by A. P. Watson
Jacks poured more whiskey for both of us. We clinked our glasses together before downing their contents. “You know, your whiskey-shootin’ abilities are quite impressive.”
“‘Whiskey-shootin’ abilities’ just doesn’t sound right coming out of your mouth.”
“I agree. It sounds much better coming out of yours.” His breath warmed my ear as he spoke.
I chewed on my lip slightly and turned to face him. “Just what am I going to do with you?”
The tips of his fingers toyed with the edge of my skirt, lightly grazing the skin along my back. “I can provide you with a few ideas if you need me to.”
I laughed at his reply, feeling drunk off whiskey and his presence. Apparently, I was being as loud as Ter, because more than a few heads turned in our direction. “Quick, look at me,” I ordered. “Am I drunk?”
“Nope.” He stared at me seriously. “You’re beautiful.”
I absentmindedly swept a strand of hair behind my ear. “That’s a good answer.” Something wet touched the back of my leg, breaking our moment. Ford gazed up at me, tongue hanging out and tail wagging. “Hi there, baby.”
“I think he’s adopted you as his person.”
“That’s fine with me. Are you gonna be my snuggle buddy, Ford?”
He jumped up and placed his paws on my hip. “I guess if I ever come home and notice he’s missing, I’ll know where to find him.”
“I would never steal your dog,” I stated, feigning offense. “I’d write you a note and let you know I was simply borrowing him.”
“Right.”
“Jackson,” Stacey called as she approached us. “Would you mind giving Gina and me a tour of your place?”
“Of course.” Reluctantly, Jacks’s hand left my waist. “You coming?” he asked low enough that only I could hear him.
“You go ahead. I’m going to use the restroom.”
“Okay.”
I checked on all the food we’d set out, making sure everything still looked presentable. A small dent had been made in the sushi, and I made a mental note to sample it once I returned from the bathroom. Something solid needed to be added to the newly established distillery swirling inside my gut. Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time so far, and I felt a swell of contentment. Ryan and Ter were deep in conversation with Morrison. Their arms wrapped around one another’s waists, glowing with happiness.
I slipped out of the kitchen, heading toward Jacks’s bedroom. I figured no one would be using it because the guest bathroom was closer, and I needed a moment to myself. After finishing my business, I did a quick check of my hair and lipstick before turning off the light and stepping into the bedroom.
“There you are.” Henry’s voice slithered across the room, eliciting my gag reflex.
“You just don’t know when to quit, do you?”
“And there is that mouth again.”
“I’ve already told you that I wouldn’t have dinner with you, so why do you keep cornering me?”
“Because, eventually, I know you’ll give in.”
“I wouldn’t count on it. I’ve got more resolve than you can imagine.”
He took a step in my direction, causing a lump to get caught in my throat. “You don’t have to like me in order for me to give you what you need.”
“And what do you think I need?”
“Do you really need me to tell you?” His hands grasped my waist before I could slip away. In a single swift motion, he pinned me against the wall next to the bathroom. “Or would you prefer I show you?”
“I’d like it if you let me go.”
He laughed, his voice low and husky. “Where’s the fun in that?”
“Henry,” I warned.
“Give me a few minutes to change your mind.” His hands cascaded down my front, tucking underneath the hem of my skirt. Disgust welled in the back of my throat as his fingers stroked my thigh.
“Let me go.” I tried to free myself, but his body pressed against me, locking me in place.
“Just a few minutes, Wren. I promise you’ll enjoy it.” His lips grazed the base of my neck as he kissed my skin. Slowly, he trailed his tongue where his mouth had just been, licking my flesh.
I saw red. A toxic combination of anger, revulsion, and terror riddled my body. My mind was running a million miles a minute as it tried to concoct a way out of this scenario. Finally, I recalled an interaction I had with a customer at The Peel. I’d been giving him a lap dance, and he was trying to put his hands all over my body. He was especially trying to touch the only bit I had covered with a G-string. And that sure as hell hadn’t flown with me. So, I used my body against him, and once I had him in a vulnerable position, I reminded him who was in charge.
