Thirty-Two
Asia
“I didn’t fall asleep, Jack,” I said, though I didn’t open my eyes.
“You usually snore when you’re awake?” he said.
My eyes—or just the one I that wasn’t the size of a golf ball—popped open.
I found Jack where he’d been for the last three days, at the back corner of the bedroom where he could see both the door and the window.
Watching over me.
I ignored the warmth that spread in my chest and tilted my head in indignation. “I do not snore, Jackson. ”
“Sure you don’t, Counselor,” he said drolly.
I couldn’t help but laugh as I sank back against the bed.
An actual bed.
Once my head and jaw stopped pounding, I was able to enjoy it. We’d been here for three days, though I spent most of it in and out of sleep.
All I really remembered were the vicious headaches, Lourdes’s pinched, worried expression, and Jack.
I don’t think he left my side.
Every time I opened my eyes, he was there, alert and at the ready, making sure I knew I was safe.
His beard had gotten full, and his eyes were slightly red. “Have you been getting enough sleep?”
He waved me off. “I’m fine, Counselor. How’s the head?”
I should have been used to it now. Jack never seemed uncomfortable, but I picked up how much he disliked it when I checked on him.
It was stronger now. Jack was always direct, but there was something different now, and I couldn’t put my finger on what.
Not like it should have mattered.
All that should’ve mattered was staying alive, but that weird whatever that lingered beneath the surface bothered me.
God I hoped not.
Sure, I’d seen and knew how lethal Jack was, and while I could admit I was stunned by how quickly and brutally he acted, I appreciated it.
I hoped he knew that.
I glanced over at him, but then looked away, needing to gather my thoughts.
I got out of bed and went to the bathroom to freshen up.
When I walked out, I almost ran face-first into the hard wall of Jack’s chest.
I glanced up, taking in the sparks of green in his eyes, and was overcome.
Aching jaw and all, I kissed him as hard as I dared.
He broke the kiss. “Asia, I?—”
I met his eyes again, speaking, uncaring of how desperate and needy I sounded. “Please. I need you. ”
And I did. Seeing what he’d done, knowing he did it for me, filled me with equal parts shame and reverence. Filled me with so many emotions, there was no way I could untangle them all.
But I could show him.
I would show him.
Eyes still locked on his, I trailed my fingers down his chest, then lower until my palm filled with his rapidly hardening cock.
“Asia, you’re hurt,” he said, his voice firm, but not nearly as firm as his steely shaft.
“You’ll be gentle,” I said, reaching lower to grip his sac.
Because he was alive. I was alive.
That was what we’d been fighting for.
I pushed him back, and he moved and then sat on the side of the bed.
I lowered between his spread thighs, but his hand on my shoulder stopped me.
His eyes burned as he pulled the scavenged sweat pants down my hips and then gripped my pussy, the flat of his hand pressing against my clit.
I let out a whimpered moan, unable to hold it back .
“Missed this,” Jack murmured as he stroked two thick fingers against my clit. My thighs parted involuntarily, and Jack took advantage.
He pressed one finger between my lower lips, then circled my opening with a teasing swirl, round and round and round until I was a breathless mess.
“Look at me,” Jack commanded.
I opened my eyes as he lifted his hips to lower his pants, a sigh falling from my lips at the sight of his thick cock, precum pooling at the angry-red tip.
His cock throbbed when I stroked my thumb across his weeping slit, exhaling sharply when he caught my wrist in his hand and stilled me.
He stared at me for long seconds and then let out a breath that sounded like a growl. In one swift motion, he lifted me, lining his cock up with my entrance, and then pulled me down, every hard, thick inch of him filling me in one breath.
“You said you’d be gentle,” I whined.
He kissed my neck, and then murmured against my skin. “No, you said I’d be gentle.”
He nipped at my neck and then rocked his hip, pumping in and out of me at an unholy speed.
I flew apart without warning, holding onto to Jack, knowing he would be my anchor.
As I came down, I opened my eyes and met his.
He slowed his thrusts, and I took over, rocking my hips in a lazy slow motion, the slap of my things against his, the low thud of our pubic bones rocking against each other the lewd soundtrack to this surprisingly tender moment.
He kept his eyes on mine, didn’t even seem to blink. Then he reached up, thick fingers ghosting over my face, so impossibly gentle, I came again.
He followed, heavy arm around my waist, anchoring me in place, eyes never leaving mine as he filled me with his cum.
So reckless, but I couldn’t make myself care.
Not when he looked at me like I was the most precious thing in the world.
Asia
Far too few hours later, I stood outside the cabin, Jack beside me.
The others did one final sweep for anything useful before we set off.
“You good?” he asked, studying me like he dared me to lie.
“Yes, Jackson. Let’s go,” I said.
He nodded curtly, and I turned, staring at the road stretched ahead, long and uncertain.
But when Jack’s fingers brushed mine as he walked by, I smiled.
Because I wouldn’t have to walk it alone.