Free Jane Shoup by Desconhecido(a) Page A

time ever. Most people
would be shocked and scandalized, had they known what so thrilled her lately.
Her master, the dark lord of the laundry room, had changed her. Or maybe he’d
just exposed the real her, the sexual her. He’d opened a gaping gulf of need
and desire in her, that was certain.
    She wanted to make love to
Ryan, too. Would tonight be the night? It would. She felt herself quiver with
wanting.
    Ryan flipped the steaks on
the indoor grill, and glanced over to make sure Jenny still had wine.
    She saw the solicitous
glance. “I’m good,” she assured him. He grinned, his dark eyes gleaming, and
she shook her head, smiling but embarrassed.
    It was hard to tear his
eyes from her. She was adorable, and she was his.
    * * * *
    “Guest room,” Ryan said,
pushing the first door on the second floor open.
    Jenny barely got a look at
the multi-colored quilt on the bed, before he pulled her on.
    “Another guest room,” he
said, shoving open a second door.
    She got a glimpse of twin
beds and rustic furniture. “How many bedrooms, all together?”
    “Three finished, including
mine. I haven’t finished a couple of other rooms. ” His throat was actually a
little sore from having talked so much more than usual. Of course, he was ready
to stop talking. “And this one,” he said, leading her into the master bedroom,
“is mine.” He would have said, ours, if you want it , had he not been
scared she would freak and bolt on him. Everything could be done and said in
time. There was nothing holding him back now.
    Jenny looked around. The
large room, decorated in shades of burgundy and cognac and ivory, led to a wall
of sliding-glass windows, revealing a large balcony. “It’s all so nice, Ryan,”
she said sincerely. “I am more impressed than I can say.”
    He walked over to turn off
the outside lights and close the vertical blinds before he turned back to her.
“Would you stay the night?” he asked gently.
    She hesitated only a
moment.“Yes.”
    He smiled a beautiful
smile, straight from his heart. “The bathroom is through there and there’s
everything you need. Just go through drawers and cabinets. Make yourself at
home. I’m going to build a fire.”
    “Is it okay if I take a
quick shower?” she asked.
    “It’s okay, whatever you
want to do,” he assured her.
    * * * *
    Jenny dried off and wiped a
spot in the steamy mirror with a towel, before realizing that she didn’t have any
makeup with her. She’d washed hers off, which was incredibly stupid. She’d felt
so confident and full of herself earlier. It was just so great to be sharing
this day, this experience with Ryan, but now, her confidence wavered. They were
rushing things. Am I setting myself up for another failed relationship? He didn’t even need her anymore, given that the stuttering control device had
worked miraculously well. She was glad for him, thrilled for him, but—
    “Truth is, you’re just not
that special,” a deep voice accused.
    Jenny squeezed her eyes
shut, but Mitch was still there, plain as day, in her mind’s eye. His shirt was
unbuttoned and he had a glass of scotch in his hand. His blond hair was tousled
after a long day and a few too many drinks.
    “You seem like you are at
first. Cute, good body. But you’re just not,” he said conversationally.
    It had come out of nowhere,
robbing her of the ability to respond intelligently.
    “Not to hurt your
feelings,” he kept on, turning away from her to add a fresh ice cube to his
drink. “Of course, I love you. But your allure,” he glanced back at her
sheepishly, as if he hated having to tell her a painful truth. “It wears off
quick.”
    She forced her eyes open
and her mind away from the hurtful memory. She’d promised herself not to think
of it again. Mitch was gone. Out of her life. He’d only said things for the
sadistic pleasure of hurting and humiliating her.
    But maybe, just maybe, the
reason she kept thinking back on Mitch’s comments was because there