Vote Then Read: Volume I

by Carly Phillips

  “Not for me.”

  “Me, neither.” Tanner shook his head. “Security’s also been upgraded. You need to switch the app on your phone and you’ll be able to see the new cameras and the areas we can watch.”

  “So now it comes down to acts, scheduling, and launch dates,” Landon said.

  Jason frowned. He wasn’t ready to make decisions on who he wanted to open the new direction of their club, especially when it came to using Charlotte, his ex. “Let me talk to Grey,” he said. Avery’s husband was a safer bet and as big a draw.

  “I have a list but it’d mean reaching out to managers, so see what you can get from your brother-in-law.”

  “Are you staying for the night?” Tanner asked.

  “I’d like to see how Faith is feeling before I decide … if you don’t mind.” He glanced at his partners.

  “So that’s how it is already?” Tanner snickered and Landon shot him a dirty look.

  “It’s fine. We can handle a regular night here.”

  His friends were solid, Jason thought. Even Tanner, despite his tendency to dig at a person’s weakness.

  “I’ll hang for another few minutes. If you think of anything else you want to discuss, let me know.” Faith was safe in his office.

  But he needed to find her brother and get back to his life before he was so wrapped up in hers he lost track of what was important to him.

  Faith sat at Jason’s desk, waiting for him to return. She’d looked through her phone, checked her apps, which were minimal because she’d deleted all her personal social media accounts when she left Iowa, and now she had nothing else to do but look around at the man’s office space. The room was similar to the larger area where the other two men had been waiting for them. Sleek chrome borders accentuated glass desks along with black and chrome chairs. Modern area rugs lay over natural wood floors that had a deliberately stripped, gritty look.

  Although she never intended to pry, her gaze fell to the pictures along the far edge of the desk. There was an obvious family shot of Jason in the middle of a group of men and women, many of whom had similar features and who had to be his siblings. There was a wedding photograph of an older couple she presumed were his parents and a picture of a much younger Jason, Tanner, and Landon and another man identical to Landon in front of a statue. His twin she’d seen on the website, to whose memory the club had been dedicated.

  She felt for all three of the men. With her mother’s passing, she understood loss, and theirs had happened way too young. It didn’t escape her notice that Jason never discussed that part of his past with her. Never mentioned Levi or the fact that they’d named the club after him. She wished he’d unburden himself. He’d already done so much for her, and she just knew if he talked about the pain he kept so close to his heart and carefully walled off, it might help.

  As she frowned, her gaze traveled to the last picture. A photograph of an attractive woman with blonde hair with a little boy in her arms. Faith had no idea who the female was, and an unexpected knot of jealousy formed in her stomach. It was silly. She trusted that Jason wasn’t married. He obviously lived alone, and he’d made his views on relationships crystal clear. There was no doubt he possessed an inherent protective streak from which she was currently benefitting despite him keeping most people at a distance. And yet there was this woman and child he’d never mentioned.

  She rubbed her hands against her denim-clad thighs, growing antsy sitting here with nothing to do while Jason met with his partners, but she owed him at least this and much more. So she leaned back in the chair and relaxed herself, accepting she might be here awhile.

  She began to doze off when the sound of the door opening startled her awake. She jumped in her seat, her heart doing a rapid pounding of fear inside her chest.

  “It’s okay, it’s just me,” Jason said, stepping into the room and closing the door behind him.

  Her mouth tasted dry, like cotton. Although she was used to it, waking often in the middle of the night in such a state, she was surprised she’d fallen asleep and dreamed here.

  “I guess I had a nightmare about Colton and then the creaking of the door and the noise downstairs scared me. You just took me by surprise,” she said, catching her breath, as she rose from her seat.

  “I think that answers my question,” he said cryptically from the doorway.

  He was a welcome sight, handsome and sexy, in his dark jeans and black shirt.

  “What question?” she asked, confused.

