The Machine

by Stephanie Julian

  He rewarded her with another one of those half grins that made her pulse race.

  “Because I believe I will need fuel for later.”

  Chapter Eight

  Jake believed he deserved a fucking medal.

  An hour after he and Faith had gotten off the couch and sat at the small dining table in her apartment, they’d managed to hold a conversation that consisted of nothing but small talk.

  They had avoided every subject that might get too personal or too controversial and had managed not to mention the fact that they had almost reached the point of ripping off each other’s clothes.

  But now, with the pizza no longer between them, silence had settled in and all he wanted to do was go back to the couch and continued what they had started.

  He wanted to be in her bed, losing themselves in each other until they fell asleep, exhausted. And then he would wake her in the middle of the night and start over.

  The only reason he’d stopped earlier was because he knew if they had rushed straight from “Hello” to making her come, she would not have taken his call tomorrow.

  She would have avoided him because she either would have gotten what she needed or been embarrassed that she had allowed him into her bed within minutes of opening the door.

  Faith might want to screw him until neither of them could think straight, but he also knew she might not want to admit to feelings of a deeper nature.

  And that presented a problem for Jake. Because he was not the kind of man who threw around words like “relationship” lightly.

  There was a one simple reason he had not allowed himself to have a relationship since coming to America. He hadn’t found the right woman.

  And now that he had…

  “Jake? Is there something on your mind?”

  His gaze caught hers and he found himself falling into the depths of those dark eyes.

  He wondered what she would say if he told her exactly what was on his mind.

  That he wanted her to take a leap with him. To build a relationship.

  “Yes.”

  Her emotions flickered across her expression so fast he couldn’t be sure he had seen all of them. One of them had definitely been hope. Another had been apprehension.

  Jake told himself he was prepared for a challenge. He had approached his entire life up to this point as a challenge, one he had no intention of failing.

  But getting Faith to come along on this ride with him… He didn’t want to lose this challenge.

  When he didn’t continue, her lips twitched and her brows rose. Which was exactly what he wanted.

  “And are you going to tell me what that is?”

  Leaning back in the wooden dining chair, he stretched his legs in front of him and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Are you sure you want to know?”

  If there was one thing he had learned about Faith, it was that she didn’t like to be strung along. Which was exactly why he did it.

  Huffing, she mirrored his position, down to crossing her arms over her chest. But she crossed her arms under her breasts, causing them to push up and making it hard for him to breathe normally.

  Since having her in his arms, he had realized just how much he wanted to put his hands on her.

  He wanted her naked and stretched out on a bed so he could run his hands all over her. Wanted to cup her breasts in his hands and hold them while he sucked and bit her nipples and made her cry out his name.

  His cock hardened and pressed against the zipper of his jeans. He’d had an erection practically since the moment he’d walked into her apartment. He had only realized tonight that he’d been fighting his attraction to her for months.

  He was sick of fighting. He wasn’t much of a fighter on the ice, though he would drop the gloves if he needed to stick up for himself or his teammates.

  He was having a great time sparring with her. And he thought she was enjoying it, too.

  “Yes,” she finally answered his question. “I want to know what you’re thinking.”

  He took a breath and another, each passing second watching her breathing come a little harder and faster.

  “I am thinking about you spread out naked on a bed.”

  She sucked in a sharp breath, her lips parting and her eyes glazing over with lust.

  “Is that what you wanted to hear?” he nudged when she didn’t say anything. “Or did you want me to lie to you?”

  That got a fast response. “I don’t want you to lie to me. Not ever.”

  “Then I will not.”

  She didn’t look like she believed him. “I’d rather you didn’t promise me something you can’t deliver.”

  “I did not make you a promise. I am telling you I will not lie to you. You must learn to trust me or not. Only you can make that call.”

  “And if I can’t?”

  He leaned forward and put his forearms on the table.

  “Maybe we should not get ahead of ourselves.”

  “What if—”

  “Faith.”

  Her lips pressed together and she stared at him expectantly. Waiting.

  “I think we should go back to kissing.”

  He watched color rise in her cheeks, a pretty pink that made him want to run his finger along her skin.

  “Are you going to tell me when I need to stop this time?”

  Her spine was starting to show again. He liked that.

  “No. I will let you do whatever you want.”

  She swallowed hard and her gaze dipped to his chest…and lower, though she couldn’t see anything because they were still sitting at the table.

  If they hadn’t been, and she’d seen just how much he wanted her, he wondered if that blush would deepen.

  He wondered how deep that blush would be when he got her naked.

  Finally, she took a deep breath and released it on a sigh.

  “You’re determined to drive me crazy, aren’t you?”

  “That is not my goal, no.”

  “Then what is your goal?”

  “Why don’t we go back to the couch and I will show you?”

  She didn’t say anything right away, and he wondered if he’d finally pushed her too far. No one had ever accused him of being an expert on women.

