Chapter 17
Seventeen
The next two weeks were blessedly busy. It was December, and Kayla and Jack were swamped with end-of-the-year work duties.
Most mornings, they’d meet briefly in the kitchen to grab a quick coffee and breakfast. Depending on their schedules, they’d had dinner together, watched a little TV, and retired to their separate bedrooms. During this time, they also managed to meet Jack’s parents for dinner a few times.
“My mom noticed we aren’t very affectionate with each other,” Jack said one night on the way home from a local steak place.
Kayla’s eyes widened. “When did she say that?”
“When you went to the bathroom at the restaurant.”
Kayla shifted uncomfortably. It was true.
Ever since the drunken incident, she’d been avoiding physical contact with Jack.
Sleeping in his bed half naked and cuddling with him had been risky.
Good thing he hadn’t made a move on her, because in her intoxicated state, they might have done a lot more.
“We held hands going in and out of the restaurant,” she pointed out.
“It’s not enough. She’s worried something’s wrong between us.”
“Other than the fact we’re faking this?” Kayla said dryly.
Jack tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “I’m just telling you what she said.”
Kayla sighed. “What should we do about it?”
“I guess we need to show more affection.”
Kayla stared at his handsome profile. Ever since she’d moved in she noticed every little thing about him, and right now, he had a crease between his thick, dark, eyebrows. “What are we supposed to do, make out in front of your parents?”
“Of course not, but we could kiss once in a while.”
Kiss? Her face heated, and she turned her attention out the window.
“It wouldn’t have to be a passionate kiss … Just a quick peck.”
“On the cheek?”
Jack chuckled. “No. On the lips.”
Kayla swallowed hard. Hand-holding and casual touching were one thing, but kissing was different. She didn’t dole out kisses like candy, especially in front of an audience.
“What are you thinking?” Jack asked as he pulled onto his street.
“I guess we can try it,” she said.
“You sound so enthused,” he chided her.
Once inside, Kayla strode into the living room and plunked down on the couch. Their discussion had thrown her into a tailspin, and she needed to sit down.
Jack sat beside her but left some space between them. “I promise I won’t give you cooties.”
She scowled at him. “It’s not that.”
“What’s the problem, then?”
“Kissing someone requires a level of intimacy that we don’t have.”
Jack looked stricken, but quickly recovered. “We need to act like a real couple, and real couples kiss.”
“I know what real couples do,” she huffed.
Jack shifted sideways and faced her. “What if we practiced?”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Practiced kissing?”
“Mmm-hmm. That way, it will look authentic instead of awkward.”
She couldn’t argue with his logic.
“Like I said, it doesn’t have to be an all-out, tongue down your throat kind of kiss.”
“You just ruined French kissing for me,” she teased.
Ignoring her, he continued his plea. “It can be a quick kiss on the lips, and it has to look casual, like we do it all the time.” The more he talked about this, the more excited he sounded.
“Okay.” Kayla agreed with less enthusiasm.
“I’ll set up a scenario for us. Ready?”
No. “Yes.”
“Pretend you made dinner and are setting a plate of food in front of me.”
“It’s more likely to be the other way around,” Kayla pointed out. At home, Jack did most of the cooking.
“Okay, fine. Pretend I just made dinner, and you want to thank me with a kiss.”
She tilted her head and considered it. “Is that realistic?”
“Yes!” Jack insisted. “Now play along.”
“Fine.” She steeled herself.
“Here you go, honey. I made your favorite meal.” Jack pretended to set a plate of food before her.
Kayla glanced down at her empty lap. “Yay! Pancakes and bacon!”
Jack frowned at her. “No. It’s pasta and garlic bread.”
“I was hoping you made breakfast for dinner.”
Jack sighed. “You’re being difficult.”
“Sorry. How did I know you made pasta?”
Shaking his head, Jack leaned back and stared at the ceiling. “This isn’t working.”
“Are you breaking up with me?” Kayla joked.
He twisted his head and gazed at her. “Is the thought of kissing me really that terrible?”
Terrible, no. Terrifying, yes. “Of course not. It’s just weird.”
“Why is it weird?”
“Because we’re Kayla and Jack. We’re buddies, not lovers.”
“We could have been lovers the other night.”
