“You don’t have to do that, Jack—” he cuts me off.
“I know I don’t, but I want to. Also, if my mom finds out that your family’s here, she’s going to want to have them over for one of our family dinners. I hope that’s okay with you.”
“That sounds nice, actually.” I pull back and look at him. He’s fucking beautiful. I lean in and smash my mouth against his. Before it gets too intense, I pull away and ask if he wants anything to drink.
“Yeah, a beer if you got one.”
“Okay,” I say, going into the kitchen. I pour myself a glass of wine and get him an ice-cold beer. When I walk back into the living room, I see a dark expression pass across Jack’s face. I instantly stop.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“What the fuck’s that?” he asks, pointing to my underwear.
Oh shit! I forgot what type of panties I put on this evening.
“Duh, it’s Edward Cullen,” I say, looking down at the panties with my favorite vampire’s face on the crotch. “Haven’t you watched Twilight?” I ask.
“Fuck no! The next time you want a face on your pussy, all you have to do is ask. Now take them off,” he demands. A shiver runs through my body at his show of dominance. I put our drinks down on the end table and seductively peel off my panties. “The tank top, too,” he growls. I obediently slip it off over my head and toss it to the side.
“Come here,” he orders. I walk over to him and he kisses me with passion and hunger. He kneels down to the floor placing kisses all over my body. He then lies back on the floor.
“Sit on my face.” I feel another wet gush between my legs as I react to his command.
I kneel down and crawl up his body.
“Hold on to the couch while I eat this beautiful, wet pussy,” he groans.
I place my two hands on the couch and hold on for dear life as I straddle his face. His mouth does wicked things to my pussy as he licks and nips every sweet inch of it.
“Oh, Jack … Please God,” I moan. His tongue teases me and brings me to the brink of orgasm several times, but he slows his movements and sometimes even stops all together. What the fuck is he playing at? It’s driving me fucking insane.
“What do you want? Tell me,” he says.
“I want to come on your face and then ride your cock so hard. Please, Jack I’m so close,” I moan.
He sucks on my clit and pushes two fingers inside me, and I lose it, shuddering and screaming out my release. He continues to assault me until I come down from my high. I hear the sound of a zipper being pulled down and then a crinkle from a condom wrapper. Suddenly, he’s pulling my hips back and slamming into me in one hard thrust.
“So fucking tight, Payton,” he grunts between gritted teeth.
I start lifting myself up and down his hot, hard shaft, feeling my climax start to build once again. He then starts slamming his hips upward in urgent thrusts.
“I can’t wait, Payton, you close?” he chokes out.
“Yeah, baby,” I moan, and then I’m convulsing around him in another Jack-induced orgasm. We remain on the floor with me lying on top of him, our breathing heavy, his arms stroking my back and our legs tangled together. After a few minutes and the side effects of our climaxes subsiding, he stands and then picks me up in his strong tattooed arms. He carries me to the bedroom, lays me down on the bed and joins me.
Lying on my side facing him, I ask, “You’re not really good with giving me time and space, are you?” He grips my waist and twists my body around so that his sculpted chest is pressed against my back. His arm snakes around my waist pulling me tight against his body.
“Nope. Thought we’d already established that we wasted enough time apart,” he says softly against the back of my neck. God, I love that answer.
“Night, baby,” he says, kissing my neck.
“Good night, Jack,” I return, closing my eyes in contentment.
I have another peaceful night’s sleep, except this one’s ten times better because Jack’s here with me.
Chapter 18
Justin Bieber
Waking up the next morning, I feel an arm pull me back against a rock hard body. I turn my head to see an exhausted looking Jack wearing a frown on his face. What’s wrong with him? I just experienced one of the most amazing nights in a long time, and for once nothing screwed it up, thank God.
“Morning,” I mutter.
“Morning,” he returns. “How’d you sleep?”
“Amazing. How about you?”
“Couldn’t sleep,” he answers.
“Why? What’s wrong?” I ask. Worry strikes me that it’s because of what he found out about my past. We had what I thought was really hot sex last night. Maybe he’s finally realized that it’s a mistake, and he doesn’t want me anymore—that he never wants to touch me again.
“I did something that I shouldn’t have last night,” he whispers, pulling me tighter against his body.
I try to pull away from him, knowing that I’m right in what I’m thinking. His arm tightens as I struggle to escape. I don’t get it. If he doesn’t want me, why’s he doing this? Why won’t he let me go so I can leave already?
“That’s not what I meant, Payton,” he says sternly.
“Please tell me what you mean then, Jack. ‘Cause you’re making it kind of obvious that you shouldn’t have touched me last night because of what happened,” I start yelling at him. Panic sets in, pulling tight at my belly. I think I might actually get sick. This is it. He’s going to leave me. What am I going to do? You’re strong, Payton. You’ll pull through this shit, just like you do with everything else. You’ll move on and concentrate on your friends and family. I try giving myself a mental pep talk, but it’s not helping. Despair is crushing on my chest.
“I shouldn’t have touched you last night like I did. Jesus, Payton, I acted like a fucking animal. I’ll never forgive myself for that. I should’ve been gentle and made love to you, but instead I was rough and fucked you. I’m so sorry, baby. I hope you can forgive me,” he pleads.
