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  “Who are you calling a meathead? I’m not the one who let her go outside into a dark street alone in the middle of the night asswipe! Who the hell is this little fucker Layla?”

  Ollie’s face grew dark and I could feel his breathing getting erratic under my palm. His fists clenched at his sides and I feared this would soon turn into a full on brawl. Trying to push past me, Ollie yelled back at Jared, smirking.

  “You wanna go? Come at me bro!”

  With my hand still pressed firmly on Ollie’s chest, I gave him a warning look and turned to Jared. “Jared, shut up! He didn’t just let me go outside, he didn’t know I’d even left. He was on stage when I ran out. And don’t call my friend an asswipe. This whole thing is just a simple misunderstanding. Oliver is my friend from across the hall that I told you about. Both of you just calm down and act like grownups!”

  Pointing accusingly at Oliver, Jared looked like he was about to lose all control as rage flared in his eyes “That’s Ollie! The friend you went to the movies with the other week and had your head in his fucking chest for two hours? And you’re here with him! Fuck no! What the fuck Layla!?”

  I glared at him, taking immediate dislike to the sarcastic tone he’d used when he’d called Ollie my friend. I prodded his chest with my finger making my point. “I did not come here alone with him. He’s playing with a band and I was with Amy. He is my friend Jared and what we did at the movies was completely innocent. I thought we’d been over this already. Ollie lives across the hall and we hang out. That’s not going to change so just back off and stop accusing me of being unfaithful.”

  Jared opened his mouth to reply but I shot him a cautionary glare and he closed it again before kicking at the ground and cursing under his breath. Amy finally joined us in the parking lot with a confused look on her face. I was almost relieved to see her. Her eyes darted between the three of us.

  “What’s going on?”

  I rolled my eyes at her. “Nice of you to join us Amy. I could have used your help about five minutes ago.” She really was dense sometimes but I didn’t have time to explain it all to her.

  Turning my attention back to Oliver I took his hand and unraveled his fist. He unclenched but continued to glare at Jared. “Ollie I’m fine. Jared saw me outside the bar. I was dizzy and lost my balance but he grabbed me before I fell.”

  His eyes left Jared and were now gazing into mine. I gave him a quick hug. “But thanks for having my back.”

  He smiled back at me and kissed my cheek. “Always baby girl you know that. You sure you’re ok now?”

  I nodded firmly. “Positive. I’m fine now. Go back and finish your set, you guys deserve to have fun. Hell, I’ve had to hear you practice enough through the walls.”

  I glanced over his shoulder at Amy and shooting me an understanding smile, she grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the bar with her. “Come on rock star. I’ll let you buy me a drink. No Cosmos I swear.” Giving me a final nod he turned and followed. I could have kissed her for that but I had more pressing matters to attend to.

  I turned to face Jared who was glowering fiercely at Ollie as though he were willing him to burst into flames. I walked over and pressed my fingers to his face, turning his gaze to mine and away from Ollie.

  “Layla I never accused you of being unfaithful but I see the way he looks at you. He’s got it bad. I should know, I have it too. You’re an addiction and I’m afflicted. And so is he.”

  I stood on my toes and pressed my lips to his, gently soothing his raw and ragged breathing. His expression softened and he took my hands in his. Gazing into his eyes I took a calming breath. “Jared you have to trust me. I only want you. He really is just a friend. We connect and we share interests. Besides even if he did want me, that doesn’t mean he gets me. I’m not discussing it anymore. Period. What were you doing here anyway?”

  Running his thumb over my knuckles he met my gaze. “I called your cell but when you didn’t answer I got worried. I went to your dorm and someone told me you would be here. I’d just pulled up when I saw you.” I realized now, that the headlights that had dazzled, dazed and blinded me, had been his. “Then that little shit starts throwing his weight around. And don’t think I didn’t see that kiss either Layla. I’m telling you that fucker is trying to get into your panties and he won’t be satisfied till he has you. He is not your friend and I don’t trust him.”

  His tone was dark and angry but luckily I knew just how to sedate him.

