Her protest sounded weak, even to her own ears.
He took a step closer. “But aren’t you attracted to me? I know I’m attracted to you?”
The argument repeated in her mind, as it had every second of the day since he’d been pushing the boundaries.
It’s not you he’s attracted to. He’s still in love with Carlie.
So what? Let him kiss you. Only one little kiss… what can it hurt? You’re already in love with him. It can’t get any worse.
His arms were around her. She flattened her hand on the hard planes of his chest. She could’ve pushed him away.
She should’ve stopped him.
She didn’t.
Her control was gone. She squeezed her eyes tight. One glimpse and he would read the truth in her eyes. He would know she was hopelessly in love with him.
His lips pressed to her forehead and trailed down to her ear. “You’re so beautiful, Rylie,” he whispered, sending a shiver-fest rippling through her nerves.
His heart pounded against her fingers. Hers beat faster.
The feather of his lips traced the line of her jaw, somehow slicing the tendon that held her knees straight. But for the support of his arms, she would’ve collapsed to the floor.
“I’m going to kiss you, Rylie.” Even the rasp in his voice made her weak. “If you don’t want this, tell me now.”
I want it!
Her voice wasn’t working. Fortunately, he took her silence as an answer.
His lips touched hers. Warm. Tender. Caressing. Then stronger. Scalding. Claiming. Something swirled in her head and burst behind her eyes. A million stars. Her heart climbed into her throat. She couldn’t breathe. She didn’t care. She kissed him back, trying to curb her hunger. It didn’t work. He knew! He had to know!
“Papa?” said a small voice.
Jarrett’s lips jerked away, his arms still holding her up. He twisted to look behind him.
“Gabe? What’s wrong buddy?”
“I thirsty.”
With steady legs, Rylie straightened, catching her breath. “I’ll get it for you, Gabe.” She was proud her voice didn’t quiver.
“I can do it,” Jarrett said.
“It’s my night.” Rylie hurried around the kitchen, finding one of Gabe’s cups and filling it with water. What had they been thinking? They’d risked the marriage. They’d risked the adoption. They’d forgotten what was important. Gabe. Only Gabe.
“And Jarrett…”
“What?”
He sounded as miserable as he looked. She almost lost her resolve. Then Gabe’s scrawny arms wrapped around her legs.
“Mama, I thirsty.”
She handed Gabe the cup and looked at Jarrett, gathering her determination. “That can never happen again.”
“Is that so?”
His devastating eyes locked with hers. She couldn’t tear her gaze away. Her pulse quickened, her hand rising to her clenched throat.
“Rylie, it will happen again.” With his eyes still pinning her in place, his lips spread in a slow smile. “And that’s not a threat. It’s a promise.”
CHAPTER 19
Though it was Rylie’s turn for night duty with Gabe, Jarrett turned his ear monitor on before he climbed in bed. She was exhausted from spending the day with his sisters. Besides, he wasn’t likely to get much sleep anyway. His mind was still reeling from that kiss.
Was it because it had been a long time since he’d kissed a woman? In fact, after his last failed attempt at a relationship, he’d made a decision similar to Rylie’s. Only, he’d taken it a step further and sworn off women altogether. But Rylie had awoken something in him that had been asleep for longer than he could remember. He couldn’t think of another kiss that had fried his mind like that one.
Even the first touch of her lips had been a rush, like he was unwrapping a secret treasure. But when she’d responded with a hunger that matched his own, his pulse had raced like he was running a marathon. He wanted more. Much more. He was beginning to think long term—like forever—and it made him nervous. She was attracted to him, physically, but that wasn’t enough to build a marriage on. Even their mutual love for Gabe wasn’t enough for a lasting relationship.
He couldn’t waste time worrying about the future. He could only protect the ground he’d gained. He wouldn’t let Rylie rebuild the walls he’d torn down. Not now. Not after he had a taste of what could be. When he’d told her it would happen again, he’d meant it.
He tossed and turned on the bed that had been his since Rylie had moved in, thinking of her lying alone on his king-sized mattress. Was she sleeping? Or was she awake, tearing herself up about letting him kiss her? He would guess the latter. Rylie tended to overthink everything, just like he did. He’d always thought he needed someone carefree, like Carlie, to take his mind off his worries, but he’d changed his mind. With he and Rylie sharing the same concerns, the weight of his worries felt lighter. He loved nothing more than to make her laugh when she was stressed, and she did the same for him.
Bran had questioned whether Jarrett had ever truly been in love with Carlie. Jarrett thought back to the time when they were together. He’d never been happier or more carefree than when he and Carlie were hanging out, relaxing at the twins’ apartment.
Money had been tight. But he and Carlie had often chosen to spend time with Rylie even when extra funds were available. In their few dates alone together, Carlie had complained of boredom, unless she’d somehow persuaded him to go to a high-spirited party.
