by M. Malone
She dragged in a breath and exhaled. “You’re in charge. I’m yours.”
He kissed her softly before rolling away and pulling open the bedside drawer. Sheathing himself in a condom, he re-settled back between her thighs. “Do you know how long I’ve waited to hear that…that you’re mine?” His tongue licked at her bottom lip before he nipped. “I’m not letting you go.”
His erection slid against her slit before fully sliding into her. They both gasped. She met his gaze; his eyes pierced her soul. In that moment, she knew she would never be the same.
JJ met Jonas thrust for thrust. He kept his eyes on hers, never breaking the intimate connection as her orgasm coursed through her. JJ bucked as the pleasure rolled through her body. Jonas wrapped his arms around her and held on tight as his body shook.
chapter 14
They rested quietly together for a long time. JJ blinked sleepily, torn between wanting to drift into sleep with the thump of Jonas’s heart beneath her ear and wanting to stay awake so she wouldn’t miss a thing. Normally this was when she’d be looking for exit strategies. She’d always believed that keeping distance between her and the men she dated was best. Don’t get too close or too attached. Strong emotion was too dangerous.
But this was different. Jonas was different. She couldn’t have left him behind even if she tried. Not that she wanted to. This was bliss. Nothing had ever felt so good as losing all control in Jonas’s arms.
“I want to take you out.”
His voice came as a shock in the stillness, and JJ lifted her head slightly so she could see his eyes. There was a peace over him that made him look relaxed and glowing. Was that what she looked like too? Completely sated and happy? It was too much to hope for. JJ didn’t want to examine her current state of happiness too closely for fear it would disappear in a puff of smoke.
“Take me out? Like, on a date?”
He grinned, his amusement obvious. “Yes on a date. Is that so hard to believe?”
She laughed. “Kind of. I’m so used to bickering with you and hanging out that it seems odd to go on a regular date.”
Jonas’s expression changed then, getting serious. “That’s a mistake on my part. I’ve gone about this the wrong way. I want to take you out, Jessica Jones. You deserve that. I want to treat you the way a man treats his lady.”
JJ shivered, inordinately pleased by the statement. He was looking at her like she was the most precious thing in the world. That was how he made her feel, too. Like she was this delicate thing that he wanted to protect and care for. She’d worked so hard to be independent and stand on her own two feet, that she’d never wanted a man to try to take care of her. What good did it do to look for that kind of treatment when most of those men only wanted one thing? Why get used to being taken care of when they weren’t going to stick around for long anyway? But with Jonas, for the first time she had no fear that he couldn’t come through. It was amazing how quickly he’d broken down her walls, but she did trust him, JJ realized with a shock. She absolutely trusted that Jonas was someone she could count on.
“What was that thought?” He brushed a knuckle over her cheek and it took all her power not to curl into the embrace like a kitten looking for a stroke.
“Just thinking about what a good man you are,” she whispered. “You are so good to me. Even when I was giving you hell about everything.”
His eyes lit up. “I hope you’ll continue to give me hell. A man needs a woman who can keep him on his toes.”
She giggled at that. He was deliberately being silly, but she found she liked it. He was always serious and it was wonderful to be the one who could bring out this lighter side of him.
“So does that mean you’ll go out with me?”
JJ pretended to think about it. “Hmm, now that you mention it, I don’t actually recall you asking me.”
Jonas turned them over in one quick motion, making JJ shriek in surprise. “Okay brat. Here it is. Jessica Jones, will you do me the extreme honor of going out on a date with me?”
She curled an arm around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. “Yes, I will. I would love to go on a date with you.”
“Awesome! Let’s go.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Right now? Is this date clothing-optional?”
When she raised her hips slightly, Jonas groaned at the brush of her heat against his belly. “Now that you mention it, there are quite a few things I could show you right here in this bed first.”
With a sigh, she sank back into the pillows as his lips took a detour down the side of her neck. His hands plumped her breasts, squeezing the soft globes gently. “I like that idea. But don’t think you’re getting out of taking me on a real date, mister.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he muttered. His voice was muffled since his lips were busy tormenting the skin of her stomach. After one last nip, he scooted lower, propping her legs on his shoulders. He groaned when his lips made contact with her core. JJ bit her lip to hold back a cry at the first brush of his tongue on the super sensitive skin that was still recovering from the last few orgasms.
“Actually, maybe we can do the date thing tomorrow. I think we have a lot more work to do right here.”
Waiting had become more difficult.
After getting the call, Matthias had changed clothes and then taken the scenic route to the meet, making sure he wasn’t followed. It was easy to see if there was anyone tailing him at this time of night. Evasive maneuvers were as common to him as breathing. When you came from the streets, watching your back was second nature. Or at least it used to be.
Matthias kicked the dirt under his feet. He was restless. Or maybe just out of practice. He thought of the warm, spacious room he used back at Blake Security. The kitchen where there was always plenty of food and the common room where there was always someone to talk to. He’d gotten soft and complacent after years of being comfortable. If the Matthias of ten years ago could see him now, he’d probably wonder who this slightly posh, slightly out-of-practice guy was. He wouldn’t go soft though. He was never that comfortable.