  Wrapping my arms around his back I pressed my chest against his. He eyed me cautiously before exhaling loudly and enveloping me in his arms. Looking up at him I took his chin between my thumb and index finger and tilted it down to face me. “You might not trust him. But you must and can trust me.” The fire in his eyes had reduced to a simmer as he stared down at me. He placed a chaste kiss on my lips and sighed deeply. “I will and I do. I’m taking you home now. I’m still not convinced you should be left alone after that dizzy spell. You can stay at my place. We’ll swing by your dorm and you can collect some of your things. Not that you’ll need your clothes.”

  I grinned to myself as he led me to the car and out of the cold. The thought of spending the whole night with Jared thrilled me in every way. I couldn’t wait to spend an entire night wrapped in his strong warm arms.

  Chapter 17

  Tables And Chairs

  Jared had prepared us the most delicious pasta dish I’d ever eaten. The creamy mushroom sauce and succulent chicken was poured over a bed of penne pasta and was the best meal I’d eaten since arriving at Cali State. Although the dinner and dance was exquisite, there was something about the way Jared had prepared the food that made it seem that much more tempting. Maybe it was simply because it was his hands, that I adored so much, that had prepared it. Taking the napkin from my lap I dabbed it over my mouth to remove any residue from my lips. Jared was watching me from across the gleaming glass dining table. A smile teased over his lips as our eyes met. “You know I’d have happily licked your lips clean for you if only you’d asked. I’m now extremely jealous of your napkin.” His words lingered in the air like a sexy invitation. Leaning back in his chair he curved his index finger and motioned a “come here” gesture.

  Pushing my chair back, I made my way slowly over to him. He watched me move with dark hooded eyes, drinking me in as I sauntered over. Sliding between the table and his knees, I positioned myself onto the edge and let my legs dangle in front of him. Maintaining his gaze, he sat perfectly still with his hands together and his fingertips touching his lip. Leaning back, I supported myself on my hands and gave him a seductive smile. I ran my barefoot up his shin, over his knee and pressed it against his thigh. His eyes darkened from a beautiful tanzanite to a deep shade of cobalt. Swallowing hard, he broke our gaze to look down at my foot which was now comfortably resting on the seat between his legs. He looked up at me from beneath his long dark eyelashes with an arched brow. A wicked smile began to appear on his lips. “Miss Jennings, are you trying to tempt me?”

  Sloping forward, I slid my finger gently over his slightly parted lips. I ran my tongue softly over his bottom lip before nipping it with my teeth letting a small moan escape my lips.

  “Always.”

  A fire ignited in his eyes and the blaze of lust I saw in them excited me beyond comprehension. I wanted to drive him wild, to make him crazy and make him feel totally at my mercy; the way he had made me feel in the ballroom. The way I felt whenever he was near me. He was a chink in the carefully constructed armor I’d spent years perfecting. I’d never felt more invigorated, alive and out of control than when I was with him.

  His eyes were aflame with unbridled passion and his hands gripped onto the arms of the chair that he was currently pinned to.

  My lips traced the line of his jaw, trailing kisses from his chin to the nape of his neck. His head rolled back, granting me better access as he unclenched the chair and ran his hands swiftly over my thighs to the hem of my dress. Pushing it up slowly to
my hips, his thumb grazed the lining of my panties and I gasped in surprise. Pulling back from him I licked my lip suggestively. Without a word he gripped my knees tightly and thrust my legs apart. “Don’t play games with me Layla. I don’t have the patience for them.”

  Grabbing the elastic of my panties, he tugged them over my thighs forcefully. Sliding them down my legs he let them drop gently to the floor. My breathing grew faster as I became aroused.

  Taking my foot in his hands he pressed it to his lips and placed a soft kiss on my ankle. Smiling at me with a sultry grin he trailed gentle kisses up and over my knee, before stopping at my thigh. He looked up at me with a hot, dark penetrating stare. “Lie back flat on the table, hold your hands together and stretch your arms over your head. Do not move your hands Layla. If you move them I will make you sorry. Do you understand?” Biting my lip at the thought of the utterly erotic scene that was about to play out with me in the starring role, I nodded and complied with his orders.

