Chapter Eleven
Decker woke to the incredible feel of Jade in his arms. He opened his eyes, turned his head to look at the time. It was six. He could let Jade sleep and get out of bed, take care of some things around the house, but there was no way he was going to miss out on the opportunity of just holding her, like this, her warm soft body pressed against his. He dozed for a time, until he felt her stir.
When he opened his eyes, it was to find those incredible green eyes studying him.
“Morning, beautiful,” his voice was husky, with sleep and for other reasons that were becoming obvious. He gave her a lazy grin.
“Good morning.” She smiled, closed her eyes, and snuggled closer against him. “You feel so good,” she whispered.
“So do you,” he told her as he smoothed his hand down her back then curled his arm around her to hug her tightly against him. He let one hand wind in her silky hair. The only thing that would be better than this is if they were completely skin to skin, as in naked. That thought didn’t do anything to halt the progress of his growing erection.
The alarm went off and he reached over to shut it off.
“What time is it?” she asked as he wrapped his arm back around her.
“Six-thirty,” he told her. “Just close your eyes and sleep some more if you want, babe.” He rubbed her back. “We can get up at seven.”
“I don’t think I can sleep,” Jade murmured against his chest.
“If you want to get up, I can make you some breakfast,” he suggested, ignoring thoughts of what he would really like to do with her right now. He wanted desperately to tug off those sexy, little boxer shorts and peel off that little slip of a tank then slide inside her, explore those beautiful breasts up close and personal while he loved her. This demon situation was intense, for all of them, but especially for her. He did not want to add more to her plate until they found some answers and figured out some things. They needed things to be a little calmer before they took that step.
As bad as he, and the part of his body that was already hard and eager for the task, wanted to move further along in this relationship, he couldn’t - he wouldn’t - go further. He wanted to wait. Things had moved too fast as it was. He needed to be at full mental capacity to protect her. Becoming more intimate with Jade would definitely cause distractions for him, because it had been a long time since he’d been in a relationship and intimate with a woman. He couldn’t afford any temptations that might mess with his concentration until he knew more about this demon and exactly what it was they were dealing with. They needed to know how to proceed to get rid of this guy.
“I don’t want to get up, either.” She giggled against his chest. “This feels too good to stop right now. I’d rather we stay right here.”
“We will stay in bed then.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. The shampoo she used smelled great, it was something light, and fruity with a hint of floral. “I’ll just hold you and rub your back if you want.”
“Or we could kiss and…stuff.” She lifted her head. A seductive little smile played at the corners of her lips.
He saw something in those mossy eyes that kicked his lust into overdrive. It looked like desire to him. He saw it in those darkened, green depths. Yeah, when her heated gaze fixated on his lips, he knew exactly what this was.
He hesitated for a moment before he spoke, “Kissing you is a given, babe.” He ran his fingers through her hair, smoothing it away from her face. “I could never get enough of kissing you. I’m not sure about the other stuff right now.” His voice came out a thick, husky whisper. Just thinking about making love to her pushed him into overdrive. He was painfully hard now. Though it might just be a shred, enough of his self-control remained. Struggling for rational thought, he reminded himself that due to no fault of theirs, this relationship had been rushed because of this demon situation. They’d known each other less than a week and she was sleeping in his bed already, because of this curse on his family, and hers. They hadn’t gone any further than kissing and caressing, but still she was the target of a demon, a dangerous demon, and that had to be an incredible weight on her shoulders.
“Oh?” She pulled back slightly. “I thought…well I thought you…ah, never mind.” Embarrassed and a little flustered, she moved, intending to sit upright.
“Hang on, babe.” His fingers gently wrapped around her slender arm to stop her from pulling away. “Let me explain, please?” he asked in a soft tone.
She froze, gave him a tentative nod.
“I want to make love to you more than anything, Jade. I told you before, I like to take things slow, and in light of all the extra worry you have right now, caused mainly by this demon focusing on you, I’d rather wait a bit, a few more days at least.”
