Protecting Her Curves Read online

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. All I’ve had to eat today was a barbeque sandwich. A little potato salad. Coleslaw. Biscuits. Some fried pickles. And that butter, of course.” He gives me an innocent smile, his straight white teeth gleaming like a toothpaste commercial. I just roll my eyes at him again. It’s utterly unfair how gorgeous he is.

  “Yeah, well, if I’d eaten half the amount you did, I wouldn’t just have a muffin top, I’d have the whole damn muffin,” I mutter.

  His arm dips down to give me a gentle squeeze. My heart pounds faster at the closeness. Between my thighs, a corresponding flutter echoes, demanding attention.

  “I don’t know, I think you feel just fine, Sage.” He whispers. Our faces are inches apart, the electricity between us undeniable.

  Our car reaches the apex of the Ferris Wheel. The entirety of the fair spreads out before us, and that’s when Jax closes the distance between us and presses his lips to mine.

  Jackson’s lips are soft, almost gentle as they tentatively close the last breath of distance between us. My body reacts to the contact instantly, toes curling from the undeniable chemistry between us. Heat floods me, my pulse racing, and the entire world shudders and slams to a halt.

  Wait, no. That was the Ferris Wheel.

  “Son of a bitch, I knew it!” I swear, but Jackson just chuckles against me. The rumble of his deep laughter reverberates through my chest. “It’s not funny, Jax!” I pull back, glaring at him.

  “It’s fine. I paid the kid to stop us up here,” Jax whispers against my mouth.

  “Oh,” Is all I manage to get out before his lips are on mine again.

  Jackson’s big hands make their way down to my waist. He’s shifting me over into his lap. I let him move me, straddling him in the wide bucket seat. The pale blue sundress rucks up around my hips, but I don’t care if the entire fair catches a glimpse.

  Jax is all that matters now.

  My hands roam across his broad chest, tracing the lines of his sculpted muscles through the thin cotton. I want to rip it off, but instead, I just slide my hands underneath, roaming across the warm skin beneath.

  “God, you’re fucking hot.” I murmur against his lips in between kisses.

  “Sage, you’re the sexiest girl in this whole fair. I’ve wanted to kiss you like this since I first laid eyes on you.” Jax’s voice is low and growly, a far cry from his normal pleasant and calm tone. There’s an urgency in his voice that I didn’t hear even when he had three guns pointed at him.

  His hands slide up beneath my dress, ghosting up my thighs to brush fingertips against my soft, sensitive skin. I writhe beneath his touch, the car rocking slightly with our movement. I can feel his dick pressing against me, even through the layers of clothing. Hot, hard, barely restrained by the thick denim of his jeans. Just grinding against him is enough to send sparks shooting along my spine, turning the heat between my legs into a raging inferno.

  “Jax, how much longer are we going to be stuck up here?” I murmur against his ear as I sink my teeth into it.

  “Mm, I paid for five minutes,” He groans against me before pressing his own lips to my neck, making me shudder in turn. “Why?”

  I pull away from his mouth with a moan of loss so that I can look him straight in the eye.

  “Because I don’t want to lose my virginity on a fucking Ferris Wheel, Officer Bell,” I say breathlessly.

  To his credit, Jax processes the information quickly. I watch as a flare of desire lights his hazel gaze.

  Jackson pulls his phone out and types a quick message. Immediately, the Ferris Wheel shudders back to life. It’s so quick that it actually makes me giggle. Jax looks up from the screen, his grey-blue eyes blazing like golden suns.

  “Will my place work?” He asks.

  “Anywhere with a bed, officer,” I respond before kissing him.

  Chapter 6

  Jackson

  She’s as free as the bluebonnets in the summer. She’s as hot as the Padre Island sun. Most of the time she’s warm and friendly like the hills that surround Austin. — Josh Abbot Band, ‘She’s Like Texas’

  The walk from the fairgrounds to my car takes twice as long as it should. Sage and I stop to make out every few steps, growing more heated, more needy each time. It hurts to tear myself away from her ripe mouth; a physical ache like ripping a part of my soul off each time. But her words echo in my head, swimming around the cloud of lust.