Noah and the crew didn’t mess around. The gym at the penthouse was state of the art, and he could lift more than ever with Oskar acting as his coach. It was just unusual to have weight on him after years of being so lean.
You didn’t have a choice about being lean back then, he thought. Food had been a luxury he often couldn’t afford.
A soft rustle told him he wasn’t alone. He didn’t bother to turn around. Sudden movements were never a wise choice in the circles he came from.
“You look different.”
The voice was soft and the type that was hard to identify. Matthias knew that was deliberate. ORUS agents were trained to be as unidentifiable as possible. It had once been a point of pride for him that he could blend in, become invisible. It was only after he’d gotten a glimpse of what it could be like living as a free man that he’d known the desire to be seen. He’d gotten spoiled, living with people who treated him like he was different. Special.
The first time Lucia had looked at him like she trusted him, it made him believe that more might be possible for him.
Thoughts of her were always a problem, so he shook them off. He needed to keep his head in the game. You couldn’t let down your guard around another ORUS agent. Not even one you called a friend. It was a good way to end up with a knife in your back.
“Hello to you, too. And what do you mean I look different? Do these pants make my arse look big? I thought black was supposed to be slimming.”
“I’m not here to tell you any differently.” The other voice held a hint of amusement now.
It was as good an opening as any. “So why are we here? It’s not like you to call out of the blue.”
“Someone has been digging.”
Matthias cursed. “There’s nothing for them to find.”
A heartbeat of silence. They both knew that no matter how well you scrubbed information, there would always be something y
ou missed. It was the nature of the beast. Matthias had always known that his past would rise up one day to haunt him. He’d just always assumed he’d have more time.
“Thanks for the warning, but I can handle myself.”
“Yeah, I heard you took on Libra and lived to tell the tale.”
Fucking hell. Noah wouldn’t be happy about that. News about Rafe’s miraculous return from the dead would surface eventually, but the rumor mill was working even faster than usual.
“Where did you hear that?”
There was a whisper of fabric. Shoulders shrugging? Matthias chanced a glance to his left. His old friend was wearing all black and his head was covered with a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes. Nothing to see here.
“I hear things. Word on the street is that you’re coming back.”
“The street can think whatever it wants,” Matthias replied.
“Orion said you were coming back into the fold.”
Now that was interesting. Was Ian really that delusional? Or maybe his newfound power was going to his head.
“You heard wrong.”
He turned to walk away but stopped at the sound of his old friend’s voice.
“Watch your back. Shit has been weird lately.”
He nodded and then sped up his steps, eager to leave all remnants of his old life behind. He was never going back to that. He didn’t care what Orion had up his sleeve.
chapter 15
Okay, so maybe she was giddy. Several weeks of good sex could do that for you.
So far by silent agreement, they hadn’t told anyone. Though she was so sure any second now, they were gonna get busted. She did however feel guilty for not telling Lucia yet.
She wanted to tell her. Desperately. But she was also afraid of what would happen when the happy bubble burst. Would she revert to her old ways and run for the hills? Shit would get complicated if everyone knew.
Regardless of keeping that secret, JJ had a smile on her face and a spring in her step, but that was no reason for all the guys in the office to stare at her like she had two heads. Even the baby was looking at her funny. No, she's not.
But JJ couldn't help it. She was in a terrific mood. And yes, that was Jonas's fault. Not that she was complaining in the least. She usually wasn't one for PDA or people knowing her business, but this time she really didn't care. Besides, it was completely unavoidable.
And for a super spy undercover type Jonas was shit at hiding any of what was going on. They’d talked about it. About keeping the PDA to a minimum. About being careful. But it didn't stop him from staring at her. Or looking her up and down as if he wanted to lick her like a Popsicle.
Ooh a Popsicle. Yes please.
She really had to stop. But she couldn't help it. She'd insisted that they come in at different times this morning. Not like she wanted everyone knowing where she was last night. Or the last several nights really. She'd snuck in to her own room at three in the morning. And instead of him just coming in with her, he'd turned up at five, his usual time to use the gym. But instead of using the gym, he'd woken her up again with his mouth and then gone to work out. Devious man.
Over the breakfast table, Lucia eyed her suspiciously. And when Jonas walked by and pulled out her stool for her, Lucia's eyebrows popped. The moment Jonas was out of the kitchen, Lucia leaned forward. "You have some explaining to do."
"What?" First of all, she was a shitty liar. She'd never acquired the skill. Besides, this was Lucia. So lying directly to her face was nearly impossible. Lies of omission were simpler to pull off, but that required not seeing her best friend, which was kind of impossible since they lived together. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Lucia grinned, the smile going so wide she would probably split her lips soon. "For starters, you and Jonas are doing it. But where the hell are my details and gossip?"
"Would you keep it down?"
"Really? You two think you're hiding it? Everyone in this office has been watching the two of you fight like alley cats for years. All of a sudden he's pulling out your chair and looking at you like you’re his favorite chocolate dessert and he doesn't want to miss an ounce."
