Hope

Chapter 20

Chapter

Twenty

OVAGASM

Neve

“Wow, you’re rich!” Hope blurts out before running straight past Jack into his apartment.

I have to say I am relieved to have found out that he lives in a different apartment to the one we met in five years ago.

That is definitely a place I want to forget.

“Wow your TV is huge!” Hope yells from inside.

I wince. “Sorry.”

Jack smiles and leans in for a kiss. I turn my face so it lands on my cheek. “Oh,” he mutters with sadness.

I place my hand on his arm. “Please don’t read anything into it. I am just being cautious in front of Hope,” I whisper.

“Understood.” He winks stepping back and holding out his arm. “Please come in.”

My heeled boots click across his wood floors, the large open plan space is modern and light. There are ceiling to floor windows with views overlooking the Thames. “Wow,” I say stunned.

Jack walks to me, a glass of white wine in his hand, a kitchen towel over his shoulder. My eyes can’t help but sweep his body, seeing him in a plain white t-shirt and jeans while barefoot. Damn, the man looks good in his laid back attire.

He hands me the wine and leans in as if he is going to kiss my cheek. “Stop looking at me like that when I can’t do anything about it,” he growls quietly in my ear before nipping my lobe.

“Can I watch Disney? Do you have Disney? Who is your favourite Disney character? I love Stitch. Mummy likes Cruella, although she wouldn’t hurt animals, would you Mummy?” Hope rambles on breaking the moment.

Jack smirks at me before turning his attention to Hope. “I do have Disney and I think my favourite character might be Mr. Incredible, because he’s big and strong and who doesn’t like a superhero?”

“I like Violet and Dash. No wait! Baby Jack-Jack. You should like him too, you have the same name!” Hope beams.

Jack sorts out the movie for her and returns to the kitchen. I take a seat at the breakfast bar, casually sipping my wine, trying not to think what it would be like if he bent me over his expensive marble counter top and fucked me senseless.

“Neve,” he calls in a warning tone.

“Huh?” I look up from the counter.

“Thoughts out of the gutter,” he says while flipping something in a pan.

The aroma coming from his cooking is unbelievably delicious. ‘God, that smells amazing. What are you making us?” I ask.

“You’ll see when it’s ready,” he answers.

“You know we would have been happy with a cheese sandwich right? You didn’t need to go to all this trouble for us,” I point out.

“I know, but I finally have some time off of work and I want to spend it spoiling you and getting to know Hope more,” he informs me.

I nod and smile because if I speak, I am afraid of what might come out of my mouth. It’s too soon, keep your mouth shut and just drink your wine, I internally chastise myself.

I get up from my stool and go and sit with Hope while he finishes cooking. It’s safer. That way I know I won’t come out and say something stupid that will ruin what we have, whatever that may be. “Lunch is served,” Jack calls out.

“Yay! I’m starving!” Hope yells as she jumps from the sofa. I get up following her, surprised that Jack has set up a table on the balcony. He has a balcony! The sun hits my face and the quiet sounds of people walking along the Thames and the birds chirping echo around us.

“God, I love you,” I blurt out. Jack pauses for a moment. “This! I love this! This is just so beautiful and with the food. The sun is shining, the birds are singing,” I ramble on in a high-pitched voice feeling flustered. I quickly sit down.

“Mummy why are you sweating?” Hope asks.

“I’m not sweating all is fine, look at this wonderful food. Hope, what are you going to have?” I ask.

Hope scrunches up her nose in disgust at the food that is on offer to her. It’s not exactly a four year old’s type of lunch. Me on the other hand cannot wait to eat it. “Um well sweetie, you might like it. Why don’t you try it and see?” I try to encourage.

Jack hums. “Well gosh, I didn’t think you would be so fussy about a wild mushroom and truffle risotto.

” He clicks his fingers and walks back inside before returning with a plate.

“Would madam prefer todays special, ala pancakes with fresh strawberries, blueberries and a slight dusting of icing sugar just to give it that vava-voom!” he states in a terrible French accent.

Hope’s face lights up. “My favourite!” She claps.

Then he does something that makes me fall for him, no correction, there’s no falling involved.

I am catapulted. He lets out a small laugh and crouches down beside her.

“Anything for you princess,” he states. Hope reaches her arms out around his neck and kisses his cheek.

He laughs standing and takes his seat. I on the other hand sit there fighting back my emotions that are so desperately clawing their way to the surface.

“How did you know that was her favourite?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.

His gaze connects with mine. “When we went on out for a meal you told me all about her and how she loves pancakes.”

“Holy shit,” I blurt out. “I need to um use your bathroom a minute.” I jump up from my chair and practically run inside seeking out his bathroom, I eventually find it and slam the door shut locking it.

I stand with my back against the door feeling like I’m about to burst into tears or have a panic attack. Apparently my body can’t decide which.

