by Lea Hart
“Jack, is any of this true?”
“Ron, I’m surprised that you asked me that after all these years. The woman’s claims are completely false, and it will be proven at the earliest possible date.”
“So we’ve seen pictures of you with a woman around town in the last couple of weeks. Do you want to tell us anything about her?”
“No! But I will tell you this…I’m one lucky son a bitch, because I’ve met the woman who I’m going to marry and spend the rest of my life with. I just have to clean up this mess and make sure she knows that I’m worth the hassle. I have some work to do, but I’m confident that I’m going to be a married man by this time next year.”
“That’s a bold statement,” Ron replied.
“You guys know me. I go after what I want, and I don’t give up until I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. And this is no different.”
“How does she feel about all of this?”
“Like I said, I have some work to do. So if you guys can make me seem like a good guy, then I’d sure appreciate it.” He stared into the camera and smiled. “See you soon, sweetie.” He hoped that his audacious statements during the interview would let Ana know how serious he was, and he hoped that his declaration wasn’t going to blow up in his face.
********
Alex stood next to Ana, as they watched their friends in the pool.
“Sorry you missed your chance this year for a run at the Series.” Ana took off her sunglasses, studied him, and wondered how much it bothered him. It seemed like he didn’t have a care in the world, but she knew that wasn’t true. Maybe the trip to Mexico hadn’t turned out quite like he expected. “What are you going to do in the off season?”
Alex stared out over his massive backyard and the pool that his friends were enjoying and questioned if there was more. More of what he didn’t know, because every dream he had as a kid had come true. So there wasn’t any reason to feel so hollow. “I haven’t decided if I’m going to go home next month or not. Your cousin still needs some help with his pitching, and I told him I would hang out for a while and make sure that he was on the right track. I may stay in town until after the holidays.”
“Do you feel as bad as you sound? What’s going on, Alex? And don’t tell me it’s about how your season ended. There is something more, and I expect you to tell me sooner rather than later. You can brood for a little longer, and then I’m calling you on it.”
“That’s the problem. I can’t quite figure out what it is yet. It seems like it’s more than just the usual post-season let-down.”
“If you want someone to talk to, then I expect you to call me. I’m more than happy to listen. Sometimes, getting everything you ever dreamed of is hard. It’s just about that time that you have to start figuring out what you really want and what’s going to make you happy. That’s not easy stuff.”
Alex continued to stare out at the pool and put his hand out, and Ana placed hers in his. They squeezed for a minute and then smiled at one another. “I’m sure glad you ended up being my best friend. You are my sister from another mother.”
“I don’t know, Alex; we might still be related. We never really figured that out. Our mothers are carbon copies of one another, and it took them twenty seconds to become best friends when they met when we were freshman.”
He laughed in agreement. “I’ll let you know when I get closer to figuring it out. Maybe we need a marathon movie night.”
“Let me know when you’re ready. We’ve only made it halfway through the Bond movies, so it may be time to get back to them.”
“James Bond and take-out. Sounds pretty damn perfect. Is your new boyfriend going to give you a night off?” He felt her hand come out and punch him. It was a good thing that she was so lousy at it, because she just hit his pitching arm.
“I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. Jack is not the boss of me.”
“Does he know that? Because he just declared that he’s marrying you on national television. I’m thinking he may be on a different track than you.”
Ana put her glasses back on and stared straight ahead. “Why the heck did he do that, Alex? Do you think he’s crazy? Perhaps he’s taken too many hits to the head? We’ve been dating for a couple of weeks and only went on one real date, and that ended up with me in the ER. I think I’m going to order a CAT scan, because clearly things have gotten jumbled up in his head.”
“You got to him, Ana. I think a lot of times that’s it how it happens for guys. We go through life unaware and oblivious, and then one day we meet someone, and that’s it. It’s like getting hit in the head, and there’s no recovery in sight.” He felt her eyes on him and knew she was studying him. He’d be lucky to get out of this alive.
“So who is it, Alex? Who hit you in the head?”
He crossed his arms across his chest and clamped his mouth shut. “No one.”
“Liar, liar, pants on fire.”
“Very mature.” He was going to keep his mouth shut if it killed him. There was no way he was going to confess anything. He chanced a glance in her direction and noticed the expression she had on her face. “I don’t care what look you give me. I have nothing to share with the class. And you can’t make me.”
“Oh my God! You’ve fallen for my cousin Lourdes.”
He practically shouted his response. “How in the hell do you do that? Every freaking time you figure it out by just staring at me. I hate your brain.”
She laughed and sat in the chair. “You realize that she’s never going to give you a chance. You represent everything she is trying to get away from. Her dream man has blond hair, and he works for a bank and can trace his roots back to the Mayflower.”
“Trust me. I get that, because she’s told me enough times. You’d think that I would’ve gotten the message by now, but no.” He sat next to her and pushed his glasses on his head and shrugged. “We are destined to be together, and it’s going to be a struggle to get there, but maybe that’s okay. I’ve never really had to work hard at anything I’ve achieved. I guess this is my chance. I hope we both come out of it in one piece. Because it’s going to happen between us.”
