Chapter Ten
Jinnie
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I STAND IN FRONT OF the mirror, twisting my hair into a messy bun and then immediately pulling it back down. It’s too casual, too me. I always wear my hair up. Tonight feels like it needs something more. I glance at the clock—less than an hour until Jack’s set starts. My stomach flips at the thought of sneaking into Aggie’s bar to hear him play his new song. A song I helped finish.
I rummage through my closet, pulling out a black dress I haven’t worn in forever. It’s simple—knee-length with a fitted waist—but it’s fancier than my usual tank-tops and shorts. I’m not sure if the bar is really a place to wear a dress. But screw it. I slip it on, smoothing the fabric over my hips, and step into a pair of black heels that make me feel taller, more confident. Maybe even a little dangerous.
And definitely a few years older than the eighteen I’ve actually been on this planet.
I swipe on mascara and dab a bit of gloss on my lips. I don’t usually bother with makeup, but tonight feels different. Special. Like I’m stepping into a version of myself I don’t usually let out. I am going to be competing with a lot of other women who are all trying to get Jack’s attention.
I grab my fake ID from the top drawer of my dresser, staring at the name scrawled across it: Samantha Lewis . It’s absurd how much younger I look in the photo, my hair longer, my face rounder. I stuff it into my clutch along with my phone and keys, trying to ignore the flutter of nerves in my chest.
The patio at The Hollow Log is packed tonight, every picnic table filled with people sipping beers and tapping their feet to the music. String lights crisscross overhead. The inside is packed as well. Aggie sees me, giving me a small head shake with a smile.
I walk to the bar to talk to her. “I promise I won’t try and order a drink,” I tell her. “And if by some chance the liquor board or police shows up, I’m legal.”
“Oh yeah?” she asks. “Did your birthday change?”
“I can’t tell you why, but I assure you, your license is safe.”
“Oh honey, your generation isn’t the first one to try and buck the system,” she says. “Go on, get yourself a good spot up front. It’s going to be a good one.”
“Thanks, Aunt Aggie.”
I make my way outside and end up standing near a group of young women all talking about the hot singer. Yeah, I’m trying not to let it go to my head that he’s with me. I glance over, sizing up the competition. One of them has tits the size of my head and another looks like an exotic goddess. But I have to trust it’s me Jack wants to be with.
I hear a bit of commotion and then I see him. Jack waves at a few people as he climbs onto the stage.
“Evening, folks,” he says into the microphone, his voice smooth and easy. The crowd cheers, a few women whistling. I can’t stop staring at him. It’s almost like he’s too good to be true. He’s so damn handsome and beautiful and sexy. Jack’s gaze finds mine immediately, that private smile just for me making my stomach flip.
Then he starts playing, and everything else fades away.
The new song is even better live—catchy and raw. The crowd loves it. Then he plays one of his other songs that is a regular on his set list. Hearing him croon makes the hair on my arms stand up. He plays it like it’s effortless, like the guitar is just another part of him.
A girl nearby leans over to her friend. “Damn, he’s good.”
I bite back a smug smile. You have no idea.
Then the stool comes out and I know he’s about to slow things down. We’ve talked about his set. He’s only human and does need a break. I helped him arrange it with a few of the upbeat ones and then a slower one that gives him a chance to sit down and catch his breath.
My position at the front has mostly been overtaken. I’m standing at the edge of the crowd to the left of the stage. I honestly don’t mind. It’s about listening to him, and unlike all these other people here, I get to hear him when it’s just me and him.
I see him scanning the crowd. Is he looking for me?
Yes.
His eyes find mine and he offers a small smile. “This one is for a special lady,” he says.
He starts the song... my song. Every time I hear it, I can practically feel him touching me. His hands brushing over my skin and his lips on my neck. I gently sway to the song. Neither of us has talked about going public with our relationship. I have a feeling if he does announce it, I’m going to be the most hated woman in town. Jealousy makes people do crazy things.
I don’t mind it being our little secret. It makes it even better.
The song ends and the room is silent. “Guys, I’m going to get a drink. I’ll be back in five.”
Jack steps off the stage and comes to me, hooking his arm around my shoulders and steering me from the crowd. “How’s the view from there?”
“Obstructed,” I deadpan. “Some idiot in a gray shirt keeps blocking the stage. It’s either ten-feet tall men, or women talking about the things they want to do to and with your body.”
He chuckles, completely unbothered. “Good to know.”
“You’re killing it,” I tell him.
“Thank you. It feels good tonight. I like being outside. Way cooler.”
“You’re a natural.”
“Thanks. I’m going to use the bathroom then I have to get back up there. Are you going to stick around?”
“Damn straight,” I reply.
“Good, because I’m just getting warmed up.”
The second set is even better. Jack has found his rhythm. He’s more upbeat, the crowd singing along to the choruses. Jack’s in his element up there, all easy confidence and sly smiles. It’s hard to believe this is the same guy who gets flustered when I steal his sweatshirts or who once spent twenty minutes trying to figure out my tiny house shower faucet.
