by Evan Grace
Both the kids had baths before I got there, so I helped Jack get them into their jammies. I think Jack even made me fall in love with him a little bit; he was so good with his grandkids. They climbed all over him, and he didn’t even care.
It was very obvious that they both love him very much, especially Charlie, but then again, I can understand the bond they share since Jack is the one who delivered her.
When Jack gave little Jackson his last bottle and rocked him asleep it made my heart swell, but then it also made me sad. If I ever get lucky and have children, they would only have his parents to be grandparents.
Now I’m lying on a Frozen comforter with Charlie snuggled against me. I ease off the bed and then cover her with her blanket. I bend down, brushing one of her wild brunette curls away from her little cherub face and kiss her forehead.
When I stand up, I freeze. Jack’s watching me from the doorway with a look on his face that warms me all over. On my way out of her room, I turn on her nightlight. I reach Jack and he pulls me into his arms. He doesn’t say anything—just continues to stare at me.
“W-What, Jack?”
He says nothing but then he just bends down and takes my lips in a fierce kiss. Somehow he gets us downstairs and then I’m straddling him on the couch. Jack grips my ponytail, holding me immobile.
I grind against his cock, which is rock hard. Jack moans into my mouth, and I swear I get extremely wet. I grip his t-shirt in my fist, and I’m so blind with lust right now.
“Oh shit!”
I fly up off the couch with Jack standing behind me as Reece and Delilah walk into the living room. My face, I’m sure, is a dark shade of red right now. “I-uh…I-uh…Hi.”
I try to step away from Jack, but he rests his hands on my shoulders and whispers in my ear, “Don’t move.”
I’m not stupid—I know he’s using me to hide that fact that he has an erection from his daughter. Delilah can’t stop smiling, and Reece is coughing to—very poorly—disguise his laughter.
I swear I could seriously cry right now—I’m completely mortified. Maybe Del can tell because she very casually asks how the kids were.
“They were great. Jackson went to bed real good, but Charlie tried to squeeze out as many bedtime stories as she could get before she finally passed out,” Jack says, and his erection is obviously gone because he moves around me to pick up the fort blankets from the floor.
“I appreciate you guys watching them,” Reece says as he moves to help Jack with the mess on the floor.
Delilah asks me to join her in the kitchen for some tea. Once there, she gets the water going and then sits across from me. “What did you guys end up doing?” I ask.
“We went for dinner and then went to see the new Keanu Reeves movie.” She places her hands over her heart. “He gets better and better with age.”
I nod in agreement. It’s obvious she’s trying to make me—again—feel at ease. The tea kettle whistles, and Del gets up. I watch her as she pours each of us a cup. “What do you take in your tea?”
“Um…milk and sugar, please.” She returns to the table with both of our cups. Del takes a sip and sighs. “I miss coffee, but I’ve figured out how to make this almost as good…almost.”
I take a sip, and I’m not a huge fan of tea, but this is pretty good. The guys join us, and I feel just a little awkward when Jack sits next to me and puts his arm on the back of my chair, leaning into me.
We don’t hang out long before Del starts yawning, and to be honest I’m tired too. I stand up with Jack following. They walk us to the door, and Del gives me a hug. Reece surprises me by doing the same.
Jack leads me outside, grabs my hand in his, and walks me to my house. I grab my keys and unlock the door. It’s not even a second thought to bring Jack inside. I lock the front door and drop my keys on the kitchen counter.
I feel him behind me and do a full body shiver as he brushes my ponytail away from my neck. His lips move slowly up my neck, causing goosebumps to break out all over my skin. Jack nips my earlobe and I moan.
He grips my ponytail, using it to tip my head back. I think he’s going to kiss my lips, but instead he begins to lick and nip the skin at the base of my throat. I whimper and hold onto the counter to keep myself from falling over.
With his free hand, Jack reaches around and cups my breast, tweaking my nipple through my bra. I moan and writhe as he assaults every inch of my neck. It’s quite possible that I could have an orgasm right now.
