Page 42 of Twisted Devotion

Jackson’s eyes widen slightly. “Oh, that’s . . . are you okay?”

His concern makes my chest swell with warmth, along with a foreign sensation that makes me shift back and forth on my feet. “I, um, don’t really know. It’s brought a lot of shit up I didn’t want to think about again, but it was nice to see him doing so well for himself after everything he’s been through.”

He nods. “Of course.” His eyes flick to the icing-covered rubber spatula in my hand. “So the middle-of-the-night baking is, what, a distraction?”

I sigh. “Probably.”

Jackson comes around the island, and I turn to face him, pressing my back into the edge of the counter as one of his hands grips the granite, brushing my hip. “It smells good,” he murmurs, dipping his face closer as he reaches past me and swipes his finger through the icing then lifts it to his mouth, slowly closing his lips around the digit before he sucks it off. “Mmm.”

Holy fucking hell.

My cheeks flush hot and my heart beats against my chest.

When he reaches to do it again, instead of opening his mouth, he holds his finger in front of mine. “Open,” he says.

Pulse racing, my eyes lift to his and immediately get lost in his hooded, golden gaze. My lips part, and he wastes no time pushing his finger into my mouth. Feeling brazen, I close my lips around him and lick the icing off, swirling my tongue around his finger.

Jackson sucks in a breath. “Fuck me,” he mutters, pressing me against the counter so I feel just how much this is affecting him. He pulls his finger out slowly, and I nip at it, smirking softly when his lips part in shock. “I want to lift you onto this counter and taste how sweetyouare.”

“Jackson,” I breathe, shaking my head.

His eyes shine with heat, his gaze searing me where I stand. “You want a distraction. I’m happy to give you one.” He’s so close, I can see the shadow of stubble along his jaw.

My eyes narrow slightly. “I’m not going to lose our bet because I’m in need of—”

“Me,” he cuts in, pressing his erection against my core. “Just like I need you.”

I swallow hard, clenching my jaw to keep from moaning. It takes every ounce of willpower I have not to grind against him. “You’re testing my resolve. Unfortunately for you, I want the money more than I need to be sated.”

He licks his lips. “Really?”

To prove my point—and to get him back for that wicked move—I slide my hand down his chest and palm the front of his pants, rubbing his growing erection.

“Kelsey,” he hisses, pushing closer and dropping his forehead to mine. “Fuck the bet. I’m calling it off.”

I pause my movements, my eyes going wide. “What?”

“I want you,” he says, skimming his nose along my cheek as he wraps his fingers around the nape of my neck. “Fuck the bet,” he repeats.

My breathing quickens as my restraint threatens to snap. The heat between my legs is throbbing so hard it’s almost painful, and I want nothing more than to hop onto the counter and open myself to him. But I need that money, and I’m not going to throw it away for an orgasm.

I bite back several expletives before I force out, “I’m not giving it up.”

Jackson growls low in his throat. “I’ll give you the money right now. I don’t give a shit about it.”

I choke on a laugh. “Now you’re making it sound like you’re paying me for sex.”

His grip on my nape tightens, and he forces me to meet his gaze. “Don’t you ever for a second think you could be used like that. Especially not by me.”

My eyes go wide. “I . . .” Breaking off, I nod.

“Good. Now, the cupcakes are going to have to wait because I need to taste you—now.”

Before I can respond, he pushes the things on the counter out of the way and lifts me onto the granite, wasting no time as he peels my sweatpants off in one quick pull. His jaw clenches sharply when he realizes I’m not wearing anything under them. Lifting his gaze to mine, he murmurs, “You’re trying to kill me.”

I turn my face away to giggle, and the sound turns into a moan when Jackson drops his mouth to the inside of my leg and trails his lips along my thigh. His breath tickles the sensitive skin at the apex of my thighs, and I realize very fast that it’s not going to take a lot to set me off like a firework.

14

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