by Jessa York
We sat and chatted about his new restaurant, and he asked questions regarding my job. He seemed genuinely interested in my role at Brentford and paid close attention whenever I spoke.
A couple of rambunctious kids ran by, followed by their extremely irate mother. “Gosh, I can’t believe parents bring young kids to a restaurant like this.”
“Why not? We don’t mind. Their parents usually deal with any issues quickly. And kids need to be exposed to nice places and taught how to act appropriately.”
“I guess, but it annoys the other customers,” I told him and searched around for any more wild children on the loose.
Miranda arrived with the picture-perfect looking desserts. No joke, they could have been in a magazine. The ice cream beside the apple pie was placed just so. I would have dropped it on top and called it a day. Not a crumb was out of place on the cake either. The dark chocolate icing looked like lush brown silk.
As Jack picked up the tiny spoon and cut into the cake, I thought what a shame it was to ruin something so elegant. He held it up, and I instinctively opened.
“Oh. Yum.” I closed my eyes as the myriad of chocolate flavors exploded in my mouth. Never had I enjoyed something so decadent before. My assumptions were correct—the cake was moist and delicious, but the thick, creamy topping was glorious.
“Gimme,” I said, and our fingers grazed as I ripped the spoon out of his hand. An out-of-body experience was the only phrase that came to mind to describe what I felt.
“Jack, what in the world is this? It’s delicious,” I asked, savoring another bite.
“Essentially, an upscale chocolate cake,” he said as he leaned back to watch me ravage the rest.
“This icing, oh my God.” As I looked up at him, my finger accidentally brushed against the slice. “Dammit.” I lifted my hand to lick it off, but I was halted when a big, strong hand grasped my arm.
“It’s called ganache,” Jack said, eyes boring into me. Then he brought my finger to his mouth and licked it off. I nearly combusted, sensing the wet warmth of his tongue on my skin. What else would he lick frosting off of, I wondered.
Unable to move or breathe for fear I’d embarrass myself, I remained frozen and waited for him to break our trance. The constant ache he’d caused deep inside of me was foreign, something I’d never experienced before.
Finally, he suggested a plan. “Harper, I don’t know how to say this to you so you don’t take offense, but do you want to go home with me? I only live a few blocks away. I’ll make coffee and bring dessert?” he said cautiously as he tiptoed on metaphorical eggshells.
Of course, I desperately wanted to go. I longed to be alone with him and explore what we had started. But I couldn’t. I wasn’t that kind of girl. No way on Earth would I leave with a guy for a one-night stand. That was just not me. Nope. How did I break the news to him?
“Okay.”
7
Harper
We were on the way to Jack’s place, and I must say I’d never seen a man move faster than he did after I essentially agreed to be his one-night stand.
He had excused himself from the table and disappeared into the kitchen. Mere moments later, he returned, carrying a Styrofoam container and wearing his lipstick-stained jacket. God, he was a sight as he sauntered up to the table.
“Can you walk a few minutes in those shoes? Or should we cab it?” he asked, looking unsure as he sized up me and my fabulous heels.
Walking a few minutes in these exquisite shoes wouldn’t be a problem. I got up, captured his hand, and gazed into his gorgeous eyes. “I’m fine, Jack.” I almost believed it myself.
He looked at my face as if he was searching for any doubts. Satisfied, he turned us toward the front doors and off we went.
The night was dark with a bit of a chill. As we walked down Montello, we could hear the echoing sounds of honking horns and sirens blaring from farther away. Other people were out on the streets, too, talking, laughing, and joking with each other. Because of my nerves, I paid minimal attention to my surroundings. Instead, I kept looking over at Jack, waiting for him to come to his senses and throw me in a cab and send me home.
After a couple of minutes, he stopped abruptly. “Oh shit,” he said, squeezing my hand firmly.
Here we go. He realized I was not his cup of tea and had thought of a way to get rid of me. The crushing disappointment weighed heavily on my shoulders. Until that moment, I didn’t grasp how much I was actually looking forward to being alone with Jack. Oh well. It was nice while it lasted.
