So Jayna sat there, straddling his lap, and told him everything, starting with how her real dad had died when she was young, how her mom had turned to drugs first, then crappy guys to get through the day, how Darren had attacked her, and how she’d stabbed him, then walked away without ever looking back. After that, she told him how Liam, Chris, and Joseph had found her practically freezing to death on the streets of Detroit and taken her in. She even told him about sleeping with other guys over the years because she had this crazy notion that if she acted normal, she’d be normal.
“But it never worked,” she finished quietly. She had a feeling it would be different with Eric though—if he was patient enough to put up with her while she worked out her issues. She gave him a sheepish look. “Sorry I dumped all that on you at once.”
His mouth curved into that smile she loved so much. “You didn’t dump anything on me. I’m glad you trust me enough to tell me.”
Jayna was glad too, and for the first time in forever, it felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. It felt good.
“Did you ever go back to find out what happened to your mom?” Eric asked. “Or see if your stepfather lived?”
She shook her head. “My face never showed up on any wanted posters, so he must have been okay. As for my mom, well, I didn’t think there was any reason to bother. The pack became my family, and I moved on.”
Even though Jayna was pretty sure she’d killed the mood after a conversation like that, she couldn’t stop from leaning in to press a tender kiss to Eric’s lips.
“Thank you,” she said. “For listening.”
He grinned. “Anytime.”
It occurred to her that she should probably get off his lap, but she didn’t want to. Despite everything, Eric was still excited. His hard cock, trapped between them as she sat astride his thighs, told her that in no uncertain terms. That hardness felt good…and scary at the same time. She might have slept with guys, but none of them had ever made her feel anything like this.
She looked at him from beneath her lashes. “Maybe we could try and see how things work out with us? I think it would be different with you.”
He cupped her face in his hand. “I think it would be different too. But I’d rather find the right place and time to ease into this slowly. I don’t like the idea of Kos or Liam or Frasheri walking in here when we’re in the middle of something good. So why don’t we leave this pot on to simmer for a while?”
She hadn’t even thought about someone walking in on them. Eric was right. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t disappointed.
Eric weaved his fingers into her long hair and pulled her close to give her a long, lingering kiss that left her wanting more. And soon.
If she didn’t leave now, she might not have the strength to.
She reluctantly got to her feet, then offered him a hand. He took it and walked with her to the door.
“I’ll see you later?” she asked.
He grinned, his blue eyes twinkling. “Count on it.”
Jayna went up on her toes to give him another kiss, then slipped out of his room and hurried downstairs. Megan must have heard her coming because her friend opened the door before Jayna could even knock.
“Well?” Megan asked with a grin that would make the Cheshire cat proud. “Did you have fun?”
Jayna laughed. Considering that Megan wasn’t much more experienced with guys than Jayna, she was certainly interested in her and Eric hooking up.
“Yes, I had fun,” Jayna said. “But all we did was talk.”
Megan frowned. “You mean you two didn’t…you know?”
Jayna shook her head. “No. We got close, but we both decided the loft isn’t exactly the best place to…” She smiled. “You know.”
Megan considered that. “Then maybe you and Eric should get out of here for a couple hours and go somewhere you can have privacy.”
As much as Jayna loved that idea, she couldn’t. “There’s no way I’m leaving you and the guys alone for that long.”
“That’s silly,” Megan protested. “We’ll be fine. And if we need you, we’ll call you and Eric.”
Jayna didn’t answer as she walked over to the small fridge in the apartment’s kitchenette and took out two bottles of water. She handed one to Megan. Her friend took the bottle but didn’t open it.
“Jayna, Eric’s a really great guy. My mom always said that great guys don’t come around that often, and that if you find one, you should hang on to him. And you deserve a great guy like him.” Megan smiled. “I’m not saying you have to do anything if you don’t want to, but at least get away for a few hours together. If anyone asks, we’ll say you went out for coffee or something.”
Jayna chewed on her lip. Spending time with Eric away from the loft and all the drama would be nice. Like Megan said, it would only be for a few hours.
Chapter 9
Becker opened the door to his apartment, praying the place didn’t smell like dead fish. Cooper was a good friend—the best—but he wasn’t exactly with it when it came to taking care of Becker’s fish.
Thankfully, the apartment smelled fine. He tossed his keys on their usual table, closing the door behind him and Jayna.
“Mind if I use your bathroom?” she asked.
“Sure. Down the hall, second door on the right.”