Devour Me

Love Me, Please Ch. 4 Cont

Jasper

I couldn’t get Kenna out of my head. All last night and all throughout today she was driving me absolutely mad. I felt like a restless bundle of energy, like a panther ready to pounce. I wanted to see her again. To see her bent over, exposing herself to me. To see her lips parted, panting, moaning for more. To see her skin flushed from having wild, unrestrained s*x.

Fuck..I was hard again. Groaning, I got up to take yet another cold shower. This was getting ridiculous. How the hell had she gotten under my skin within a matter of days? At this rate, f*****g her would be the only way to get her out of my system. But I couldn’t do that because I knew she would get the wrong idea.

My thoughts started to turn towards the outfit she had worn. What would it have been like if she had worn one of her usual girly outfits? Would I have this same reaction? The shower was running, and I was about to get in when my phone rang. It was Zachary.

“Hello,” I answered.

“Hey, you busy tonight?”

“No, why?” The line muffled for a moment and then he was back.

“The girls and I are going to go to a dinner hosted by one of your brother’s colleagues.” My heart stuttered. My brother invited them? But not me?

“What does this dinner entail?”

“It’s classic jazz vibes. You know the kind.” I groaned. I hated dinners like that. Had gone to them for a lot of my younger years with my parents. But if Jet had invited them…then that meant he might try to make a move on Kenna. No way in hell was I going to let that happen.

“What time?” asking through clenched teeth.

“7:00. At your parents' house as usual. They’re hosting.” Of course they were. I hung up. Just when I was going to try and stay away from Kenna Hawthorn. Just my luck.

7:00 rolled around, and I stepped out of my car into the chilly autumn air. Wind ruffled my bangs but I didn’t bother to fix them. I wore jeans, a skin tight white shirt, and my brown leather jacket. I didn’t always care to dress up for these things. And I knew that would piss off my dad. All the better.

As I walked up the walkway to the front door, jazz music could be heard coming through the closed windows. Opening the door, I was greeted by people mingling throughout the house in cocktail dresses and suits. My eyes scanned for familiar faces as I slipped out of my leather jacket.

All the air left my body as I spotted Kenna first. She wore a blush pink dress that had a tight bodice and skirts that flared out around her hips and fluttered around her legs. The sleeves were off the shoulder and my eyes traced the lines of her delicate collar bones. Then they traveled to her breasts, which were pushed up and seemed to push against the lining of the bodice with every breath. I had wondered how I would react in her usual attire….well, here’s my answer. In the exact same way.

She was absolutely radiant. And I wanted to eat every last inch of her. I took in those who surrounded her. Amelia, of course, and Zachary. Jet was there too and that made my gut clench with jealousy. But what had me prowling swiftly towards their group was the other gentleman who was sizing up Kenna like he already owned her. No f*****g chance.

I came to stand behind Kenna and I felt her tense.

“Good evening,” I said smoothly, sweetly. Jet looked at me in surprise and the man who had been eyeing Kenna looked at me with cool indifference.

“Oh, I’m so glad you could make it,” Jet said. “I knew that Zachary would invite you so I didn’t bother asking you myself.” Cocky.

“It would seem that Zachary has the manners you seem to reserve for everyone else but me.” An insult and he knew it. Jet tensed and glared at me. I shrugged him off.

“Who’s your friend?” I asked nodding to the man next to him. He was also glaring at me.

“I’m Henry. I’m working with your brother on an important project.” I nodded as if I cared but then addressed Kenna.

“You look stunning tonight Kenna. Do you mind if I steal you for a moment?” Everyone wore an equal mask of surprise on their face. But Kenna quickly masked it and gave me a radiant smile. I felt my knees nearly give out.

“No not at all. Come on, I saw some o’dvers I wanted to try over there.” She took my hand in hers and dragged me away but not before I could throw a smirk at the cocky bastard sizing up Kenna earlier. When we stopped at the table further away from the group, she stopped and looked at me. I c****d an eyebrow in return.

“What is going on with you?” she demanded. I shrugged and then reached for a piece of whatever fancy food was set up in ridiculous presentations. Popping it into my mouth, I surveyed the room. “Did you need me for something?” The question was softer, hesitant.

“Not really, I just wanted to interrupt Henry’s perusal of you.” I emphasized Henry’s name making sure she picked up on my disapproval of him.

“And what does it matter if he’s looking at me? A lot of people look at me.” A smile tugged at my lips. She was started to sound exasperated. My gaze slowly came back to look down into twin pools of simmering blue, green, and brown.

“It matters when they only are looking to see what they can get from you physically. When their assessing the goods.” It was true. It mattered that last night’s jerk at the club and tonight’s cocky bastard were both sizing her up to see if they could use her for their own physical pleasure.

“And what about you?” she asked then. My eyes remained locked with hers and I was quiet for a moment.

“What do you mean?” Shifting a step, I broke eye contact now looking anywhere but at her. Guests continued to mingle and were completely oblivious to the growing tension between us.

“Lately, your looks haven’t been full of annoyance but rather heated. Like you’re also assessing the goods.” She threw my terms back at me. Sliding my gaze back to her, I could feel the heat simmering under my hooded eyelids. Narrowing her eyes, I couldn’t help but smile. I never realized how fun it might be to push her buttons.

“If I were assessing the goods then I would already have had you flat on your back crying out my name.” I chuckled as she inhaled sharply.

“Does that mean you think…I’m attractive?” she asked almost tentatively. I didn’t want to admit to her that I did indeed find her attractive. That ever since she returned I haven’t looked at her in the same way.

“Don’t get silly ideas in that head of yours,” I retorted instead. And for the first time, I saw anger flash in those hypnotic eyes.

“Alright then, I won’t,” she declared and then headed back to the group. I watched with rising anger as she immediately went to go stand by Henry giving him a demure and sweet smile. When her hand rested on his forearm, I saw red. I went to go take a step forward but was stopped by a hand on my shoulder.

“I wouldn’t if I were you,” Zachary said. I stopped and turned towards him.

“When the hell did you get here?” I desperately wanted to turn back around and see what Kenna was doing now.

“Obviously, while you were oggling my sister’s ass as she walked away. I’ve never seen such a determined look in her eyes before. What the hell did you do?” He crossed his arms, his muscles rippling under his dress shirt.

“First of all, I wasn’t oggling her. Second of all, it’s none of your damn business.”

“Feisty,” Zachary tsked. “Look, I’m only going to tell you this once and I hope you take it to heart and not your grave. You like my sister. It’s been obvious for years now. I just don't think you ever caught on to your own emotions when it involved Kenna. You’re jealous that other men flock to her like a moth to a flame. And, she’s my sister, so it is my damn business to make sure that my best friend isn’t screwing up a lifetime opportunity.”

I had no words. Nothing. My mind had gone completely blank. I just stared at Zachary. He clapped me on the shoulder. “Speechless, I know. I have that affect on people. But look, if you don’t want Henry’s hands running down Kenna’s ass in oh I don’t know, say another 30 seconds, I’d highly suggest you pull it together and go get her.”

“f**k you,” I growled. “I hope you have payback when it’s your turn with Valerie.” He only chuckled as I turned to make my move.