Chapter 25
Jack
Ten AM and a cop drops me and Tommy off at the center. My car had to be towed. I got a citation for reckless driving and property damage. The police are looking for Noel. I have to get through this day on two hours of sleep, and so far, one can of caffeine.
Most of the crew wait outside. Some parents and caregivers wait too, in hopes I would show. I make my standard apologies and usher everyone inside.
I need to hire someone desperately. My two employees, Harriet and Julie are great, but they are stretched thin.
Julie who works afternoons, arrives at lunch time. She’s short, blond and has a button nose. I hug her, and so do many of the crew.
She chuckles, her blue eyes sparkling. “What’s this all about?” she asks when our embrace ends.
“I’m glad you’re here. Can you cover lunch while I get some rest?”
“Absolutely. You look exhausted.”
“I am.” I bite my bottom lip, hesitating. “And can you give Tommy and me a lift home after work?”
Concern fills her face. “Yes, of course.”
“Thanks.” I trudge to the back office to sleep. I check my phone. Never mind.
I forgot it at home.
Great.
So I sleep, and it’s the fastest nap of my life. Julie didn’t wake me. Tommy and Chance did-
Because they wanted to sing me a song.
By the time I get home, I make dinner and lock the doors and windows. I put on Tommy’s favorite show and lie on the couch. I plead with Tommy to stay inside if I fall asleep, which I plan to do.
I don’t know what I’ll do about Morgan.
Don’t think about her.
My phone. Need to check it...
The room darkens as sleep overcomes me.
Bang, bang, bang!
My eyes snap open. It’s daylight. Tommy’s passed out on the floor with snack wrappers all around him. I rub my eyes and stagger forward.
When I open the door, a tornado the size and shape of Morgan bursts into the house.
“So you do have a pulse,” she snaps and holds up the burner phone. “Was this a cruel joke? Buy me a phone, then ignore me.”
“Morgan,” I say.
She lowers her voice and hisses, “Sleep with me, then discard me. How dare you?” Her tone drops even more. “After I prayed the way I did?” She stamps her heel. “I bared my soul to you!”
“Morgan-”
“Okay! I knew you said you would probably discard me after. The more I think about it, that was a jerk thing to say! I am a good woman, Jack Killborne. I pray you find God just so you don’t throw away his next blessing.”
She turns away to make a dramatic exit.
I roll my eyes and snatch her wrist, pulling her close.
“No! Let me go! I trusted you!” she cries out, kicking and screaming.
I understand why she’s upset. I should’ve texted. I’d be pissed too. It’s just a rough way to wake up.
Regardless, I drag Morgan to the couch and hold her on my lap. I shove my phone in her hand.
“Turn it on, crazy.”
She side-eyes me, skeptical.
“For real?”
“Yes.”
As if I may steal it back, she holds it further from me and moves cautiously as she powers on the phone.
I hold her fingertip and draw the unlock pattern. “Go on. Go through it.”
Her eyes gradually light up as she realizes I mean it. It’s Christmas morning for her.
She doesn’t delay and goes straight for texts. Her messages are at the top, all unread.
“See? I didn’t have my phone yesterday. It’s a long story.”
I tap her thread. There are dozens of messages, each one increasingly upset.
“Damn Morgan,” I tease half-heartedly. “Must’ve liked my dick. Clingy much?”
Her face flushes beet red. “Well! I thought you were ignoring me, and, um...”
I smile warmly, though, and tenderly kiss the back of her shoulder. “You can be clingy. I like that about you.”
I’m a dead man. Should not have said that. I gotta let this woman go. I’m being fucking selfish.
“You don’t mind?” She exhales a long breath. “I’m usually not the clingy one.”
Before I can reply, she starts reading every thread. I lean back and let her. I have nothing to hide. Besides, I like looking at her. Holding her. But I haven’t had enough time to let it sink in:
I fucked Morgan Leigh Montgomery.
Unbelievable.
Somehow, I got her in bed. I sunk into her tight pussy like a dream come true. Nothing was what I envisioned the countless times I’ve stroked myself thinking of her.
Just being inside of her was-
Fuck, I can’t believe I almost said I loved her.
My stomach knots, sudden and painful. I wince and grind my molars.
I don’t love her. No fucking way in hell.
Never.
“Where are all the girls?” she asks abruptly.
I chuckle. “I don’t think I have time for you, let alone other women.”
She nearly squeals and bounces on my lap.
Please, stop being cute.
Besides, how can she be this excited when I’m a mess of conflicting emotions. She has to be battling the same shit.
Or she’s in la-la land.
Then she dives into my social apps and checks my DMs. While she scrolls, I recap what happened yesterday, every unfortunate detail.
She gawks at me. “Oh my goodness! You don’t have a car, either? And who is Julie? Did you date her?”
Just then-
Bailey comes in, not bothering to knock. Her face is cold and her red hair wild. “What are you doing here, Morgan? You aren’t supposed to see him.”
“How did you find me?” Morgan asks.
She crosses her arms and sighs, as if it is obvious.
“Your bodyguard said you disappeared out a bathroom window. Your father is enraged.”
Immediately, Morgan hugs me, then groans and forces herself off my lap. She prays under her breath with an impish smile.
“Oh, Lord, you amazing God. I know better than to question your ways. Jack is good. Forgive me. Forgive me!”
It’s endearing, but the prayer doesn’t sit well. I don’t like the idea of her seeing me as some kind of spiritual gift. I’m just a guy who got to fuck her.
Then, she hands me my phone.
“Sorry I flipped.”
“Morgan, I have a busy life like you.” I debate on insisting she stay, but I need time to think. I need to get to work, too.
Yet, when she steps away from me, I pull her back onto my lap. I can’t help it. It’s reflexive, like my body aches to keep this woman close.
My dick, too.
Against her ear, I murmur, “Your pussy still sore?”
She gasps softly. “Jack!” Then lower. “Yes. Not as much as yesterday, but I am.”
“Good, I want you to feel and think about me all day.”
“I already do,” she mumbles.
I snicker and nip her earlobe. “You still a church slut?”
She tenses and glances at Bailey, who is too far to hear and texting. She taps her foot impatiently.
Morgan kisses my jawline with hurried but hungry pecks before whispering, “I am your slut.” She covers her huge grin to hide her giddiness. “But don’t say the C-word with it.”
“Church?”
“Yes!”
I burst out laughing. “Guess you have to be soaking wet to let the C-slut out, hm?”
Her face tinges red.
“I’ve never talked like that. Jack, you make me...” Her words trail off. After a pause, she finishes. “You make me happy. I haven’t felt this way, ever.”
I suck in a sharp breath and my heart skips a beat, which jars me more than her words.
She’s killing me. Her declarations are a drug. This girl is attached and that fact is hard to accept. It’s fucking sexy how much she wants whatever this is.
Part of me wants it too. A big part.
Bailey stalks over and pulls on her arm.
“Let’s go, missy.”
She obeys and looks back at me. I should stop her, but I’m frozen, paralyzed by too many thoughts.
Her eyes are hopeful as she calls out, “I’m gonna help you, Jack. You’ll see.”
The door shuts.
Such a strange statement.
I don’t know how a Bible thumper can help me. Her pussy and that smile is more than enough. Possibly too much. Either way, something doesn’t feel right about her impulsive promise — like it might cost me rather than relieve my mountain of problems.
Like how I’ll find and fix things with Noel.
Or how it’ll feel when she steps into another man’s arms.
I pull at the roots or my hair so hard I wince.
Focus. Get to work.