Say what? That’s definitely not what I expected.
“Jack, what we did last night is something that I needed. I’m glad that you did it. You showed me that I still have the same effect on you that I always have. After everything that’s come out about me, I’ve been afraid that you wouldn’t ever want to touch me again. Right now, I need to know how much you still enjoy being with me and last night was perfect,” I explain to him, trying to ease his guilt.
“How could you not know how much I want you? I already told you that the day after the party, but I really do think you need to talk to someone, Payton. You’ve managed to physically survive the initial trauma of the rape, but your brain’s effectively shut down any efforts to heal because you never told anyone and kept it to yourself. In your head, you blame yourself, but you’ve got to realize that what they did was on them. Not you. Rape isn’t an act of sex. It’s an act of power and dominance. And what better way to show that power and dominance over you than to threaten your sister and friend. With that one threat, they silenced you for them to continue their depravity. I know what happened to you was horrible, and they planted a load of bullshit in your head about you being a whore and not being good enough for anyone. They couldn’t be more fucking wrong. You are the strongest and bravest person I know, and I have complete faith in you. You’ve got this.”
“Thank you, Jack. I’m beginning to realize that it wasn’t my fault, but after so many years of being what they told me I was, it really fucks with your mind, and you start believing what they said was right. I’m planning on going to a rape crisis center when I get back to Del Mar. Would you help me with that?” I ask.
I roll over to look at him, and I can see nothing but pride in his facial expression, which spreads a warm happy feeling through me. I cup his face with my hand and place a tender kiss on his lips. I never thought I would have anything like this, but look at me now. I’m in bed with a sexy as fuck man who cares
for me so much. He looks past all the damage to find the real me. I know I’m in love with him, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to tell him yet. What if it’s too much for him to hear?
“I looked into it already. That’s what I did yesterday before I started searching for you. I checked with a few colleagues and they all recommended a Dr. Lansin. Said she’s the best you can get. I called her office and spoke with her briefly, explaining your situation. I didn’t tell her exactly what happened—that’s your story, not mine. I also told her that money’s no object. I don’t care how much it costs for you to get the help that you need. I want you to get better and realize that you are … amazing, and you can be so much more, Payton. Will you go see Dr. Lansin?”
How the hell can I say no after that?
“Of course I will, but there’s no way in hell you’re paying for it. I can take care of it. I don’t want to owe you anything,” I try to explain. I can tell by the scowl currently forming on his gorgeous face that he doesn’t get it. So I try again. “What if we don’t work out, Jack? I don’t want to be with anyone else, but if something hap—”
He cuts me off by pressing a finger to my lips.
“Payton, if we don’t work out, then we don’t work out. Right now, though, we’re together, and I want nothing more than for you to get better and be able to focus on your future. The way it should’ve been. So I’m taking care of it. If we don’t last for some unexpected reason then fine, but I want to spend the rest of my fucking life knowing that I took care of you through all this shit. You will never owe me anything.”
His fingers lightly trace the tattoo on my hip. With a tender look he whispers, “They broke you, but I’m going to try my hardest to fix you.”
I bury my face into the crook of his neck, sobbing quietly. He pulls me away from him and looks at me. “I told you what’s going to happen, so now let’s focus on the future. Take it one day at a time. Speaking of days, what would you like to do today?”
“I’ve never been fishing before, and I know Ryder has a boat here. Will you take me?” I ask.
“Well, I think I have just died and gone to heaven—my sexy girl wants to go fishin.’ Fuckin’ A. Now I know you’re the perfect woman.”
When he looks down at me, I see appreciation glowing behind his expression.
“I was a tomboy when I was a kid. I always wanted to go fishing, but my dad passed away before we ever got the chance and Daddy-O isn’t really the outdoorsy type. So I never got to go.”
“Lucky for you, my dad taught me well before he died,” he says.
“I’m sorry. If it’s too hard for you to do, we don’t have to,” I whisper, feeling bad about making him remembering things he misses about his father. I know the feeling all too well.
“Baby, my dad and I spent a lot of time fishing, and I have nothing but wonderful memories, but I want to create new ones with you. Go get ready, and I’ll get the boat and shit ready,” he says, rolling out of bed.
We spend the whole day fishing on the lake. Well, we do more talking than actual fishing. We don’t catch any fish, but we definitely catch up on each other’s lives—especially about stuff that’s happened to us over the two years since we’ve met.
We dock the boat, unload our supplies, and head back to the cabin. Once inside, we look around the kitchen and realize that we have nothing to prepare for dinner. We were hoping we’d catch dinner tonight. I suggest we go into town to eat at one of the cozy restaurants that I noticed yesterday.
Not one to waste water, I hop in the shower with Jack. Who knew showering could be so much fun? I explore every inch of his ripped body with my hands and mouth, to which he returns the favor. When our skin starts getting wrinkled like raisins, we reluctantly get out of the shower. I’m wearing the new purple sundress and silver sandals I purchased in one of the local shops, and Jack looks hot as ever in his casual t-shirt, jeans, and boots. No one pulls off casual like Jack. We get into my car and drive into town.