Jack pulls away and roughly turns me around. I’m suddenly in his arms with my legs wrapped around his waist. I grab his face and slam my lips down on his. He moves through my house and then crawls onto my bed with me still wrapped around him.
He wastes no time getting me naked—it’s like I’ve suddenly unleashed the beast inside him. I swear a growl rips from his throat as he moves down my body, sucking one nipple into his mouth. Jack nips the tip, causing me to cry out and arch my back.
He gives the other nipple the same treatment. Again he begins to descend down my body until he reaches my pussy. Jack wastes no time dragging his tongue through my wet folds and sucking my clit into his mouth.
This man eats pussy like he’s on a mission. I moan as he pushes one, then two fingers inside me. He tickles that ridge inside me that makes my body shudder so violently that he has to pin my hips down with an arm across them.
Jack sucks my clit into his mouth, tickles that spot, and then presses down on my lower stomach. A pressure builds and I try pushing his head away, or pulling it closer—I’m so dizzy I can’t tell which is happening.
When I come, I come so hard my vision goes white. I know I’m gushing all over Jack and I can’t even think…I can’t even drum up enough brainpower to be embarrassed.
I’m barely aware of what’s happening before I feel Jack thrust inside me. He kisses me and I taste myself, and fuck me, I’m ready to come again. Jack pulls almost all the way out before thrusting back in. He groans against my mouth, and it makes me quiver.
I feel so full, and even though I’m very wet, it’s still a tight fit. “Fuck baby, you feel so good,” Jack says against my lips before pulling almost all the way out and slamming back into me. “Shit, I’m close already.” He reaches between us and begins to strum my clit.
The feeling below starts to build. Jack grabs my thigh, pulling it up and increasing his thrusts. I cry out as he hits me so deep inside there’s a bite of pain, but I welcome it. “Jack,” I moan as I begin to come again.
If it’s even possible, he starts thrusting harder until he plants himself, buries his face in my neck, and groans as I feel him begin to come.
I stroke his back as we both struggle to catch our breath. Jack pushes up and smiles down at me. “Are you okay? I think I lost control a little bit there.”
I’m smiling like a loon, but I don’t care. I reach up, stroking his cheek. “I’m great.”
“Good. Let me get rid of this condom.” Oh God, I didn’t even realize that he’d put one on. He eases out of me and kisses me between my breasts before disappearing out into the hall, and then a few minutes later he returns to my room.
God, he is so sexy. That’s all I can think as he walks back into the bedroom in all his naked glory. He crawls into bed beside me and pulls me into his arms. “I’m on the wet spot,” I say, snuggling into him. “But I don’t care.”
He flips us around, and I snuggle back into him. “Thank you for spending time with me and the kids tonight.”
“You’re welcome. I had a lot of fun.”
Jack kisses my forehead, and I feel myself falling asleep. The last thought I have is that I’m in trouble. I’m falling for this man already, but I don’t think I could stop it if I tried.
Chapter Ten
Harley
I roll over in bed and moan. My body aches, but it was so worth it. I know it’d been a long time since I’ve been with someone and the same for him—of course he knew how to play my body, causing me to come multiple times.
> I reach out and touch his side of the bed and it’s cold. Did he leave? I sniff the air and don’t smell food cooking. After climbing out of bed, I throw on a pair of sweatpants and a tank top, go into the bathroom and take care of business, then wash my face and brush my teeth.
“Jack?” I call out, but he doesn’t answer. In the living room I peek out the window and see that his truck is still in the driveway. I move to let Fifty out of his cage, but the door is open and he’s not in there.
In the kitchen I find a pot of coffee and pour myself a cup. I move toward the back door and look out. My heart—I swear—skips a beat as I take in the sight in front of me. Jack is in the backyard with Fifty on his leash and Charlie next to him with her little hand in his.
The way he’s smiling at her is a thing of pure beauty. I reach up and touch the tears that are leaking from my eyes. I hate myself because I’m jealous. I hope that sweet little girl knows how lucky she is to have so many people who love her.
