Page 49 of Jake's Angel

My heart flutters.

Jake leans in closer, and I know he can feel my racing pulse.

I’m in so much trouble.

It feels like small sparks of electricity shocking my skin everywhere his hands touch, and I can’t help but wonder if he feels it, too. But before I get too lost in the sensation, he pulls me in tighter, putting his mouth near the shell of my ear. The feel of his warm breath on my skin has my stomach tensing and heat pooling in my belly. He mummers quietly enough that only I can hear him.

“Maybe I should kiss you again. Hmm?” His tongue flicks out, licking the edge of my ear. “You were a lot less troublesome when my tongue was in your mouth.” His thumb brushes myskin just under the hem of my T-shirt. I gasp at both his words and his touch.

“You’re delusional. I-It was just a means to distract the others. To not be seen.”

I nervously peer over his shoulder, praying no one else can hear our conversation.

“That’s not exactly true now, is it, Angel? You were just as into it as I was. I remember exactly how turned on you got when I grabbed your neck and deepened the kiss.Do you? Or should we give everyone here a show, so there’s no confusion about how good I can make you feel?”

Nope! Those weren’t sparks!They were the beginning embers of the fiery hell that this man is creating for me.

There’s something about him. I want to give in, to see where this would go, to indulge in whatever this is, but I can't. Something tells me he would break me, and not in the way others or my grandmother have tried to.

This would be much worse.

Bruises and broken bones. I can heal from those. I’ve already proven that. Damaged pride, false accusations, and a shitty reputation—I’ve survived those too. But someone like Jake? He has the power to hurt me, and the confusing part is, I don’t know why.

I barely know him.

Yet, something about him calls to me, and it scares the crap out of me.

I mentally scold myself, and pull out of his hold, narrowing my eyes at him for a moment. Telling myself I need to stay away from him. I want to, but I don’t.

There’s something about him that gets my pulse racing and my body humming. Things I never thought I’d feel for anyone.

Damn him!

Changing tactics, putting my sweetestfuck yousmile back into place, I ask, “Have you always been a talking penis, or did you save your special party trick just for me? Because I must say, I’m not impressed.”

I don’t know how, but Hawk sneaked up behind Jake, shushing me with his finger to his lips. I hold back my smile until Hawk slaps Jake on the shoulder, “I believe she just called you a dickhead, brother.”

Jake looks like he has something to say, but our battle of the wits is postponed at the loud thunderous sound ofGabe shouting, “I want you two girls and officers in church! Now!”

Sadie looks at me with genuine concern. When she reaches where I’m standing, she leans in close and whispers, “Women aren’t allowed in church.”

“Okay. So, what does that mean?”

“I honestly don’t know.”

“Ladies.” Gabe comes to a stop beside us and gestures to the hallway. “If you two will follow my men into the sanctuary, we’d like to ask you two some questions.”

“I thought Sadie said women aren’t allowed in church, um, sir.”

“She would be right. But since my office won’t hold everyone, we’re making an exception. But only until we hear what you two have to say. When the brothers convene to decide our next steps, you won’t be in the room.”

“Where will we be?”

Gabe and Sadie exchange a look. She seems visibly shaken by him. “Well, now, that will depend on what you have to say.”

Well, that’s not ominous, is it?

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

---