Free Chains (The Club #8) by T. H. Snyder Page B

ever seen, it was breathtaking.”

Sunlight drifts in through the window as I watch Jesika sleep. Resting myself up onto my side, I trail delicate circles against her soft skin with the tip of my finger. Her body squirms beneath my touch and I can’t help but smile.
    Smile…when was the last time I felt the need to let that happen?
    I’m not certain what I’m feeling right now, but the way she pulls me to her is unbelievable. Our past is just that, the past. I don’t want to wallow in what should have or could have happened any longer. Right now, with her next to me, there’s nothing more I want than to have her right here in my bed.
    Rolling over onto her back, long strands of hair fan onto the pillow. With sleepy eyes, she turns to look at me, her hazel eyes sparkling.
    “Mmmm,” she purrs.
    “Good morning, gorgeous,” I respond.
    Pushing a few stray hairs off her brow, she leans into my touch. The warmth of her skin against my hand sends a sensation through my body. Her hand reaches for mine, wrapping it around her waist as she turns and pushes her back against my chest. Our bodies are completely bare, skin to skin resting next to one another. Feeling her like this makes my heart yearn…something I didn’t think was ever possible. Jesika has the ability to open my eyes to so many things I’ve never experienced and with her, I believe I’m finally ready to let someone hold a piece of me that I’ve left abandoned for far too long.
    “What time is it?” she asks in a groggy tone.
    I can’t help but laugh, even something as simple as the tenor of her voice makes me smile.
    “It’s still quite early, but I have to leave soon for the office.”
    With quick movements, she pushes my arm off of her body and bolts off the bed. It isn’t until she rushes past my chest of drawers, where she catches her reflection, that she notices she’s completely naked.
    “Oh shit, umm, damn it. Shit sorry, I’m just…” she continues to mumble to herself as she looks up to me, a sudden blush forming along her cheeks. “Work, I have to get to work. Oh my God, what time is it, Connor?”
    The panic coming from her words and the frazzled woman standing before me urges me to help her. Moving from the bed, I shift around the room picking up her loose articles of clothing. As I step in front of her, she covers herself with her arms. Her modesty is not lost on me, but the way she feels about herself is something perhaps I can help her with.
    Tossing the pile of clothes onto the bed, I pull her body up against mine.
    “Jesika, you are absolutely gorgeous and I refuse to stand here and watch as you try to hide your beauty from me. There’s nothing about you that should ever be hidden from my eyes, do you understand that?”
    She nods and rests the side of her face against my chest. For a few moments, we stand together as the rhythm of her heart beats against my skin.
    “Thank you, Connor,” she speaks in a low tone.
    “And what would it be you’re thanking me for?” I reply, stroking her long hair against her back.
    “Allowing me in…again. I know things won’t be easy, there’s so much we still have to learn about one another. But I promise you this, I’ll try…I’ll learn and I’ll never run away from you again. That is, if you’ll have me.”
    “I don’t think you’ve ever truly run away from me, for one reason or another we’ve been pulled to each other. I, too, promise you this, I’ll try…I’ll show you and I’ll never let you go again.”
    She moves her face from my chest and looks into my eyes, something is different. She’s still the same woman she always has been, but right now, looking at me the way she is, there’s a part of her she’s just opened up for me…a piece of her I’ll never take for granted. She’s taken a leap of faith offering herself to me, now it’s my turn to do the same.
    “Jesika,” I say running my fingers down the smooth skin of her face. “Tonight, I’d like for