By the time the last song ends, my cheeks hurt from smiling. The crowd lingers, reluctant to let the night be over, but eventually the patio empties, leaving just me, Jack, and Aggie and her bartender surrounded by empty bottles and discarded napkins.
Aggie surveys the mess, hands on her hips. “Well, this is depressing.”
Jack grabs a trash bag, swinging it like a lasso. “Race you. Loser buys breakfast tomorrow.”
“You’re on.”
What follows is the most chaotic cleanup in history. Jack “accidentally” sprays me with the hose while washing glasses. I retaliate by flicking soap bubbles at him. Aggie threatens to fire us both, but she’s laughing too hard to be convincing.
At one point, Jack corners me by the keg cooler, his arms bracketing me against the wall. “You’re a terrible employee,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear.
I shiver. “You’re a terrible boss.”
Aggie clears her throat loudly from across the patio. “Children. Focus.”
We manage to finish cleaning before Aggie kicks us out with a wave of her dishrag. “Go on. Before you two give me a headache.”
Jack follows me home.
“You were amazing tonight,” I say as we reach my door.
He shrugs, but I can tell he’s pleased. “New song worked better than I thought.”
“Everything works when you play it.”
Jack’s smile softens. He steps closer, crowding me against the door, one hand coming up to cradle my jaw. “Yeah?”
I nod, suddenly breathless. “Yeah.”
Then his mouth is on mine, hungry and insistent. We stumble inside, a tangle of lips and hands and laughter, the door slamming shut behind us.
Max yowls his disapproval from the bed, scrambling out of the way as we collapse onto the mattress. Jack breaks the kiss just long enough to kick off his shoes, his hands already sliding under my shirt.
“Wait,” I gasp, pushing at his chest.
He freezes. “Too fast?”
I shake my head, reaching for the hem of his shirt instead. “Just want to see you. All of you.”
The shirt hits the floor, revealing all that sun-kissed skin and taut muscle that gets my juices flowing. My fingers trace the familiar lines of his torso—the scar on his ribs from a childhood bike accident, the dusting of hair trailing south.
Jack watches me with dark eyes, his chest rising and falling faster than usual. “Like what you see?”
I answer by undoing his jeans. I move down to pull off his boots and then his jeans. It’s my turn to stare down at his naked body. He’s gorgeous.
I pull off my dress and toss it to the floor.
“I’m going to take my time with you,” I warn him as I straddle him.
He groans. “Please do.”
I lean down, pressing a line of kisses along his jawline before moving down to his neck. He smells like sweat and soap from the cleanup, a heady combination that makes my head spin. I taste his skin, my tongue flicking out to trace the curve of his collarbone.
Jack’s grip on my waist tightens, his breath coming in short gasps. “Jinnie...”
I ignore his wordless plea, continuing my descent down his body. I kiss each of his pecs, lingering on the small, puckered scar near his heart. I haven’t asked about it yet, but I make a mental note to do so.
His abs ripple under my fingers, muscles tensing as I graze my teeth over his hipbones. He’s sensitive there, I remember. I make a mental note of his reactions as I continue my journey lower.
When I reach the spot I’m looking for, Jack lets out a low growl, his hips bucking up involuntarily. I wrap my fingers around him, feeling him harden further at my touch.
I look up at him through my lashes, grinning wickedly before lowering my head. My lips brush against him, making Jack shudder beneath me. I take him into my mouth, swirling my tongue around him, tasting him. I feel him twitch in my mouth. I take him deeper, hollowing my cheeks as I suck him. Jack’s hands tangle in my hair, guiding me, urging me on. I feel powerful knowing I can make this man, this talented and gorgeous man, lose control with just my mouth.
Suddenly, Jack’s grip tightens in my hair. “Jinnie, stop,” he gasps, pulling me up. His eyes are dark with desire. His chest rises and falls rapidly. “I want to be inside you when I come.”
He rolls us over so that he’s on top, resting between my legs. He looks down at me, his eyes softening as he brushes a stray hair from my face. “You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. I wrap my legs around him, urging him closer.
“Condom,” he murmurs.
“Nightstand.”
He reaches out and jerks open the drawer. He fumbles with the box and pulls one out. It only takes him a few seconds to get it on.
He enters me slowly, filling me completely. We both moan at the sensation, our bodies fitting together perfectly. Jack starts to move, thrusting in and out of me with steady rhythm. His pace quickens as our moans grow louder, filling the room.
The bed creaks beneath us. I cling to Jack, digging my nails into his back as I meet his thrusts with my own. He feels so good, so right. This moment feels perfect, like nothing else matters but us.
With one final thrust, Jack stills, his body shuddering as he finds his release. I follow soon after, my own orgasm crashing over me.
Jack collapses beside me, his breathing heavy as he pulls me close. We lay there, limbs tangled together, hearts beating in sync.
I want this. I want this now, tomorrow, and a year down the road. Now, I just have to figure out how to make that happen.