  “I was going to ask if you wanted to eat something here and hang out downstairs at the club for a while, but I don’t think the crowd and the noise is a good idea. We’ll order something in back at my apartment.” He strode up to her, joining her behind the desk.

  “But your partners–” She shook her head. She didn’t want the men to resent her more than they already did. Or at least, more than Tanner seemed to.

  “Shh.” Jason touched a finger to her mouth, then removed it, leaned in, and replaced it with his mouth, gliding his lips over hers.

  She blinked in surprise, then leaned into the kiss, softening against him. He licked the seam of her lips and she parted, letting him in. At the touch of his tongue to hers, she forgot everything but the warmth and feel of him, the butterflies in her stomach, and the excitement suddenly racing through her veins. Desire replaced her earlier fear and she lost herself in his thorough, devouring kiss.

  He raised a hand to her hair, tangling his palm in her ponytail, using the pull to tug her head to the side so he could deepen their connection. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a long, leisurely, arousing kiss that seemingly had no end. She let everything go but the pure enjoyment of being so close to this man she’d wanted for so long.

  The long nights of sleeping in a room near his, wondering if he slid naked beneath the sheets, of running into him in the family room in his boxer briefs, his state of arousal upon looking at her clear, finally caught up with her. She braced her hands on his cheeks and kissed him for all she was worth, dropping her walls and her guard for this one moment in time. When he finally released her kiss-swollen lips, she was dazed.

  “Good,” he said in a desire-laden voice. “You’re relaxed now.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “Is that why you kissed me? Because I was worked up and frightened?”

  His eyes darkened. “I kissed you because I’ve been wanting to do that for days. But the end result? Yeah, that’s what I was aiming for. Ready to go home?” He slid his fingers into hers and she curled her fingers around his bigger hand.

  “Ready.”

  “Then let’s go.”

  She glanced away from his potent stare, her gaze coming to rest on the bulge in his pants. The erection he couldn’t hide.

  She slid her tongue over her lips, well aware of the pulsing deep inside her core.

  “Don’t look at me like that or I’ll take you right here in my office. With my partners next door,” he said in a gruff voice that wreaked havoc on her senses.

  And she knew she was so aroused, she just might let him. So she grabbed her purse and rushed out the door.

  After arriving back at the apartment, they ordered in Italian food, ate, discussed his issues at the club, and never mentioned the kiss. It didn’t matter that Jason’s lips on hers was at the forefront of Faith’s mind, or that she wanted to take things further; he was back to being the perfect gentleman. It was as if he’d used the kiss to jerk her back to reality and ground her in sensations other than fear, but he wasn’t going to act on the arousal he’d inspired now.

  Unsure of what to do, she was taken off guard when he said he’d clean up and instructed her to turn in and get a good night’s sleep. Since he seemed to need the time alone, she nodded and strode out, struggling with her conflicting desires. The need to keep a distance from Jason so it was easy to walk away when this was over and the yearning she felt for Jason Dare.

  She washed up and undressed, changing into a pair of her soft shor
ts and camisole. She crawled into bed, hating to admit that Jason had been right and she was exhausted…

  Faith awoke to hands around her neck, her brother’s face in front of hers, his breath fetid. “You know what I want, Faith.”

  She coughed but the sound strangled in her throat. How did he expect her to answer him if he was choking her to death? “Colton.”

  “The money. It’s half mine and I want it.”

  She shook her head. Mom left it to me, she thought, knowing better than to waste her breath. Precious air she wasn’t getting. “Can’t breathe.” Spots danced in front of her eyes, fear spiraling inside her.

  He loosened his grip enough for her to draw in a painful breath. “Get me my money. I’ll be back, and next time I expect you to give me what’s mine.”

  Faith woke up choking, unable to breathe until she realized it had just been a dream. A real dream, but a nightmare that wasn’t happening now. She was safe. She blew out a breath and lifted her hair off her neck. It wasn’t the first time she had this nightmare and it wouldn’t be the last. Most nights she went into the living area and worked on her business plans, knowing sleep would be impossible after the nightmare, but tonight there was another option on her mind.

