Page 58 of The Heart Shot
It was better than heaven. Was that even possible? The bittersweet dark chocolate combined with the slightly sweet and tangy cheesecake, and the super sweet white chocolate on top…Was it possible to get drunk on sweets? Because after one bite, I was halfway there.
“Thith ith amathing!” I exclaimed through a mouthful of cake. Clearly, I was the epitome of a lady.
Jameson’s dimple reappeared, his eyes doing that ridiculous twinkling thing again. I didn’t know if he thought I was cute or gross for talking with my mouth full, but he wasn’t kicking me out, so I took that as a good sign.
But then, right on cue, like a cockroach that wouldn’t die, Ben’s words slithered back into my mind.
Ladies don’t talk with food in their mouth, Elsie. You’re a lady. Act like one. Men aren’t attracted to gross women.
At the memory of his words, I dropped my fork, and it clanked against the porcelain plate.
Jameson’s brows rose. “Everything okay?”
Why couldn’t my insecurities leave me alone? Why did Ben’s scathing remarks still haunt me four years later?
I shoved another bite of cake into my mouth, trying to silence my thoughts. “Wep, mmhmm. Gweat!”Crap, I did it again.Ben’s words repeated on an endless loop. My eyes burned, and I lowered my gaze to the plate, as if the sage-green design around the edge was the most interesting thing in the world.
Don’t cry, Elsie. Pretend everything is fine and cry later. Jameson doesn’t need to see your tears.
A sudden warmth appeared at my side, and I turned to find Jameson on his knees next to me, his strong hands gently brushing my hair over my shoulder.
“Elsie,” he whispered, his eyes full of concern. “What’s wrong?”
I shook my head. If I tried to speak, I knew a sob would escape.
His fingers drew a scalding line across my cheek. “You don’t have to hide from me,” he said, eyes softening.
“I hide from everybody,” I whispered back, blinking against the tears filling my eyes.
Tentatively, he ran a hand up my arm before resting it behind my neck.
“Then let me be your safe place.”
His words settled into me, easing the ache in my heart that I had tried to bury for so long. Could such a thing exist? Could Jameson be a safe place for me to share my fears, my dreams, and all the in between?
Jameson leaned forward, cupping my cheek. I needed to stop him; to pull away, but I didn’twantto. My eyes closed as his lips brushed mine. He was hesitant at first, as if he expected me to pull back. When I didn’t, he leaned into it, taking my face in both of his hands.
I was right about them—strong but gentle.
His lips were equal parts soft and unyielding, tasting of chocolate and garlic, which was, strangely, an amazing combination.
My arms went around his neck, fingers sliding into his hair, and he took advantage of the moment to turn me so he knelt between my legs. I gripped his hips with my knees, my nails scraping against his scalp, and he let out a soft groan against my mouth.
His hands moved to my waist, squeezing, squeezing…
A knock at the door echoed in the quiet room, and Luna leaped off her bed, barking. Jameson and I pulled apart, breathless.
“Luna! Quiet,” he commanded, and she went silent, sitting in front of the door, tail wagging. Another knock sounded, louder and more impatient than the last.
He turned remorseful eyes on me. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Jameson didn’t seem convinced by my response, but he pushed to his feet, adjusted his shirt and hair that had gotten rumpled beneath my hands, and went to answer the door.Whoever was there didn’t wait for Jameson to open it all the way before he started yelling.
“Mr. Beck, I found yet another dog ball in my yard. How many times have I asked you to keep your rabid dog off my lawn and away from my house?”
My blood turned to ice at the person’s voice.
