Divorce With Benefits: A Second Chance At Love
Chapter 52: Intense Moment

Chapter 52: Intense Moment

As Jared’s fingers hooked under her neckline, he tugged, then paused as he sensed the quick intake of her breath, her chest rising sharply against him. His grip remained, a magnetic hold neither of them seemed willing to break. Jerica felt the heat of him radiate in the small space between them, his scent a familiar, intoxicating blend of cedar and something undeniably him.

His gaze held a fierce intensity that sent a surge of warmth spiraling low in her belly.

"Zipper..." she managed, her voice a shy whisper. "It’s on the side." Her words barely left her lips before her head found its way to his chest, as if drawn there, settling into the rhythmic beat of his heart that drummed as erratically as her own.

The familiarity of his heartbeat, so close, brought an unexpected sense of comfort mingled with the thrill of being in his arms like this.

Jared’s eyes didn’t leave hers, their depths a storm of longing, frustration, and something she couldn’t quite decipher. His fingers lingered, pressing firmly against the fabric of her dress. She knew that his hand bore red marks from the small, intricate embellishments, but he didn’t seem to care. His only focus was on her, and in the way his touch remained both reverent and possessive, she saw the fierce restraint beneath his touch. He wanted her, but never at the expense of hurting her. That knowledge did something to her, a sensation that swelled in her chest and flushed her cheeks with warmth.

"Jerica," he murmured, her name sounding like a vow on his lips before he lowered his head, capturing her mouth in a kiss that ignited every nerve ending she possessed. His lips moved against hers with a hunger that left no room for words, each kiss more intense, more fervent, claiming her as his own.

Her back pressed against the wall as he moved closer, his body a solid, immovable force. She could feel the hardness of him, the tension coiled in his muscles as he held her close, his hand slipping around her waist and pulling her against him.

Her fingers wound their way up to his neck, tangling in the soft curls at the base of his hair, pulling him in deeper as if afraid he might disappear. One of his hands slid to her back, the other moving lower to lift her by the curve of her hip. His broad palm settled under her, lifting her effortlessly as if she weighed nothing at all. His lips traveled down, brushing along her jaw, leaving a trail of warmth that seemed to burn into her skin.

Each press of his lips held a possessiveness that sent waves of sensation coursing through her, her breath hitching in response. She felt his breath ghost over her collarbone, felt the warmth of his mouth as he kissed the sensitive skin of her neck, lingering, savoring.

Jerica shivered, reaching for his hand, guiding his fingers to the zipper she could tell he’d been struggling to find. She met his gaze, a playful glint in her eyes, and watched as his expression softened with a hint of gratitude before it returned to that fierce, possessive hunger.

He pulled the zipper down slowly, the soft sound seeming to echo in the charged silence. When the zipper reached its end, Jared stilled, his gaze holding hers as he pressed her back against the wall, his thumb gently tracing the line of her collarbone exposed by the loosened fabric.

Gently, he brushed his thumb over her forehead, sweeping a lock of hair from her face. His fingers lingered there, brushing across her cheek, his touch a stark contrast to the fiery intensity of the moment. He looked at her with an emotion so raw, so unguarded, that her heart nearly stopped.

The world faded away as she reached up, her fingers tracing the softness of his lips. She noticed a faint red smudge from her lipstick. Without thinking, her thumb brushed it away, only for him to capture her fingers in his mouth, his lips pressing a warm kiss to the tip of her thumb.

She gasped, a tremor running through her as he bit down lightly, a mischievous glint in his eyes that set her pulse racing. His hand, rough and warm, moved to cradle her face, his thumb stroking along her jaw. She tilted her head back, inviting him to continue, savoring the sensation as his mouth traveled along her jaw to the sensitive skin just below her ear. The warmth of his breath and the firm pressure of his lips drew a shudder from her, her hands clutching his shoulders for support.

He leaned in closer, his hands at her sides, his body pressing against hers with an intensity that made her heart pound. She wrapped her arms around him, her fingers threading through his hair as he kissed her again, his mouth claiming hers with renewed passion.

His other hand slid down her back, lingering at her waist before he lifted her, guiding her legs around his hips. The heat of his body against hers made her head spin, and she let out a soft, breathless sound, her lips parting beneath his as his kiss grew deeper, more demanding.

Jared pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her, his eyes heavy-lidded and dark with desire. "God, Jerica..." he breathed, his voice rough with emotion, his fingers tracing the curve of her cheek as if he couldn’t quite believe she was there.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, the world falling away until all that existed was the warmth between them, the press of his hand against her back, and the racing beat of their hearts.

Jerica’s lips curved into a small, playful smile, as she remembered how he had asked her for the zipper. She reached out to trace his jaw, feeling the stubble beneath her fingertips.

A low chuckle escaped him, and he pulled her even closer, his lips grazing her neck. She didn’t know what he was thinking but his breath turned warmer. The corners of his mouth lifted in a rare, boyish grin that made her heart ache with a love she could barely contain.

With one fluid motion, Jared carried her up the stairs, his arms strong and steady as he held her. She clung to him, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck as she leaned in, stealing another kiss. He obliged, his lips meeting hers in a kiss that felt like a promise, his arms tightening around her as they reached the top of the stairs.

They paused at the threshold of her room. Jerica’s eyes widened.

Is he going to stop now?