Lifeline

The corner of my mouth lifts, relieved he’s not angry with me. Placing my hands on his chest, I tease him, “Boy, did you leave me hanging.”

“I’ll need to make up for it.” With his arm still keeping my body locked to his, his other hand lifts to my face, and taking hold of my jaw, he forces my face up, and his lips take mine in a heated kiss.

Before I can fall under his spell, he ends the kiss, steps away from me, and asks, “You want to shower first?”

My mind does a double-take from the sudden change of direction. “Ah… sure.”

I walk to my bag, but before I can zip it open, O’Brien says, “You’ll be sleeping in one of my shirts.” He moves in behind me, and leaning close, he pulls a drawer open and takes a shirt from it.

The corners of my mouth lift as I take the soft fabric from him. “Yes, sir.”

A low chuckle rumbles from him. “Looking for trouble, Jefferson.”

Turning around, I lock eyes with him. “I’m ready for trouble.”

He stares at me for a moment, then asks, “You sure? We haven’t talked about it yet.”

I inhale deeply, then let the breath out slowly. “I don’t want to talk about it. Ever. I just want to leave it in the past.”

His eyes search mine. “I’m here for you, JJ. I don’t want you dealing with it on your own.”

I twist the fabric between my fingers. “It happened, O’Brien.” I shrug. “No amount of talking will change that.” I wet my lips again, my eyes flitting over his face. “I choose to remember how you gave me strength, how you stood by me, how you didn’t waver under pressure.” Closing the small distance between us, I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my cheek against his chest. “I choose to remember how close I felt to you.”

He rubs a hand up and down my back, presses a kiss to my hair, then says, “Whatever you need, baby. Just promise me you’ll talk to me if the memories become too much to handle.”

“I promise.”

O’Brien

When JJ comes out of my bathroom wearing nothing but my shirt, I start to think I really love torturing myself.

My eyes rove over her smooth legs and how fucking hot she looks in my shirt.

Christ, I’m a sucker for punishment.

“Your turn,” she says, her soft scent drifting through my bedroom.

I grab a pair of sweatpants and walk into the bathroom, shutting the door before I say fuck it to the shower and devour her.

My self-control has never been tested as much as it has the past six months.

JJ said she’s ready.

Reaching into the shower, I turn on the faucets and strip out of my clothes. Stepping under the spray, I start to wash my body while thinking I’m going to have to take it slow with her. She deserves to be made love to.

Tonight is not the night to lose control.

Fuck, it’s going to be hard, but for her, I’ll do slow and sweet.

When I’m done, I dry off, step into the sweatpants and quickly brush my teeth. I check my reflection in the mirror, drag my fingers through my hair, then suck in a deep breath.

Tonight is all about JJ. Don’t lose control.

Opening the door, my eyes land on her where she’s sitting on the side of the bed. Her head lifts, and our eyes meet. I see her nervousness, and when she stands up and starts to fidget with the hem of the shirt, my heart melts.

I walk to her, and lifting a hand, I brush my fingers from her temple to jaw. “Relax.”

She nods. “I’m relaxed. Kind of.” She gives me a trembling smile, then admits, “More excited than anything.”

My fingers curl around her chin and looking deep into her eyes, I ask, “You want me to make love to you?”

JJ’s gaze softens, her blue irises becoming incredibly clear, then she whispers, “Please.” She sucks in a breath. “Sir.”

A satisfied smile spreads over my face, loving that she’s slipped into the role of submissive lover.

“You love it when I dominate you?”

She nods. “It’s one hell of a turn-on.”

Her honesty tells me she feels comfortable with me, and in turn, it sets me at ease.

Wanting to see JJ naked without a fucking audience, I grip the hem of the shirt, then pause to ask, “You ready for me, baby?”

“I am,” she breathes, lifting her arms above her head for me to pull the shirt off.

I let the fabric slip to the floor, then slowly, my eyes take in every fucking exquisite inch of her. “I’ve never seen anything more beautiful than you.” Placing my hands on her shoulders, my thumbs brush over her collarbones, reverence making my voice hoarse. “You’re fucking perfect.”

Wanting to see her reaction, I meet her eyes as my hands move down. When I cover her breasts, there’s nothing but devotion and need on her face. Stepping into her, my mouth claims hers. I thrust my tongue into her warmth while grabbing hold of her ass and lifting her off her feet. Moving to the bed, I set her down on the black covers, then lose myself in the kiss as I cover her body with mine.