Still seeing that wary look in her eyes, he continued, “Look, sweetheart, I want the moment to be right for both of us. I’m very attracted to you, and we’re beginning what I hope is going to be a great, lasting relationship. Let’s just slow it down for a couple of days. Please tell me you know I am crazy about you. I want you so bad, Jade, in every way, but I would rather wait until things settle down a little more. We’re making progress with our plans on how to find out more about this guy. We’re getting ready to go to Sedona where we can work together and hopefully find some answers.”
He took her hand in his. “When I make love to you, I want to be able to give you my full attention. After what happened yesterday, my primary focus right now is keeping you safe, and I have to admit, this guy has the upper hand over us right now. What happened yesterday, it stressed me out. It scared the hell out of me when I saw him standing there with you, and he had his hands on you. It terrifies me that he brought two men with him to take you. I can’t even think about what he might have done to you if he had been successful in capturing you. I’m not over it yet.”
The wariness left her eyes at that point. He could tell by her expression and the way her eyes softened that she was beginning to make some sense of what he was trying to tell her. He knew that at least she realized he wasn’t rejecting her. He tugged on her arm slightly to coax her back down. She gave him a little smile and willingly came into his open arms.
“Tell me you understand, babe.” He watched her face as he caressed her cheek.
“Yes.” Jade let go a frustrated sigh. “I do, Decker. We have rushed. I guess that maybe I didn’t mind so much because, well, it’s just that you are the only man that I’ve been attracted to, or even thought about going there with since Austin died. I told you the night we ate at Valle Luna that my relationship hadn’t been good with Austin for two years before he died. It’s been such a long time since I, well, you know. I’m over eager, I suppose.” She shrugged and offered him a shy smile as he pulled her closer.
“I’m sure you can tell how eager I am,” he whispered as he nuzzled her neck and placed soft kisses there. His erection was pressing against her thigh.
“I can.” She ran her fingers through his hair as he bent his head, intent on kissing those lovely, pink lips. He stopped, his brilliant blue eyes searching hers.
“So, how about those kisses, babe? I can give you all the kisses you want this morning,” he offered in a throaty whisper.
“I’d like that.” She lifted her head, met him halfway. Her hands moved up the hard ridges and contours of his muscled chest, her fingers tangling briefly in the silver chain that held his St. Michael’s medal. Her arms slid around his neck.
He kissed her hungrily. After a minute, he lifted his head, his heated gaze sweeping over those full, swollen lips and her beautiful eyes, the green now darkened to the color of a forest at night. He bent, changing his angle and applied light pressure to her jaw with his fingers so she would open wider to him as he took those lips. He sank in, deepening the kiss, exploring that sweet mouth more fully, more completely. He gave her everything, holding nothing back. With his kiss, he expressed how much he desired and wanted her. He proved it again when one hand slid down her back
to rest on her hip. He pulled her closer, letting her feel the painfully hard evidence of his desire for her, as well as his need for her. Only her.
She gave back in full measure. Her tongue tangled with his, stroking, probing, exploring his mouth just as thoroughly as he did hers. She pressed herself against him and he held her tightly, rocking his fully engorged shaft against her until he thought he might lose all control.
Their breath mingled, coming in gasps, as they spun out of control.
Decker’s self-control, almost forgotten by that point, took over. He continued their kisses, slowing the pace, cooling the heat and intensity. He brought them back down in a gradual descent from the precarious summit they had been climbing.
They reached the point of soft, tender kisses, the gentle pulling of lips. His hands were now gliding up and down her back. Still breathing heavily, they gazed into one another’s eyes.
Someone pounded on the bedroom door. “Hey, Deck!” It was Brody.
“What?” Decker called out.
“It’s almost seven o’clock. We thought we would leave at eight and go by the girls’ apartment so they can pick up their stuff this morning instead of tonight. Is that doable or ah, do you two just want to stay in bed all day?”
