Chapter 3 #2
Jack just stares me down, leaning in so close his arm brushes mine.
The heat off his body is insane. His hair’s perfectly in place, not a single strand out of order, while I look like a Roomba sucked me up and spit me out.
Still, his gaze is like getting hit with a full-body x-ray.
I want to crawl out of my own skin… or into his lap.
He grins, and holy shit, that tiny dimple in his cheek is illegal. “What else should I know about you?”
I think hard for a few seconds, trying to come up with something interesting to tell him. “You should know I have an animal roommate of my own. Moonpie’s my emotional support cat. She truly believes she’s human, and she’s also highly allergic to authority.”
Jack’s eyebrow quirks up and there’s a spark in those eyes. “Where’d you come up with that name?”
“She’s black with a white ring all the way around her chubby, round face. The first time I saw her, I thought she looked just like a moonpie.”
Jack’s eyes narrow in this intense, predatory way, and I feel like a bug under a magnifying glass. “I like that. Sounds like a beast with attitude.”
“Oh, she’s got attitude for days. And a criminal record to match your dog’s.
” I can’t help myself—I lean closer to Jack.
“She once stole an entire rotisserie chicken off the kitchen counter when I was in the shower. The little demon ate all the white meat and left the rest smeared all over my bed. It was revenge for me putting her on a diet.”
Jack snorts out a laugh that makes him look a little less intimidating and a lot more dangerous, in a totally different way. “Sounds like you have your hands full with her.”
“You have no idea,” I mutter, glancing down at my phone. Holy cow. Is it really ten-fifteen? My usual six hours of sleep is going to be cut significantly if I don’t get home soon.
It kills me to leave, but I don’t have any extra time on my books. “Sorry to cut the evening short, but I have a test tomorrow and I still haven’t finished studying. Plus, I really need a few hours of sleep.” I stand up and glance at the counter. “I’ll help you clean up before I go.”
Jack stands, too, all six-and-a-half feet of him, and blocks my path with a single step. “Don’t worry about that.” He smiles down at me. “It’ll take me five minutes to clean this up. Let me walk you to your place.”
I almost refuse out of politeness, but honestly, I want to spend as much time with him as possible, even if it’s only the elevator ride down to my apartment.
He helps me gather my things, and I realize I don’t want to leave. “Thanks for dinner.”
He’s so close I can see the faint dimple in his cheek. “You’re welcome. And Poppy?”
I stop, keys in hand. “Yeah?”
He leans down, just enough so I have to tilt my chin up to meet his gaze. “I feel like Pepper and I owe you more than just one dinner to make up for your imprisonment. Would you be available for dinner tomorrow night? This time I’ll take you out for an actual date.”
For a second, I forget how words work. “I… I’m busy.” His eyes darken, and for some reason, I rush on to explain. “I have to study for another test. But maybe… Friday?”
His mouth curves, soft and slow. “It’s a date.
” My knees go weak when he says it. The way Jack fills the space between us, all heat and intensity and tailored suit, makes it impossible to remember why I need to leave at all.
I try to mentally replay my study checklist, but all I can focus on is the way his dark eyes follow my every move like he’s memorizing the moment.
He insists on walking me to my apartment, and I don’t argue since it gives me the chance to spend a little bit longer with him.
He carries my work tote in one hand and holds my hand with the other.
We stop outside my door, and my mind is mush.
It takes all my brain power to figure out I need to unlock the door.
I fumble with my keys and somehow manage to get the dang door unlocked, then I turn to smile at him. “Thanks for—” His lips cover mine and I nearly self-combust. Holy. Shit. It’s not a polite, see-you-later peck, either. It’s deep and hungry and possessive.
My eyes roll back in my head as his warm lips move over mine.
His mouth is possessive and hot and, oh my God, I can’t breathe.
Jack’s hands bracket my face, big and careful, even though his kiss is the total opposite of gentle.
He kisses me like he’s about to devour me, and my spine liquefies.
My knees officially give out. If it weren’t for his massive hands holding my face, I’d be a puddle on the hallway carpet.
I gasp and he takes full advantage, tongue sliding in, tasting, claiming.
All the air whooshes out of my lungs. He kisses like a man who’s made up his mind, and holy crap, I think I’m done for.
The first brush of his tongue against mine lights me up like a Christmas tree. Sparks. Actual, literal sparks.
When he finally pulls back, I’m clutching his jacket like a lifeline. His thumb brushes my cheek. “Goodnight, Poppy.”
“Goodnight, Jack,” I whisper, but it comes out all wobbly and breathless, like maybe he knocked every syllable out of me with one kiss.
I step into my apartment and close the door before I’m tempted to drag the hot detective inside with me.