Chapter Ten

Skye sipped her tea as she waited for Leslie to talk.

"I can guarantee he feels something for you."

"How can you tell?" Skye asked.

"The way he looked at you. It was the hottest thing I've ever seen. It was like he wanted to possess and eat you up."

Skye's eyes widened. "Really?"

"I wouldn't lie to you, Honey."

"Then why is he pushing me away and saying awful things?"

Leslie chuckled. "My guess is he's afraid of how you make him feel."

Skye thought about it a moment and then shook her head. "He's not afraid of anything."

Leslie grinned. "I've never been married, but I have had several long relationships, so I know a bit about men. Most of them would rather get shot at than talk about their feelings."

Skye sputtered out a laugh. "So, what do you suggest I do?"

"Go to him. He's fighting himself too much to make a move."

"He'll just push me away," Skye said.

"Then push him back."

Skye pressed the heel of her hand against her chest, where her heartbeat accelerated. She didn't know if it was anxiety or anticipation.

"I saw the look in his eyes when those women walked in and looked at him like he was a monster," Leslie said. "All three of them are bitches."

"Why?"

"Because the man is scary. He's very big, dark all over, has a dominant personality, and don't forget the tattoos and scar on his face."

"Do you think the scar on his face bothers him?" Skye asked.

"I would say yes, but you'll never get him to admit it."

Skye nodded. She figured that out. "What do you suggest?"

"Go to him tonight before he has time to build his walls back up. Take him a meal. You can get one from the diner down the block, and don't take no for an answer."

"That's easier said than done."

"I know. But you're tough. If you want him bad enough, you can't give up."

"I won't."

"Okay. Why don't you make an order, and you can pick it up on your way to his place?"

"Good idea." Skye hugged her. "I'm so glad I have you in my life."

"I'm pretty happy with you, too."

Skye called the diner and put in the order before grabbing her purse and hugging Leslie again.

"Good luck, Honey."

Skye grinned. "Thank you. I think I'll need it."

In the car, she thought about going home and showering, but she didn't want to waste any more time. She second-guessed herself the whole way to his house and even thought about turning around when she pulled into his driveway. What if he pushed her away again?

"Come on," she encouraged herself. "Stop being a wimp." She grabbed the food bag and walked up to the door before chickening out.

She knocked and waited. When she didn't hear anything, she knocked again. A part of her relaxed when she heard his footsteps, but her anxiety also rose to mix with the excitement.

The door opened, and there he stood, wearing jeans and an unbuttoned shirt. Six feet five inches, muscles that stretched the sleeves of the shirt he wore. She almost swallowed her tongue as her eyes ran over his naked chest. His tattoos were colorful and mixed with a small patch of chest hair she desperately wanted to run her fingers through.

She had no idea how long she stood there and stared when she finally realized neither had said a word. Her gaze went to his face to see a muscle tick in his jaw and his arms crossed over his chest. It seemed to her he'd already rebuilt the wall Leslie talked about.

"Hey, I thought I'd bring some dinner over to you. The diner down the street from the bakery has the best fried chicken around."

The nerves she tried to hide built until she could feel a slight tremor in her hands. "Have you eaten?" she asked.

He shook his head.

"Good. May I come in?"

"I don't think it's a good idea," he said.

Skye whipped around him and headed for the kitchen. She pulled things out of the sacks and tried to ignore Jared's body, which was only a few feet away from her.

She didn't turn. "Plates and forks?" She looked over her shoulder at him to find him still scowling. Not waiting for him, she went through the cupboards and drawers to get the things she needed.

She laid everything out on the table and sat.

One of his brows rose. "Make yourself at home," he said sarcastically.

She ignored his tone and smiled. "Thank you."

Skye opened the cartons and started to put food on her plate. She exhaled when he finally sat down across from her.

"Hmmm," she said after taking a bite. "You'll love this."

She pretended not to pay attention to him as he filled his plate. He took several bites before she looked up at him. "It's good, isn't it?"

He nodded and continued to eat. Several minutes passed without a word from him. After she finished her meal, she stood and took the plate to the sink to wash.

The breath stuck in her lungs when she felt a wall of male heat press against her back. Her eyes slid shut, and she rested the back of her head against his shoulder.

He reached and turned off the water before pressing a hand to her stomach, keeping her pinned against him.

"Tell me why you're here?" he asked in a low, gruff tone.

"To see you."

She had to bite down on her lip to keep from moaning when he brushed her hair to the side and started licking and nibbling on her neck and shoulder.

"I want to know why?" he asked.

"I … I don't know." She was telling the truth. Although she was attracted to him, the fact he was an ass a lot of the time, and she came back for more told her it went much deeper than that.

"Are you here to get fucked? Because if you are, I'll be more than happy to oblige," he said sarcastically.

Skye stiffened but stayed against him. She knew he was trying to push her away, but she was going to ignore his mean comments because she knew he was just trying to protect himself.

"I don't know how else to say it. Besides, I like you and enjoy being with you when you're decent."

"So, you're saying you find me attractive?"

"Yes."

He grunted. "I know what I look like."

"Yes, you have a scar, but it does not detract from how handsome you are."

One of his hands slid up to cup her breast. "Imagine getting looked at like I was earlier in the bakery. It doesn't bother me, but I think you'd get sick of it after a while."

"Did you ever think it might just be your size, tattoos, and attitude that might frighten some people?" she asked.

She almost smiled when his expression turned to shock. He started to scowl as he stared at her.

"So, you're only here to keep me company?" he asked.

Skye shrugged. "Why is that a bad thing?"

"Because I don't think you're telling me the whole truth, Sugar."

She tried to push him back because he had her pinned to the counter. "Back off."

"No. Not until I get some answers."

"What do you want me to say?" she asked.

"We both know you want to tell me to take you to bed and fuck your brains out."

Skye tried to hide her flinch but instead rolled her eyes. "Wow, can you get any more romantic or egotistical?"

Jared smirked. "Tell me I'm lying."

Skye inhaled. As terrified as she was, she knew this was her chance to break through his barriers. "You're not lying."

She would have loved the surprise on his face if she hadn't been so anxious. He stepped back from her.

"Turn around," he demanded.

She faced him.

"If you want me so much, you'll get on your knees and suck me off."

She couldn't have been more shocked. This was something she never expected him to say, but she wasn't surprised he was testing her.

Without taking her eyes off him, she sank to her knees and waited. She was afraid he'd still push her away.