Listen to Me (Fusion 1)

Now it’s the morning after. Nothing happened, yet it feels like it was way more intimate than getting naked together.

I roll onto my back, bite my lip, and try to sneak out of the bed, but suddenly a strong arm wraps around my stomach and Jake pulls me tightly against his chest.

“Where are you going?” he rasps into my ear.

“It’s morning.”

His hand slips under the hem of my T-shirt and his fingertips begin to draw circles on my skin.

Holy mother of God, that feels good.

“I’m not having sex with you,” I say primly and try to inch away from him.

“I didn’t invite you to. Stop squirming.” He nuzzles my neck, making my eyes cross, and continues to play my stomach like a freaking guitar. Then he pushes more firmly against me, making me giggle.

“Whatever it is that’s pressed to my ass disagrees with you.”

“That’s nothing. Just a flashlight.”

I burst out laughing. “Do you carry a flashlight in your pocket often?”

“Mostly just in the morning,” he replies seriously and kisses my neck, right under my ear, and my hips circle involuntarily. My nipples are puckered, and I know my panties are soaked.

This man is potent.

Dangerous.

So fucking hot.

“Seriously, Jake, I am not having sex with you.”

“Seriously, Addie, I am not even attracted to you. Stop trying to have sex with me.”

I giggle some more, grip his hand in mine, and raise it to my lips.

And bite.

“Ah, she’s a biter.”

“I’m not attracted to you either.”

“Let’s not get crazy, sweetheart. Yes you are. You like me.”

“You’re delusional.”

He tugs me onto my back, smiling down at me. He drags his fingertips down my cheek, then tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

And hello, morning breath.

Not him, of course. But I’m quite sure my breath could rival a dragon’s right now, so I tug the sheet up and over my mouth, as Jake’s eyes smile down at me.

“Making sure I won’t kiss you?”

“Making sure I don’t kill you with my morning breath.”

He chuckles and leans in to nuzzle my temple. “You smell so good.”

“Right. Don’t you have somewhere you need to be?”

“It’s Sunday, Addison,” he whispers.

“So? Maybe you need to go to the grocery store. Or the gym. Or church.”

He chuckles. “None of that is on my list today.”

“Well, some of it is on my list.” His hand takes a journey up my shirt again, and those talented fingers skim my skin.

“You make me crazy when you bite your lip like that,” he whispers as the sheet is tugged down around my chin. His green eyes are on fire as he continues to nuzzle me, cuddle me.

When was the last time I was just cuddled? I don’t even remember.

Probably because I hate to snuggle.

Hate.

“You’re overthinking,” he says.

“I am not.”

“You’ve been overthinking for the past thirty minutes,” he says simply. “As someone who shares that affliction, I’m here to tell you to stop. It’ll make you crazy.”

“You make me crazy.”

“I know. You’re wild about me. It’s embarrassing, really.”

I giggle, unable to stop myself. This playful side of him is just . . . fun. My chest feels lighter with the entertaining banter, making me relax. Maybe he’s right, maybe I do overthink everything.

“You really need an ego check.”

“Oh, I have plenty of those,” he replies and kisses my forehead. “But you were right, I do have things to do today.”

Damn. Not that I had any intention of keeping him to myself today, but this just feels so good. I don’t want it to end.

“Where is your phone?” he asks.

“Over there.” I point to the bedside table on his side, and suddenly he moves away, grabs it, then returns to me and pulls his phone out of his pocket. “We don’t need to text, Jake. I’m right here.”

“I don’t have your number. I only have the restaurant number.” He wakes his phone up, then waits expectantly for me.

“That’s the only number you need.”

“No, it’s not.” He leans in and nuzzles my nose. “Because I want to see you outside of Seduction.”

“Are you sure?”

“Been sure since the first moment I saw you, sweetness.”

I swallow hard and frown. “I don’t just hand my private number out.”

He looks a little hurt for a split second, which brings some tightness back to my chest, and then his lips spread in that cocky grin.

“Addison, will you please give me your number?”

God, he’s cocky. And I know I’m not going to tell him no. I mean, I can always choose to just not answer the phone. I rattle off my number for him. A few moments later, my phone pings with a text from him.

You are beautiful.

“You’re too charming for your own good,” I reply, rolling my eyes.

“Doesn’t change the fact that you look good in the morning.”

I grin shyly, then bury my face in my hands. He chuckles and nudges my hands away. His lips are just inches from mine.

“Addie, I want to kiss you.”

“Okay. I’m okay with that.”

“If I kiss you, we won’t leave this bed. So I’m going to save it.” Disappointment sits heavily in my belly as he simply kisses my forehead, then hugs me again, burying his face in my neck. “Are you okay?”