“Thanks, we’re up now. We’ll shower and be right out,” Decker answered in an agitated tone. “Brothers!” he grumbled.
“Okay, cool. Be quick about it.”
He didn’t have to see Brody’s face to know he thought he had caught them fooling around, and that he was grinning from ear to ear. Well they had been, sort of.
“They think…” Jade looked to Decker.
He brandished an unapologetic grin and said, “Yeah, they do. I don’t care, babe. I enjoyed every minute of that.”
“I did too, but I don’t want to know that they think about us having sex.” She giggled as she drew the sheet over her face and groaned. Still smiling, she threw back the sheet and jumped out of bed. She picked up her scrunchy on the nightstand and pulled her hair up into a messy knot. “I can be ready in ten minutes since I don’t have to wash my hair.”
“Let’s do it. You go first,” Decker lightly swatted that beautiful bottom as she walked past him.
She looked over her shoulder and gave him a playful smile before she hurried into the bathroom.
He noticed she left the door cracked. She was still scared to be in a room alone, and he couldn’t blame her. He hoped she did hurry. He looked down to see his erection standing stiffly at attention and making a tent in his boxers. He needed a cold shower in the worst damn way.
Jade followed her client from her reading room and rang her up at the counter. “Where’s Decker?” she asked after her client, Susan, left.
“He ran over to Connor’s to grab us some coffee and a tea for you, I’m sure.” Harper gave her a big, knowing grin.
“Oh, he’s so sweet.” Jade smiled. It was probably a goofy smile.
“So?” Erin whispered as she joined Harper and Jade behind the counter.
“So, what?” Jade tried to master a wide-eyed innocent look.
“How are things with Decker going? As in, have they progressed? You know,” Harper demanded.
She sighed then cringed. “Some, but not how you might think.”
“It’s none of our business,” Erin said as the same time Harper said, “Explain, please.”
“What made you think we were…you know.” Jade sighed. “I thought we were quiet.”
“We heard the alarm go off and voices, well mostly Decker’s, then it was really quiet again. For a long time. We probably wouldn’t have noticed if we hadn’t been expecting you to come out shortly after we knew you were awake.” Harper shrugged.
“Oh?” Jade blushed. “We were just kissing…and stuff. We didn’t…do it.”
“So was kissing and stuff with Decker incredible?” Harper asked as she continued to watch Jade.
“Oh, yes!” Jade smiled in that dreamy, goofy way again. “Better than incredible, it was the best.” She sighed. “He said he just wants to take things slow.” She shrugged.
“Slow isn’t a bad thing. Long romantic kisses are good.” Erin smiled.
“Very good,” Jade assured them with a big grin.
“So Hot Cop really is Hot Cop.” Harper laughed.
Jade didn’t have time to comment. The bells on the door sounded as Decker returned carrying a cardboard carrier full of drinks in one hand and a brown and white Connor’s Coffee Café bag in the other.
“Connor sent pastry and muffins,” Decker announced as he set his load on the countertop. He removed an iced green tea and handed it and a straw to his lady. Harper and Erin took their lattes. He lifted his coffee and took a sip.
“Thanks,” she said, her fingers caressing his arm as she came to stand beside him.
He liked the way she smiled up at him just now. It was the slightest bit seductive, and she looked at him like, well, like he was hers, and in all truth, he guessed he was. Yeah, he was in deep, and he knew it. He liked everything about Jade Murphy. Everything. And he couldn’t wait until the time came to take the next step and go further with her. As it was, this morning had been incredible, even without actually having sex. Whatever this was between them was powerful.
“Strawberry, my favorite!” Harper lifted a beautiful specimen of pastry from the bag with reverence.
“I shouldn’t, really. I haven’t worked out in days, and I try to never eat between meals, especially something as high calorie as one of Connor’s confections, but I adore his strawberry pastries and I am famished today for some reason,” Jade said as she peeked in the bag. She took a whiff of the sugary delights contained within.