"Look it's just—"
Lucia crossed her arms. "Follow me."
She gave Isabella a kiss on her cheek before handing her over to Noah in the living room. The baby cooed and clapped her little chubby hands together the moment she was in her father's arms. Noah grinned at his daughter as she proceeded to smack him in the nose with her little palm.
JJ snorted. She'd wanted to do that very same thing before. As she chuckled, she followed Lucia to her and Noah's bedroom, and then her best friend whirled on her.
"Spill. Start talking right the hell now."
JJ rocked back on her heels. "Um—"
"Don't bother lying; you're bad at it. Tell me everything. Best friend code right now."
"Fine. It's just I don't really know what's going on."
Lucia snorted through her nose. "I know what's going on. You and Jonas are boning. First of all, how is it? Second of all, please tell me it was everything. You two have been dancing around the last two years, so it had better be really, really good. Third of all, when? Fourth of all, how many times? Fifth of all, was this the reason you weren't home last night or most of this week and come to think of it last week? And the reason he’s at the office extra early most mornings?"
JJ couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, fine. Okay—yes it happened a couple of weeks ago when everyone was freaking out because I decided to walk. I don't know. I've been feeling cooped up, I guess. I'm used to just doing whatever the hell I want, when I want. I mean the place is palatial, and I have everything I could ever need. I don't pay rent, and I don't pay for groceries, and I live in a fabulous penthouse, and my bedroom has a view of Central Park … So it’s heaven, right? But it’s still a gilded prison.”
Lucia nodded. "Yeah. I know. I hear you. Sometimes it can feel like that. But remember everyone is only worried about your safety. We've had a lot happen to the team, and I couldn't bear it if something happened to you."
JJ took her hand and then joined her on the edge of the bed. "I know. And I am grateful. I mean God damn it, I had a fire in my apartment. And you guys have been generous enough to let me stay. I do not mean to complain at all, I swear. It’s just, I'm not used to having roommates, so it's an adjustment. So anyway, I wanted to walk home, get some fresh air. Jonas found me of course—he was being Jonas."
Lucia chuckled. "Yes, of course, he was being Jonas."
JJ left out the part about thinking someone was following her. "Yeah, so he pulled up, and of course he was shouting at me. And I don't know what happened. Well, I do know actually. We kissed. That was the first time."
"Yeah, you told me that part. So what happened next? How did it progress? I feel like I need popcorn for this."
JJ rolled her eyes. "I don't know. Something spooked me one day when I was running errands for the office. Like you said, a lot has happened in the last year, and I swear I was seeing things. Then, I don't know, I was really freaked out. I called Jonas for pickup and he came and got me, and took me to his place because I didn't want to come back here and have to explain to everyone how I was freaking out over nothing. And everything was fine, and I just wanted to take a minute to breathe. And then the next thing I know, I’m jumping his bones."
Lucia's mouth dropped open. "You jumped him?"
"Please don't remind me. It was humiliating enough at the moment."
"Wait, he turned you down?"
She nodded. "Yep, #turnedallofthisdown."
Lucia scowled despite JJ’s attempt to be humorous. "He's a moron."
"Yes, I'd have to agree. I was pissed." Again, she left out the nitty-gritty details of the humiliation. And she left out the part about her desperation move. The need to try and block out the unpleasant memories with sex. Lucia didn't need to know all that.
"So, we came home, and I was in a mood. Irritated, ticked off, horny.
And he followed me, and of course we were fighting as usual. And then he pretty much asked me if I was okay because he said I wasn't acting like myself. Which was bullshit." Liar.
"Aww, Jonas can care sometimes. He can really be very sweet."
"Weren't you just calling him an idiot a second ago?"
Lucia shrugged. "He's just like his best friend. One moment in my good graces, the next moment I want to slap him."
"I know this feeling well," JJ laughed. "So anyway, he's being all extra sweet, and then I'm losing it because I feel rejected and like a crazy person, and then he kisses me. And then we, uh, and then we boned."
Lucia whooped. "Fantastic. Wait, where the hell were we? Somehow everyone seems to know when Noah and I are having sex.”
"You guys were out. And I'm pretty sure Matthias knows. I'm not exactly quiet. But then I also didn't want a big deal made. You know me. Next week I could run. So we’ve been keeping it quiet … sort of."
Lucia clutched her belly and giggled. "Man, that poor kid. We are traumatizing him for life. Do you know how many times he’s walked in on me and Noah?"
JJ held up a hand. "I don't want to know."
"No, you don't."
"Yeah, so that's it."
"No, that is not it. Because sex is one thing, but then what happened after that?"
"Not much. I mean we still had to work. So in the middle of the night, he left my bed, grabbed his stuff and went home. Came to work the next morning like everything was normal. But then after work, he came to pick me up. That was last night. He took me to his place and made me dinner."
Lucia's slow smile warmed JJ up from the heart. "Oh boy. This is going to be a thing isn’t it?"
"Do not get excited."
Why not? You're getting excited. What if this could be real? She shoved that thought down immediately.
