "I'll be leaving in the morning. Will you see me off, or is this the last time I'll see you for a while?"

I grinned and nudged him. "I'll come see you off. We're friends, after all."

He forced a smile. "I hate that my one night with you has to end so soon." He pulled my lips to his again, and just as before, I returned his kiss. One night. He deserved that. Maybe now he could move on instead of wondering what it would be like. But that kiss suddenly heated things between us, and I learned the true meaning of teenage hormones.

Before I knew it, we were crashing through my door, and my bed was catching us. I pulled his shirt off without even realizing it. His breaths were heavy and electrifying. I could feel my body bend, contorting to move in sync with his, and my pulse was pounding all over.

His body's temperature continued to rise, passion filling him to the brim. I could feel his desire for me with each fervent kiss. I didn't have to fight anything I was feeling for one night, I kept telling myself. His touch was so soft, and yet so forceful. And I pulled him closer instead of pulling away... until my mind chastised me for being so crazy.

I pulled back slowly and stared into his enticing eyes that were begging for more. Then I kissed him again, aiming for chaste, but failing miserably when he deepened the kiss. He climbed over me, pinning my hands into the mattress as he devoured me with a kiss I'd never forget.

His blazer body was heating up again. It was almost too hot to touch now—much too hot. I chuckled while wriggling free, and he let me go, but refused to remove his lips from mine.

"You're too hot," I said through a giggle.

He smiled against my lips while smugly replying, "Thanks."

The feral kiss continued until I couldn't breath against his heat. He seemed to be oblivious to the fact that I was being literal.

I pushed against his chest, and he moved immediately, considering I couldn't exactly budge an immortal on my own. "No. I mean you're hot. As in fire hot."

He pulled back and stood up, his eyes noticing the beads of sweat that had formed all over my body, and my dampened hair. The man was like a sauna.

He laughed nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck, looking at me but not at my eyes. "Oh. My mistake. I lose temperature control when things get intense. Never happened in this sort of situation, though. It usually just happens in battles. This isn't awkward at all. I guess that was a buzz kill."

I touched his skin, letting my fingers trail over his arm as I smiled up at him. He was gradually cooling down. "I need to go to bed anyway."

He groaned, but leaned down to kiss me softly and quickly. He really didn't want to leave, but he was too respectful to push for more.

"Good night, love."

I hugged him without hesitation, though I felt a little differently now. "Good night."

Engines were roaring and idling, making it impossible for anyone in the house to sleep this morning, but I was awake and dressed already. Sighing, I decided to head down the stairs to see Jared off.

He was laughing as he talked to some of the new guests as I came down the steps, smiling when his eyes found mine.

His soul-stealing grin spread, and I closed the distance between us.

"Hey, love," he said softly, thumbing my chin.

I smiled somewhat bashfully as I thought of the night before. "I was worried you would leave before I got to say good-bye."

He picked me up as he hugged me, forcing a breath to rush from my lips.

"Not a chance." He looked down while keeping me in his arms. "So I'll be gone for a while, you know. I hope when I get back I can see you."

I smiled. "You can see me anytime you want to. I will always be your friend."

He shook his head. "So you still love him, eh? Even after last night?"