Chapter 16

We cleaned up dinner and the dishes, but the mood was somber. Everyone was worried about Sutton, Wes, and Jameson. I hoped they found her before she got into an accident. Ice was impossible to drive in, and this storm came up quicker and worse than what was predicted.

When the door opened, everyone rushed to the foyer. Wes carried Sutton inside.

Jameson held up his hands. "She's okay. Just hit her head and knee."

"I'm going to take her upstairs to one of the bedrooms," Wes said to Jameson as he edged past him and up the stairs.

Al followed closely behind him, presumably to turn on the lights and to get the room ready.

"Sutton slipped off the road, but she didn't hit a tree." Jameson's tone was clear. It could have been a lot worse.

"I'm glad she's here. We'll take good care of her," Fiona said.

"I'm going to check her out again," Jameson said, carrying his black bag up the steps.

We hung out in the family room, watching a football game and eating pie until Al and Jameson returned. "Wes is staying with her. She has a gash and a pretty big goose egg on her head. She bumped her knee too, but she'll be okay."

"I'm going to grab a slice of pie," Jameson said as he made his way into the kitchen.

I stood to follow him because I was worried.

I found him with his hands braced on the counter and his head hanging down.

I rubbed his back and then slipped under his arm so that I was caged between his body and the counter. "Are you okay?"

Jameson lifted his head. "Sutton's all right. Wes is taking care of her."

I palmed his cheek. "I asked if you were okay."

He nodded, leaning his cheek into my palm. "I will be."

"That must have been scary." Even though Jameson probably saw similar scenarios all the time, this was a close family friend.

"When I saw her red car off the road—" He shook his head. "You know I do this for a living, but when it's someone you know, everything is more intense."

"But she's here now, and you said she's going to be okay. Wes will take good care of her." But who took care of Jameson when he had a bad call at work? Did he brush over it, cover it with jokes when he was hurting?

He turned his head and kissed my palm. It sent heat coursing through my body. "You'll stay here tonight. The roads are too icy."

"Okay." I'd do whatever he needed to feel better.

"There's plenty of room here in the main house, or you can stay in the cottage."

"Where do you want me to stay?" I asked him, my insides feeling quivery at the prospect of time alone with him.

"The cottage is more private, and the house will be full if everyone stays."

Al entered the room, and Jameson lifted his arm so I could step away.

"I told everyone to stay the night. Fiona and Aiden can have a room, Wes and Sutton in the second, and Cole, Daphne, and Izzy can have another. That leaves one room."

"Me and Owen can share," I offered, not wanting to put anyone out.

"Are you sure Owen will want to?" Jameson asked.

"Probably not." He preferred his privacy, and he wasn't a little kid anymore.

"I'll set up the cottage for you, and Owen can have his own room," Jameson offered.

Al nodded. "That's probably for the best. Daphne didn't want Izzy to stay at the cottage again. She doesn't want her to get confused."

"I can understand that," Jameson said. "Why don't you talk to Owen and make sure he'll be okay with staying here."

I nodded and left the room. I sat next to Owen. "Everyone is staying here for the night. Are you okay in a room upstairs?"

His forehead creased. "Where will you be?"

"I'm going to stay in the cottage on the property. You could stay with me if you want."

"I'd rather stay here. Teddy said he'd play some video games with me."

"That's fine with me." I wanted Owen to make connections with the Calloways. To see good male role models.

Jameson stood in the entryway. "We should head over to the cottage and get it ready. I grabbed some drinks and snacks. It's just going to get worse out there."

We said our goodbyes, then put on our jackets and boots for the walk to the cottage.

"Are you sure Owen will be okay on his own at the main house?" Outside, the freezing rain stung my cheeks.

"He's got my brothers, my sisters, and my dad. He has a cell phone so he can call you if he needs you."

I pursed my lips. "I feel guilty for some reason."

"Owen wanted to be in the main house surrounded by everyone. Teddy and Wes will keep him occupied with video games and food. He'll be fine."

I let out a breath. "It doesn't seem fair that I get the cottage to myself."

"I was kind of hoping I could stay with you," he said as we turned down another lane, presumably in the direction of the cottage. "Nothing has to happen. But I thought it would be nice to have some time alone. If that's okay with you."

My heart rate picked up. "I'd like that."

Trees lined the lane. At the end was a small white cottage with blue shutters and a roof covering the front porch. I waited while Jameson unlocked the door and gestured for me to go ahead of him.

"It's cold in here." I kicked off my boots and gloves, then wandered around. There was a small living room area, a fireplace, and a kitchen. A small hall led to a bedroom and probably a bathroom. There were stairs indicating a bedroom upstairs too.

"The heat's turned down." Jameson turned up the heat then headed toward the fridge where he began unloading crackers, cheese, fruit, bacon, eggs, and bread.

"How long are you planning on staying?" I leaned on the counter, watching him put everything neatly away.

Jameson flashed me a smile. "As long as we can. When are we ever going to get an opportunity like this again?"

