Chapter 31 Intruder
THIRTY-ONE
Intruder
Noelle
The Christmas concert was a couple of days away, and Faith couldn’t stop talking about it.
She was excited, and she practiced all the time without Jack because he hadn’t been around since Logan had shown up unexpectedly.
After the big incident, Faith barely spoke about it.
Her upcoming performance distracted her, and I was goddamn thankful.
Jack’s sudden disappearance after the amazing time we had shared, though? Not so much.
Jack had been quiet. Nonexistent. I hadn’t seen him outside, and there were even a few green light bulbs that had burned out, but he hadn’t bothered to fix them.
I had a strong urge to pick up the phone and send him a text. But my fingers had typed out words I wouldn’t dare send. Lost messages locked away in the unknown.
Had Logan said something to Jack?
Logan had figured out I was sleeping with my next-door neighbor while he wanted our family back together. The answer to the question was crystal clear, but I was afraid to find out the truth. I’d know for certain, without a doubt, why Jack had stayed distant.
Faith asked about him, but I made up excuses.
Mr. Timber had to work; he was busy running errands, or he had a big date.
The date part made me cringe and was complete, utter bullshit, but I wanted to spare her the truth.
I didn’t know where he was or why he had vanished into thin air.
Jack avoided me, and reality stung like a knife’s blade twisted in my gut while the hole bled for an answer to one question: Why did Jack run away?
Before the situation with Logan, Jack had been around almost every single day.
I had grown used to him like a pesky snowflake caught in my eyelash.
Our rocky relationship had shifted over the last few weeks, with a slow burn sizzling between us, leading up to the moment we gave in to our forbidden desire.
All the secret shared kisses, tender times, and memories should never have happened, but they had, and my heart beat for him.
The chemistry between us was undeniable, and I couldn’t stop thinking about him, even with space between us and time to reflect on all we had done.
It was a mishap my father wouldn’t be too fond of. My dad couldn’t find out what had happened between his best friend and daughter. He’d never forgive Jack. Thank God Logan hadn’t outed our off-limits whatever the fuck this was.
I glanced at the clock.
“Shit,” I mumbled.
I had to take a quick stroll over to my parent’s house.
I had promised to check in on their property when I had the chance as a favor to keep them stress-free while on vacation, and I didn’t mind stopping by before work.
I made the chore a part of my routine in my busy schedule, but today, the quick stop had slipped my mind.
I had forgotten. Too much Jack Timber on my mind. A man who needed to reveal what the hell he had been up to the last few days.
Jack owed me an explanation, but I feared the outcome. Avoidance was key while I yearned for his closeness, and the need to have him near screwed with me. Our time apart should bring me relief, but all I experienced was torture—punishment from the unknown and unwanted thoughts reeling in my head.
Hurriedly, I walked down the street and tried not to peek at Jack’s place. I couldn’t help myself when I saw movement out of the corner of my eye at the window. The slight shove of the blind as I saw a wet nose pressed up against the glass.
Chip stared at me with his tongue hanging out of his mouth, and he fogged up the window. A giggle escaped me, and I waved at the furry animal. I missed his obnoxious, lovable, slobbery kisses.
My heart leaped into my throat, beating rapidly, while I waited for any sign of Jack. I swallowed the lump when I didn’t see him and continued down the sidewalk to my parent’s house.
Their home was a pretty place with gorgeous gardens in the summer and not a single decoration hung during Christmastime.
I loved living in my childhood home but hated the bah, humbug spirit, which was the reason I celebrated year after year.
My parents had never believed in celebrating Christmas traditions, so I had made them my own.
I had embraced the cheerfulness and made sure I raised my daughter to love the holiday season too.
Fond memories rushed through me as I wandered up the driveway I used to pedal my bike down with excitement and ride through the neighborhood.
The front step I’d sit on while I listened to the greatest hits on the radio and do homework in my lap.
Throughout the winter months, I built huge snowmen and made an army on the front lawn, giving them eyes of coal.
I’d take my dad’s top hats and my mom’s scarves while I decorated them in the snow.
Carrot noses, licorice smiles, and twigs for arms. Until the sunshine came and I’d built them anew.
Immediately, I stopped at the front door with the key in hand and stared at the ajar door. Oh my God. Someone was in my parents’ house.
Adrenaline rushed through my body as I contemplated my next important steps. I should turn back and call the cops, but the robbers might escape. I could open the door, announce myself, and scare the intruder away. Or I could go in there, grab a huge frying pan, and knock the asshole out.
