“No problem.” Jack reaches for her hand to help her stand, and I follow them into the kitchen. He pours us two glasses of iced tea, and we sit at the kitchen table to visit while he prepares dinner for us.
“So, dear… Where did you learn to play so grand?” Evelyn inquires.
“My adoptive parents had me take lessons for a few years when I was eight. I haven’t played again until I came to Red Meadow University. It’s a requirement for my music degree. I didn’t realize how much I'd missed it until I had to take classes again. Do you play?” I see Jack from the corner of my eye turn his attention to me.
“Not as often as I like,” she admits. “So, you are pursuing a degree in music?” I nod. “What do you plan to do with a music degree?”
I contemplate a moment. “You know, I’m not sure. Honestly, it’s just something I enjoy, and when it came time to pick a major, I didn’t want to sit through countless boring lectures and spend my weekend’s writing papers. I started playing guitar for an all-girl rock band. I enjoy writing music. Maybe I’ll pursue entertainment.”
“Well, I don’t think you missed the mark by choosing music. You are clearly very talented.” Ms. Roe's easy to talk to, and she doesn’t seem as ill as Jack had mentioned. I wonder if it's just a show she's putting on for me to save face.
Jack turns our conversation as he tosses a salad together on the marble island, “We took the horses out this morning for some exercise. Maximus took a liking to Ivy pretty fast.”
Evelyn looks at me with raised eyebrows, “And you ride as well?”
I glance down to the glass of iced tea in my hands with timid embarrassment at the majority of hobbies I compiled growing up in California, “Yes, ma’am.”
She reaches out and places a hand over my wrist. I meet her kind eyes. “You’re going to fit in quite well around here.”
Jack sets the table and serves us delicious smoked salmon, steamed asparagus, and Waldorf salad. As we eat, Evelyn provides us with historical stories of music, predominantly in her favorite era; The Birth of the Blues. We’re laughing and enjoying each other’s company when Jack surprises me by holding my hand on the table. His mother notices his blatant display of affection, and the apples of her cheeks rise with the crinkle of her bright eyes. I genuinely adore Evelyn. She's warm, inviting, smart, witty, and composes herself with the grace and charm I imagine seeing in royalty.
Our dinner leaves me with a sense of welcome belonging, lifting my spirits. Jack helps his mother back to her room down the hall on the first floor as I clear the table and rinse all of the dishes. I'm loading the dishwasher when Jack wraps his arms around my waist from behind and places a supple kiss on my neck. The spot tingles after his lips leave my skin, and I twist around to drape my arms over his shoulders. My fingers play with the hair on the back of his head as his eyes bore into mine.
“You’re amazing,” he whispers. I raise to the tip of my toes to match his height the best I can and lean into his hard chest, pulling him closer. Our lips part, enveloping each other as our tongues swirl around, slow and sensual. We part, and his hands rub up and down the lengths of my arms. He smirks at the goosebumps covering them.
“It seems we’re learning a lot about each other lately. I didn’t know you could cook. It was superb.” My compliment draws a closed grin from him, accentuating his dimples.
“I get it from my mother,” he professes, taking a step back from me and leaning against the island behind him.
I lean back against the sink, mirroring him to put some space between us to cool off. “Your mom's great. I really like her.”
“She likes you.” I smile at his assumption. “I’ve never brought a girl home before, let alone introduced anyone to her. I’m glad she could meet you, though.” His last statement hangs open for me to interpret, and I understand he's glad she had a chance to meet me before she passes away from her illness. My heart sinks in my chest with the thought of him—as well as the world—losing someone as sweet as Evelyn. Jack stands, and we both ascend the stairs to our respective rooms.
This is getting dangerous Jack. We’ve only known each other a few weeks, and I’m already falling for you… hard. Whatever I am, I hope it doesn’t come between us.
Chapter 7
Monday morning, Jack drives us to campus. My first class is Music History. The only thing I don’t like about Music History is the quarter mile hill I have to take to get there at a thirty-degree incline. Best part of my fucking day, I think with loathing. Jack parks in an open space close to the bottom of the hill. His first class is in the Criminal Justice building, which happens to be next to the Music building. After spending time at Jack's estate, I understand why he chose his major, as he and his family have already trained to be protectors.