I hurry down the hall to my bathroom and splash some cold water on my face. I take a deep breath and get myself together. When I step out into the hall, I hear the back door open.
“Whewes Hawey?” I hear as I walk down the hall.
“She’s sleeping, sweetheart,” Jack answers her.
Moving into the kitchen, I smile when Charlie sees me. “Hi, sweetheart.” She charges me, and I pick her up. “What are you doing?”
“Papa and Fiffy was outside. I go see them.” She wraps her arms around my neck. “I’m hungwy.”
“How about some pancakes?” I ask her and then look at Jack. “Do pancakes sound okay?”
“I actually need to get going. I’ve got a case I’m working on and need to do some follow-up.”
Okay, I wasn’t expecting that. I watch him put Fifty back in his cage and lay his leash on top.
I set Charlie down and she goes over to Jack and takes his hand. “I’m going to take her home, and then head out.” He comes to me and kisses me quickly on the lips. “I’ll call you later.”
Just like that he’s gone, and I feel like I was just given the kiss of death. I lock the back door and pour myself a cup of coffee. After popping a piece of toast in the toaster, I slather it in almond butter and then carry it back into my office. Drowning myself in work will be the perfect way for me to distract myself from wondering about Jack and his sudden departure.
I slip on my noise-canceling headphones, pull up my book, and turn on Pandora.
After two solid hours of watching the blinking cursor, I stand up from my desk. My body is stiff and sore and I take some ibuprofen. I decide to take a break because I just can’t focus, and there’s no sense in sitting in front of my computer when the words aren’t coming.
I remember when writer’s block used to happen in the beginning and I would freak out and cry. Now, I just take a break and try to relax and clear my mind.
In my bedroom I close the room-darkening shades and crawl onto my bed. I bury my nose in the pillow that Jack slept on and inhale his unique woodsy scent. I curl up and clear my mind, and in no time I feel myself fade into a deep sleep.
Bam, bam, bam…Bam, bam, bam.
I push up in my bed. “What’s going on?” I murmur, my voice gruff with sleep.
Stumbling out of bed, I make my way down the hall and look out the window. Jack is at the door fiddling with the lock. I quickly unlock the door and pull it open. Jack rushes in, wrapping his arms around me. “Thank God. You didn’t answer your phone. Del came over and knocked and knocked, and you didn’t answer.”
“I-I was having some writer’s block and laid down for a bit.” That’s when I notice it’s dusk. “What time is it?”
He kisses my forehead and pulls back. “It’s seven.”
“Oh geez, I slept all day.” My stomach growls loudly and Jack chuckles.
“Do you want me to order a pizza?”
I’m so confused right now, and I seriously thought when he left he was gone for good. “Um…yeah, pizza sounds great. I’m going to go get freshened up.” Jack pulls out his phone and kisses me before disappearing into my kitchen.
In the bathroom I brush my teeth and my hair before braiding it. When I head back into the kitchen Jack’s on the phone but holds his hand out to me. “Yeah, sweetheart, she was just asleep and didn’t hear us.” He listens, and I can hear Delilah’s voice but not what she’s saying. “I love you too.”
He sets his phone down and wraps his arms around me. “Sorry I worried you guys. I took some ibuprofen and maybe it knocked me out.”
“I’m just glad you’re okay. I ordered us a large pizza with the works. Is that okay?”
I nod and grab the pitcher of iced tea out of the refrigerator, pouring us both a glass.
When the pizza comes we sit on the couch and demolish half of it. We finish eating and I take the leftover pizza into the kitchen and shove it into the refrigerator. I grab Jack a beer and join him back on the couch.
You’d think because I slept all day I’d be wide awake, but instead I rest my head on Jack’s shoulder while we finish up some western with Chris Pratt and Denzel Washington in it. It isn’t longer before I’m in snoozeville.
I wake as I’m being lifted, and snuggle into him. “I’m sorry I fell asleep. This guy wore me out last night and maybe he zapped all of my energy.”
“Oh yeah? I bet he was really good-looking.”