He stood, and suddenly I realized how small the space was. It would be difficult for two people to cook in here. But it would have been perfect for a mother and her small child.

He stepped closer. "No kids. No responsibilities."

I flushed, realizing how very alone we were. "We can't go outside."

Jameson brushed a hand over my cheek. "I should get the fire started in case we lose power. This place has a small generator, but the fire will be better."

I swallowed hard. "You should do that."

"I want to kiss you, but if I start, I won't be able to stop. And I need to make sure we're ready for the storm in case it gets worse." Then he moved past me into the living room where he threw some logs into the fireplace. In no time, he had a small fire going.

"Did you bring some clothes to change into?" I asked him, wondering what I'd wear to bed.

"Hold that thought. I'll run to my place and get some things." He grabbed his black bag and was gone before I could protest. I did want something comfortable to change into, but at the same time, I wanted to spend every spare moment with him that I could.

I took the time to check out the bedrooms. There were two small ones on the first floor and another master bedroom on the top floor. Then I sat on the couch to send a text to Owen.

Everything okay?

When I didn't hear from him, I tried to tell myself it was because he was having fun and he was busy.

Gazing at the fire, I wondered when the last time was that I was alone. Even when Owen was in his room, there was still someone with me.

I didn't have to wait long for Jameson to return. The door opened, and a gust of wind came inside with him.

He shook off his jacket and pulled his hat off. Tiny pieces of ice fell to the wood floor. "It's getting worse out there."

"You didn't have to go."

Jameson carried his bag into the living room. "I brought clothes, towels, and toiletries for both of us in case we want to take a shower."

"It's too bad you didn't grab some turkey and pie," I said with a smile because he'd thought of everything else.

He sat on the couch next to me. "That would have been a great idea. I wish I would have thought about it when we were at the house. I was just so excited to get you to myself, I wasn't thinking clearly."

"That's okay. We still have enough for a small feast," I assured him.

Jameson nodded toward the TV. "You want to get comfortable? Then we can find a movie to watch."

"That sounds wonderful." I'd been so stressed about meeting the Calloway family again, but everyone had been so welcoming.

Jameson pulled out sweats and a hoodie for me. "There's a couple of bedrooms down here. I can take one, and you can get changed in the bathroom."

Suddenly nervous that we were truly going to be alone in the house together, I ducked into the downstairs bathroom to wash my face, comb through the tangles in my hair, then change into his clothes. They were too big, but the best part was that they smelled like Jameson. My cheeks heated as I remembered what happened the last time I wore his hoodie with nothing underneath.

Jameson must have changed more quickly because he was already on the couch with his feet propped on the coffee table, flipping through channels. "What do you like? Action, comedy, or holiday?"

I sat next to him, bending my knee underneath me. "Definitely holiday.

Jameson smiled at me. "You got it. Romance or comedy?"

"Oh, let's do both," I said when I saw Four Christmases.

Jameson clicked Play for the movie. "Good choice."

After a few minutes, Jameson said, "I wish we had popcorn." Then he jumped up and rifled through his bag. "I grabbed chips from my house."

He pulled out the bag, opened it, and handed it to me.

"This is just as good as popcorn," I said as I ate a few chips, then passed it back to him. I watched as he literally pulled out fistfuls.

When he caught me watching, he shrugged. "Sorry, I'm used to eating quickly because one of my brothers was sure to eat them first."

I smiled. "I don't mind. I'm sure you're in family mode after hanging around them all day."

I turned my attention back to the TV, but Jameson said, "It wasn't too bad today. Usually, they give me shit for my job choices, my lack of girlfriend, or even how long it took me to figure out my life. But they didn't mention any of that today."

"Was it because I was there?" I asked.

"It must have been. I'm going to need you to come to every family dinner and holiday from now on." Jameson smiled, but I saw how much that admission cost him.

I settled into the seat cushions. "I don't know about that. I have my parents to think about."

"I was just kidding but not really. If you're available on Christmas, that would be great." He reached over and touched my thigh, sending a tingle of awareness through my body.

I wondered if we'd still be friends by Christmas or would we have evolved into something else. Nerves fluttered in my stomach at the thought.

After the bag of chips was demolished, we drank the waters, and I felt Jameson's gaze on my cheek. "What? Do I have barbecue on my face?"

"I was just remembering what you wore under my hoodie the last time."

"I wasn't wearing anything," I said softly.

His eyes flashed with desire. "Is that the same case today?"

"You'll have to find out." It was a blatant invitation for him to run his hands under my sweatshirt. It was bold and risky, but I didn't hold back. We'd unleashed something when we kissed, and I wasn't going to squander this opportunity to see where it could take us.

Jameson tossed the remote on the coffee table, where it skidded across the slippery surface and landed on the floor.

My skin was tingling at the idea of being alone with Jameson. With that voice that was in my ear last time combined with his hands and his mouth.

Jameson moved quickly, his hand braced on the arm rest behind me, and the other coasting over my waist. "Are you sure about this?"

I trusted him. "I've never been more sure of anything."