“How can you know?”
“I kissed her, and she got inside of me.”
“That’s it.”
“Yeah, pretty much. Men are simple creatures, and when it happens, that’s it. We don’t really question it like women do. We accept the truth a lot faster than you do. We don’t have to analyze it to death and discuss it with our friends for six months to be sure.”
She watched everyone get out of the pool and dry off. “Well, I wish you good luck, because you’re going to need it. You know she’s not going to marry you until she’s done with her residency. She wants to have her practice up and running before she even thinks about it.”
“I know. I think marrying a pediatrician is going to prove to be one of my best decisions, because a lot of people tell me that I’m still a kid.” He laughed at his own joke and watched their friends walk toward them. “I’m going to get the steaks and start the bar-b-que.” He kissed her head before he walked back into the house.
It was interesting to think of their group dating and having relationships. It was certainly something new, for everyone except Alex. But now that they were all done with their educations for the most part, it made sense that they would all move on to the next step of adult life. But were they ready for the next phase of adulthood? That was the million-dollar question.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Monday
“What time did you get in last night?” Ana draped her arm across Jack’s chest as she felt his hand run up and down her back.
“It was late. I think it was around two before I crawled into bed. You sleep like the dead, sweetie. I think it would’ve taken a bomb to get a reaction out of you.”
“I know. It’s a miracle that I’m able to wake up in time for work.” Rolling out of his arms, she sat up and glanced around. She was trying to decide if she sho
uld go make coffee before her shower or just jump in. She felt Jack sit up, and he pulled her hand so that she would turn to him. Looking into his eyes, she noticed how serious he appeared and wondered what was bothering him. “What’s wrong?”
“We haven’t seen each other since Friday, and you’re about to get out of bed. Do you believe the stories that woman is spreading around?”
Twisting completely around, she slung her legs over his hips, and took his big hands in hers. “I don’t believe them, but I can’t say that it doesn’t bother me.” His face scrunched up, and he shook his head in frustration. Leaning forward, she kissed his chest and let her head rest there. “What are you worried about, Jack?”
His fingers moved on top of her hands, and it took him a long moment to respond. “I don’t want you to change your mind about me, because of what my life sometimes entails.” He moved his hand and let his fingers trace the contours of her face. No one would ever be more beautiful to him than this woman. The desire to wrap her up and keep her bound to him for the rest of their lives almost swamped him. Could someone please give him an iron-clad guarantee that she would always be at his side? The question was irrational, but it didn’t seem to make a difference. “Tell me how I can fix this.”
“I don’t think it’s for you to fix. As long as you always tell me the truth, then we can figure it out.” She leaned her face into his hand and closed her eyes. She hated this nonsense, but not enough to let him go. Slowly opening her eyes, she straightened up and thought about what she wanted to say. “I looked her up last night on the internet. She’s very shiny and blond. How long did you date her?”
“I went on one group date and one regular date, and that’s it. We didn’t have anything in common. She just wanted to say that she slept with a football player.” He ran his hand down his face and let his shoulders relax. “Sweetie, I’m not really into bright, shiny things. I feel like shiny covers something that you wouldn’t find interesting otherwise. Women like that are one thunderstorm away from dull. Once everything gets washed off, nothing interesting would be left. You, on the other hand, would just end up looking prettier. I’d love to see you caught in the rain, because the idea of seeing you all wet and sexy is mind-blowing.” He felt her hand against his chest and noticed that she had covered his heart. That was her gut instinct, to protect his heart. He covered her hand with his and locked eyes with her.
“For your information, I look like a wet dog when I’m caught in the rain.” She felt his chest rumble as laughter spilled out of him. “No really, it’s not attractive.”
Pulling her into his lap, he let his mouth fall to her shoulder, and dragged his lips across her skin. It was as though a drug had entered his system, because he felt lightheaded and flooded with sensations. Her body relaxed as he slid his lips up her neck. Placing small kisses along her neck, he made his way to the spot behind her ear. It had proven to be a magic spot before, and he was interested to find out if it was still true. A shudder ran through her body as he pressed his mouth against her. Definitely still worked. Lifting his mouth, he whispered into his ear, “I’ll take you any way that I can get you. Wet or dry doesn’t matter to me.” He kissed her cheek, her nose, her eyes, and finally her mouth. Once he captured her lips, he didn’t let go, because he needed to remind her about the truth of them. Whatever the outside world was saying couldn’t touch what they had between them. The two of them in this room sitting on the warm, morning sheets was all that mattered. Running his tongue along her lips until she opened to him, he took it for the welcome it was and mated his mouth against her. His hands moved to her face and he held her gently. He felt himself fall into her grace, her kindness and his desire. It roared down his spine and left him breathless.
Lifting her mouth from his, she peered through desire-laden eyes at the man who was stealing her heart. Moving her finger to trace his lips, she let out a shaky breath. “How can you make an ordinary kiss feel like it’s magic? My heart is racing, and I feel lightheaded.” She leaned forward, let her lips fall against his, and was instantly under his spell. She felt his hand slip under her t-shirt and move up her body. He let her lips go momentarily as he took her shirt over her head. She watched his enormous hand glide up the center of her body and was mesmerized by the effect he had on her. Her stomach muscles tensed, and she let out a little laugh. “I’m ticklish.”