We step out of the car and start walking to the base of the hill, hand in hand. There's moisture in the air, and the sky is gray with promises of rain. Although I can’t stop myself smiling with the giddiness of being with Jack, I loathe the trudge before me. “I hate this hill. I would rather walk clear across to the other side of campus to avoid the back entrance to the music building.”
Jack pulls me to a stop and steps in front of me. “Hop on. I’ll carry you up,” he gestures for me to jump on his back. I love his childish flirtation. I pull my other strap to my backpack on and jump on his back. Jack’s whole body is hard as a rock and doesn't waver with the momentum of my jump. I know he’ll have no problem carrying me up. I wrap my arms around his neck, overlapping my forearms across his chest as he squeezes my thighs to him. Without warning, he sprints up the malicious incline with ease. I laugh and giggle all the way to the top, bobbing up and down with his stride. People stare at us as Jack sets me back down on my feet. I'm surprised his breathing isn’t labored in the slightest bit.
He takes my hand and pulls me close to him. I look up to meet his gaze, and he bends his head down to kiss me. We've been doing that a lot. We can’t seem to get enough of each other. Being with Jack makes me feel lighter and carefree. All of my stress and brooding evaporates when we're together. I'm a new person. I'm invigorated and find our relationship giving me the creative drive I've been looking for to write music. New songs began pouring out of me every day.
Walking up to the doors of the building, I notice people staring at me and snickering behind their hands to each other’s ears. Whatever.
“Will I see you for lunch?” he hints.
“Um. Actually, I promised Alice I would meet her at the coffee shop. Do you want to meet us there?”
“Sure. I’ll grab Eric too. Bye, Sunshine.” Jack kisses my forehead before he leaves for his own class. Most of the students are still watching me and giving me the stink eye. I have no idea what's going on to make them look at me this way.
What’s with everyone?
Alice is waiting for me on the back deck of the coffee shop with my favorite coffee when I arrive. I'm relieved to see Trey isn’t working. “Hey, stranger!” She stands and hugs me.
I kiss her cheek. “Hey!” I sit down and light a cigarette. I want to tell her about Jack and me, but I know what her reaction will be. I can’t keep the disgusting grin or uncontrollable blushing off of my face.
“What’s up with you? What are you so happy about?” she remarks.
“Um. Nothing.” I try to calm myself down. “Jack’s going to meet us. Do you mind?”
“Uh-huh. Yeah. That’s cool. Eric's on his way too.” She squints at me with suspicion. “How's it going at Jack’s?”
“Good… Great… He’s a lot different than I thought he was.” I hesitate in contemplation of how much I should share with her and continue, “We kissed.” I can’t help myself, and I know she’ll see the new way Jack and I act together when he shows up.
Alice sits bolt right and leans over the table. “Shut up!” she yells.
I chuckle. “A lot.” We laugh. “I think we’re a ‘thing’ now,” I admit.
“Really? What happened to Trey? I thought you were g
oing to start seeing him.”
“Um… Trey and I couldn’t get on the same level. He wanted things I wasn’t willing to give him. Know what I mean?”
“Yeah… Um… About that..." She cringes, shrinking back into her seat.
“What?”
“Well, Trey sort of told everyone you freaked out on him at the party. There are rumors already spreading that you had sex with him in the bathroom at the party… That you freaked out afterward, and you’re trying to claim he raped you,” her words fade into a mumble.
“What!” I shout. “You have got to be kidding me! I never slept with Trey! And he's the one who threw me into a wall at the party and tried to rape me! Jack was there! He saw me head-butt Trey to get away from him!”
“I know. I know. I know you. I didn’t believe anything people were saying.”
“No wonder everyone's giving me dirty looks.”
Alice nods her head. “Good riddance. Trey's so beneath you.” She smiles at me again. “So… You and Jack?”