I asked around the other day where the best place to eat was and everyone recommended ‘Jen’s Place.’ The restaurant looks cozy and romantic, and the smells coming from the kitchen are to die for. I order the stuffed chicken breast with rice on the side while Jack orders the steak and baked potato. When our food’s brought out, I’m completely shocked. Everything looks delicious, but the proportions are unbelievably large. I groan after taking my first mouthful. Oh. My. God. So yummy! I think we’ll definitely be coming here again. Of course, I can’t finish my food because of how much there is, but Jack has no problem cleaning off his plate and then finishing mine. How the hell does he keep the body he has with all of the food he can put away? All I have to do is look at it, and I’ll gain ten pounds.
After we finish, we head back to the cabin where Jack decides to build a fire outside. What a way to end a perfect day, snuggled up to my man beside a roaring fire. I go inside to change, pulling on a pair of comfy jeans and a sweater. Then I grab a cooler and fill it with beer and a bottle of wine. I also grab a wine glass.
Heading back outside, I see Jack already has the fire going and is sitting on a tree stump. What surprises me is that he’s holding a guitar and strumming a tune, quietly singing. The song sounds vaguely familiar, but I’m not sure what song it is.
“What are you playing?” I ask as I approach. It sounded really nice.
“Something new that I learned,” he replies.
“I didn’t know you played guitar,” I say.
“Been playing since I was in high school.”
“You’re really good. Is there anything you can’t do?” I ask him, enviously. I always wanted to learn how to play an instrument, but never took the time.
“Not sure. I’m sure there’s something I can’t do,” he teases.
I lay the cooler down on the ground and take a beer out for him and pour myself a glass of wine.
“Can you play me something?” I ask, sitting down by his feet and sipping from my glass.
“Sure.”
He sets his beer down on the ground and started strumming the guitar strings. This song sounds familiar, too. It’s right at the tip of my tongue, but I can’t name it. Then he starts singing the lyrics, and that’s when I recognize what he’s playing. Oh no, he didn’t.
“Why the fuck are you playing ‘Boyfriend’ by Justin Bieber?” I ask, smirking.
“What? Look at all the pussy that little fucker gets. A guy can only try,” he returns with that panty-dropping grin. I lean over and slap him on the back of the head.
“How the hell do you even know a Justin Bieber song?”
“I do have two small nieces,” he reminds me, rubbing the spot where I smacked him. “Okay, being serious now. I have a song that I just learned recently. I heard it on the radio one day, and it made me think of you,” he tells me.
He starts playing the same familiar tune that he was playing when I first walked outside. As he gets a little further I recognize it as “Believe” by Staind. Listening to the lyrics of the song, I wonder if he’s asking me to believe in him, or if he’s just playing the song. Regardless, I do believe in him, and I want him to know how much.
When the song is over, I stand up, take his guitar out of his hand, and place it on the ground leaning against the tree stump. I extend my hand out to him. When he grasps my fingers I give his hand a tug for him to stand and follow me to the cabin. I intend to show him everything that I have to offer.
Chapter 19
Trust Me
Jack
The second I step foot inside the cabin, I release Payton’s hand and sweep her up into my arms. She lets out a soft squeal, and buries her face between my neck and shoulder. I carry her to the master bedroom and quickly, but gently, set her down on the edge of the bed.
“I’m going to draw you a bath,” I tell her, kissing the top of her head before heading toward the bathroom.
Once the water’s at a comfortable temperature, I pour some of her bubble bath in and walk back into the bedroo
m where Payton’s waiting. She looks up at me with her gorgeous brown eyes and that just about does me in, but I stop myself because this time I’m going to do it right by her. Tonight’s going to be slow and gentle. Tonight’s all about the love. Fuck, I told myself I’d never fall in love with a woman again, and what did I go and do? But I never really stood a chance with Payton. I can’t explain it, but the moment I saw her, I knew there was something about her. And I can’t wait to see where it leads.
“You going to say something or are you just going to stand there and ogle me?” she asks teasingly.
Still not saying anything, I march over toward her and grab hold of her hand, standing her up. I slowly and methodically remove each piece of her clothing, revealing more and more of her flawless skin. When I get to her last article of clothing, and my personal favorite, her panties, I trace my finger along the hem from one hip, across her belly and ending at the other hip. Then I snag my fingers into the sides and tug them down her hips and thighs until they’re around her ankles. She rests her hands on my shoulders and steps out of them.
I gradually make my way back up her body, my hands memorizing every perfect curve. She releases a sudden gasp as my fingers graze her pussy, and I can’t help but chuckle against her navel. Patience, Jacky Boy. It’ll be worth it in the end, I remind myself. Her nipples pebble as I gently caress her breasts, but I resist the urge to taste them. Not now, but definitely later. Once fully standing, I can’t help but absorb all the beauty that is Payton Clare. She takes my breath away. I was a fucking idiot to let two years go by without having this.
After finding out about the rape, I think it made her even more beautiful in my eyes. She’s damaged but, at the same time, strong and resilient. She’ll get through this with the help from all of the people who love her.
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