Page 90 of Jake's Angel

“Put me down, Jake. I can walk.” She’s cute, trying to sound like her usual stubborn self, but the sleepiness in her voice betrays her. I smile down at her, kissing her forehead and continue walking as if I didn’t hear her.

Once we get into the house, I carry her into my bedroom and set her on the bed. She folds her legs up under herself, immediately looking uncomfortable.

“Wait here.” I move to my dresser and find her one of my T-shirts and a pair of sweatpants. They’ll probably swallow her, but I don’t want to leave her to get her some of Jayde’s things. Besides, I like the thought of her wearing my clothes. “Here. The shower is right through there. I’ll fix us something to drink. Did you eat anything?”

She nods her head yes. “I ate earlier. I’m fine, thank you.” She stands and heads into the bathroom. “Jake.” She stops at the door but doesn’t turn around. “Thank you for … everything.”

I watch as she disappears into the bathroom, closing the door behind her, wishing I had followed her. I wait until I hear the water running before leaving the room.

Now that I’m thinking about it, her reaction was too strong to have been as simple as someone getting handsy with her. Avery hasn’t had a problem putting any of us in our place when she’s felt we’ve overstepped. She’s always quick on her feet with her attitude and stubbornness. I even told her to come find me if something bothered her.

She was mad at you, asshole.

But why did she drop to the ground and cower?

It’s almost like she didn’t know where she was. Did something trigger a memory? If that’s it, I need to know what the fuck she was remembering and who I need to bury for terrifying my girl.

After the way she clung to me, I know she still trusts me to take care of her, so why didn’t she come to me? Maybe the guy dancing with her didn’t hurt her, maybe he caught her off guard?

But something’s still not adding up.

I’m racking my brain, going over every detail of the evening I can remember. I was watching her swing her sexy ass around the dance floor, her arms up in the air with not a care in the world. She was happy. Like she forgot she was at the clubhouse all together, just having a good time with her friends in her own little slice of the world.

She was killing me the way she ran her hands up and down her body, swinging her hair around and moving her hips to the beat. My cock clearly remembers every torturous movement of her body tonight. Rehashing the memories of her is only making things harder for me.Literally.

I hear the water turn off and gather the tea I’ve made, some sugar, honey, milk, and a spoon, and place it on a lap tray.Walking into the bedroom trying like hell not to spill the tray, I nearly lose the battle when I catch sight of Avery.

My Angel is laying on my bed, curled toward the window, facing away from me. Her wet hair splayed on the pillow. My black T-shirt is draped around her body. She doesn’t move to look at me, but I know she’s awake.

I place the tray on the dresser. “You want some tea? I didn’t know what you like, so I brought all the sugar and shit just in case.”

When I turn around, she’s rolled over, facing me. Her red-rimmed eyes are puffy and swollen.

“No, thank you.” She answers softly.

I reach up to take my T-shirt off and toss it to the floor. Her eyes widen in shock. She’s not scared of me, but she still seems hesitant about the situation.

“Nothing’s going to happen, baby. I’m just getting ready for bed.” She turns back over, facing away from me again. I hate she’s hiding from me, but I get it. She’s had one hell of a night.

I remind my dick to calm the fuck down. This isn’t his time to shine. Easier said than done while she’s laying here in nothing but my shirt.

I crawl into the bed and lay down beside her. She flinches at the sudden movement. “Come here, Angel.” Her body becomes tense. I whisper into her ear, “I just want to hold you while you sleep. Is that ok with you?” She immediately relaxes, turning to face me. She lays her head in the crook of my arm, her hand lazily tracing the tattoos on my chest and arm. My hand instantly goes to stroking her hair like it has a mind of its own.

She hums a contented sound and settles even further into me. “Sleep baby. I’ve got you.” She lifts her leg over mine, making the hem of my shirt lift over her hip. I get the perfect view of the curve of her ass in the mirror above my bed. Shehasn’t seen it yet, and right now I’m not sure if I should be thankful or pissed it’s up there.

God help me.

I reach down and begin caressing her thigh. Her breath hitches, but she doesn’t pull away or punch me in the cock, so I continue stroking her skin. She says nothing, and neither do I as I watch and wait for sleep to take her. Holding her close, I close my eyes and enjoy the feel of her body against mine and the sounds of her slow, steady breathing.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

JAKE

I’mstartled awake by the sound of Avery whimpering in her sleep. At some point, we turned over, and I’m spooning her. I gently wrap my arm tighter around her waist and she draws herself into a little ball next to me.

“Shh, Angel. You’re safe. I’m here.” I rub her hair away from her face. She allows her legs to stretch out and her body relaxes into my touch. “That’s it, baby. You’re ok.” I kiss her shoulder and hear the little sigh she lets out. It makes me smile.

I lean up to grab the blanket to pull it up over us, when I notice how high on her body my shirt has ridden through the night. Her sexy legs are on full display. Her black lace panties and soft porcelain skin are completely exposed. Raking my eyes slowly over her body, I take in every line and curve before looking up to the mirror to get the full view. My body reacts immediately to the look of her lying half naked next to me in my bed.

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