“I really like him, Alice. He makes me feel different. Alive. I don’t have to hide who I am with him. I can be myself. And, holy hell, is he a good kisser.” My voice trails off.
“I’m happy for you, Ivy. You deserve to be happy. Jack’s a really good guy.”
“Ladies,” Jack greets us with Eric following behind him. They both bend down to kiss us before sitting down. “Are you finished for the day?” Jack asks.
“Yeah.”
“Hey. Why don’t you guys come out tomorrow? We could go swimming,” Jack suggests to our friends.
“Hell, yeah!” Eric cheers.
“Do you want us to bring out some pizza and beer?” Alice is excited and already planning ahead.
“That’s cool.” Jack holds my hand under the table, and he squeezes it in excitement.
Our Fearsome Foursome chats for an hour at the coffee house. I'm delighted by the emotions that come with feeling like a whole different person. How much more will I be able to take before I explode from glee? I feel as if my whole body's glowing. I'm a caterpillar on the verge of bursting out of my cocoon. What are you doing to me, Jack? I sense the temperature drop all of a sudden and shudder.
“You ok?” Jack inquires to my shiver.
“Yeah. It’s just about to rain.” As if on cue, the sky rumbles in the distance. Everyone glances up to the darkening sky above us and back to me in question.
“How did you do that? Are you psychic?” Eric jokes.
My face pales, and I look over at Jack. “We better get out of here before we get soaked,” Jack saves me from my anxiety.
We say our goodbyes and our Fearsome Foursome parts ways. Jack had driven to the coffee shop, so we hop into the Skyline parked out front. He holds my hand as we cruise home. I glance over at his beautiful features, wondering how I managed to fall so hard so fast. He senses my gaze and kisses my fingertips. “What’s on your mind, Sunshine?”
“Nothing.” I can’t help the impish grin on my face, and I turn to look out of my window as light raindrops begin to decorate it erratically.
“Doesn’t look like nothing,” he observes my reflection in the side mirror.
I let out a small sigh. “Jack? Why me?”
He searches my eyes, “What do you mean?”
The sprinkling from the sky turns into a downpour, and the clatter of heavy raindrops make it harder to hear each other. I speak up, “You could have anyone you want. Girls are putty in your hands. Why me?”
Jack wrinkles his nose at my statement, then a smile spreads across his face. “The night I first saw you at the race, I had to come over and talk to you. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of you. There was a gravity pulling me to you. You tried to ignore me. You were such a smart ass.” He chuckles, shaking his head. “It threw me off. Most people look at me like I’m either their savior or their ending. You were different. When you looked at me, I was drawn to you even more. It was like the tingling sensation you get when your foot falls asleep. Know what I mean?” I nod and squeeze his hand. “And your eyes. I’ve never seen anything like them before. One green and one violet…”
“I was a bitch to you, though,” I remind him.
“That’s when I knew you would be different. Someone who would see me for who I am. Someone who wouldn’t put up with anyone’s crap.” He kisses the top of my hand in his.
“That’s because I thought you were an egotistical ass.” I laugh. “And I’m pretty sure I could beat you on the track. The thought’s crossed my mind, just to take you down a notch.” I grin at him.
Jack laughs, and there’s a clear amusement in his shining eyes. “Oh yeah?” I nod my head, trying to keep from snickering.
He stops at the gate and rolls his window down to punch in the access code as rain pours in through the opening. The gate opens at its gradual pace, and Jack rolls his window back up. This is going to suck. We’re going to get soaked.
“Can I leave my bag in your car? I don’t want it getting wet. I’ll come down and get it when the rain lets up.”
“Yeah.” Jack parks in the cul-de-sac and shuts the car off. He jumps out with the grace of a panther pouncing on its prey and comes to open my door for me as I unbuckle my seatbelt to make a dash for it.
Running to the porch, I'm not prepared for the gravel of the cul-de-sac to be as slick as it is. My feet come out from under me. I squeeze my eyes shut, ready for the impact as I fall backward, and Jack catches me before I hit the ground. I open my eyes in disbelief. His eyes pierce my soul, and time seems to stop. We’re frozen in time, like dancers in a choreographed dip. The torrential downpour hammers the ground around us and clinks off of our cars with its own musical symphony.
