Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

and caring and deserved so much more than she felt she had to give him. He wasn’t going to walk away from her no matter how rough things got. And maybe the one thing she could give him was living. To keep going even when she felt she was down and out. He could have been ranting at her and she felt she would have deserved it. He’d told her to stop. He’d tried to get her to back off, but she’d wanted him—wanted his desire—wanted that intensity, the love and lust wrapped so tightly together and only for her.
    â€œAre we good, El e?†Jackson asked.
    She knew what he was asking. She wanted to hold him. The love she felt for him was overwhelming when she realized he was giving her acceptance.
    Just as she was. Flawed. Broken. Uncertain and fragile. Jackson accepted her. She nodded slowly. “We’re good.â€
    â€œI made a mess al over the floor.†He looked rueful y around. “We’d better not have any company for a while.â€
    â€œI didn’t think about that. Jonas wil probably be showing up to check on us. You know how he is.†El e scrambled to her feet. “We need another shower. And I have to light candles. Do you have any with strong fragrances? Where’re your cleaning products?â€
    He climbed to his feet and reached over to draw her close, pul ing her into his arms. “Kiss me, El e.â€
    She hid her face against his chest.
    Jackson took a hold of her chin. “Kiss me.â€
    She turned her mouth up to his. She expected his gentle, coaxing kiss, one fil ed with tenderness and love. She got something altogether different.

    Jackson’s mouth came down on hers, his tongue sweeping away resistance with masculine demand. He poured sex and sin into her mouth, hot passion and sheer erotic hunger. His arms crushed her, steel bands, his body rock hard, pressed tightly against hers so that she seemed to melt around him, soft flesh, curves pressing deep against heavy muscle.
    When he lifted his head, she felt weak with wanting him. Her gaze met his. She took a breath because it felt as if she were drowning. His hands framed her face.
    â€œWhat do you see when you look at me, El e?â€
    His gaze burned over her. Her breath hitched in her throat. She moistened her lips.
    â€œTel me.â€
    She couldn’t look away. She wanted to, because the way he looked at her made her ashamed. There was no mistaking the look in his eyes.
    â€œSay it. Out loud. Say it.â€
    â€œLove. I see love.†Her voice was low, barely above a whisper.
    â€œWhat else?â€
    â€œHunger.†That wasn’t beginning to describe the intensity of the desire burning in the depths of his eyes. “Lust.â€
    â€œFor who?†he prompted.
    â€œMe.â€
    â€œI love you, El e. I love you with every breath in my body. There’s no room for another woman. No thought for one. You’re it for me, everything. Al the rest, the sex, whoever is after us, the legacy, al of it doesn’t matter if you don’t feel the same way. You have to love me with every breath you take. I want to know that you do. Before we go any further. Before you decide you’re too broken, you have to stand up now and say I’m worth fighting for. Say it now. To me, with me looking you straight in the eye.â€
    She blinked. Opened her mind to him. Flooded him with everything. Her fears. Her shame. Her love and need for him. Her desire for him. She held nothing back and stil he kept looking at her. Waiting. El e took a breath and traced his lips with unsteady fingers. “I love you, Jackson. With every breath in my body. I’m not going to run, not from Stavros and not from myself because you’re worth fighting for. We’re worth fighting for.â€
    A slow smile lit his eyes and he lowered his head again and this time his kiss was infinitely tender.
    â€œWhat was this about?†she asked when she could talk.
    â€œI just wanted to prove a point.â€
    Her eyebrows shot up. “What point?â€
    A smal satisfied smile softened the hard edge to his mouth. “That we real y are fine.â€
    She touched his lips, traced the definition there. “I’m glad you have so much faith in me, Jackson. I’l get it back.â€
    â€œI know you wil . In the meantime, that’s what you have me for, to remind you often.†He let go of her and then had to steady her when she