“Fuck. That,” I ground out, feeling the edges of my control fray.
She spun around to face me, her eyes holding so much defeat, I felt sucker punched. “I don’t want to do this right now.”
“Do what? You’re talking like we’re over or something.”
Her eyes flickered to the ground. It was only a split second, but it was enough for my heart to plummet into my fucking toes.
She wanted to end it?
No.
No way.
It was just an argument. A silly argument after a few weeks of strain. It was nothing we couldn’t fix. But then she said seven little words that made me stumble back.
“I’m not sure I can do this anymore.”
“What?” I blinked at her. “What the fuck did you just say?”
We stared at each other for the longest second. Tears glossed Felicity’s eyes, streaking down her cheeks.
“Hold up, this is all because Shelly was there?”
“She acted like I was no one, Jason. Do you have any idea how horrible that makes me feel? Knowing that she thinks she can have you? As if I’m nothing.”
“Babe.” I stepped forward, needing to touch her. Needing to stop any more ridiculous words coming out of her mouth. “You know what she’s like.” A lot of the cheerleaders were the same, all desperate to bag a player. And unfortunately for me, I was at the top of the food chain. But I’d never even looked, let alone touched.
Not when I had all I could want right here.
“I thought I was strong enough...” she murmured, dropping her gaze again. “I thought we would come here, and I’d be at your side...”
“You are at my side.” I grabbed her shoulders. “You’re the only one I need at my side. I know I’ve been prioritizing the team, but it’s just for a few more weeks and then the season is over, and things will calm down.” My eyes bored into hers, pleading with her to believe me. “Shit, babe, where is all this coming from?”
“I’m barely keeping my head above water, Jason. And you... you make it look so easy. You have friends, the team, an endless stream of girls vying for your attention. That guy tonight, at the restaurant, he’s going to be the first of many. And I’m proud of you… God, I’m so proud of you. This is all you’ve ever wanted...”
My jaw clenched. The more she spoke, the more resigned she sounded. I gently laid my hand along the side of her neck. “I need you to hear what I’m about to say. You think I’m not blind with jealousy over the idea of you spending all your spare time with tutor boy? That it doesn’t drive me crazy knowing you’ve found someone to connect with about the thing you love? I. Fucking. Hate. It.” My fingers brushed her throat, feeling her pulse flutter beneath my fingers.
“I hate that you’ve found it hard to make friends and I hate how much I've let you down. But do you know what I hate the most? I hate that you’re standing there, doubting that I want you.” My hand dropped to the neckline of her sweater dress, gently tugging it down to reveal my brand on her skin. My thumb traced the small lettering. “What does it say?” I asked her.
“J- Jason.”
“Tell me what it says.”
“P- property of a Raider.”
“Damn right it does. You’re mine, Giles.” My hand slid back to her neck, holding her gently as I stared right into her eyes. “None of this means anything if you’re not by my side.”
Her lip quivered as she bit back a fresh wave of tears.
“I love you, woman. I love you too fucking much to ever let you walk away from me.”
“It’s only going to get harder,” she breathed. “Classes, your football career. What if I’m not strong—”
“Ssh.” I slid my thumb over her lips, leaning down to touch my head to hers. “You’re one of the strongest people I know, babe. Your heart, your compassion, the way you love so fiercely. I’m a lucky bastard to call you mine. I know things are hard right now, and I hate that I’ve made you doubt me, doubt us... but I need you, Felicity. I will always need you.”
A whimper escaped her lips, but I swallowed it, sealing my mouth over hers, and kissing her with everything I felt. The good, the bad... the downright unthinkable. Losing Felicity was not an option.
Not today.
Not tomorrow.
Not ever.
I just needed to figure out a way to show her that.
Felicity
I could taste the salty wetness of my tears as Jason pushed his tongue into my mouth and kissed me. Only, he didn’t just kiss me, he branded me. Marked me with his teeth and claimed me with his touch.
There were still things we needed to talk about, insecurities I needed to address, but for now, I allowed myself to get lost in the way he dominated my every thought.
“You look so fucking sexy in this dress.” His hands slipped down the back of my thighs and he hoisted me against him, forcing my legs around his waist. I could already feel him hard at my stomach. Thick and ready. Desire pulsed through me like a heartbeat.
“Jason,” I gasped, as he stalked me across the room and pushed me up against the wall.
Everything became desperate. We clawed at each other’s clothes, skin, and muscle. My fingers raked across Jason’s shoulders and back as he trailed hot wet kisses down my jaw and throat, lingering on my pulse point, flicking his tongue over my burning skin.
My hair cascaded around me as I dropped my head against the wall, greedy for more. Jason walked his fingers down my stomach, finding the hem of my dress and pushing it up my body, before sliding his hand between us.
“Oh God,” I cried as he rubbed me over my lace panties, creating an intoxicating friction.
“Fuck, babe, you’re so wet.” Hooking the material aside, he pushed two fingers inside me. A garbled moan broke from my lips as he added his thumb, dragging it over my clit. “This is mine,” he uttered against the corner of my mouth. “Always.” He curled his fingers, rubbing harder. “Forever.” He nipped my bottom lip, soothing the sting with his tongue. “Mine.”
A wave of intense pleasure crashed over me as I cried his name over and over. My hand went to his belt buckle, pulling it free and working his jeans off his hips just enough that his dick sprung free.
I needed him.
I needed him more than I had ever needed him before.
My hunger was frenzied, coursing inside me like wildfire. Jason’s eyes locked on mine as he slowly rocked forward, filling me to the hilt. “Fuck,” he breathed.
“Move,” I begged, my voice thick with lust. “I need you to—” The air whooshed from my lungs as he pulled out and slammed back inside of me.
He wasn’t gentle or tender, slow or sweet. Jason wasn’t making love to me now, he was imprinting himself on my soul, trying to carve his name on my bones.
“Mine,” he growled against my ear before running his tongue down my neck, licking and sucking.
“Jason, I can’t... it’s—”
“Ssh.” He pressed his head against mine, pinning me to the wall with his intense gaze. “I know what you need, Felicity. I will always know.” He punched his hips forward making us both cry out in ecstasy.