Tipping her back across the bed, he bent over and gave her a devilish grin. “Sweetie, you never should have told me that. Now, I’m going to have some real fun.” He leaned back on his legs and quickly removed her panties. Tilting forward, he let his mouth fall to her hipbone and rained small sweet kisses across her skin. “Now, lie back and let me find all the spots that are ticklish.” He felt her hand slide into his hair as he kissed his way across her stomach. He felt her start to wiggle and figured he was getting close. He looked up and smiled into her eyes. “Now behave, or I’m really going to torture you.” He was greeted with the sound of her laugher as she flopped down against the bed. “That’s better.”
“Just remember that you might not enjoy the payback, Jack.”
“If it involves our two naked bodies and your mouth somewhere on mine, then I’m willing to live with the consequences.” He dragged his tongue along her stomach and moved up her body until he captured a breast in his mouth. He moved his lips against her nipple and felt it harden against his tongue. She tasted like the most perfect vanilla ice cream in the world. Sweet and rich with a hint of darkness underneath. “It’s going to have to be more than once today, because it’s been too long.”
Her head fell to the side, and she kissed his hand.
He let his fingers slip into her folds and discovered she was as ready as he was. Her legs fell open in invitation, so he tilted his hips and waited for her to give him the signal. She smiled into his eyes as the word, “Please,” fell from her lips. He pushed his hips forward in one strong thrust and was fully inside paradise. He’d never been inside a woman bareback before, and he hoped that he could hold on long enough to make sure he satisfied her. He felt her hand skate to his shoulder as he started to move with long, slow strokes. The pleasure of being enveloped in her tightness blew all of his brain cells as he turned into an animal, operating on instinct and his driving need for release. He lifted her leg over his arm and felt her hips tilt up as he sank deeper inside her body.
He stroked her again and felt her body tense against his.
Her release was hanging there on the cliff, and she needed him to move. “More, Jack.” His response was heavy deep thrusts that let her body fall sweetly into oblivion. She knew she shouted something as she flew apart, but she wasn’t sure what. Her release allowed him to let go, and she was the recipient of all of Jack’s passion and strength as he moved in and out of her body. Her name fell from his lips as he poured himself into her body.
Every cliché happened to him as he came inside of her body. It fed some animal instinct that he wasn’t aware he had. He was marking her as his as his seed filled her body. He wanted to do it over and over again for the rest of his life. He wanted to make sure that she would always be his. He collapsed on top of her, rested for a moment, and then quickly rolled off. Pulling her into his arms, he buried his face in her neck and felt her hair all around him. Somehow, she was giving him the benefit of the doubt, and he wanted to do everything to make sure that he was worthy of her trust. Her small hand traced his chest, and a smile spread across his face. His eyes closed, and he felt himself relax against her touch.
When he was finally able to crack an eye open, he lifted his head, peered into her face, and realized that she’d fallen asleep. He rolled over, kissed her, and pulled up the blankets. He threw his leg over hers and closed his eyes.
********
They stood against the counters, facing one another, and drank their coffee. “I told you that I had some new ideas.” Jack smirked.
Ana tried to hide a smile behind her coffee cup as she returned his gaze. Her face was starting
to heat at the memory of what happened in the shower. She watched Jack set his cup on the counter and take a step toward her.
He took her cup and put it next to his. Pulling her against his body, he hugged her tightly.
Sighing, she laid her head against his chest. When had she become a woman who sighed when in the arms of her boyfriend? She was in deep with this man, and she had a feeling that there was no reversing course.
“See how well we fit together. We are two pieces of a puzzle that lock together perfectly. Did you know that my game yesterday was one of my best? I haven’t put up stats like that in a long time. My coach told me last week that my focus and performance have been off the charts, and he wondered what I had changed. I showed him a picture of us on my phone, and he told me that you were a pretty good-looking reason for change.”
“Ella told me that you are already having an amazing season. I can’t believe our dating is having that much effect on your performance.”
“Sweetie, that touchdown I made yesterday was all because of you. There’s nothing that you’re going to say that’s going to change my mind.”
Pulling away, she stared into his eyes and saw how sincere he was. It was crazy to think that he believed it. As the thought circled her brain, she realized that he’d had an effect on her life as well. After the first time they were intimate, she’d had a major breakthrough on an idea for her research. The more time she spent around him, the more her brain quieted and the more she was able to focus. Putting her hand on his neck, she pulled him toward her. “Give me a kiss, Jack Ellis, because I’ve decided that you’re having a pretty positive effect on me as well.” His lips moved to hers, and soon, she was lost in his magic.
Both of their phones started buzzing, which signaled that they were both receiving texts at the same time. Somewhere in Ana’s desire-fogged mind, she knew it was going to be bad. Releasing his lips, she gave him a small smile. “I have a feeling that reality is calling. I don’t really feel like answering, but I guess we’d better.”