“Did you tell your friends you were leaving? They’re going to worry,” he said, his face turning back toward the restaurant. I let out a relieved breath. He wasn’t kicking me to the curb. Yet.
“Yeah, I texted them when you were gone. No worries.” Except for the fact that my mind was waffling back and forth about whether this was a good idea or not. The girls thought it was fantastic when I texted the three of them while Jack was in the kitchen. I was congratulated with “landing a hottie” and my favorite, “bagging the prey”. Riley did text me separately to make sure I was all right. She was concerned, but happy for me. I reassured her that I was fine, and that Jack was being a complete gentleman—although parts of me hoped there were times when he wasn’t.
“Good. I can’t believe I didn’t think of that before we left.” He bent down and touched his lips to mine. It was a quick kiss, but it helped my nerves in a big way. “You’ve scrambled my brain.” He looked me up and down again. Sighing loudly and shaking his head, he took off his jacket. Before I knew what he was doing, he draped it around my shoulders.
With a frown on his face and a stern look in his eyes, he said, “I didn’t even think to make sure you weren’t freezing to death. I’m sorry.” He rubbed his warm hands over the sleeves of the jacket where my arms were. Tipping my head down, I took a deep inhale of Jack’s scent from his jacket. It smelled wonderful—a perfect mix of man and spice and sandalwood. Certain he saw me sniffing his coat like a crazy person, I smiled up at him, guilty as charged. The corners of his lips turned up and his eyes danced.
Shaking his head, he snagged my hand again and we strolled in silence for another few minutes until we reached a large gray stone building. He cleared his throat. “How are your feet? Just another minute now.”
I loved that he was concerned for my welfare. “I’m fine. Thanks for checking.” I was anything but fine as I thought about what I was doing. What exactly was I doing? Going home with some guy I just met, hoping like hell he wasn’t an axe murderer.
Once again, he held the door open for me. At the elevators, I leaned over and pressed the up button.
“Can you hold this while I search for my keys to the restaurant? I hope to Christ I didn’t leave them there.” He passed me the to-go box and let go of my hand. The elevator dinged, and we moved into it as Jack reached frantically into his pants pockets for the keys. Trying to help, I dug into the coat pockets and came up with a gaggle of keys.
“That will help. Thanks.” He shook his head again and took the keys from my hand. Using some kind of code, Jack entered a series of numbers onto a touchpad on the wall, and up we went.
The elevator opened to a very modern, very new two-story apartment. Jack put his hand to my back and pushed me inside. He divested me of his jacket and hung it on a hook, then he took my purse and placed it on a tiny table, where he also dumped his keys. The lights were set to dim and we headed down a short hallway that opened to the second level. A huge staircase to the side led up to what I assumed were bedrooms. No axes so far.
As we approached the living room, the kitchen was now visible to the right. It looked fit for a chef—beautiful black cupboards, creamy off-white counter tops, and stainless steel appliances. Everything looked so clean in there, too, not a hair out of place, not a smear on the wall. Just crisp, clean perfection. The exact opposite of my apartment. My space definitely had a more lived-in, paycheck-to-paycheck feel to it, but this place was worth some seriou
s dough. Jack must have been swimming in it.
The stunning wall of windows drew me in and I peered down at the beautiful view of the city below. All the bright, varied shining lights from the buildings and cars called out like beacons in the night. I sensed heat at my back and it did strange things to my stomach to know he was so close to me. Tiny shivers ran through my body as Jack glided his hands up and down my arms. He stepped closer to me and folded his arms around my middle and chest, like somehow he knew I needed support. His scent and body surrounding me fully, combined with his warmth, made my heart beat faster and was quickly driving me insane. I nudged deeper into his body and laid my head on his shoulder. He took full advantage and touched his warm lips to my neck. It nearly undid me when he licked my neck and I held his arms to stay standing.
“I could stand here like this with you all night,” Jack moaned into my neck, holding me tighter. And we stood there for what seemed like hours, our burning connection building. Neither one of us wanted to break the spell.
