Chapter Twenty-Five
Ria
I have done just about everything I can to keep my mind busy and not think about last night—how I completely embarrassed myself in front of Jack. Threw myself at him and then acted like I did when he rejected me.
Don’t be dramatic, Ria, he didn’t reject you.
I get it, even respect him for it. I was intoxicated and he didn”t want to take advantage, but now I fear I have not only ruined any chance for us, but our friendship too. I’ve texted him to apologize but had no response. He was sleeping when I snuck out of his apartment this morning. I left a note promising I wasn”t running, but that I needed to get home and clear my head.
Anne and Steve still have the girls this weekend and even though I”m off, and they told me to relax. What’s relaxing? I’ve been batch cooking, cleaning, and randomly started labeling my spice jars, because what else does one do when they”re low-key freaking out about life?
After a long shower, I”m in my comfiest clothes, “Luke Coombs” is singing to me over the speaker system and I am on the sofa, eyeballing the Chinese takeout menu just when there is a knock at the door.
I make my way there and open it to find Jack dressed in gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt that shows his biceps off to perfection. He’s got a backward cap and is holding a bag of takeout in one hand and scrabble in the other.
Fuck me sideways. Why does the universe hate me?
”Jack, you”re here?”
He smiles, and my heart jumps at the sight.
“I am. I bought Chinese food and Scrabble. Hope you”re ready to lose a game or two.”
I grin, nodding as he pushes past me like he”s comfortable enough to do that. Maybe I didn”t make that much of an idiot out of myself last night after all.
I follow him into the kitchen, watching as he unloads the food while he tells me he ordered one of everything, which is a lot.
”Jack, about last night. I”m sor—”
”Please don”t apologize, Ri. You had a lot to deal with.”
”Yeah, I guess you”re right.” His finger lifts my chin so I’m forced to face him.
”Is that all that”s on your mind?”
I blink. ”What you said last night, about wanting to be there for me, be the one to show me how I should be treated… Did you mean it? Because I think I’d like that...” I say quietly.
“I meant every word Ri.”
Two games of Scrabble in and a whole lot of Chinese food and wine later, I”m losing. We are sat on a blanket on the floor in front of the couch, music echoes around us, as we laugh and try to score points with the most ridiculous words. Jack looks so happy, so at ease as he smiles at me and my chest expands, watching him, the soft glow of the lamps making him look even more handsome.
I know I wanted to take things slow, but something has shifted. He allows me to be me. I don”t feel nervous around him. I’m not scared to say how I feel or what I want, and what I want is him.
It”s Jack”s turn and I watch as he meticulously places down the letters K-I-S-S. As soon as the word registers, my eyes snap to his and track him, licking his lips. Suddenly, the game of Scrabble feels like the last thing I want to be doing.
There’s a shift between us. It’s like all my senses become heightened. The taste of red wine in my mouth becomes fruiter, my heart thumping in my ears and the heat between my legs almost burns. My hands tingle, itching to touch him. But I can’t, not after last night. My pride won’t let me. If he wants me, he needs to make the move.
“Ri,” he says in a throaty gasp.
“Yeah,” I reply, my voice barely a whisper.
He moves closer and we are almost nose to nose. Eyes closed, I can feel his breath on my lips.
”Well, what do you say, sweetheart? Do I get a kiss?”
I nod; it’s all I can manage. I want this, I want him, on me, in me. I want all of him. We”ve fought this long enough.
“Use your words, Ri.”
The air crackles between us and my mind, body and soul knows this is going to be the time we finally cross that line and go all the way. I’ve craved this for too long.
I open my eyes to find his biceps bulging as he removes his hat and tugs his t-shirt over his head, throwing it onto the couch. I bite my tongue to stop the whimper I’m desperate to release at the sight of his tanned body and six-pack.
I sink my teeth into my lower lip and shrug my cardigan off, revealing my zipped yoga bra. His eyes scan my face, my lips, my breasts, my stomach and back up again, and the strain in his sweats does not go unnoticed. He wants this just as much as me and I’d be lying if seeing him like this isn”t the biggest confidence boost. He lifts me onto his lap, so I’m straddling him.
I stroke my hands through his messy hair and I take a moment to study his face. I stare into his piercing blue eyes and trace my finger along his strong jawline, enjoying the way his stubble feels against my skin. I want to remember this moment; commit the way he”s looking at me right now to memory. My words are breathless as I say, “I want you, Jack…”