  She needed comfort and she wanted a pair of strong arms around her to reassure her everything would be okay. Jason’s arms. More than solace, though, she desired him more than any man she’d ever met. And he’d admitted to wanting her.

  She understood he had demons and past hurt and pain he hadn’t yet come to terms with. He didn’t want a relationship, didn’t want the happily ever after she dreamed of having one day when she was free of Colton. She didn’t want to be alone forever, even if she didn’t allow herself to think of having friends and people in her life again now.

  So she knew the score. She wouldn’t be going into whatever this was with Jason with stars in her eyes, thinking she could change him. They were two consenting adults who desired each other. When her brother was behind bars, they’d go their separate ways. End of story.

  But they had now.

  Drawing a deep breath for courage, she made her decision and walked out of her room and turned to go into his. She opened the door, glad when it didn’t squeak, shut it behind her, and tiptoed quietly up to the bed. Then she had a silent debate with herself once more. Clothes on? Or clothes off?

  There was nothing stopping her except her lack of courage, so she drew another long breath and slipped off her shorts and panties, then pulled her shirt over her head. There. She was naked, and before she could change her mind, she climbed onto the bed and slid up behind him, finding him as nude as she was. Drawing a deep breath, she wrapped her arms around his waist.

  He shifted but didn’t wake up. So she cuddled closer, finding comfort in his warmth. She really didn’t want to disturb his sleep, something she desperately needed herself. He’d wake up, find her here, and realize what else she wanted come morning. She’d deal with her mortification at what she’d done then.

  She lay her cheek against his broad back, inhaled his masculine scent, and began to breathe slowly, matching his tempo and finally relaxing enough to fall asleep.

  Chapter Six

  Jason woke up surrounded by heat. Not normal heat, where his comforter was too hot or the temperature was too high, but warm heat covering him. Suspecting but not wanting to assume, he opened his eyes.

  He lay on his back, his arm around Faith, her head in the crook of his arm, her knee across his body … and her pussy pressing against his thigh.

  She was naked.

  And since he normally woke up with a hard-on, it was no surprise that this morning’s was extra … hard. To say he was shocked she was here was an understatement. To find her naked was a sweet surprise he didn’t want to question.

  And yet he had to.

  He kissed her lips once, twice, and waited for her to wake up.

  Finally, sleepy green eyes opened and met his gaze. “Hi,” she said, her cheeks turning an adorable pink.

  “Hi?” He deliberately phrased it as a question.

  “I guess you’re wondering what I’m doing here?”

  He chuckled. “That would be one of my questions.”

  “I had a nightmare and I didn’t want to be alone.” She drew a deep breath. “And since you told me you wanted me once and since you kissed me last night, I decided to tell you what I wanted.”

  “By getting naked.” He didn’t want to focus on the fact that she had nightmares. The idea of her hurting and afraid gutted him.

  “By getting naked.” A sudden playful, wicked gleam flickered in her eyes. “Can you think of a better way to express myself?”

  He now had confirmation of both her desire and her consent. He wouldn’t be taking advantage of a woman in a vulnerable situation, one who was relying on him, who was unsure of what she wanted. That’s why he’d sent her to bed last night. So he didn’t act on the raging desire to pick up where they’d left off with that kiss after she’d been afraid. She’d now had an entire night to reconsider. She was all in.

  Which meant the mental restraints that had been holding him back were gone. He slid his arm out from beneath her, raised himself up, and covered her body with his own. His cock was cushioned between her thighs, his entire body on high alert.

  Hands braced on either side of her head, he pushed himself up and looked into her eyes. They’d grown hazy with need. One that was matched by the pulsing desire thrumming through his veins.

  “I take it you’re not mad?” A hint of vulnerability sounded in her voice.