“You’re right, Henry,” I whispered, rubbing my hands over his chest. “I do need something from you.”
“I knew it.”
“But until I let you give it to me, I get to be in charge.” I leaned forward, my lips practically touching his ear. “Now, sit on the edge of the bed.”
“Gladly.” Henry grinned, following my command.
I walked toward him, my hands snaking over the curves of my body. “Is this what you want?” I stepped between his legs, looming over him.
“You know it.” He gripped my ass, pulling me as close as possible.
“Not so fast.” I placed my palms on his shoulders for balance. “We should take our time.”
“Okay.”
Henry was so preoccupied with touching every inch of me that he could get his hands on, he didn’t even notice my knee was hovering just above his dick. I pressed my knee down, applying just enough pressure to keep him in place. “You will never have me,” I spat.
“What the fuck?”
He tried to throw me off, but I ground my knee harder.
“And if you ever try to touch me again, I’ll rip it off your fucking body.” This time, my knee mimicked a vice as I pushed all my weight on him. “Do you understand me?”
“Y—yes.”
“Good.” With a final grinding motion, I pulled away from him and got the hell out of there stat.
My heels clacked against the wooden floor as I all but ran back to the party. In the time I’d been gone, several more unfamiliar people had made their appearance. I scanned the room in a hurry, searching for Jacks. He was beside the island, loading up a plate with sushi. Rushing to his side, I grasped his elbow.
“Can I stay near you for the rest of the night?”
“Of course.” He grabbed another piece of sushi. “Wait—Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” My face was the picture of serenity, but my hands wouldn’t stop trembling.
“What happened?” As soon as he uttered the question, Henry walked into the room, shooting a glare in my direction. “Did he do something to you?” he asked, his voice hushed.
“I took care of him.”
“How?”
“Same way I took care of assholes when I worked at the club.”
Jacks inhaled sharply. “I’m only going to ask you this once: What did that fucker try to do to you?” He scowled, darkness harshening the lines of his face.
“Exactly what you’re thinking.” Rage radiated from his flesh as he slammed his sushi-filled plate against the marble so hard that the china shattered. Multiple heads snapped in our direction. “I’m so clumsy,” I stated loudly. “Knocked the plate right out of his hand.”
Apparently, my explanation was acceptable, because all the guests turned around and continued their conversations. Jacks and I bent down to clean up the mess. “When we get this cleaned up, I’m throwing him out of here. I don’t want him anywhere near you.”
“No.” We scooped up the broken china and ruined sushi and then tossed everything into the trash. “No scenes,” I muttered under my breath.
“Wren.”
“Please let it go.”
“No.”
“Do it for me.”
His jaw clenched painfully. �
��Fine,” he eventually spat.
Without thinking, I wrapped my arms around him. “You need to calm down.”
“That fucking—”
“Jacks,” I pleaded. “Relax. We’ll get through the rest of this night . . . together.”
“Okay.”
The effect of my embrace was evident, and slowly, his muscles relaxed. “Better?”
“Much.”
“Now, how about we eat some sushi?”
All remaining traces of his fury vanished. He picked up two plates, handed one to me, and then we sampled each roll lying in front of us.
Despite the incident with Henry, the remainder of the night went smoothly. Ter and Ryan adored the gifts Jacks and I presented them with, and all the guests commented on what a wonderful time they were having. I couldn’t help but be pleased with the work Jacks and I put into this night. We had wanted to ensure our friends had an amazing night, and we pulled it off successfully.
Three hours later, the only souls remaining at the party were Ter, Ryan, Henry, Gina, Morrison, Jacks, and me. The seven of us settled into the living room furniture and continued drinking. Gina, Terayn, and I were deep in conversation when Henry practically began shouting. From the sound of it, Henry was inviting himself to Ryan’s bachelor party. He knew Ryan was too nice to uninvite him from the event in front of everyone.
Henry waved his arms around wildly, garnering everyone’s attention. “All I’m saying is we need a stripper.”