“Do you need anything? Something to eat? Coffee, tea, me?” he said, scratching his stubble on my neck, tickling me.
Unable to stay in one spot anymore, I turned in his arms and looked up at the most handsome man I’d ever seen. “Maybe some tea or coffee might be nice. If it’s not too much trouble, that is,” I said and stared at him, not sure what to do next.
He leaned down and kissed me again, then he said against my lips, “So coffee or tea, but not me? I’m hurt.” His devilish smile said otherwise, and I blushed again. “Have a seat. I’ll be right back.”
I ogled the couches displayed before me. A big, creamy, off-white sectional with a chaise was closest to me. It looked luxurious. But the most surprising thing of all was the collection of books on the table—four or five business books and one popular mystery novel by a well-known author. Hmm, interesting. I didn’t know why the fact that Jack read for pleasure made my heart flutter, but it did.
Closing my eyes, I sat down and imagined the couch enveloping me until I disappeared so I didn’t have to deal with the predicament I’d gotten myself into. How did I end up here?
Ouch! Something hard poked me in the back, and I reached behind to find out what the offending item was. A purple sparkly pony? Did Jack have a fetish that I didn’t know about?
Coffee and cinnamon soon filled the air as Jack sat down next to me.
“I brought both. You pick, and I’ll drink whatever’s leftover.” He put the cups and sugar onto the low coffee table in front of us.
I dangled the purple horse in front of me. “Is there something you need to tell me?” I joked, grinning at his shocked face. He jerked his head back and his face clouded over.
“Uh, yeah,” he stuttered and yanked the pony out of my hand. “My niece must’ve left it here.”
“Aw, you have a niece? How old is she?” His entire demeanor changed and there was an awkward silence between us. Sheesh. I didn’t think it was a trick question.
“She’s three.” He smiled, tossing the pony onto the coffee table. “And worth her weight in trouble,” he said, shaking his head as he looked at the toy.
“That tea smells marvelous. What kind is it?” I changed the subject and cradled the heavy white cup and inhaled deeply. Ah, so cinnamony and spicy. Pulling the sugar closer to me, I fixed my drink, eager to take a sip. He picked up a remote on the table, and for a second, I thought he was going to turn on the TV, and I tensed up. But he aimed it at the gas fireplace, and it immediately started pouring out warmth.
“Chai, but I’m not positive.” He dragged a throw from the back of the couch and draped it over my shoulders. Then he did something else no man had ever done to me before. He reached down, pulled my foot up, and took off my shoe. “Lie back.”
I sank further back and let Jack have his way with my aching foot. For a moment, I considered how gross my foot probably was, but I let it go because he was the one who volunteered for the job. I also thanked the heavens above that I had enough sense and gave myself a pedicure last night.
“Oh, Jack, that feels unbelievable.” I continued making noises as he finished with that foot and moved on to the other. Was this guy for real? Next, his hands stroked up my legs, working out the knots and tension in my muscles. Oh my word, what this man’s hands were doing to me. Somewhere in my foggy mind, I decided this rubdown treatment had the opposite desired effect he hoped for. It made me extremely drowsy. I took a few more sips and dumped the cup onto the table and fell back, closing my heavy eyelids.
“Sleep if you want,” he said, not letting up on my legs.
“No, I’m just going to rest my eyes for a second. The fireplace is nice. I need to get one.” I yawned. “I was out late last night with Riley, and then I didn’t sleep well last night thinking about going out. Stupid, right?” I opened one eye and peered at him.
“Not stupid at all. Close your eyes. You’re tired and it’s late.” And that was the last coherent thought I heard for some time until my body turned and the cushion depressed behind me.
“Jack?” I said, confused about why I was moving.
“Shh. Go back to sleep,” he whispered in his low, gruff voice. The heat of his breath on my cheek and his big arm encircling my body made me push back until his body was tight behind mine.