  Because I don’t want to lose my virginity on a fucking Ferris Wheel.

  We finally make it to my car. I open the door and watch her slide across in what feels like slow motion. The hem of her pale blue dress creeps up her thighs as she settles in, giving me another peek at the creamy skin of her thighs. Inside the confines of my jeans, my cock throbs in response.

  “I wasn’t expecting you either, you know,” I look over at Sage. She’s buckling her seatbelt with trembling fingers.

  It takes every ounce of concentration in me to do the same before steering us out of the parking lot. There’s a distinct satisfaction in knowing that despite her bravado, she’s just as undone by need as I am.

  “Too forward for you, country boy?” Her lids are heavy, her emerald eyes blazing with lust.

  “No, but that’s just it,” I say, shaking my head. “Ain’t a single girl ‘round here a virgin. There ain’t much to do but drink, raise hell, and have sex.”

  “You’re the sexiest girl I’ve ever met, fashionable, from a big city, but…” I trail off, searching for the words.

  “But I never found someone I trusted, Jax. Someone who I knew would keep me safe. Trust me, it’s not because I didn’t have the opportunity. I’m just picky.” Sage slides a hand along my thigh, her fingertips teasingly close to the bulge in my Wranglers.

  I reach over with my own free hand, the other firm on the wheel. Mimicking her movement, I slide my hand up her dress. Slowly enough to relish the softness of her skin, I drag my finger along until I brush against her panties. The thin cotton is already soaked. She lets out a soft mewling sound, her eyes fluttering closed at my touch.

  Sage’s hands wrap around my forearm, nails digging in as she braces herself against me. Keeping the car in the right lane has never taken so much out of me. My fingers keep moving, strumming along the outside of her bikini panties, teasing with light touches. Stoking the fire.

  “Lean back. Put your feet on the dash,” I growl.

  Sage doesn’t question me. She does as she’s told, leaning all the way back in her seat to place her sandals up on the dash and give my hand free access. I tug her panties down to her knees in one motion and place my palm against her hot, wet pussy.

  “Good girl,” I murmur. She squirms eagerly beneath my fingers, arching her back hard enough to lift her ass completely off the seat. My attention is so focused on her that I don’t even notice when we arrive at my place. I’ve been driving on autopilot alone, all of my active focus on teasing Sage until she’s just as insane with need as I am.

  My cock aches beneath my jeans, straining against the heavy material. I bring my fingers up to my mouth, tasting her wetness for the first time. She’s just as sweet as I knew she’d be from the moment I saw her.

  I need more.

  Without a word I leap out of the car and wrench open her door. I drag her legs around in one swift motion, kneeling in the gravel between her splayed thighs.

  “Jax, what —” is all she manages to get out before my mouth is on her, my tongue tracing one long lick up her lips, flicking her swollen clit and making her breath catch in her throat.

  Then her hands are on my head, pulling me harder against her as her hips buck and her first orgasm slams into her with the force of a Mack truck. I’ve never been so glad to live half a mile from my nearest neighbor because Sage’s screams would surely earn us a visit from one of my brothers in blue.

  “Nothing to see here, boys. The only thing getting murdered tonight is this sweet virgin pussy.”

  Panting, g
asping, Sage finally relaxes against her seat, the throes of her orgasm finally subsiding. I pause only to wipe my mouth with the back of one forearm before scooping her up and carrying her to my house.

  Without a thought I kick the door in, the frame shattering as the wood gives way long before the locks do. It would’ve only taken me a second or two to unlock it, but my need to be inside Sage trumps everything.

  Her lips are on mine again, this time with a fierce hunger. No softness or gentleness left, just raw need and primal lust. Her teeth sink into my lip hard enough to make me hiss in pain, but nothing seems to deter her.

  Five steps into the house, I realize we aren't going to make it to my bedroom. Three steps later, we crash against my breakfast table, a huge, solid piece made of raw logs. Without a thought I clear it with one sweep of my hand, setting her down right on her curvy ass and pressing her beneath me as I climb on top.