Her breath caught at his reference to the drunken cuddling incident. “I thought we agreed not to talk about that.”
“You didn’t mind touching me then,” Jack continued, undeterred.
Kayla swallowed hard. “You mean cuddling?”
He held her gaze. “You wanted to do more than that.”
Her eyes widened. “You only told me about the cuddling.”
“I didn’t want you to freak out.”
“Consider this me freaking out,” she said, her voice rising with every word. “What else happened?”
Jack looked away. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter.”
“I want to know.” They needed to discuss this. They could laugh about it, and finally put it to bed. Not bed. Bad bed. Put it to rest.
He met her eyes again and gazed at her for a long time. “You asked me to have sex.”
Kayla’s pulse quickened. “I actually said that?”
Jack slowly nodded.
“Oh my God.” Kayla placed a hand over her mouth.
“You were drunk, so I knew you didn’t mean it,” he added.
“I wasn’t drunk.”
“You said that too.”
She gaped at him. “What else did I do?”
Jack took a deep breath, drawing her attention to his chest expanding in his flannel shirt. “You started touching me.” He glanced down at his jeans. “There. But I stopped you.”
Kayla’s eyes widened to mammoth proportions.
“So, see. I’m not such a bad guy,” Jack asserted.
She felt guilty for making him think that. Reaching out, she squeezed his forearm. “Of course you’re not a bad guy.” You’re a great guy. One of the best.
Jack glanced down at her hand on his arm, and then slowly lifted his gaze. Just like in her romance books, the air crackled between them. The house was quiet and darkness settled around them like a blanket. Their aloneness was unnerving and titillating at the same time.
“Will you kiss me now?” Jack asked softly.
Suddenly, there was nothing she wanted more.
Kayla nodded, but Jack stayed still, waiting for her to take the lead.
She scooted closer until the sides of their bodies touched.
Then she slid her hand up his arm and rested it on his shoulder.
Jack lifted her other hand and placed it on his chest. They locked their eyes, desire flickering between them.
Then his gaze dropped to her lips, and she licked them in nervous anticipation.
He slowly leaned in, and she met him halfway.
Kayla’s eyelids fluttered closed as their lips met for the first time.
They barely moved, but a warm, sweet sensation flowed through her veins.
She shifted closer to him, and his arm went around her waist.
Jack deepened the kiss, or she did. Either way, she was consumed with an urgent, aching need.
Kayla’s lips parted in a sigh, and Jack flicked his tongue out to taste her.
The next thing she knew, he lifted her onto his lap without breaking their kiss.
Kayla coiled her arms around his neck, and her breasts rubbed enticingly against his chest. Jack planted his hands on her hips, holding her gently yet firmly in place.
It was easily the best first kiss Kayla had ever had, and she felt ravenous for more. She shifted again, her center brushing against Jack’s erection. Someone moaned, or they both did. They jostled around, desperately trying to get closer, despite the layers of clothes between them.
Kayla’s senses were overwhelmed in the best possible way. The spicy scent of Jack’s cologne wafted up from the open neck of his flannel shirt. Wherever they touched, she felt soft fabric stretched over hard muscles. And the hardest part of all was nestled right between her legs.
While Kayla reveled in her heightened senses, Jack’s hands drifted under the back of her sweater. The warmth of them splayed on her bare skin, causing her to break out in goosebumps, though she wasn’t the least bit cold.
Jack broke their kiss, but kept his hands beneath her sweater. “Is this okay?”
Kayla nodded emphatically.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes! Keep going,” she demanded.
Chuckling, he resumed kissing her while his hands continued their exploration.
With every touch, her lady parts pulsed with need.
Soon, Jack moved his hands around to her front and cupped her breasts over her bra.
Underneath her heavy sweater, she’d worn a sheer bra, and she felt everything.
He rubbed her hardened nipples with his thumbs, teasing her breasts, until she felt a familiar tightening in her core.
If they kept this up, she might come with all her clothes on.
“Can I undo your bra?” Jack whispered against her lips.
“Yes. Please,” she added.
“So polite,” he teased, as his hands slid around her back.
Instead of resuming kissing, he seemed content to simply gaze at her, which made her squirm. Jack deftly unhooked her bra, and she tried not to think of all the practice he must have had, as her breasts were freed from their constraints.