Sometime later, I awoke disoriented. My body was so secure that I didn’t worry until I remembered Jack behind me. Oh God. I fell asleep. Not that I was an authority or anything, but I was pretty sure you weren’t supposed to fall asleep during a one-night stand. Perhaps after, but not before. That must be considered bad form.
Jack stirred behind me and yawned. “How are you feeling?” His voice was rough with sleep. Relieved that he nodded off as well, I turned in his arms. Yeah, he was still the most beautiful man ever. Lifting a hand out of my warm cocoon, I stroked the side of his gorgeous face, his stubble prickling my fingertips. The brownest of eyes gazed with concern at me from behind long, curly lashes. It wasn’t fair that a man should have such perfect lashes. I knew women who would kill for a set of those.
Jack bent down and touched his mouth to mine. The kiss started out slow and innocent, but the urgency rapidly progressed. He groaned down my throat as I opened my eager lips for him. That drove me wild and I rolled onto my back as he settled between my legs. His mouth still tasted lightly of coffee as his tongue took command. My hands moved to his chest and I undid the smooth buttons as my fingers grazed the soft material of his shirt. The skin on his chest was hot to the touch and I couldn’t get enough of running my fingers through his light spattering of hair.
He moaned loudly and moved his hand up to stroke my breast. Having him in my arms felt so incredibly good and his smell was intoxicating. I finally got up the nerve and shoved his shirt over his broad shoulders. He sat back and pulled it off the rest of the way. Oh, my good Lord. Never had I seen a sight like the one before me. Jack was stacked. His muscular chest was both breathtaking and irresistible. So irresistible that I reached up and stroked him with my restless hands, caressing the incredible hardness beneath my fingertips. As I slid my hands down, Jack took in a breath and his stomach contracted as I grazed the ridges of his chiseled abs.
“You are so hot,” I said, looking into his eyes with admiration and wonder. I couldn’t believe I was here with him.
He lowered himself on me again. My dress rode up higher, and that caused some exquisite friction in some lovely places. Rubbing his naked chest and back while kissing him senseless brought back feelings of intimacy I’d been denied for so long. Jack was taking such gentle care with me, my heart was about to explode.
Who knew that his tender touches would have awakened something long dormant in me? For so long, I’d shut down that part of me. The thought made my eyes sting. I didn’t remember ever being so cherished and adored. This man that I hardly knew made me feel like this…in only a matter of hours? How was that possible? Finally, tears spilled over and down my face as I sniffed uncontrollably.
Jack rolled to the side and said, “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” The concern he showed in his eyes made me cry even harder. Anytime I got emotional around Gabe, he’d ask if I had my period. But here was this man gently stroking my face and genuinely concerned about me.
“No, no, no. I’m being stu…stu…stupid.” And that was all I got out before the sobbing overtook me. Why was I such a loser?
“I’ll be right back.” He jumped up, and due to my psychotic behavior, I was doubtful as to his return, and that made me cry even more. Finally, I got a chance at a real man and I acted like this?
“Here, Harper.” Standing in front of me, he held out a tissue in one hand and the entire box of tissues in the other. I grabbed one and began dabbing under my eyes, hoping what was left of my makeup wasn’t now running down my face. What a moron. This one-night stand turned into a disaster of epic proportions.
“I’m so embarrassed, Jack. I’m sorry. I’m not normally this much of a psycho, I swear,” I said as I blew my nose like a trumpet.
He sat beside me and put his arm around me. “Lean back, sweetheart. Come here. Let me hold you. It’s been a long night and it’s late.”
As soon as I heard “it’s late,” I was sure I’d be served my walking papers right away. But he sat there holding me while I attempted to catch my breath.
“Tell me what’s going on in that beautiful head of yours,” he asked and kissed the top of my head.
One last sniff and I said, “You’re just being so nice to me.”
I felt his body stiffen beside me, on alert. “And the other men you’ve been with haven’t been nice?”
“Men? You mean man,” I said and wiped under my eyes again. “No, I don’t think he was nice. Not at all.” Then the dam burst, and I cried even harder. Jack turned me and held me tight.
“What did that asshole do to you?” he asked with a tight squeeze.