  “Or I will leave, if that’s what you want.”

  Her cute little nose wrinkled and his lips curled into a grin he didn’t want to hide.

  And now he knew exactly what she was thinking.

  “You’re impossible.”

  He shrugged. “I am who I am.”

  “And you are an infuriating man.”

  “I have been told I have a gift.”

  Her lips twitched into a smile and the heat flared in her gaze again before it dipped down to the table. “Why don’t we go back to the living room? I know the Colonials are playing today. We can watch the game, if you want.”

  Since that would give them a reason to be together on the couch again, he rose to his feet and waved her in front of him.

  She stood slowly, made a little motion like she was stretching her leg then walked toward the couch.

  He followed her, his gaze dropping to watch her walk. She had a pronounced limp most of the time but she seemed to be favoring her left a little more than normal.

  “Does your leg hurt?”

  He wasn’t sure she was going to answer. She didn’t say anything until she sat on the couch and looked up at him with that expression he was starting to crave. The one that made it clear she felt he’d stepped over a line.

  He planned to continue to step over Faith’s lines until she was used to him doing it. And wanted him to do it.

  Sitting beside her, he turned to mirror her position and continued to hold her gaze until she huffed. “No. It doesn’t hurt, it aches. And only because I sat on a hard surface for too long.”

  “Why did you not say something? We would have moved.”

  Her cheeks flushed and he frowned because he had no idea what he could have said th
at would have embarrassed her.

  “Faith? What—”

  “I didn’t notice because I was a little preoccupied.”

  He smiled and watched that flush on her cheeks deepen.

  “So you are saying I distract you.”

  “I’m saying…” She huffed out a sigh. “Yes. Okay. Fine, you distract me. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

  “Will I be too distracting if I say yes?”

  Her lips parted and she blinked, as if she didn’t know how to answer.

  Good. He enjoyed keeping this woman off-kilter. He enjoyed everything about her.

  “You are a menace.”

  He knew exactly what the word meant. His English comprehension was outstanding. “I believe this means you are amused by me, yes?”

  He saw the instant she realized he was playing with her, saw the smile she didn’t try to hide.

  Carefully, she rose to her knees on the cushion then leaned forward, one hand on his thigh and the other on his shoulder to hold herself steady.

  She was close enough to kiss. All he needed to do was lean forward a couple of inches and he could press his lips against hers. Then they’d be right back to where they’d been before stopping to eat.

  He didn’t move. He waited to see what she would do. Having her this close meant every breath he took was laced with her scent. Not a bad thing but not conducive to letting her set the pace.

  “I believe you know exactly what that word means. And just for tormenting me, I’m going to make you wait to kiss me again.”

  “Are you going to make me wait very long? I will, I just need to know if you’re going to put me on the bench for—”

  She closed the distance between them and put her mouth over his, and it was as if they’d never stopped.

  But this time, he wasn’t going to be content to let her lead. He wanted her too much and he wanted her now.

  Putting his hands under her arms, he lifted her onto his lap and settled her there so she wasn’t putting strain on her legs.

  Then he pushed all thoughts of her disability aside and focused only on the things she did very, very right.

  They fit together like they were made to do so, her chest perfectly cushioned against his. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders and her hands in his hair, tight enough that he wouldn’t be able to move easily.

  He liked that. A lot. It showed how fiercely she would fight to keep him close.

  Which wouldn’t be a problem because he wasn’t going anywhere. Not for a very long time.

  They kissed for long minutes, the only sounds he could hear were the low hums of pleasure from her.

  He enjoyed the feel of her body pressed against his, wondered how much better it would be when they finally got naked. Wasn’t sure he’d have enough self-control to wait much longer to find out.

  Pulling away, he waited until she blinked open eyes glazed with lust and looked into his.

  She didn’t speak, making it obvious she was waiting for him to say something.

  “I want to be sure we are on the same page. I don’t want there to be any…language barriers between us.”

  She laughed, just a soft huff at first that gained momentum as he waited.

  “I doubt you have any kind of language barrier. Besides, we weren’t exactly speaking very much for the past few minutes. What do you want to say?”

  “I want to end up in your bed but I need to be sure that is what you want. I need to hear you say the words.”

  “Do you always need to ask permission? I can’t imagine there are too many women who have said no to you in the past.”

  “I haven’t wanted any of them as much as I want you.”

  The smile on her lips faded but he didn’t think she was angry or that he’d said something wrong.

  No, he had a feeling he’d said something right.

  “Good. Because you’re the first man in months that I’ve even considered getting naked with and I’m afraid—”

  When she didn’t continue, he kissed her again, hard and fast.

  “Afraid of what?”

  She nibbled at her top lip for a second before shaking her head before taking a breath.

  “Nothing. It’s stupid.”

  “Nothing you could say is stupid.”

  “I’m afraid it won’t live up to the fantasy.”

