Page 25 of Falling for Red
“Claire …”
“Put me down!”
He sets me down and I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him deep. No, he’s not going to just flirt with me. No. I’m way too sexually frustrated to just be flirted with. Tugging at his shirt, I could fuck him right on this lake path.
“Claire,” he scolds, holding my arms down. Then he smirks and I see the mischief in his eyes. Jake tosses me over his shoulder and spanks my ass hard as he begins walking again.
“Hey!”
“You fucked around and found out.”
I’m laughing too much. “I’ll get back on your back.”
“Nope. You lost those privileges. Now you're a sack of potatoes until we get back.”
“Jake!”
He chuckles, and my smile is too big. I like him.
16
Holding her with one arm over my shoulder, I’m loving this. She’s so pissed … but not actually mad. Claire’s not used to yielding. She’s just upset that I’m in control.
“If you say something nice to me with no snark, I will give you your piggyback privileges back.”
“Pass.”
I swat her ass again, and she giggles. We shouldn’t sleep together yet, but this has escalated quickly. I’m tempted. “Aren’t you going to be embarrassed when other people see me carrying you like this as we re-enter town?”
“Nope. I’ll tell everyone you’re trying to murder me.”
I bend down, putting her back on the ground. Squeezing both of her shoulders with my hands, I look into her big blue eyes. “Claire, can you behave for me?”
“What does behaving look like?”
“Being on my back, not taunting me.”
“What’s in it for me?”
I lean down, sweetly kissing her. “Brunch, then we can spend the rest of the day doing whatever you want to do.” She raises an eyebrow, and I add, “With our clothes on.”
“Such a tease.”
I shrug. Claire could be end game. There’s no way I’m rushing anything. I’m too curious and intrigued and determined to treat her right.
“Cuddling?” she tests.
“I love to cuddle.” Although, I know it will escalate if we do. We could touch and kiss, though. Keep it exploratory versus about getting off.
“Watching terrible reality TV?”
“You got it.” Honestly, there isn’t much I would say no to as long as it means spending more time with her.
She smirks before a big smile grows on her face. “I’ve been convinced. Let me hop on your back.”
17
Sliding into the booth of the cozy diner for brunch, I’ve had the best morning with Jake. I haven’t been so unburdened and unbothered from life’s responsibilities in a long time. Right now, the most difficult thing I’m thinking about is deciding between an omelet and avocado toast. Jake’s fingers are distracting me from this simple decision as they trace my hand. Looking up from the menu, he’s across from me at the old-school booth, staring at me with the cutest puppy dog expression.