I giggle and bury my face in his neck, but then pull out. “Ehh…he was okay.”
In my room he tosses me on the bed and follows me down. “Just okay?” He begins tickling my sides until I’m squealing and screaming.
“Okay, stop! You’re hot!” Jack does and then he moves us around until I’m situated lying partially on top of him.
We snuggle up together on my bed, and I draw imaginary circles on his stomach. “Did you get your work done earlier?”
“Yeah, I just had some follow-up phone calls to make, but I got them done.”
I burrow closer. “What made you decide to open Rogue?”
“Before I was discharged from the Army, I knew I wanted to do something that I could use my skills at. I actually worked for another company first, but the guy didn’t know what the fuck he was doing. Egan and I actually worked together there, and we got to be friends. I brought up the idea for Rogue and he told me if I did it that he’d come work for me.”
He gives me a squeeze. “Right before I quit, I started looking into getting the paperwork I needed. To make an extremely dull, long story short, I leased the office space, hired Egan, and then Erik—the rest is history.”
“It sounds like you guys do an amazing job. Did you ever find out if they could pick up any prints on the box?”
Jack sighs. “Unfortunately too many people handled it. They couldn’t get a clear print. My buddy said the P.O. Box was a dummy address so they couldn’t trace it to anyone. Basically it was a dead end. Have you gotten any more emails?”
I hesitate, but I know I need to tell him. “Yeah, she asked me if I liked the gift she sent and if I threw it in the trash, because that’s where it belongs.”
He climbs out of my bed and pulls me up with him. He stalks down the hall to my office, flips on the light, and stands next to my computer. “Pull up the email.”
I sit down at my desk and do as he says. I get up and he sits down. “What are you doing?”
“I’m forwarding this to Egan to see if he can trace it and find the origin of the email. I wish you still had the others.”
I’m starting to see that deleting them wasn’t the smartest move. “I wish I still had them too. At the time I just didn’t think they were important.”
Jack pulls me down onto his lap. “Not important? You don’t know how fucked up people are. If this person is targeting you, it could get really nasty. Hopefully Egan will be able to find the origin.”
“I wasn’t freaked out before, but I am now.”
He stands up, sets me down on my feet, and pulls me into his arms. “
Don’t be freaked, but it wouldn’t hurt to keep the doors locked even during the day. If you want, we can get some security cameras set up.”
I shake my head. “I don’t think I need all of that.”
“Well, I want you to tell me right away if you receive any emails, any more packages. I don’t care. Even if you think that something is insignificant, I want you to tell me.” I hate to admit that he’s kind of sexy when he’s all growly and bossy.
“I promise I’ll tell you.” I wrap my arms tightly around his waist. “Why do people have to be so mean? I write erotic romance, but the main component is love. What’s so wrong with that? Doesn’t everyone want love?”
Jack’s body stiffens and I know I’ve said too much, or he thinks that’s what I want from him. Oh sure I do, but I’m going to deny it because in reality love only exists for a lucky few, and I’m just not one of them.
I let go of him and back up. He moves toward me. “This is going to sound terrible, and I don’t want it to, but I’m not relationship material. The shit with Del’s mom fucked me up.”
Is it possible to fall in love with someone in a very short period of time? Is it possible that I’ve made a mistake falling for the man in front of me? I shouldn’t have done it because he treated me so hot and cold before, but I still gave him a chance.
“You know, I’m really tired. I think I’m going to head to bed. Lock up on your way out.”
I feel him step up behind me. “I should’ve stayed away from you.”
“I never said I was looking for love. What I meant was everyone loves to read about falling in love.” I motion between us. “This just started between us, but thanks for doing me the favor and ending this now before I became too invested in someone who isn’t ‘relationship material.’”
“We’ll talk tomorrow,” he says, moving toward the front door.
“I don’t think so. I think you and I have said all that we need to.” Jack stares at me, and I don’t let him see the hurt I feel. It shouldn’t be there at all because we—or whatever we were was so new. “Take care, Jack.”