  Now her cheeks blazed with embarrassment and he couldn’t stop grinning. “Have you been fantasizing about the two of us in bed?”

  To her credit, she didn’t look away. “I watch you skate and wonder if you’re just as skilled in bed.”

  By the time she finished, her cheeks were fire-engine red but she still held his gaze.

  “I am beginning to think I may disappoint you.”

  “I’m sorry.” She shook her head when he would have interrupted her. “No, just listen for a second, okay? I’m not trying to chase you away. Honestly, I’m not. It’s just… After the accident, I got really tired of people tiptoeing around me. No one wanted to hurt my feelings so they didn’t talk about what happened. They either totally ignored what had happened or they treated me like a broken child. They’d pat me on the shoulder and look at me like I’d lost half my brain cells in addition to the use of my legs.”

  “I hope you do not see me as either of those two kinds of people.”

  She shook her head.

  Jake cupped her face in his hands. “Good. Then trust me when I tell you I don’t see you as broken. And I will not ignore what happened to you. When I take you to bed, I want to be sure that I don’t hurt you but only because I want it to be good for you. So tell me, what position is your favorite?”

  Her chest started to rise and fall at a faster pace, letting him know they had finally gotten through that awkward section of the conversation and were back on track to her bed.

  “And if I say being on top?”

  “I would say that will free up my hands.”

  Her lips curved and that glint was back in her eyes. “I kind of have a thing about your hands.”

  She’d managed to surprise him. “Really? What kind of thing?”

  “I like how big they are. I like to think about you putting them on my body.”

  His body reacted as if she’d reached between his legs and stroked his cock. Every hair on his body stood on end and every muscle tightened. He had to make a conscious effort to keep from pulling her closer and kissing her again.

  “And when I get my hands on your body, what do you want me to do with them?”

  “I think I’d rather take you up to my bedroom and show you.”

  Careful not to move in any way that might twist her legs in an awkward way, he grabbed her around the waist and stood. Her eyes widened but not in pain. When her arms went around his shoulders to hold on and she wrapped her legs around his waist, he took that for approval.

  Because her apartment was basically an open room, he’d seen the stairs on the right side of the apartment that led to the loft.

  Since it was the only part of the room he couldn’t see, he assumed that was where her bedroom was located.

  He headed for the stairs, making sure he held her securely in his arms.

  “Are you going to carry me the whole way?”

  “Do you want me to put you down?”

  “I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

  He stopped halfway to the stairs. “Are you telling me you think I am not strong enough to hold you?”

  Her eyes went wide for a second before her head fell back and she began to laugh.

  He let her go for several seconds before he started walking again.

  “And now you laugh at me. I believe I should be offended.”

  She calmed after another few seconds and her gaze met his again.

  “I was laughing at the idea that anyone would think you weren’t strong. I mean, just look at you. You’re built like a tank.”

  “And is this good?”

  She paused. “I think so. I’m definitely not complain
ing. I imagine you don’t get many complaints. About anything.”

  He reached the top of the stairs, a response on the tip of his tongue, when he caught sight of the bed. And couldn’t take his eyes away.

  “That is a lot of…pink.”

  The iron-frame bed looked a little small for the two of them but maybe that was because all of his attention was focused on the pillows and quilt covering it

  The color wasn’t exactly neon, but it was a pink so girly, he was momentarily at a loss.

  “I like pink.” He felt her shrug. “And I live alone. I decorate to suit myself.”

  “I don’t think I have ever seen so much pink in my life.”

  “You don’t have a sister, do you?”

  “No. I guess I did not think…”

  “Think what?”

  He thought about his response carefully, realizing there was a trap in that question.

  “That you would like pink. It is pretty but it is…”

  “Too girly?”

  “Pale. And I don’t think of you as pale.”

  She swallowed hard and her expression softened. “What do you think of me?”

  “I think you are brave. And strong. And sexy. And I when I lay you down on that bed, the only pink I will be seeing is your—”

  “Jake!”

  “Nipples.”

  The shock on her face quickly dissolved into humor.

  “Why do you shake your head at me?”

  He was pretty sure he knew the answer but he didn’t want to lose her now.

  “Because I think you’re much sweeter than anyone realizes.”

  That was not the answer he’d been expecting, and he had no idea how to respond.

  So he walked to the bed and laid her down, trying not to be obvious that he did it as gently as he could.

  Apparently, he wasn’t as sly as he thought. Her lips curved in a smile that let him know she knew exactly what he was doing. She didn’t say anything, though, just watched him kneel on the bed before leaning down and caging her between his arms, hands planted on the mattress on either side of her head.

  She stared up at him with that smile that made him want to cover it with his mouth and kiss her until they couldn’t breathe. He bent forward and heard her suck in a breath as she went still beneath him.

  But he didn’t kiss her. He angled his head at the last minute and brushed the tip of his nose against her cheek. The softness of her skin made his lungs contract as his fingers curled into the quilt.