  Sage’s hands are just as frantic as mine, tearing away at my clothing and hers with frenzied need. I take first one breast and then the other into my mouth as I rip her dress down, making sure to suck each pert pink nipple into my mouth. Her nails dig into my back, but then rake down, scoring me like a cat in heat.

  Her hands fumble at my belt buckle, and I knock them away in my eagerness to be just as naked as she is now. She tugs at the waistband of my boxer-briefs, struggling to get them down over the swelling ache of my cock. We’re both panting, frantic in our need to feel more of each other.

  When she finally exposes the length of my cock to the cool night air it slaps up against my stomach, rebounding with enough force to echo in the quiet darkness of my house. Even in the dim moonlight filtering in through the windows, the eager hunger in her eyes is visible as she sees me for the first time.

  “You still sure you want this, Sage?” I ask, stroking myself with one hand. The other slides down to rest against the blazing heat between her thighs.

  “I’ve never wanted anything as much as I want you Jax.” her words are strained, voice hoarse, the overwhelming desire shaking us both to our cores.

  I press her onto her back with one hand as I kneel above her on the table, rubbing the swollen head of my cock between her glistening lips. She moans, writhing against me, bucking her hips in an attempt to impale herself. I tease her, unable to resist driving us both just a tiny bit crazier.

  “Fuck me, Jax. Please?”

  It’s the please that does it. That tiny submission destroys the last remnants of my control. I lean into her, pressing against her tight opening until the head of my cock pops inside her, stretching her virginal cunt around me.

  “Oh, god. Oh fuck that’s good, Jax.” her words are whispers that turn to screams and back again, her ability to modulate her own voice just one more thing I’ve stripped away from her.

  I take her slowly, savoring every inch. Each time I pull back, she whimpers and whines. Her pussy is a velvet glove, strangling my cock with soft pressure. I’ve never felt anything like it.

  “Fuck, your pussy is so fucking good, Sage. So tight. You feel incredible.” I groan against her, my mouth coming down hard on hers.

  We move together, her hips lifting up to meet my every thrust. It’s a rough fuck, a hard one, but I’ve never felt so close to someone. Sage doesn’t just let me fuck her; she gives and takes in equal measure, and for the first time in my life, I realize that this is what people mean when they talk about making love.

  This is how it’s supposed to be.

  My climax hits me out of nowhere. One moment I’m drilling into Sage so hard that the table is creaking, straining under the furious assault. The next my balls are tight against me, my cock twitching thick ribbons of come deep inside the sweetest, sexiest girl I’ve ever met.

  Her second orgasm nips at the heels of mine, dragging more and more from me with every quivering clench of her soft inner walls around me.

  Shuddering, sweating, panting for breath, I collapse next to her, not wanting to crush her curves beneath my heavy frame. She curls against me, fitting perfectly against my side. Like she was made for me.

  Her fingers tease across my chest, tracing the lines of my body idly, lazily.

  I’m not sure how much time passes before she speaks again.

  “I won’t stay, you know. I never do,” she whispers against my chest. I snug her tighter against me with one arm, brushing a stray strand of hair back from her face.

  “So you’re saying I’ll have to give you a hell of a reason to stick around? More than I just did?” I smile at her.

  She nods against me. “Although, I can think of a way you can hold my attention tonight.”

  Her hands slip down to slide along the slick length of my cock, already growing hard for her again.

  I chuckle. “I think I can manage that.”

  Chapter 7

  Epilogue: One Month Later

  Sage

  “Oh my god, girl, look at the size of that rock!” Brielle squeals as she grabs my hand, dragging my engagement ring in front of her face for an up-close inspection.

  I blush, completely embarrassed by how overboard Jackson went.

  “I know, he really shouldn’t have,” I say with a sigh. Then I giggle. “But I sure am glad he did.”

  The light catches the massive diamond on my finger, making it flare with fire. Jackson definitely spent way more than three months’ salary on this thing. Either that or I need to take up police work.

