Solace In The Silence ✓✓

chapter 12

IT WAS NEXT to impossible to gather any semblance of calm when Jake was looking at me like that, like he was debating whether to hightail it out the door or to take a step closer toward me. The gravity in his stare was unnerving, like I had been stripped bare and he was seeing everything there was to me, extracting all my secrets.

Ever since I could remember, Jake had always had that effect on me, as though all it took was one discerning glance and he knew every little thing I was feeling.

The tension in the room thickened as we lapsed into silence.
The hue of his eyes darkened, and the intensity that sharpened his features made my heartbeat speed up, almost veering into cardiac territory.

God, I wished I could read him. Understand what he was thinking, even just a glimpse, my curiosity all but consuming me.
Instead, I had to settle for asking him outright. A nervous prickle swept over me. "What... what exactly are you saying?"

Jake didn't reply. Not verbally, anyway.
Without warning, he hooked his fingers into the belt loops of my jeans and pulled me back against him. His hands traveled to my hips, and then crept up, dipping underneath my singlet top. He tantalizingly grazed the skin beneath my ribs, and a tremor shot down my spine.

Blinking repeatedly, I watched as his gaze jumped from my mouth to my eyes.
I was too caught up in the feel of Jake's hands, moving to my waist, and the intensity of his stare, that I barely noticed he had backed himself up against the nearest wall in Gery's living room. And the "missed you" he murmured low in my ear caught me totally off guard.

I faltered, his words permeating my lust-addled brain. He'd missed me?
"What are we doing?" I gulped, the lump in my throat choking me.

This was Jake's chance to change his mind, to release his grip and greet the reality that would rush him. He'd be thankful I was stopping this from going any further.

I attempted to step back, believing that by untangling myself from his arms, it would help relieve the pressure that had clamped down on my chest. But Jake's hold on me was too firm, and those heavy-lidded, pale eyes seared into mine.

When he spoke, his voice was gravelly. "What we shouldn't be doing."
White-hot lust distorted some of my thoughts, but my mind still spun high with confusion.

Staring at my mouth again, Jake leaned in closer, and then his lips brushed the hollow of my cheek.
It was in that instant I knew Jake was going to kiss me. And I was going to let him. I knew exactly where this would lead, yet I still chased after it, hoping maybe I was wrong.

His head bowed a little, the stubble along his jaw rubbing deliciously against my chin. About a thousand different emotions swamped me as Jake's lips brushed mine for the first time, feather-soft. Infused with mostly shock, I barely registered the feel before he was drawing back. I missed his touch immediately.

Flutters quivered in my tummy when I noticed he was still staring down at me with a hunger that I had never, ever expected to see in his eyes. Not at least while he was looking at me.

Desire crashed through me, my body moving without any brain involvement whatsoever. I went up on my toes, holding onto his broad shoulders for leverage, and then, much to my relief, my mouth was back on his.

This time, there was nothing tentative or questioning about the kiss. It was desperate and shattering—a release of years' worth of pent-up sexual tension and longing.

A low moan escaped the back of his throat, and the sound reverberated against my lips, making me shiver. Jake deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding into my mouth, tasting me. Devouring me.
It was easily the hottest moment of my entire life.