The bathrooms were just as opulent, with heated floors, Jacuzzi tubs, double sinks, rain shower heads, more marble countertops. He’d had every intention of spoiling the woman he loved, and the best way he knew how was to make his home a refuge for her.
By Jayme’s reaction, he’d succeeded. She was impressed with his bathrooms, but it was clear she could live in his kitchen. She’d had a huge smile on her face the entire time she’d been cooking, and Rocket knew he’d never spent a nicer evening in his house than this one.
She’d called Winnie and let her know where she was, and that she’d be home late. Winnie had, of course, told her to enjoy herself and not to worry about her—and that if she wanted to spend the night, it was perfectly all right with her. Jayme had blushed, and it had been all Rocket could do not to pull her into his arms and kiss the hell out of her once more.
She’d surprised him earlier with the kiss, but he hadn’t hesitated to reciprocate. He’d been right; she fit against him perfectly. And no matter how badly he’d wanted to cup her lush ass and press her tight to his impossibly hard erection, he’d kept his hands in safe territory.
And now she was plastered to him and all he could smell was her flowery scent, torturing him. But he didn’t dare move. Didn’t want to disturb her.
He was still in awe that she was here at all. Yes, he’d wanted to find someone to spend the rest of his life with, someone he could love and cherish and who’d be devoted to him in return, but honestly, he didn’t think that would happen.
And within a span of two weeks, here he was. Head over heels for the woman currently in his arms.
Rocket had thought falling in love would be comforting and easy. Instead, it was scary as hell. What if she didn’t feel the same way about him? What if she got hurt or killed? How would he cope? If he could get her to reciprocate his feelings, what if she changed her mind down the line?
He was completely out of his element and terrified he’d do something wrong that would ruin his chance at happiness.
He must’ve tensed or otherwise moved, because Jayme shifted in his grip and opened her eyes as she tilted her head up to look at him.
She was so freaking beautiful. Rocket could stare at her for hours and not get bored. Her dark blue eyes reminded him of the deep blue of the ocean.
“What time is it?” she asked huskily.
“Not too late,” Rocket said softly.
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” she told him.
“It’s okay. You had an eventful day.”
She harrumphed, and Rocket grinned at how cute she was.
“Please. I’ve become so lazy now that I don’t get up at the crack of dawn to get into the bakery. I feel as if all I do is sleep. When I first quit, I was happy to sleep in, to bake just for myself instead of for someone else. But I’m feeling the itch to get back to it. To make Warm Delights a reality.”
“Then do it,” Rocket said.
Jayme snorted. “It’s not that easy.”
“It’s not,” Rocket agreed. “But nothing worthwhile ever comes easy.”
“Now you sound like Memaw.”
Rocket couldn’t help himself. He brought a hand up and ran it through her hair. He loved the way Jayme’s head stayed on his shoulder, and how she closed her eyes as he stroked her.
“Rocket?” she asked without opening her eyes.
“Yeah?”
“I’m not tired anymore.”
Rocket froze. Her words seemed to go straight to his dick. He wanted to pick her up and carry her to his room and make love to her all night long, but he wasn’t sure that was what she meant by her innocent words.
Her eyes opened again, and she moved, throwing a leg over his thighs and straddling him. She put her arms around his shoulders and looked him straight in the eyes as she clarified, “I’ve never felt this way about someone before. I don’t know what it is about you, but I feel as if I’m right where I was meant to be. I’ve always despaired that my past relationships hadn’t worked out. I thought there was something wrong with me. But being with you feels right. It’s crazy, I know. And I’m talking too much and probably freaking you out. All I mean is that…I want you. Will you make love to me?”
Rocket’s dick had stiffened the second her soft ass settled on his thighs, and it only got harder as she spoke. He swallowed, trying to clear his throat so he could speak. “Yes.”
There was so much more he wanted to say. He wanted to tell her that he felt the same way. That from the second he saw her in Winnie’s house, he felt as if he’d been hit with a two-by-four. That everything he’d done in his life seemed to narrow to that moment. But all he could get out was that one word.
Yes.
Scooting to the edge of the couch, Rocket moved his hands to Jayme’s ass and held her to him as he stood. She didn’t squeal in fright, didn’t clutch him tighter. She simply smiled and hooked her ankles behind him.
“You’re safe. I’m not going to drop you,” Rocket told her, wanting to reassure her even though she didn’t seem scared that he was carrying her.
“I know. For some reason, I always feel safe with you.”
She couldn’t know how much her words meant to him. For most of his life, he was the man who earned subtle side-eye glances from everyone. Not sure if they could trust him. Because of his size, people were always giving him a wide berth and crossing the street so they didn’t have to walk past him. Her trust meant everything,
He stared into her eyes as he carried her up his stairs toward his bedroom. Rocket knew he should probably slow things down between them. They’d only been on a handful of dates, even if they had talked almost every day since they’d met. He didn’t want her to regret sleeping with him. But he couldn’t say no to her. Anything she wanted, he’d bend over backward to give to her.
Once in his bedroom, Rocket held on to her waist and tapped her hip. She obliged and dropped her legs until she was standing in his embrace. The difference in their sizes hit home once more, and Rocket knew he’d have to go slow so he didn’t hurt her. The thought of how small and tight she’d be when he got inside her made his cock harden even further.
“I’ve got an extra toothbrush in the drawer, to the right of the sink I’ve been using,” he told her.
“Thanks,” she said gratefully. She stepped away from him, and for a second, Rocket panicked. He didn’t want to let her go. What if she changed her mind? What if she wanted to go home?
As if she knew how anxious he was, Jayme placed her hand on his cheek and said softly, “I won’t take long. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to freshen up.”
Rocket nodded and watched as she padded over to his over-the-top bathroom. She shot him a small smile before closing the door behind her.
Running a hand through his short hair, Rocket took a deep breath. He was forty years old, for God’s sake. He needed to get his shit together. But tonight felt different from every other time he’d been with a woman. More important. All-encompassing.
Walking quickly out of the room, he headed for the guest bathroom in the hallway. He brushed his teeth and washed his face before stripping his shirt over his head. Dropping it on the floor and not giving the material a second thought, he went back into his bedroom.