She stepped closer to him, taking in the chocolate stain on his cream-colored shirt. “I can stay at your apartment and be perfectly safe there.” If she was going to stay at that party beyond setup, he had to want her there.

“You’re not staying home.” A low growl made its way up his throat.

Her nipples puckered at the sexy sound. “Why not?

“Because.” He moved in, his big body hovering over hers.

Body heat and his musky scent surrounded her, warmth and a tingling sensation dancing over her skin. “Because why?” He needed to say it. Needed to tell her he wanted her there.

Reaching out, he slid his hand behind her neck, his fingers gliding into her hair, tugging her head back as he said, “Because I want you there. I. Want. You.”

* * *

Jason knew she was pushing him to admit what they both felt. What couldn’t be denied. And he was through fighting the yearning for this woman. For as long as she needed his help and desired him, too, she was his.

He slid his tongue into her mouth and knew he was lost. Arousal ripped through him, hard and fast, the warmth of her mouth and the way she pressed her body into his turning him on. He tugged on her hair and she moaned, the vibrations rippling through him. She wound her arms around his neck and pressed her lush body against his, stripping away his defenses. With a groan, he tangled his tongue with hers, then pressed kisses and nibbles down the side of her neck, suckling on the sensitive spot behind her ear.

She gripped his hair, holding on as he devoured her, tasting her flesh and finding it as sweet as she was. His cock throbbed as desire consumed him, fast and furious, based on this one first kiss alone. He could go on like this forever, just feasting on her mouth, learning what she liked, imprinting himself on her.

But without warning, the tinkle of the doorbell interrupted them and she jumped, backing away from him, fixing her hair, and swiping her hand over her mouth, her cheeks flushed as she faced the customer in front of her.

“Umm… Hi. I just wanted to buy some candy,” a woman said, stepping toward the door, her own face flushed.

“No, wait. I’m sorry. What can I get you?” Faith rushed behind the counter, leaving Jason with a hard-on the likes of which he’d never seen and the inability to speak. So he lowered himself into the chair in front of his laptop, drawing in a deep breath and hoping he could get back to work.

Long after the customer left the shop, Faith busied herself in the back, clearly avoiding him, which he let her do, knowing they’d be alone later tonight at his apartment. In the afternoon, the shop became busy, the after-school crowd tumbling in. Clearly word had gotten around and teenagers came and went, keeping Faith hopping.