A Reason to Stay Read Online Free PDF Page A

her hair, he pulled her closer.
     
    This kiss was nothing like the first. The shy exploration was gone, replaced by an almost violent passion, a need they couldn’t put to words. They drank of each other, tongues warring, plundering.
     
    Coherent thought fluttered from Ellie. She was a mass of raw emotional need, the need to taste and touch. Her arms had wrapped themselves around Jake of their own volition, and now her hands were exploring him through his t-shirt. Even through the thin material, his heat burned into her, beckoning her. It only took her a moment to slide her hands under the material and come into direct contact with his hot, smooth skin.
     
    As he tore his mouth from hers and trailed his tongue up to her ear to nibble on its lobe, her fingers played over the sharp contours of muscle in his back and chest. A deep, throbbing ache began between her legs. She leaned further into him, wanting to touch every inch of his body, but his hand came up between them. At first, Ellie thought he was pushing her away, and a deep sorrow began in her heart. But as she felt him gently cup her breast, the sorrow turned into hot desire.
     
    His touch set her on fire through the thin material of her nightshirt. Her breasts swelled and her nipples hardened under his skillful caress. She was sure steam would be rolling out of her ears any second now.
     
    Gently he pushed Ellie back on the couch, following her down, his lips never leaving the spot on her neck where he was tasting and licking. Grasping the hem of his shirt, she tugged upwards, wanting it out of her way so she could fully explore and touch him. He pulled away just long enough to peel off the shirt and toss it aside. The sight of him leaning over her, his chest bare and his eyes dark with desire, made Ellie’s mouth go dry.
     
    He lowered himself back down to her, but instead of returning his lips to hers, he brought them to her breast. One hand kneading her breast, pinching the nipple into a tight little nub, he covered the other with his mouth, wetting the material that clung to it. Fire shot through Ellie, turning her blood into rivers of molten lava. Jake's free hand was skimming up her thigh, but stopped at the hem of her nightgown. Putting one hand on the cushion on either side of her head, he pushed himself up and leaned over her.
     
    "Ellie, if you want me to stop, you have to say so right now."
     
    She stared up at him, her fuzzy mind not quite understanding. Her, want him to stop? Was he out of his mind? That was the last thing she wanted!
     
    He went on, "I want to take this shirt off of you, but if I do, there will be no turning back. I want you, but you’re in charge. Say the word, and this stops. But I’m warning you, if this nightgown comes off you, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop." His words finally penetrated the fog around her brain. He was giving her an out. It was like a no harm, no foul clause. They’d just shared the hottest moments of her life, but if she wanted to put the brakes on, now was her chance.
     
    Ellie pushed him off of her and stood. Then, as he watched wide-eyed, she grabbed the hem of her nightshirt and pulled it off over her head.
     
    "Oh, Holy Hell! You’re beautiful!" His statement was quiet and breathy, almost a whisper.
     
    Ellie bent to join him back on the couch, but his swift cry stopped her dead in her tracks. "No!"
     
    Fear gripped Ellie. Was he doing what he’d given her the opportunity to do? Was his suggestion to her only a way of saying he didn’t want to go further, but also trying to save her the embarrassment of being turned down?
     
    He quickly answered her unspoken question when he stood and said, "Not on the couch. Not like this."
     
    Then, to Ellie’s utter amazement, he swept his arm behind her knees and lifted her into the air.
     
    "Oh, Jake, put me down!" she protested. "I’m too heavy."
     
    But Jake ignored her pleas and carried her through the living room. When they reached