kidnapped, tortured or shot.” Realizing what I had
just said, I covered my face with my free hand, screwing up my
features in disgust at my insensitive comment. Murmuring through my
hand I apologized profusely.
Gently taking my hand
from my face Jared smiled at me then leaned in to plant a soft kiss
on my lips. He took me completely by surprise and the butterflies
in my stomach were fluttering up a storm. His kisses were so warm
and gentle and I decided then that I could really get used to him
kissing me more often. The thought made me giddy with anticipation
and excitement.
“ It’s ok Layla. Don’t
beat yourself up. I can totally understand how your mother feels.
When someone you love is hurt and there is absolutely nothing you
can do, it’s soul destroying. Let’s change the subject shall we?
What are you studying at college? Made any friends yet?” Releasing
my hand he took a sip of his wine.
He’d poured us a
beautifully sweet and fruity red to accompany our meal. It was a
perfect match for the oriental spices and red meat. He certainly
knew his wine.
I smiled at myself,
wondering how this young sexy male had become so knowledgeable in
the art of choosing wine. I cleared my throat, realizing I hadn’t
answered his question. “I’m mostly taking psych classes but I’m
also taking a couple of English classes too. I love literature.
While my friends were out partying in high school, I was curled up
on the sofa with my nose in a book. Boring huh? But now I have a
new roommate and I’m almost positive that with her organizing my social life, I’ll
have little time for books…or sleep for that matter. Oliver is
pretty cool too; he lives across the hall from me and Amy. He plays
the guitar and he showed us a great bar a couple of blocks from
campus. I have a feeling it’s gonna become our new Friday night
haunt. They’re the only friends I have there so far.”
Jared raised an eyebrow
at me and ran his fingers up and down the stem of his glass.
“Layla…Is Oliver gay? Because I would hate to think I have
competition, especially with him living just across the hall and
all.” Was he jealous already? This was only our first date. I
stared at him puzzled. He must have seen the look of confusion on
my face because he stood up and gazed down deep into my eyes.
Lifting my chin up to look at him, I saw his serious
expression.
“ I just need to know if
I’ve got a fight on my hands. I really like you Layla. I like you a
lot and I want to see an awful lot more of you, but I won’t share
your affections. It’s all or nothing. If you have anyone else in
your life, I’ll walk away tonight and never bother you again. I
won’t fight for a woman who belongs to someone else.”
Standing up I pressed my
hands against his hard chest. Returning his gaze I shook my head.
“There’s no one else Jared. I don’t share either. I’m a one man
woman and I expect the same from the men I date. If you can promise
me that, then I can guarantee that while I’m dating you there will
be no one else. Oliver is a friend and that’s all he’ll ever be.” I
really hoped I could believe what I’d said. There was no denying
the chemistry between Ollie and I but what I felt for Jared was
more than just physical, it was intense.
“ Good girl. That’s
exactly what I wanted to hear.” Tilting my head up with his hand
holding my chin, he lowered his lips over mine and kissed me
deeply. He kissed me with a carnal hunger I’d never felt before. It
was clear that he wanted me and I wanted him just as much. I kissed
him back with the same urgency. I needed him. I ran my hands up his
chest and wrapped them around his neck, pulling him closer to me.
Cupping my face with his hands he let out a soft moan. My knees
weakened and my breathing quickened.
Jared must have felt my
sudden weakness because his hands were suddenly wrapped around my
waist holding me tightly. Without removing his lips from mine, he
lifted me up and sat me onto the
just said, I covered my face with my free hand, screwing up my
features in disgust at my insensitive comment. Murmuring through my
hand I apologized profusely.
Gently taking my hand
from my face Jared smiled at me then leaned in to plant a soft kiss
on my lips. He took me completely by surprise and the butterflies
in my stomach were fluttering up a storm. His kisses were so warm
and gentle and I decided then that I could really get used to him
kissing me more often. The thought made me giddy with anticipation
and excitement.
“ It’s ok Layla. Don’t
beat yourself up. I can totally understand how your mother feels.
When someone you love is hurt and there is absolutely nothing you
can do, it’s soul destroying. Let’s change the subject shall we?
What are you studying at college? Made any friends yet?” Releasing
my hand he took a sip of his wine.
He’d poured us a
beautifully sweet and fruity red to accompany our meal. It was a
perfect match for the oriental spices and red meat. He certainly
knew his wine.
I smiled at myself,
wondering how this young sexy male had become so knowledgeable in
the art of choosing wine. I cleared my throat, realizing I hadn’t
answered his question. “I’m mostly taking psych classes but I’m
also taking a couple of English classes too. I love literature.
While my friends were out partying in high school, I was curled up
on the sofa with my nose in a book. Boring huh? But now I have a
new roommate and I’m almost positive that with her organizing my social life, I’ll
have little time for books…or sleep for that matter. Oliver is
pretty cool too; he lives across the hall from me and Amy. He plays
the guitar and he showed us a great bar a couple of blocks from
campus. I have a feeling it’s gonna become our new Friday night
haunt. They’re the only friends I have there so far.”
Jared raised an eyebrow
at me and ran his fingers up and down the stem of his glass.
“Layla…Is Oliver gay? Because I would hate to think I have
competition, especially with him living just across the hall and
all.” Was he jealous already? This was only our first date. I
stared at him puzzled. He must have seen the look of confusion on
my face because he stood up and gazed down deep into my eyes.
Lifting my chin up to look at him, I saw his serious
expression.
“ I just need to know if
I’ve got a fight on my hands. I really like you Layla. I like you a
lot and I want to see an awful lot more of you, but I won’t share
your affections. It’s all or nothing. If you have anyone else in
your life, I’ll walk away tonight and never bother you again. I
won’t fight for a woman who belongs to someone else.”
Standing up I pressed my
hands against his hard chest. Returning his gaze I shook my head.
“There’s no one else Jared. I don’t share either. I’m a one man
woman and I expect the same from the men I date. If you can promise
me that, then I can guarantee that while I’m dating you there will
be no one else. Oliver is a friend and that’s all he’ll ever be.” I
really hoped I could believe what I’d said. There was no denying
the chemistry between Ollie and I but what I felt for Jared was
more than just physical, it was intense.
“ Good girl. That’s
exactly what I wanted to hear.” Tilting my head up with his hand
holding my chin, he lowered his lips over mine and kissed me
deeply. He kissed me with a carnal hunger I’d never felt before. It
was clear that he wanted me and I wanted him just as much. I kissed
him back with the same urgency. I needed him. I ran my hands up his
chest and wrapped them around his neck, pulling him closer to me.
Cupping my face with his hands he let out a soft moan. My knees
weakened and my breathing quickened.
Jared must have felt my
sudden weakness because his hands were suddenly wrapped around my
waist holding me tightly. Without removing his lips from mine, he
lifted me up and sat me onto the
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