  He couldn’t tear his gaze from her full lips. Lips he wanted to devour again. Answering her question was easy. “A naked woman I want crawls into my bed. No, I’m not mad.” He let out a low laugh that came out sounding more like a growl of need. “Besides, does it feel like I’m mad?” He swiveled his hips and ground his cock into her sex.

  She whimpered with need, and he dipped his head and pressed his lips against hers. Tasting her filled something inside him, an emptiness he hadn’t been aware existed. Just like finding her on the side of the road felt important, so, too, did this moment.

  She opened her mouth and let him in. Warmth and need surrounded him, along with a dizzying sensation that this was right. He kissed her long and hard before lifting his head and pushing his body down lower, needing to taste her everywhere.

  “Do you taste sweet, candy girl?” he asked, swiping a tongue over her nipple.

  She shuddered and he went to work, teasing the bud that tightened with every lick, suck, and graze of his teeth. She threaded her fingers into his hair and pushed his head down, silently asking for more. He bit down lightly on that pebbled nipple, then licked his way across her chest and over her other breast until he found the other one, giving it the same at times tender, at other times torturous treatment.

  She moaned, pulling at his hair. “Jase, that feels so good.”

  So she liked nipple play, did she? Could she come from that alone? Not many women could. He hadn’t been with any, but she was rubbing herself against him and urging him on. Willing to do anything to please her, he suckled on her nipple, cupping the other full breast in his hand and tweaking it with his thumb and forefinger. First hard, then soft, his hand played with her while his mouth worked on the other breast.

  He took his time, enjoying how she moaned and writhed beneath him. His cock was so fucking hard, teasing her sex and torturing him at the same time, but that wasn’t his focus. Not yet.

  He lifted his head and began to rub her nipples gently, looking into her eyes. “Come for me, sweetness. I want to see you find pleasure.”

  He picked up her hand and pulled her fingers into his mouth, sucking on the digits until they were wet. “Play with yourself,” he told her. “Show me what feels good.” He dipped her other hand’s fingers into his mouth and dampened them as well.

  Her cheeks flushed, but as he rolled his hips into hers, she moaned and got to work. She plucked and pulled at
her nipples, her entire body trembling as she gave herself pleasure. He got off watching her, his dick throbbing as she continued her assault on the tender buds.

  “Oh, God.” The words came out on a slurred moan. “So good.”

  “Keep going.” His hips jerked against her sex, over and over, and if he couldn’t hold on, he was going to come like a fucking teenager who couldn’t control himself.

  He didn’t know if it was his grinding against her clit that he was unable to control or the pinching and pulling of her nipples, but she uttered a slow moan and her body trembled beneath him.

  “I’m coming. Oh, God, yes.” She released her hold on her nipples and grasped his shoulders, her hips lifting and thrusting against his.

  He’d never seen a sexier, more beautiful sight than her coming apart, cheeks flushed, eyes fluttering closed. He waited until the shuddering stopped and she collapsed before rising and stripping off his boxers.

  He came back over her, his cock hovering by her neatly trimmed sex. Then the obvious hit him. “Shit, condom.” He always used protection. It was stupid and irresponsible not to.

  “I’m on the pill.” She bit down on her lower lip. “And I was at the doctor shortly before I left town.” She looked up at him with wide green eyes, asking with her gaze if he was safe.

  Because she trusted his answer and that meant the choice was his. He’d never wanted to feel a woman bare around him before Faith, and the knowledge rocked him to his core.

  “I’m clean.” He’d been tested for his yearly physical a few months ago and hadn’t been with anyone since.

  In response, she spread her legs beneath him and her trust was humbling. Her gaze never left him as he grabbed his cock, pumping the length with his fist before positioning himself at her entrance and gliding into her with a smooth thrust.

  He felt her everywhere, his entire body aware of her slick inner walls, the heat of her surrounding him, and the vulnerable way her eyes opened wide as he filled her. A heavy lump formed in his throat, and he brutally pushed it aside, doing everything he could to focus on the physical sensations and not the emotional fallout of having sex with Faith. He refused to call it making love. That thought would send him running.