Free Jayded by Shevaun Delucia Page A

twenty-four-year-old kid that I saw before. He ’ s different. Most thirty-year-old men aren ’ t as put together as him.
    “ My parents divorced when I was a teenager. I ’ ve learned some through watching them. I don ’ t have very many good memories, but I do like to take the positive out of it. I know what I don ’ t want in a relationship, and I know who I don ’ t want to end up like. I ’ ve made a conscious effort to not be anything like them. ”
    “ I ’ m sorry for that. That must have been hard for you, but look at you now — look at all you have overcome. I admire your strength in not playing the victim. ”
    I blush. I ’ m not too sure why the praise feels so good coming from him, but it does. Cody praised me a lot, but it just didn ’ t feel the same as how I feel now. How is that possible? I loved Cody. I really did, but years in our relationship together doesn ’ t even compare to five minutes with Kyle.
    “ Thank you, really. ”
    We both clean up the mess. I wash the dishes and he dries. We naturally become comfortable as we sync into a rhythmic flow. He splashes me with water, and I splash him back. He has bubbles hanging off his chin, and I can ’ t stop laughing. My stomach hurts. I feel as though I ’ ve just done a thousand sit-ups. I haven ’ t laughed this hard in such a long time.
    It ’ s now quarter past eight. Our laughter settles into a calm silence. I walk around the couch as he stands on the other side. We stare at each other for a moment, a buzz of energy ignites, but I am the first to look away.
    It ’ s taking everything in me not to walk straight over to him, slide my fingers through the back of his hair, pull him to me, and kiss him. Every button in me is being pushed, every limit I have made for myself is being tested, and yet I somehow am able to find the control to stop. Just barely.
    I don ’ t know what I ’ m so afraid of. Maybe what his brother said is sinking in. Or maybe it ’ s because I have just ran from one relationship, and I know I shouldn ’ t even consider jumping into another. Or maybe it ’ s because I know the moment he touches me, all hope of keeping control will be lost, and I will come completely undone at the seams.
    I walk over to my wrapped artwork to get some distance. I bend down and take a peek inside. It doesn ’ t matter how much of a distance I put in between us, I can still feel him as though he is directly behind me. My stomach flutters and the hairs on my arms stand straight up. My body feels euphoric as though it ’ s not even mine.  
      I stand and quickly turn to say something, but I run straight into him. My hands are now on his chest. I can feel the beat of his heart thoroughly pounding through his shirt. Heat now rushes to every inch of my body and in between my thighs is now pulsing. Everything inside of me is screaming for more. I look up at him, and he gazes into my eyes, scalding me with an intense desire. I almost stop breathing. I almost follow my feelings and give in to my need. But I don ’ t. I just can ’ t.
    I back away from him, removing my hands to disconnect from him completely.
    “ I think it ’ s getting late. ”
    He clears his throat, obviously out of sorts. “ Okay. ” He claps his hands together, grabs my coat, and holds it open for me. I hesitate for a moment and then realize how stupid I am being. I push my hands through my sleeves, and he turns to slide his on. “ Button up. It ’ s gonna be cold out. ”
    “ This is going to be one tough thing to get used to. Rochester ’ s weather definitely keeps you on your toes, ” I tell him.
    “ You ain ’ t lying. This place can get downright depressing. The winters are way too long, and the summers are barely existent. ” He holds the car door open for me. “ And here you are, possibly moving here, ” he teases.
    I snicker. He walks around and jumps in the driver ’ s seat. “ I can definitely understand why you might want to move