Chapter 38
JESSI
The thrill of a job—and at the motorcycle club no less—lasts for about five minutes.
That’s when I realize that I know pretty much nothing about motorcycles.
I’m sure Jack explained that to Mike. Hopefully, Jack will help me until I get the hang of it.
God, I’m already being a “pain in his ass.” I need to calm down.
After Jack tells me about the job, I run up to my room to try to piece together some outfits. I know that Sonny usually wears an MC shirt to work, but seeing as I’m new, I need to make a good first impression until I have an official shirt of my own.
While I riffle through my stuff, I decide to text my dad and tell him the good news.
Me
Hi. I hope your trip is going well. Guess what?! I got a job today!
Dad
Hey! That’s fantastic news. Where at?
I pause. I can’t tell him about the MC.
Me
At a bar. I’m hostess.
Will he buy that?
Dad
Great! I’m happy to hear you’re taking things seriously. Any thought into where you want to go to school?
Me
No. I probably won’t end up going. I don’t know if that’s what I want for my life, at least for now.
Dad
We will discuss when I get home. I need to get back to dinner. I’m proud of you for getting the job.
I drop the phone on my nightstand, trying not to think too much about Dad’s disappointment about college. At least my job makes him happy for now.
I swing my bedroom door open, wanting to ask Jack more questions, but find the lights turned off. Shoot. Jack must’ve gone to bed.
I wander back to my room and change into Jack’s shirt. It’s my sleepwear of choice since moving in. I love having the fabric wrapped around me, knowing that it’s also been on his body. I shut off my overhead light, crawl into bed, and snap on my bedside lamp.
Maybe I’ll text him. If he’s asleep, he will answer in the morning, but I’ll get my answers if he is still awake. My stomach flutters with excitement as I type.
Me
You awake?
Jack
Yes. What’s up?
Me
Nothing. I was wondering if I needed to grab my birth certificate and social security card for work.
Jack
This couldn’t wait until morning?
Me
Well, you’re always gone when I wake up.
Jack’s door creaks down the hall and heavy footsteps head my way. Then my door swings open and Jack’s face peers in. “No knock?” I say playfully.
His eyes rake over me. My cheeks heat, and I tuck myself under the covers, wishing I’d chosen a different shirt to wear to bed.
“I have another T-shirt if you want to switch them out,” he says. “You can grab one anytime. They’re in my drawer.”
“Okay. Thank you,” I squeak out. He’s shirtless and wearing pajama pants that show his muscular V.
This man serves the world by rarely wearing a shirt around here.
God, he is exquisite. I’m not sure how a man can always be attractive, but Jack is.
PJs, sweats, jeans, riding jacket. No matter what he wears, I have to fight to keep my eyes from wandering.
He brings out a need in me, a hunger I can’t place.
I’m not sure if it’s because I’m wearing only a T-shirt in bed or the fact that he and I have never been in this small room together, but I would do about anything for him to crawl in with me.
I have to clinch my legs together the longer I look at him.
“Why are you biting your lip?” he says in a raspy whisper.
Molten lava spreads from my neck to my face. Please don’t notice how embarrassed I am.
His eyes go dark, and I squirm under his gaze. Well, if I can notice his eyes darken, he is sure to have noticed my cheeks redden.
He clears his throat. “You’ll get paid under the table. No docs needed. While on the subject, I’ll pick you up on the bike, and we’ll go home together. I don’t want you getting your keys until your parents get back.”
Picking at the nonexistent lint on my bedsheet, I say, “I don’t want to be a pain in your ass on day one. I don’t want you to have to leave, come get me, and then stay later to bring me home.”
He crosses his arms over his chest and leans against the doorframe.
“Uh-oh,” I say. “Crossed arms means your rule is law.”
He chuckles, then grows serious again. “Yep, that’s me. I’m going to pick you up on the bike, we will go to the club, and we will go home together. That’s the deal if you want to work at the club. Period.”
I bite my lip again and nod in silent agreement.
He closes the distance between the door and my bed.
Instinctively, I swing my legs over the side.
His knees brush against the inside of my thighs.
I tilt my head all the way back to study him.
He cups his large rough hands on either side of my face, his thumbs brushing against my mouth and pulling my bitten lip back.
“Good girl,” says Jack. “Don’t bite your lip and look at me like that unless you want me to do something about it.”
I quietly suck in a breath and arch my back. “What would you do?” I dart my tongue out and run it over the thumb trapping my bottom lip.
He lets out a deep growl and squeezes his eyes shut. “Don’t ask me that.” The warmth of his hands leaves my face, and my lip springs back into place. He walks out of my room, closing the door without another glance.
I sit on the edge of my bed and stare at the empty doorway in shock.
Holy shit. He wants me.