We picked up our pace, and it was a beautiful torture. I wanted to run with Jenna every day. Jogging with a hard-on sucked, but it was worth every painful step. Jenna ran with beautiful form, her blond ponytail swinging, her ass round andtight, her pert tits bouncing just the slightest bit. Thank God she was focused on the path ahead and not on my cock.
After a long, steady jog, we slowed to a walk and Jenna looked up at me, her cheeks pink, her smile huge, her beautiful eyes glowing, and her breasts lifting with every heaving breath, and I was a lecherous bastard because all I could see was how she’d look as she came apart under me.
“This was so much fun! Thank you for taking me!”
“It was my pleasure, Firefly.” It truly was, and when she beamed at me, everything was simultaneously crystal clear and a jumbled mess.
I was grateful that she was cautious and safe.
I wanted her to feel free to take risks.
I wanted her to feel safe with me.
I wanted to give her the skills and confidence to feel safe without me.
I wanted to protect her from every danger.
I wanted to open her world and watch her bask in the joy that I knew she’d find in it.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Jenna
“Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to help?”
“Nope, I’m almost done. Your company is all I need.” Liam flashed me a warm smile as he chopped some fresh herbs.
To be honest, I was more than happy to sit there and admire Liam as he competently put the finishing touches on dinner. Working gracefully in his beautiful kitchen, awash in the golden glow of the sunset streaming through the window, he looked calm and capable. So strong and sexy. I was so impressed with him. So turned on by him.
Seeing how sure and steady he was settled the nerves that had been driving me crazy since our morning run. Even spending the day with Juliette and Nicky didn’t help. All day long, I’d had this hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach, like I was standing on the edge of a cliff. I had no idea if I was more excited or freaked out, or was this just how it felt to have your first crush?
Somehow, all that had vanished the moment Liam had opened his front door. His eager smile as he held my face and looked into my eyes before he slowly kissed me…it’s like he knew exactly how I felt. Like he was assuring me with his gentle touch and the way he tucked me into his side, that he’d take care of me. And, also maybe most importantly, it looked like he was as happy to see me as I was to see him.
His house was beautiful. It had an open living room with a huge couch that was beckoning me to curl up against his side and sink into its softness with him. Everything about it was warm and cozy like that. Exposed wood beams, a big fireplace and a mantle with candles. Woods and browns and beiges and grays that all worked together to create a soft, natural look.
His bedroom was so…him. A sturdy wooden bed frame, a fluffy tan and navy blanket. Strong and soft. I felt my face flush looking at it. Liam had chuckled gently and led me back out to continue the tour.
The yard was huge. The deck gleamed, and Liam had been proud to tell me how he’d built it. Other than the deck, it was an open field of grass, and it was all fenced in with trees surrounding it for privacy. Thor would love to run around here.
I liked seeing Liam in his house. It was a real house, a home. I was proud of how far I’d come in the last few years and how quickly I’d made up for lost time, but being here made it obvious that Liam was on a whole different level, and it was one I wanted to meet him on.
We talked easily while he cooked, and as he pulled the tray out of the oven, I asked again, “Now can I help with anything?”
“Yes, can you please bring the pitcher of lemonade in the fridge to the table?”
Aww, lemonade. I wanted to roll my eyes that he’d only asked me to do the simplest task after he’d done all the work, but I wastoo touched that he chose to serve lemonade when clearly wine would be more fitting for the fancy meal.
Liam plated our meals of salmon, roasted potatoes, and sautéed broccoli, finished with a caramelized honey miso drizzle and a fresh herb garnish—his words, not mine—and carried them to the table.
“This looks incredible. Thank you for cooking dinner.”
“It’s my pleasure. I love having you here.”
“I love being here, too.”
I took my first bite of the salmon and nearly moaned. “Oh my God, Liam. It’s delicious.”
He looked so proud, I loved it.