Chapter 21
JACK
Itold Jessi I would be home at nine, but by the time I maneuver the bike into the garage, it’s closer to ten.
I picture Jessi passed out in her new bed, her hair spilled over her pillow, and vow to talk more to her about everything tomorrow.
Because Mike is right. If we go down this path, it could end badly.
I open the door slowly, trying to minimize the noise in case she’s asleep. Upstairs, her light is on, so I head up and peek my head around the doorframe. The space is vastly different from the rest of my house. It’s light and airy, full of lavender, light blues, and white. It reminds me of her.
Why does her stamping a mark on my home warm my heart? I shake my head. This is precisely why she shouldn’t stay here. I might want more than just to look out for her.
It’s then that I notice Jessi isn’t in the room at all.
I head downstairs, my irritation and panic growing in my gut. I swear to God if she went back to her house without me, I’ll give her an earful she won’t forget.
I spot her tiny frame slumped against the living room couch and relax. Her phone lights up next to her.
I creep up to her and stare at the messages crowding the screen.
Unknown
Whore
Unknown
Liar
Unknown
Loser
Unknown
You know you wanted it
My blood is boiling. I swipe my thumb across the screen, and to my surprise, the phone unlocks. I delete all the texts, and spy Rachel’s name in another text thread.
Jessi
I hope you enjoy dating a sex offender.
Rachel
Grow up.
I thought these two were friends.
I return Jessi’s phone to the coffee table and shut off the TV. Jessi doesn’t flinch. The more I gaze at her, the harder it is to tear my eyes away. She magnetizes me.
Her tanned skin and golden-brown hair shines in the moonlight pouring in from the windows.
I could stare at her for hours, but if she wakes up, she’ll think I’m a creeper, so I ponder ways to get her to bed.
I don’t want to wake her, but she isn’t staying on the couch.
She deserves to be in her own space. Cocooned in her top-of-the-line bed.
As I remove my cut and riding boots, I steal glances at her.
Then I bend down and snake one arm behind her shoulders and one under her knees.
She smells like a field of flowers. It’s intoxicating.
I can’t help but bury my nose in her hair, trying to memorize the exact note of the scent.
What I would do to wake up next to her smell every day.
She folds into my arms with ease. Her thighs can’t be much bigger than my biceps.
I could lift her with one hand. Damn, thinking back to her standing off against me at the store has me holding back a chuckle.
She shifts as I walk up the stairs and rolls into me.
She’s wearing my T-shirt again, and fuck, my cock starts to come alive.
She runs her hand over my chest and around my neck.
I freeze. Is she awake? Her breathing’s the same rush of shallow huffs, so I doubt it.
I continue climbing. A few steps later, her petite hand tries to hold me to her, and her fingers brush over the sensitive area below my ear. My dick starts operating on its own accord, begging her to do more.
I hold it together until I’m at her bed. I roll the sheets back and lean over to place her gently under the covers. As I straighten up, she clutches my shirt, stopping me again.
“Jack,” she says quietly.
“Yeah?” My breath grows more ragged as my pants get tighter and tighter. My eyes travel over Jessi’s face, finding her eyes still closed. Is she sleep-talking?
I hover over her, enjoying her hand on my shirt but worried she’ll wake up and scream.
“You smell good,” she mumbles.
“Thank you. I was making sure you got into bed.”
“Mhm. I like it when you call me baby.”
Without thinking, I kiss her forehead.
She trails her hand up my back and neck, drawing me closer. Her lips hover under my cheek, grazing my jaw in the smallest kiss. When it’s over, her head sinks back into the pillow. “Thank you,” she says as she rolls over.
I stand up and drag my hands down my face, trying to regain my sanity. It takes everything in me not to devour those full, pouty lips. She drives me out of my mind with need. But somehow, I step away, shut Jessi’s light off, and close the door.
My dick is swollen, throbbing, and needs relief. So I head to my shower, though I know I shouldn’t. Not with Jessi so close. I can’t help myself. I need to come. Get her out of my system.
I crank up the cold water, but it does nothing to extinguish the fire coursing through my veins.
I wrap my hand around myself and tug hard, bracing my free hand against the wall.
Jessi’s face flashes into my mind. Her eyes, hearing her say she likes when I call her baby.
I imagine her hands wrapping around my thick dick, and the tension builds inside of me with each jerk.
Oh fuck. The thought of her lying on the bed with nothing but my shirt on—her opening her legs for me—undoes me.
White ribbons fly against the shower wall. I haven’t come that fast . . . ever.
There. I just needed to get her out of my system. I should have better control now, I tell myself. She can stay here without any problems from me.
“Sure she can,” I mutter.