  Staring at the ceiling, I was completely unable to see what he was doing; unable to predict the next explicitly sensual act he was going to perform on me. The notion of being completely at his mercy was both exciting and nerve wracking, but I trusted Jared completely. My body was his temple and I wanted him to pray there for hours. His soft hands gripped my behind firmly as he yanked me down the table towards him, lining up my ass up to the edge perfectly. “Remember what I said Layla. Absolutely. Still. Understand?”

  I nodded weakly.

  “I can’t hear you Layla. I said do you understand?”

  “Yes.” I whispered. “I understand.”

  Leaning over me, his chest pressed against mine, our eyes met. Holding my chin between his finger and thumb he pressed his lips firmly against mine. “Good girl.”

  Returning his attention to the throbbing that was now an ache between my legs, he continued trailing soft, infuriatingly teasing kisses up my thigh. His teeth gently nipped at a tender spot on the inside just inches away from my sex, which my body was acutely aware of as it immediately stood to attention and tensed. I knew from the wicked smile I saw on his face as he lifted his head to look at me that he was aware of it too. He slid his finger up and down my slit, gently parting the fleshy lips. He groaned softly. “Mmmm you’re so ready for me Layla. You’re wonderfully wet and warm.”

  I gasped for air as he slid his teasing finger inside me and gently pressed the pad of his thumb against my clit. “You are temptingly hot. I could play with your tight little cunt all day.”

  My back arched as I shamelessly wriggled my hips against his hand looking for some release from the throbbing ache his fingers were causing. Withdrawing his finger from me he pinched my clit hard, making me cry out at the sweet pleasure and pain that shuddered through me. “I warned you to stay still. Now look what you’ve made me do. You’re all flushed and pink down here. Don’t worry angel. I’ll kiss it better.”

  His lips gently caressed the folds of my sex as his tongue ran slowly up from my opening to my clit. With the tip of his tongue he stroked it with exasperating slowness. A fire scorched in my belly as I begged for release.

  “Please Jared.”

  Blowing a cool breeze over the swollen and tender knot, he chuckled. “Shhhhh. Don’t worry baby. I’m going to take good care of you, be patient. I want to savor you Layla. Every last sexy, scorching hot inch of you. I want you to scream my name as you beg me to make you come.”

  I moaned loudly and gripped the edge of the table as his mouth closed over me completely. He worked frantically inside me, thrusting deeper with every roll of his tongue. Running it over my clit he pushed two fingers inside me and began penetrating me over and over again; thrusting them hard into me before gently withdrawing them again. I could feel the orgasm building inside me as he worked his magic on the most intimate part of my body but every time I teetered to the edge of my climax, he would stop and slow his pace. It was infuriating.

  “Jared. Please. Now. I need it now. Please. I’ll beg.”

  “Will you?” He stood up straight as I gazed up at him bedazzled by his gorgeous face. A mischievous smile spread across his lips and he unbuttoned his shirt just enough for me to see the sculpted pecs, rock hard abs and perfect contours of his body. He was truly stunning to behold and he wanted me. Me, Layla Jennings, a coffee shop girl from Pasadena.

  Unzipping his pants, his erection sprung free and as I heard the sound of foil tearing, I realized he’d pulled out a condom from his pocket. As he gripped my thigh with one hand and his cock with the other, he teased the tip provocatively over the opening of my sex.

  “Beg, Layla.”

  I shifted my hips in the hopes I’d be able to slide it inside me even slightly. But he predicted my actions and held my thigh tighter in warning. “I will make you beg. Stay. Still. Do as I say or this will be over much sooner than I’d like.”

  I groaned with the need aching deep inside me. I was standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to dive into the refreshing waters below but he was holding me back.

  He leaned over me and wrapped a hand around my neck lifting me from the table to meet his lips. Sealing his mouth over mine he kissed me deeply, passionately and with a violent hunger, thrashing his tongue around in my mouth. I could taste the slick saltiness of my sex all over his lips. The scent of his skin paired with the tantalizing tastes in his mouth was a heady combination. He smelled of sweet vanilla, reminding me of ice cream and the beach. It was a powerful aphrodisiac.

  “Beg, Layla.”

  I clenched my teeth together as his tip teased back and forth over the opening to my sex. “Please Jared. I’m desperate.”