Maintaining eye contact, Jack trailed his hands around and cupped her bare breasts. His chest heaved and gaze heated. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this,” he said.
You have no idea how long I’ve wanted you to. Kayla didn’t speak, lest she give herself away. Besides, she wasn’t interested in chatting just then.
Jack tugged on her nipples, twisting them gently between his thumbs and forefingers. Grinning, he said, “You like that.”
“Do you always talk this much during sex?” she grumbled.
His eyes widened. “Is that what we’re doing?”
“Well, not yet,” she muttered. She wiggled on his lap, seeking more pressure against her core.
“Is it on the table?” Jack asked, sounding hopeful.
“Do you mean the couch?” she joked.
“Or the bedroom?” he asked.
Kayla sucked in a breath, and her pulse raced. If they went into his bedroom, they were having sex. Is that what she wanted? “Hell, yes!” answered the devil on her shoulder. “You’ll probably regret it,” argued the angel.
Kayla must have taken too long to respond, because Jack slid his hands out from under her sweater. “Sorry. I got carried away.”
“No,” she cried. “I—”
The shrill sound of the doorbell pierced the air, bringing an abrupt end to their fumbling. Jack quickly lifted her off his lap and stood.
Kayla tried and failed to fasten her bra, while darting furtive glances at the front door. “Who could it be?”
“I don’t know. Turn around, and I’ll hook it,” Jack insisted.
She stood and presented her back to him. He fastened the hooks and tugged her sweater in place when the doorbell rang again.
“Coming!” Jack shouted. He hurriedly tucked in his shirt as he went to answer the door.
In the meantime, Kayla sat back down, grabbed a throw pillow, and hugged it to her chest. She considered running upstairs, but didn’t think she’d make it in time. She leaned back against the couch cushions, attempting to stay out of sight of the visitor.
“Hi, honey. Sorry to bother you,” Eileen said.
Kayla winced. Of all times for his parents to visit, this was the worst.
“What’s up, Mom?” Jack asked impatiently.
“I left my purse in your car,” Eileen explained. “I could have waited until tomorrow, but I figured you’d still be up, so that’s why I’m here.”
“We’re up,” Jack said. “Come inside while I go into the garage and grab it for you.”
Kayla gripped the pillow a little tighter as Jack and Eileen entered the living room. Show time. Mustering a smile, she said, “Hello, Eileen.”
“She forgot her purse in the car. I’ll be right back,” Jack said apologetically.
As he left the room, Kayla realized how obvious this must look.
The blanket that had been draped over the couch had fallen to the floor, and the cushions were rumpled from their jostling.
The TV was off, and they hadn’t even turned on a lamp.
Jack’s mom had caught them making out like horny teenagers.
“I’m so sorry to interrupt,” Eileen said, as if she’d read Kayla’s mind.
“It’s okay. We were just relaxing,” Kayla lied.
Eileen nodded, playing along.
Jack returned and handed Eileen her purse.
“Thanks, son. Silly me for forgetting it.”
“No problem. We were just—”
“Relaxing,” Kayla repeated.
“Right,” he said.
“Well, I’ll let you get back to it. Have a good evening.” Eileen said.
“I’ll walk you out,” Jack offered.
“Good night,” Kayla called as they moved away. By the time Jack locked the door and returned to the living room, Kayla had gone to the bottom of the stairs.
Jack frowned at her. “Where are you going?”
“To bed,” she replied.
“But, what about—?”
“Alone,” she stated firmly. Then she turned and jogged upstairs.
“Kayla!” Jack sounded equally frustrated and disappointed.
“Good night, Jack,” she replied over her shoulder.
Kayla slipped into the spare bedroom and locked the door.
Then she leaned heavily against it and sighed.
She’d been perturbed at Eileen’s appearance, but now she was grateful.
If Eileen hadn’t interrupted them, Kayla might have made a huge mistake.
If she hadn’t believed in fate before, she did now.
If she and Jack were meant to be together, they wouldn’t have been interrupted.
It proved what Kayla had known all along—she and Jack weren’t supposed to be lovers.
They’d started out as friends, and that is all they would ever be.