  “Geez, Sage, it needs its own flippin’ zip code.” Brie pokes me in the ribs, and I can’t keep the laughter from bubbling up out of me.

  I’ve never been so happy, never felt so wanted.

  And here I swore I wouldn’t stick around...

  “Where is Prince Charming, anyway?” Brie looks around, trying to see Jackson among the crowd of people moving around us.

  The fair is in town again, and once again Jackson made it memorable. Last night, on the Ferris wheel where I begged him to take my virginity, he gave me a ring.

  “He said he wanted to give us time to catch up.” I link my arm through my bestie’s, dragging her along the concourse. It’s been nearly two years since we’ve seen each other, but the girl is just as wild as when I left Seattle. “If I know him, he’s probably putting out a fire somewhere.”

  “Literally, I hope. After all those pictures of him, I want to see your man sweat.” Brie laughs, and although I roll my eyes at her antics, I can’t help but laugh along with her.

  “Trust me, it’s one of the great wonders of the world,” I say, fanning myself in a way that has nothing to do with the humid heat. “Now come on, there’s a booth down there selling fried mashed potatoes.”

  We kill an entire hour sampling the various cuisines one can only find at a county fair. Snickers, pickles, potatoes in all shapes and sizes, pies, cakes, and cookies — all deep-fried and delicious.

  “Ladies, I’m going to need to cuff you. I’ve had reports that there are two women on a crime spree, raiding every food booth and leaving nothing but broken hearts in their wake.”

  Jackson’s voice is unmistakable, cutting through the raucous carnival atmosphere like a hot knife through butter. I turn towards the source and throw myself at my man immediately.

  “Baby, where have you been! Brielle was just about convinced I’d made you up.” I mock-scold Jax as I wrap my arms around him, pressing myself against a soft white tee-shirt that’s so tight it looks painted on.

  One big arm wraps around my waist, pulling me in closer against him. The other he extends toward my best friend, giving her a gentle handshake.

  “Pleased to meetcha’, Brie.” Jackson’s warm voice fills me with happiness as it always does.

  “Mmf, the pleasure is all mine, darling.” Charity’s smile just keeps growing until it almost splits her face in half. I give her shin a light tap with my foot.

  “Down, girl. This one is mine.” I say, half-jokingly. “I’ve already had to chase off half the women in this county. Don’t make me get the broom out
for you, too.”

  “Oh no, honey. They’re all dumb as bricks. You only gotta see the way he looks at you to know he’s off the market.”

  “You know, I’m just about tired of people talking about me like I’m a piece of meat. I am standing right here, you know.” Despite his wounded tone, Jax is smiling from ear to ear.

  “Not just any piece of meat, though. You are a prime cut,” Brie cackles.

  I have to shake my head. Maybe introducing my old life and my new one wasn’t nearly as good an idea as I thought.

  “Jackson, I warned you she was trouble,” I say with a grin of my own.

  Jackson shrugs, a simple motion that causes at least three nearby women to drool into their funnel cake.

  “Nothin’ I can’t handle, darlin’.” His eyes are unreadable behind his sunglasses, but the smile on his face is almost as big as Brie’s.

  “I’m just glad you two are having fun. I should get back to work, though.” He leans down to press a kiss against my cheek, pushing warmth into my skin that lingers even after he’s gone.

  “Ohmygosh Sage, baby, please tell me that man has brothers. Cousins. Hell, is his Daddy single?” Brielle is clearly flabbergasted, and I can’t keep the laugh from spilling out at her antics. As much as I love my new country-girl life, I really have missed her.

  “He’s got a brother. You’ll meet him at the wedding, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up,” I say without a trace of real apology in my voice. “They kind of broke the mold with Jackson.”

  “Pretty sure he broke it himself. Hell, he could break me anytime — that is if he wasn’t busy with you.” She says, raising her hands up in a pacifying gesture as I narrow my eyes at her.

  “Hey. He’s mine. Finders keepers.” I say, sticking out my tongue at my best friend.

  “I’m just sayin’, if you really loved me you would share him,” she says with another lascivious grin.