Forced Proximity (Bluebell House Duet, #1)

by Jaymin Eve

almost died.” I sucked in a breath to try and calm my frantically beating heart. “He shot me in the back.”

“It took months of rehab to get to where I’m at now, and I probably won’t ever be able to play sports again like I used to.”

“Don’t run from me,” he whispered against my hair. “I won’t ask for anything you’re not ready to give, and I’ll always be your friend, sweetheart. I’ll be the best friend you’ve ever had. Just stop running. It’s stressful when I don’t know where you are or if you’re safe.”

then Ethan released the smallest of groans, and my control shattered. The last two times we’d kissed had been in the height of a panic attack. They’d served to shock me out of the dark corner of my mind and redirect my focus to something a whole lot more enjoyable. But this time, it was entirely different. My fingers threaded into the back of his short hair, and I pulled him down to me, crushing our lips together and eliminating any question of whether I was still attracted to him.

moaned again as our tongues met, and the sound did incredible things to my insides. Why was that such a turn-on? “Eve…” he groaned between kisses. “Lilith…”

I mentally cursed myself for not wearing a skirt. If not for the pesky jeans, he could just⁠—

Ethan growled, not letting me go. In fact, he dipped back in and kissed my throat while I stared in panic at Brodie. Crap, now my imagination was playing out a fantasy where Brodie came over and joined us…

Andrew let out the most obscenely sexy moan I think I’d ever heard from a man.

“You should mind your fucking business, new girl. You’ve already caused enough issues, and just because my gun is retired for the time being, doesn’t mean it’s gone completely.”

“Are you threatening me, asshole? I could go to the police you know. No NDA stops you from doing illegal shit, and pulling a weapon on a person is fucking illegal.”

“Oh, you poor, delusional idiot. My family owns the police in this town. Fuck, in this entire state. Report me. See what happens.”

this dangerous lunatic was. My words were a whisper when I said, “Why do you hate me so much? To my knowledge, I’ve never done anything to you.”

“It’s not what you’ve done now—it’s what you’re going to do. You’re trouble, Evelyn. The others might want to play happy families and pretend you’re not our downfall, but I know fucking better.”

cupped my face, leaned in, and brushed his lips over mine ever so softly. What the fuck is happening? “Sorry,” Brodie murmured, shifting back just an inch or two. “That was… I should have asked first. Maybe I misread the vibes between us?”

“You didn’t misread anything.” A slow, sexy smile curved his lips. “So…can I kiss you, Evie babe?”

quickly closed the gap between us, but this time his kiss was more confident and eager, melting me into a puddle of goo. If it was a dream, it was one I badly didn’t want to wake up from. “Brodie! Have you seen Eve?”

“Running lines,” I said. At the same time, Brodie replied, “Making out.”

“Someone ate the chicken I’d intended to use for chicken parmesan.” Brodie jogged down the stairs two at a time,

“You’re blushing, Lilith,” he whispered in a husky voice, doing all kinds of unspeakable things to my insides. “Was Brodie flirting?”

“I haven’t stopped thinking about you all day, fantasizing about what could have happened if Brodie didn’t interrupt us after class…”

His head dipped lower, his lips meeting mine for just the briefest moment. “Eth! You get lost or something?” Brodie yelled up the stairs, and I groaned.

“Asshole,”

“We still need to talk, Lilith. A...

“Come on, baby,” he whispered against my cheek. “I’ll keep you safe.”

“Brodie and I kissed.”

Oop

“I don’t… What does that mean? Are you angry?”

“Furious,” he admitted, “but not at you, beautiful Lilith.” “At Brodie?”

“No. That dickhead is too damn loveable for his own good.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Eve. I’m not just your teacher. I’m also eight years older than you and tragically mixed up in a criminal organization. I’m desperately thankful for the moments you give me, but I’m in no position to tie you down and demand exclusivity.”

“There’s no one I’m interested in other than you, Eve. I want to explore whatever this is between us.” “But what about your job? And…Brodie?”

“Don’t get me wrong, sweetheart. I intend to do everything possible to capture your whole focus, but I won’t begrudge you exploring things with him if that’s what you want to do.”

“You won’t be jealous?”

“I will. I’m already intensely jealous of him sitting next to you while I present your Economics of Crime class. Did you even notice he was playin...

“W...

“But⁠—” “Jealousy isn’t a bad thing, Lilith. It just makes things…spicy. Trust me to manage my own emotions, beautiful.”

“But if he hurts you, all bets are off. I’ll fucking kill him.” Holy crap. Why was that dark edge to his threat so hot? Maybe because it wasn’t a threat—it was a promise. The kind that made me go all fluttery and warm inside.

Ethan wrapped his arms around me and yanked me into his chest as his lips crashed against mine. It felt like the storm infiltrated his room and erupted between us, energy crackling as I moaned into his mouth. This time, Ethan didn’t ease up on the kiss, his tongue swiping against my lips, demanding entry. Apparently, he was making good on that intention to consume my focus 100 percent. There was no room between us now for thoughts of any other man, that was for sure.

“Fuck, Eve,” he groaned, gentling a fraction as his hands traced down my spine. “Kissing you is destructive perfection.”

“Ethan, please,” I mumbled, half-delirious from the sensation of his hands and mouth on me. “What do you want, baby?” he rumbled. “You need to tell me exactly. Nothing is going to happen until I hear the words from your pretty mouth.”

“I need you to touch me,”

“Touch me wherever you want, Professor Sullivan. I’m already wet, and I need your mouth on my cunt and your cock inside me. I need you to make me come over and over until I can’t breathe. Until there’s no fear. Please. Please.”

“I’ve been dying to taste you,” he murmured, his touch slow and firm as he traced over my breasts. “I’m going to take my time with you, Evelyn Lewis. I’m going to enjoy every fucking moment of this.”

“Quiet, baby,” he murmured against my skin. “If you bring the other guys, the fun stops.” His teeth pressed down harder, and I had to bite my lip so hard I tasted blood to halt from crying out.

“Oh my god,” I gasped as he hooked his thumbs under the elastic of my panties and tugged them down my legs,

I squirmed in need, and he responded by kissing me right where I needed him. “Ethan,” I moaned, no longer giving a flying fuck who heard us. In return, his tongue flicked my clit, and his finger slid inside my aching pussy. I was already so hot, so wet… “More,” I pleaded, bucking my hips against his face. “I need⁠—” He added another finger, curling them to tease my inner walls and my pleas evaporated into a sultry whimper.

“Had enough, little Lilith?” he purred, cupping my breasts and tweaking my already hypersensitive nipples. Moaning, gasping, boneless…I shook my head. “Not even close, Professor.”

“You’re so freaking sexy,” I marveled, running my hands over his well-toned chest. A dark shadow covered one side of his ribs, curling up over his shoulder and bicep. “Is this ink?”

“Yeah. Want me to turn on the light, so you can take a better look?” He was teasing, but I was tempted. If I didn’t have more urgent plans I probably would have accepted. “Maybe later,”

Just the tip stretched me and my eyes widened with anticipation. Sucking a breath, I lowered myself in a smooth, aching motion right as Ethan hissed my name. “Wait,” he groaned, grasping my hips tight as our pelvises lined up, his entire thick length buried between my folds. “Shit. Eve…condom…”

“I’ve got an IUD,” I whispered, already breathless and trembling with need. “Thank fuck,” he replied with a feral sort of growl. Then flipped us and took all control back. He pounded into me hard enough to shake the bed, each thrust drawing a cry of delight from me as the headboard smacked the wall.