“No, we don’t.” Ryan sat forward in his chair. “I’m fine with going to Jackson’s cabin on the lake. We don’t have to turn it into a spectacle.”
“A naked woman grinding on your lap is a rite of passage for all bachelors. It’s a tradition.” Henry took another sip of his scotch, sloshing around the amber liquid.
Jacks stood and gripped Henry’s shoulder roughly. “I think you’ve had enough. I’ll call a cab to take you home.”
“What?” Henry asked, knocking Jacks’s hand away. “We’re having a great time. Aren’t we, guys?”
Jacks resumed his seat, glaring at Henry with so much spite that the man should’ve caught fire. “You’re wasted. You need to go home.”
“Not while we’re having such an important conversation. We’re discussing Ryan’s bachelor party, and we can’t send him off properly without some first-class entertainment.” Henry took another long sip of scotch. “Besides, we all know a woman who is more than qualified to do the job.” Henry stared at me, smiling maliciously. “Isn’t that right, Wren?”
Jacks leaned forward and snatched the glass out of Henry’s hand. “You need to shut your fucking mouth.”
Henry grinned victoriously. “So, it is true.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Terayn asked.
“Didn’t your best friend tell you?”
I caught Jacks’s eye. He shook his head. I knew he hadn’t told a soul, but it still didn’t explain how Henry knew about my past employment history. Everyone turned to gawk at me, and suddenly, I was more exposed than all those nights I spent peeling away my clothes until I bore nothing but flesh and resolve.
I’d never been ashamed of stripping, but some people had the ability to make you feel things you shouldn’t. People weren’t perfect, and they would judge me for my past. I glanced at Ter and Ryan. The three of us didn’t keep secrets from one another, and when they looked at me with expectation for an explanation, I remained silent. Ter immediately picked up on my hesitancy. “Wren?”
“Tell me something.” Henry glanced around the circle, his chest practically puffing with pride. “When you worked at that club, did you take all your customers to the back room to suck their cocks or did they have to pay extra for that kind of service?”
“I’ll fucking kill you!” Ryan yelled. He lunged for Henry, knocking his chair backward in the process. However, Jacks intervened, quickly pulling Ryan off Henry before he could land a punch.
This couldn’t be happening. This wasn’t how the night was supposed to end. A strangled gasp caught in my throat. I wanted to speak, to deflate the situation, but no sound came from my mouth.
Henry stumbled to his feet, laughing hysterically. “I have three hundred dollars in my wallet right now. Is that enough for you to suck me off, Wren?”
I heard the crack of bone as Jacks slammed his fist into Henry’s jaw. “I told you to shut your fucking mouth!” Jacks tackled Henry, punching his face until blood splattered through the air. “You fucking—” Another blow rattled Henry’s skull. “—piece of shit!”
I glanced all around me. Ryan had a hold on Ford’s collar. The dog was pulling toward the men, clearly wanting to defend his owner. Everyone else watched the spectacle in horror. If one of us didn’t intervene soon, Henry would be carried out of this apartment on a stretcher.
“Jacks! Stop!” I hadn’t spoken a word throughout the entire exchange, but I knew my voice was the only one he would heed. “Jacks!” He finally stopped at my request, and I moved forward to wrap my hands around his arm. “He’s not worth it.”
Jacks allowed me to pull him away. “Get the fuck out of my apartment and never come back.” Jacks glared at Henry as he stood and walked toward the door.
Morrison and Gina waited a few minutes before exiting quietly. Part of me wished Terayn and Ryan had left too, but despite everything, they still deserved an explanation.
“Terayn, Ryan, I’m so sorry. I had no idea he knew about my past.”
“We tell each other everything!” Terayn shouted. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Because of what just happened!” I released Jacks’s arm and headed toward her. “Henry turned me into a fucking joke! I didn’t want you to see me like that.” I sucked in a deep breath. “I didn’t want you and Ryan to be ashamed of me.”