His mouth came crashing down on mine, and his hand brushed under the hem of my sweatshirt. His hand ghosted over my stomach, then drifted higher. I gasped into his mouth when his palm covered one breast.

He rested his forehead on mine. "You're killing me."

I touched his back, sliding under his T-shirt to feel his warm skin. The muscles rippled under my fingers. "I hope it's in the best way possible."

"It sure is." Then his mouth was on mine again, my legs spreading to accommodate him between my legs.

Impatiently, he pushed up my shirt so he could take one nipple into his mouth. This was so much better than phone sex. I loved his voice and his darkly issued commands. But feeling his hands and his mouth on my body was so much better.

There was a burning in my core, an ache. "Jameson. I need you."

"I know you do, baby, but I have to take my time."

I nearly groaned at his response. I tugged on the hem of his shirt, and he got the hint, helping me pull it over his head, then tossing it somewhere. I worked on his belt buckle as he sucked on my nipple. When I finally managed to get his zipper down, I cupped him through the cotton of his briefs.

Jameson pulled back so he rested on his heels, considering me. "I need you to be naked. I need a bed for this."

One second I was sprawled on the couch, and the next, I was up and over his shoulder as he carried me down the hallway. He kicked open the bedroom door.

He gently lowered me to the bed, then pushed down his pants and briefs, his cock bobbing free of the material.

I moved to my knees, desperate to touch it. I licked the precum off the tip and he sucked in a breath. The muscles of his stomach were rigid, and I sensed he was holding back, letting me do my thing.

I hadn't done this for anyone in a long time. I always got the impression that Eric didn't enjoy it. I hoped that Jameson would like my efforts because I wanted to please him.

I gripped the base of his cock while I licked the head, then sucked him into my mouth.

"Fuck, baby. That's hot."

I pulled off and looked up at him. "I like when you call me baby."

It might have seemed cliché for anyone else to do it, but I sensed that Jameson didn't call other women baby. There was something about us that felt different, special. Maybe it was the way we'd gotten to know each other. First as friends, and then as more, that made everything more heightened, more everything.

"I'm not going to last long if you keep that up."

I popped off. "That's the idea."

Jameson dropped his knee to the bed and stalked over me until I was flat on my back. "You are wearing way too many clothes."

My breath hitched as he pulled my sweats down with his teeth. I'd never seen a man do that, especially not with me. It made me feel desirable.

When my pants were off, he touched my legs gently, placing kisses on my inner thigh as he moved slowly up my body.

My muscles were quivering, and my core ached for him to touch me there. "Please, Jameson."

"I got you." His breath fanned over my skin. "Do you know how gorgeous you are?"

"No." I felt needy, breathless.

"Almost too good to eat."

I couldn't help the laugh that huffed out of my mouth. Only he would tease me in a moment like this. "Jameson."

"But I can't resist you." He licked me, and my back flattened against the bed. It felt like heaven to have his mouth on me. The sensations were almost too much between his fingers inside me, his tongue, and his lips.

I cried out when he sucked hard on my clit, his fingers mimicking the rhythm of him fucking me with his cock. I needed more. Just when I thought I couldn't handle it anymore, I tumbled over the edge, trembling with the aftershocks.

He moved up my body, grabbing a condom from somewhere, ripping the package, and smoothing the rubber over his cock. He knelt between my legs, positioning himself at my entrance. He looked at me with so much tenderness in his eyes, yet there was an intensity to them. "Is this what you want?"

I nodded, then palmed his cheek. "I want you, Jameson."

Something shifted in his eyes as he slowly slid inside, waiting for me to adjust to his size and presence. It had been a long time since I'd been intimate with anyone.

His hands were braced on either side of me, and his muscles rigid with tension as he held back.

"Please."

His jaw tight, he pushed inside. The sheer size of him stole my breath. I squeezed around him, and he groaned. But then he moved, and I was lost in the sensation of being with him.

He thrust in slow and contained movements, but I wanted Jameson to lose control. I wasn't something precious to be handled like glass. I wanted the full experience.

"Let go."

Jameson lowered his mouth to mine, kissing me with abandon.

I clutched his ass, pulling him deep inside of me. He was everything I'd ever wanted.

With his body pressed against mine, his pelvis rubbed against my clit with every pass. Another orgasm built inside me, threatening to be bigger than the last one.

He ripped his lips from mine, easing back to touch me with his fingers. He pressed on my clit, and I bucked underneath of him, the pleasure flowing in waves. I was briefly aware of him groaning and releasing into the condom, but I was too blissed out to register much other than the feel of his slick skin against mine, and the sheer weight of him, pressing me into the mattress.

After a few seconds, he shifted to the side, then off the bed to take care of the condom. I heard the running of the water in the hall bathroom, but I couldn't move.

The next thing I knew he was cleaning me with a warm washcloth, then tossing it aside. The bed dipped as he moved behind me, gathering me to him.

He was warm and comforting, and I never wanted to leave this position.

Before I could let the doubts surface, he kissed my shoulder. "Sleep," and that was all it took for me to relax in his arms and drift off.