far separate from reality.
“Easy, Sarah. Honestly? We bugged Bobby and James until they told us,” Jared said, gaze silently assessing her.
Of course. Sarah steadied her breathing. She had to stop jumping up at every little thing. Jared leaned against the car door, giving her some space while rain continued to hammer down on both of them.
“No ulterior motives. Can we drive you home? Or do you prefer I call Bobby and James to pick you up?” Jared asked gently.
The last time Sarah trusted a man, he ruined her. Marred and scarred her so completely, Sarah became certain no one would accept Michael Rivers’ leavings. Despite all that, the Bentley brothers wanted her. Damon and Jared made her feel desirable and sexy again after feeling so soiled and tainted. Even standing outside in the cold rain, Sarah’s chilled skin warmed under Jared’s dark but patient gaze.
Memories of their one night together leaped back at her in vivid color—the way her tits tightened painfully to points and moisture flooded to her pussy with one look. She never had a man, two men, reduce her to a stranger in her own skin. Stoke the dead fire in her back to life.
If she continued cowering in her shell, being distrustful of everything the world had to offer, where would that road lead? Nowhere.
“Okay,” Sarah whispered.
“Let me take that,” Jared offered.
Warily, she offered him her bulky case. Thank God she bought the waterproof case for the instrument. The second-hand keyboard had been one of the first things she had purchased during the first few days of freedom. It meant a lot because it truly belonged to her and not bought by Michael’s money.
Her music was part of her, practically fused to her soul. It helped her keep her sanity through her captivity. Without it, part of her would wither away. When she feared she could never play again, Sarah thought death would be a preferable alternative. Thank God her fingers healed, albeit crooked. Her speed and coordination had dropped a little. Sometimes she’d wake up screaming, remembering the phantom pain, but she could still play.
Jared’s fingers brushed over hers, sending tingles up her arm. Sarah noticed she had been clutching at the case until her knuckles turned white. Something in Jared’s gaze shifted, like he understood her a little better than before. Sarah let go, breathing hard.
“Thank you, little one. I’m sure this was a hard step for you.” He tucked her keyboard against one broad shoulder, her in another, and they walked to the car.
Jared’s arm around her shoulder felt warm, comforting, like a mug of hot chocolate in front of a fire. Before they reached the car, Sarah grasped a handful of his soaked linen shirt and pulled him down for a kiss. An irrational move, but she needed assurance. Certainty what she felt back at the club hadn’t been a figment of her imagination.
He didn’t disappoint. Jared tugged her closer, wrapping her in a cocoon of safety and warmth. His familiar scent hit her—cigarette smoke, rain, mint, and something distinctively masculine. She nestled closer, hungrily wanting more of the heat he thrust down her mouth. He caught her bottom lip, running his tongue across the expense of velvet skin, before pushing in deep. She opened for him, the feel of his tongue amazing as he slipped it down her throat.
The taste of him exploded in her mouth. Her head spun, and her heart raced. She wanted more—the absolute command of Jared and his touches, the certainty of their possession. All of it. Why not? Why couldn’t she be greedy? Her past abusive relationship had weaned her off her recklessness. Reduced her to a coward, but no more.
Sarah vaguely heard the car door opening. Damon took the portable keyboard from Jared. She felt Jared’s large hands sliding down her sides and circling her waist. Sarah felt the sheer strength there, in every bunching, rock-hard muscle, capable of breaking her bones and holding her down so his brother could