“Ashamed?” Ryan asked. “How could you ever think we would be ashamed of you?”
“Look at me, I’m a fucking mess!”
“From the time we were six years old, I’ve never kept a secret from you. I don’t understand how you could have kept this from me.”
“I wanted to tell you both so many times. I wanted you and Ryan to know, but I didn’t know how to tell you.”
“Well, this has been a very enlightening evening. Thanks for an amazing party, Jackson.” Terayn shook her head, shooting me a look that could melt steel before storming out the door.
Ryan glanced at me one final time, sadness evident in every line of his face. “You should’ve trusted us not to judge you.”
The door slammed behind them, leaving Jacks and me alone. I rushed forward, wanting to chase after my friends, but he held me back.
“Let her cool off.”
“I ruined their engagement party! She has every right to hate me.”
“No one hates you.”
“Well, they might not hate me, but they certainly don’t want to stick around!” I laughed to keep the tears at bay. “I mean, look what you did. You practically ran away as fast as you could.”
“That’s because I was blind.” He swallowed thickly, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt. “And scared.” I watched as he braced his hands against the marble counter.
“Do you remember what I told you about Liam?”
“Yeah, he’s the fucking douchebag who left you in debt.”
“That’s not all he did. Did you know Liam and I started dating when we were twenty?”
“No.”
I grabbed a towel off the stove and filled it with a handful of ice. “We’d been dating for two years when I walked in on him fucking his ex on our sofa.” I took Jacks’s hand, placing the compress on top of his bloodied knuckles. “So, what you did with Elise—”
“—was a betrayal of the worst kind.” He tried to touch me, but I backed away.
“All the signs were there with you and Elise.” I cleared my throat, heading for the door.
“Wren, please don’t leave.”
“After everything I went through with Liam, you’d think
I’d know better by now.” I’d barely managed to open the door when his hand slammed it shut. Tears dripped from my eyes, and I collapsed to the floor. “Is this what I deserve? Am I such a horrible person that I don’t even deserve to be happy?”
Gently, Jacks pulled me into his lap. I could feel his arms folding around me as I cried. “I don’t think you could be a horrible person even if you tried.”
“I’m tired of having to be so resilient all the time.” I buried my face in his shirt, my nails gripping the soft material. “I can’t do it anymore.”
“I’m sorry I hurt you,” he choked out. “I’m so sorry.”
We stayed that way for a long time. Every emotion I’d been trying to hold in for the past four months poured from my body. Jacks held me while I cried, softly stroking my hair. And when the tears ceased to fall, he carried me to the guest bathroom to take a shower. The events of the night melted away as I stood beneath the steady stream of water. What had I done? Terayn and Ryan were like family to me. How on earth would I ever be able to manage without them? When my thoughts became too heavy, I dried off and changed into the clothes Jacks had left on the guestroom bed.
I’d just laid down and pulled the covers up to my chin when a soft knock sounded at the door.
“Yeah?”
“Ford was whining outside your door. Can he come in there?” Jacks asked.
“Come on up here, baby.” Ford dashed inside the room and jumped on the bed. He licked my cheek once before curling up beside me and laying his head across my side.
“I’m only going to say one thing about that night.” I turned at the sound of Jacks’s voice and saw him still standing in the threshold of the guestroom. “There is one thing you don’t know.”
“And what’s that?” I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.
“My promotion was altered the Monday before the party at Everest. The CEO came into my boss’s office that morning and changed everything Pressman promised me. And it was the type of offer you don’t turn down.”
“Okay.”
“My point is, I knew I would be moving to New York, but I had every intention of asking you to move with me. I was going to ask you right before we left my apartment and then when we were dancing, but every time I talked myself out of it because of what happened with Elise. We hadn’t been together very long, and I convinced myself you would’ve said no just like she did.” He took a deep breath, leaning against the frame of the door. “You’re nothing like her, I realize that, but sometimes when people tell you things about yourself, things you know deep down aren’t true, you believe them anyway. It’s easier to believe the negativity because all the good seems out of reach.”