Decker grinned at her. “I could go for one of those, I’ll share with you, babe.”
Smiling at him, Jade reached in for a strawberry pastry. She lifted it to his lips. When Harper and Erin abruptly left them alone, they talked softly and shared their pastry. Decker even managed to move in to lick some strawberry preserves off the corner of her mouth and turn that into a quick kiss.
It wasn’t an overly busy day at the shop. Jade did one other tarot reading that morning. She was finishing her second of the afternoon. Maisie was a young woman in her mid twenties, bright and beautiful with long, dark brown hair, big, brown eyes, and a nice figure. She had low self-esteem and was attracted to the wrong kind of men. She fell in love too easily and was eager to love any man, if she thought he might love her in return. She was too accommodating and gave far too much of herself when it came to relationships. As a result, she was continually being dumped or cheated on, didn’t understand why, and felt she was unlovable.
As she walked with Maisie toward the door of her reading room, the girl wiped at her tears.
“Thank you for the reading, Jade. I do appreciate all of the information you’ve given me. I guess deep down, I knew I wasn’t going about relationships in the right way, and you’re right, I think I have been desperate to find the right one. I will take time just for me and work on myself, I promise. I will get some of the books you suggested today. I was wondering about some crystals, maybe. I don’t know much about them, but I’ve always been drawn to them. I bought a few at that new shop, the Black Crystal, last week. The guy assured me that I would find my soul mate if I kept them near my bed. I guess he knew I was desperate, as well.” She laughed but new tears streamed down her cheeks.
She wiped them away with a tissue Jade had given her before continuing, “But, I understand now that I need to love myself first, and become stronger before I can attract the right person into my life,” Maisie said as she drew her shoulders back and straightened a little.
“Trust me, Maisie; we all go through these periods. Reading some of the books I told you about should help. The Chandler Library even has some of them. As I mentioned before, a deck of angel or affirmation cards is a great way to keep positive thoughts in your mind. Pick one once, or even several times a day if you need to. Just looking at everything in
a positive light instead of the negative, brings more light to you. Remember, like attracts like. I’ve never heard of the Black Crystal shop. Is it a new?”
Maisie nodded. “But I won’t go back. It’s full of attractive, smooth-talking men. I had a reading with the owner, Curran. He told me what I wanted to hear, along with a whole lot of other BS. He told me I needed a sexual therapy that only he could give me. He guaranteed it would pave the way for my soul mate to enter my life.” Tears formed in Maisie’s eyes when she saw the shocked look on Jade’s face. “Yeah, he saw me coming, I know. I almost fell for it. I cancelled the appointment this morning, and came here instead. The more I thought about it, the more it didn’t feel right. The more I thought about things that he told me, the more it scared me. I’m too trusting, I know this.” She straightened her shoulders again. “I’ll be working on that too.”
“Sexual therapy? And how did he describe this therapy?” Jade asked in disbelief. She knew there were people out there in the world who took advantage of people in the name of healing. This was close to home, a shop somewhere near White Magic. It angered her to think that some man was taking advantage of women in the name of spiritual healing! There were times when people who came for readings were at low points emotionally. For someone to take advantage of that, to make money at the expense of people’s emotional pain, well, it disgusted her.
“Exactly the way you’re probably thinking. He told me, if I had sex with him, a healing spirit would come through him, into me and heal me so my soul mate would come to me. And to think I actually fell for it for a couple of days.” Eyes downcast, she shook her head. “I’m such an idiot.”
“Hold on.” Jade touched her arm gently. “No negative self-talk, remember. You must trust your intuition. That was what prompted you to cancel the appointment after all, and you listened to it. Give yourself credit. You knew enough to pay attention to your thoughts and feelings and realized it was not a good thing. Your wise inner self knew it was wrong, your guides gave you warnings by way of your thoughts and feelings, and you listened. You believed that guidance and cancelled the appointment. That’s a very good thing.”
Decker's Fate (The Decker Brothers Trilogy Book 1) Page 20