The safest option would be to leave, let the motherfuckers take what they wanted, and my parents could claim everything on their insurance. Do I listen to reason? No.
The door creaked as I pushed it open, and the sound made me want to flee.
But I was already inside, hurrying across the modern tile.
Screw my wet boots making a mess on the floor as I tiptoed in further and pressed my back up against a wall.
I crept toward a corner to peek around the kitchen and saw no signs of anyone.
Not a creature stirred, only this quiet mouse.
The frying pan idea was brilliant, so I quickly made my way toward a cabinet to grab one.
I raised the pan up high, ready to defend myself and teach whoever had broken the law a hard lesson never to do it again.
I’d whack anyone to protect the house I had grown up in and had promised to take care of.
Suddenly, there was a shuffle of feet to my right, and I turned toward the sound. I listened intently, hairs rose on my arms, and goosebumps came to life. The noise stopped. The disturbance was behind the door leading into the den.
One step. Two steps. Three. I inch silently toward the door, frying pan over my shoulder, clenching the handle and preparing to swing.
I had no other thoughts on my mind as I locked my gaze on the doorknob and watched it turn. My eyes widened in fear, air got trapped in my lungs as I held my breath and listened to my heart beating wildly in my eardrums. The door flung open, and I didn’t hold back.
I released a shrill scream as loud as a wild banshee and swung the pan like I had never hit a baseball with a bat in my life. Far too hard and way too wide. The asshole who broke in ducked out of the way before I hit him, and I missed my mark.
My body went into a tailspin, and I fell into a nosedive. I lost my grip on the frying pan while the floor inched closer, and I closed my eyes awaiting impact, but firm hands grabbed me. The intruder saved me from smacking my face on the floor.
“Please don’t hurt me.” I squeezed my eyes shut and pleaded for my life. “I... I was cooking.”
“Cooking?”
I cracked an eye open. Everything spun. My vision blurred as I saw brown hair falling down over eyes filled with concern. A woodsy scent made me dizzy.
Nah, I was lightheaded. I saw two men.
I screamed, thrashed, and tried to get away, but I couldn’t. The intruder had me trapped in their arms and held me on the floor.
The person shook me. “Elle! It’s okay. It’s me, Jack.”
I quieted. The shaking stopped, and I went rigid while clenching a shirt. A green and black plaid patterned shirt, soft as flannel, and I remembered how cozy it had been while I had worn it.
“Jack?” I questioned.
The dizziness lessened until my sight came to a standstill, and Jack peered down at me. Puzzlement etched across his gorgeous features, and I reached up to brush his hair back. The fight in me subsided, my guard went down, and I let him inside.
“Yeah. It’s me,” Jack replied as he brushed loose strands of hair away from my face.
I caught his hand.
“Wait.” I scrambled out of his embrace. “What are you doing in my parents’ house?”
“I made a promise to Gabe; I’d check in to ensure everything was okay while they are away.” Jack pointed at me with a raised eyebrow. “Wait. Are you following me?”
“Me? Following you? No.” I laughed and swatted a hand at the air. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
I just peek out the window and search for you any chance I get. Whether I hate your guts or love you. Take your damn pick.
Jack grunted. He brushed off his jeans and stood up. His hand reached down and waited for me to accept the gesture, but I ignored it.
“Some help you are, leaving the front door open for anyone to waltz in.” I sighed with annoyance. “You can scurry away now. I’ll take care of business. Don’t forget to close the door on the way out.”
“No,” Jack argued.
“Yes.” I stood up to intimidate Jack. “Don’t let the door hit your nonexistent ass on the way out.”
Jack lifted an eyebrow. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Jack towered over me. I inched up on my tippy-toes, but there was still too much distance between us. The heat sizzled, the tension peaked, and my body tingled. Finally, he leaned in, and he was close enough that our noses brushed.
“Nothing,” I whispered and pressed my index finger into his chest. “Except you’re a coward.”
“A coward?” Jack grabbed my wrist. “Seriously? Would a coward do this?”
Jack kissed me in my parents’ kitchen. His mouth was full of feverish passion as I couldn’t deny him and parted my lips to invite him in. His tongue swirled with mine, and a satisfied sigh escaped me.
Jesus. I missed Jack.
Greedy hands held the back of my neck, and I clung to Jack.
His lips traveled down my neck while I balled up the fabric of his shirt in my hands.
My fingers grazed his scalp, and his mouth worked back up to find my lips again.
He swallowed my moan. Need exploded inside of me to have him and never let him go.
I never wanted to suffer another minute without him.
“Get your lips off my daughter!”