Jack’s mouth devours my own with a passion I've never experienced before. My blood burns inside of me, and the staccato of my heart thuds in my ears. He pulls me back up to my feet without parting from my lips, and I lose all self-control. With uncontrollable passion, Jack leads me backward until I'm pushed against the car. I let out a soft humph as my back hits the passenger door. Jack moves his mouth to my neck, and I tilt my head to give him better access. His lips trail kisses down my throat, back up my jaw, and to my mouth. I entangle my fingers in his hair and knock off his hat. He picks me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist. His hips press against me, and I can’t remember the last time I had been this turned on or wanted someone this much.
This is too much. It’s too fast. But, dammit, I want him! I can’t. It’s too soon.
Jack’s hand slips under the back of my shirt, and I pull my mouth from his. “Jack?” I breathe. He pulls back to look me in the eyes. “We should slow down.”
Recognition comes over his gaze as he holds me between the steel of the car and the steel of his body. “You’re right.” He lets my legs slide down so I can stand, and he takes a step back. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” I witness his eyes change from dark forest green to their normal bright green crystals.
Must have something to do with what he is.
“We’re just going to have to practice a little more restraint,” I smile at him.
Jack nods his head and takes my hand, “Let’s get cleaned up.”
We trail water drops through the house and leave each other to change clothes in our separate bedrooms. I tie my hair into a ponytail and walk out of the bathroom to pull back the curtains covering the French doors to reveal the balcony. I stand at the glass doors with my arms crossed over my chest, watching the storm outside.
Jack. It’s all happening so fast. I’ve never felt this way with anyone… for anyone. Moments of kissing in the rain flood my mind. I close my eyes and lean my forehead against the cool glass. I know it’s illogical to feel this way. We’ve only known each other a short time. I—
Thunder booms and rattles the glass, interrupting my thoughts. I open my eyes and stand up straight. Lightning flashes before me, and I jump, temporarily blinded. My pupils readjust to the light of the room, and then the lights fl
icker out. I spin around, and my eyes are forced to adapt to the darkness. Jack’s silhouette stands in my doorway.
“Lights are out,” he comments.
“Yeah?” I smart off.
He walks to the fireplace. “I’ll get a small fire going so you can have some light. The house stays pretty cold, so it shouldn’t get too hot in here.”
“Ok.” I help him place the wood inside the hearth.
“I’m going to go check on my mother. I’ll be back and bring what candles I can find.” The fire crackles to life, lighting our faces in an orange glow.
“Do you want some help?” I feel worried for his mother as well.
“It’s ok. I’ll be really quick.” Jack disappears and leaves my door open behind him.
It's deathly quiet except for the pitter-patter of rain outside and the crackle of the fire. I go to the closet and open my hard shell guitar case that keeps my acoustic safe. I lift my guitar and bring it back to the rug in front of the fireplace where I sit cross-legged. The light of the fire entrances my mind as I hold my guitar beneath my languid arms. Fantasies of being with Jack flood my psyche again. Jack kissing me. His hands pulling my jeans down as he trails kisses down my stomach. Jack pulling my shirt over my head and kissing me under my right breast, over my ribs, and trailing down my tribal tattoo that frames my side to cover the scars from my wreck.
Coming back to reality, I shudder my dirty mind away. Stop it, Ivy! I chastise myself. I shake my head and position myself better to play my guitar, in need to keep my mind off of him. Instead of working on material for The Red, I decide to play some covers. I enjoy playing cover songs. They’re fun and easy. You don’t have to think too hard, which makes them more enjoyable, and it's a good feeling when others know the words and sing along.
I'm not in the mood for my usual rock ballads, so I start to play a slow Indie rendition of “Safety Dance.” I'm humming along when Jack comes back in the room with his mother. I stop playing, feeling utter embarrassment with still having stage fright issues. “How are you feeling?” I ask Evelyn from my spot on the floor.
The Helio Trilogy: Volumes 1-3 Page 10