  He took in a sharp breath as he thrust his long, hard cock inside me. My mouth opened and my head tipped back as he filled me to the brim. He felt perfectly snug inside me as if he were made for me. His hand gripped my behind as he moved slowly in and out, stroking that sweet sensitive spot inside me. My orgasm was tantalizingly close. “Oh Jared. I’m close. I’m so close. Don’t stop.”

  He slowed and I growled in frustration. The corner of his mouth curled up and he whispered low in my ear.

  “Beg me Layla. Tell me what you need.”

  Panting, I writhed and squirmed beneath him. “Fuck me, make me come hard. I need you. Please Jared.”

  Nipping on my ear lobe he moaned with satisfaction. “Good girl.”

  Surging into me, he rocked his hips in a sweet and blissful rhythm making my orgasm grow closer and closer with every shove of his hips into me. “Come for me Layla. Let go. I need to feel you around me.”

  My body responded to his command immediately, my orgasm pulsing and jolting inside me. I moaned loudly as I called his name over and over as the pleasure surged through my body, forcing me to grip the edges of the table so hard I thought I might crack the glass. Jared thrust forcefully inside me. Staring intensely into my eyes he panted before hissing out a long breath as he found his release.

  Collapsing on top of me, I could feel the sweat trickling from his forehead onto my cleavage. My dress was still in place and the thought that neither of us had found time to remove our clothes was particularly arousing. Our need for each other was intense. It had to be right there, right then. He was still panting with his head pressed into my chest as I ran my hand through his hair in a calming, caressing motion. Taking a deep breath, he shifted onto his elbows and gazed at me. His thumb grazed my cheek with a gentle tenderness. The Jared lying on top of me on that table was so different to the one who had been commanding me to behave just a few moments ago. He was so complex and entirely distracting. “You’re killing me Layla. You drive me wild whenever I’m near you. The way your body moves when you walk, the way you bite your lip, the way your body responds to my touch and the smell of your perfume makes my blood simmer. You’re intoxicating and I’m dizzy from the fumes.”

  His words made me melt into a pool of happy and contented bliss. I smiled down at him before placing my hand over my mouth to stifle a yawn. I hadn’t real
ized how tired I was. The events of the evening were catching up with me and I could feel my eyelids becoming increasingly heavy. Taking my hand, Jared got to his feet, pulled me into a sitting position and handed me my panties. He zipped up his pants but left his shirt completely open. I wriggled off the end of the table, slid my underwear back on and straightened my dress. Glancing over my shoulder, I scanned the table. It was smeared with sweat, evidence of the two hot bodies that had been writhing all over it just a few minutes ago. Taking my hand once more, he pressed it to his lips and placed a tender kiss on my knuckles. “You’re exhausted. Come on, time for bed my lady.” Taking me into his arms he scooped me up as he had done at the bar, like a new bride being carried over the threshold. His strong arms held me closely as I wound my fingers together around his neck and buried my head in his chest.

  He carried me up the stairs and across the hall to the three bedrooms at the far end of the house. I looked up at him a little confused as I’d assumed we would be sleeping in his room, together. “We’re not sleeping together?”

  Placing me gently on my feet, we stood outside the door of one of the large guest rooms. Holding my hands in his, he shook his head and sighed ruefully. “No. It’s not that I don’t want to sleep with you. It’s that I can see how tired you are and I know there’s no way I can control myself lying next to you all night. You sleep in there tonight and I’ll be here when you wake up.”

  The plague of disappointment began to twist inside me. What we’d shared in the dining room was intense and I’d felt connected to him in a deep and meaningful way. Now he was casting me aside and I felt used, cheap and dirty. The sadness and disappointment that I had been feeling a moment before was suddenly turning into intense anger. “You know what Jared, its fine. I get it. You want me to be yours but on your terms. Dinner was delicious and I very much enjoyed the fantastic fucking you gave me on the table. Thank you for your hospitality this evening and for taking care of me at the bar, I appreciate it. I’ll sleep for a few hours and be sure to leave before you wake. Don’t worry about me. Goodnight.” His mouth pressed into a hard line and his eyebrows furrowed giving me the distinct feeling he was not amused with my outburst.