Not a flinch, not a sound, just a statue of strength, AJ let her teeth melt into him. Like the air that filled her starving lungs, she felt the reprieve—the control she needed. The wet crimson smeared along his skin as she laid a gentle kiss on his neck.
“Now?” he whispered.
“Now.”
AJ flipped open the glove compartment, retrieved a condom, and rolled it on. “I’m sorry … I can’t be gentle today.”
Jillian scooted to the edge of the seat and spread her legs wide. “I know.”
*
Jillian left AJ without a word. The guilt on his face said enough. Truth? He was somebody’s knight in shining armor. Luke had once said people are exactly what they say they’re not. Expectations demand accountability and accountability only matters in the presence of another. Denial is the road to solitude.
On the long ride home under a shimmering canopy of stars and in the watchful headlights of a black Jeep, Jillian contemplated her own accountability. By the time her bike was covered and her hand was reaching for the door handle to her house, the answer came to her. Jillian pushed the button to the garage door and raced out, jumping over the beam. She looked up and froze. AJ stood in his driveway, hands shoved into his pockets, a heartbreaking mix of sadness and relief stealing his handsome features.
“This is a mistake,” he said as his gaze sank to the concrete.
Something so dark resided in AJ that at times she swore she felt it bleeding from his soul. “An epic mistake.” Jillian ran into his arms.
It was a crushing embrace. She’d never felt anyone cling to her like their life depended on it. AJ needed her, maybe even more than she needed him. She physically needed him. He emotionally needed her.
“I’m due for an epic mistake.”
AJ released her and cradled her face. “Me too.” He smirked. “Stay…” he brushed his lips across hers “…stay with me tonight.”
Blood surged through her heart like a freight train in her chest as she willed herself to take a few slow breaths to suppress the fear. You’re Jillian Knight. Fin de journée.
“Okay,” she whispered.
She felt like a child when he took her petite hand in his. AJ was strong and towered over her small stature. Any other woman would have felt protected in his presence, but not Jillian. She experienced a constant rush of adrenaline, a need to stay alert that could not be tamed. The feeling was equally exhilarating and exhausting.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
She smiled. Hospitable AJ was charming.
“Wine? Beer?”
“Beer, please.”
“Not a wine drinker?” AJ grabbed two beers out of the refrigerator.
Jillian’s smile faded a bit. “No, I’m not into wine.” It was the truth. Jillian Knight did not drink wine.
They stood in the kitchen leaning against opposing counters while an awkward silence settled over them.
“Maybe we should drink our beers naked.”
AJ choked in the middle of his long pull.
She grinned. “Only because we seem to be more comfortable with each other when we’re naked.”
AJ scanned her body with a stormy look brewing in his eyes as he set his beer down. “I do want you naked, beneath me, in my bed.” He pushed off the counter and ran his hands through her hair as his lips descended to hers.
Jillian reacted to him with a feral hunger. She pushed his shirt up until he grabbed it, breaking their kiss for a split second as it brushed past his face. He squeezed her breasts through her shirt and she moaned into his mouth, her hands making haste to unfasten his jeans. Then … the doorbell rang.
“Fuck!” His forehead pressed against hers. “Don’t. Move.”
She nodded as the moist heat from their labored breathing lingered between them. Her legs felt weak when he released her to answer the door.
“Surprise!” A female voice that Jillian couldn’t quite place filled the air.
“Carin,” he choked on her name.
Jillian found her legs and peeked around the corner. Carin stood at AJ’s door in a long black trench coat that hung open revealing her red lingerie including a garter belt, black stockings, and stilettos. Carin eyed AJ’s bare chest with a look that made Jillian want to do physical harm to her.
“Looks like you were thinking about me too.” Carin wet her lips as she stared at AJ’s unfastened jeans.
“Uh …” AJ buttoned his jeans and yanked up the zipper “…did we have plans I forgot about?”
Carin stepped inside forcing AJ to retreat a step. “No, silly … hence the surprise.” She shrugged off her coat, letting it pool at her feet.
“You seemed distracted the last time I saw you. It was the first time we didn’t…” she bit her lip “…you know. So I thought I’d spice it up a bit.”
“I told you last time the arrangement is no longer working for me.”