Page 24 of Loved By You

‘Shit,” I mutter, bending to pick up the larger bits of glass.

“Ri, no, leave.” A deep voice echoes in the room.

Jack?

I look up and find his familiar blue eyes on me.

“What are you doing down here?” I ask, stepping over the broken glass to move closer to him.

“I saw you on the security camera heading down here. You shouldn't come down here alone. Always come in twos, okay?” There is concern in his voice.

“Sure. Sorry. It's busy and we need some more vodka. We've got some thirsty guests tonight.” I giggle nervously at his proximity.

He smiles, his eyes, like always, never leaving mine. The intensity of his gaze leaves me a little breathless.

“Let me clear this up and I'll pay for the bottle. I'm sorry, you just made me jump.”

“Don't apologize. It was my fault for startling you.”

He reaches out his hand, helping me up on my feet. “Even so, I'm sorry.” He takes my hand in his and his thumb caresses the palm of my hand, sending a warm feeling through my body.

“What else did you need? Let me get it for you.”

I release my hand and turn to face the unit that houses the alcohol. “That one up there.” Pointing to the top shelf where I can now see the tequila and the vodka I need, he steps behind me, his chest to my back. I gasp at the contact, his solid body like a wall of muscle.

“Turn around.” There is a deep husk to his voice. I turn so we are chest to chest, closing my eyes because I’m not sure I can cope with him this close to me.

“Is this what you want?” I’m not sure if he’s talking about the bottles or being pressed up against him, so I give my head a tiny shake.

He leans in and his nose brushes the shell of my ear, his lips grazing my neck gently.

Jesus.

My thighs squeeze together on their own accord, trying to ease the thumping arousal gathering there, causing my body weight to shift from one foot to the other.

“Ria,” he whispers. “Tell me to stop.”

I don't say anything.

“The thing is, sweetheart, the memory of you taking that shot off me and the feel of your lips on mine has been replaying over and over in my mind.”

My mouth feels dry.Holy shit, what do I say to that?But he continues before I even find the words. “If you don't tell me to stop, I might have to have another taste of you.”

His lips lightly dust my collarbone and I let out a whimper.

Dear God, Ri. Keep your cool.

“Tell me to stop,” he rasps, snaking his arms around my waist and tugging my hips towards him. I lean my head to one side, giving him more access to my neck. He groans against my skin before he places feather-light kisses all the way up to my neck and my jaw.

“Tell me to stop Ri,” he says with a little more force as he lifts his eyes to mine. They are hooded and full of want. I've never had a man look at me this way. Like he's fighting every urge not to devour me and I can feel his hard length against my thigh.

“Don’t stop,” I whisper. As the last word leaves my mouth, he crashes his lips to mine and we become frantic. My hands are in his hair as he grabs my ass with one hand and the other grips the back of my neck, deepening the kiss.

I let out another embarrassing whimper. I kiss him like he is my oxygen supply. His hand drifts down to my thigh and he slowly pulls up the hem of my skirt. I release another moan, moving my hands down his back, reaching for the base of his shirt—A buzzing sound fills the stockroom.

“Ria, are you okay? We need that alcohol, babes.” Kate's voice crackles through the radio.

Jack and I both stop dead, trying to regulate our breathing. The reality of what almost just happened seems to hit us both.

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