Luckily I brought my bag in and placing it on the counter I rummage through for my phone. When I find it I hit call.

“Hello my beautiful slut bag, how can I help you?” Bella answers.

“I-can’t – too-soon, too-much,” I wheeze down the phone.

“Neve, calm down sweetie, you are panting a lot. I can’t tell if you’re having one of your little meltdowns or if you’ve given Jackaroo the old green light for a bit of bum sex and you’re struggling to take it all.

Because if it is that then, may I suggest taking a relaxant.

Maybe with a glass of wine depending on his girth.

Ooh! And decent lube, lots of the stuff.

I mean really slap it all on there, because if he goes in dry it’s gonna make you cry. ” Bella sings that last part.

“Will you just shut up!” I whisper-hiss down the phone. “It’s happening and it’s too soon. So I am totally freaking out right now,” I whine, sliding to the floor.

“You’re going to have to be a little more –” She pauses for a brief moment. “Oh shit you mean it – it! As in the ‘it’ is happening?”

“Yes! It’s been two bloody dates, two!” I rant.

“Alright, alright calm yourself. It may have been just two dates, but in all fairness you’ve known him what, maybe two weeks.”

I sigh, slapping my palm to my forehead. “Yeah because that’s helping my case and makes me sound even less crazy. That I am falling for a guy I’ve known for fourteen days, no wait thirteen! So that’s not even two weeks!” I snap.

“Okay, well I mean you’ve had a shit ton of sex, right?

So like if you were to spread the amount of sex you’ve had into a normal couple’s relationship for example, you’ve been together a good six weeks or more.

Hell if you compare it to a married couple then it’s like you’ve been together years. ” She laughs.

“Bottom line is it’s been two dates and he has been amazing in every way. I’m at his place now and he’s cooked us lunch!” I hiss.

“Whoopty doo, I have cooked for you and I don’t remember you going this gah-gah over me,” she points out.

“He remembered from our first date that Hope loves pancakes,” I whisper.

“With strawberries and blueberries?” she asks.

“Yup,” I answer.

“Dusting of icing sugar so it’s like snow?” she asks.

“Yeah.” I sigh.

“Holy shit, that’s big,” she mutters.

“I know! But there is more,” I add. “Hope kissed his cheek. There was like a whole cute moment and he said ‘anything for you princess’.”

“Jesus, now I want kids just to hear him say that. That is an ovagasm right there,” Bella points out.

“An ovagasm?” I question.

“You know when a hot guy does something that is all cute and adorable with a kid or baby and it’s like your ovaries combust. An ovagasm,” she explains.

“For once that actually makes sense,” I agree.

“What do you mean for once?” she snaps back.

Before I can answer Jack is knocking on the bathroom door. “Neve are you alright?’ he asks.

“Shit!” I hiss trying to get up off the floor and stand but somehow I’ve since lost all co-ordination as I hold on to the towel rail to pull myself up on. It comes away from the wall, making a large crashing sound.

“What the fuck you doing?” Bella asks confused.

“Jack is at the bathroom door,” I tell her.

“What did you say?” Jack asks through the door.

“Nothing. I wasn’t talking to you,” I call out.

“Wait, you’re not talking to me?” Bella asks.

“Yes I’m talking to you!” I snap at her.

“Okay I’m listening,” Jack says through the door.

“Oh for fuck sake!” I groan. I swing the bathroom door open and hand the towel rail to a confused looking Jack. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to break that. I was freaking out a little bit and I used that to pull myself up of the floor,” I tell him.

“Wow, you’re just sharing everything, huh? Quick distract him, tell him you were masturbating,” Bella says down the phone.

“No, I am not saying I was masturbating,” I snap.

“What?” Jack asks shocked.

I roll my eyes and hang up the phone. “Look you’re going to think I’m a crazy person and I know you said what you said last night, but this is a little different and I know you like me and I don’t want what I am about to say to scare you away,” I rush out.

Jack stands there, his brow furrowed in confusion.

“I like you.” I state.

He smiles. “Well the feeling is mutual.”

“No, I like, like you. As in falling and I’m falling way too fast and it’s insane and it’s scaring the shit out of me.”

Jack goes to say something but I hold up my hand halting him.

“Look don’t feel like you have to say anything, there is nothing to say. In fact, let’s just erase this entire moment. Rewind time to back on the balcony where we are about to eat a lovely meal cooked by yourself.” I force a smile and push past him.

I don’t get far as Jack grabs hold of my wrist, pulling me back and pinning me against a wall. He leans in close and his eyes burn through mine. “You’re falling?” he asks quietly.

I roll my eyes. “It’s nothing, ignore me. Probably due on or something. You know how us women can get all emotion and shit,” I state, feeling my cheeks heat but doing my best to play it down.

“Don’t,” he warns in a tone I haven’t heard from him before. It’s a deep growly sound that has me wanting to rip my clothes off and yet cower in fear. I was feeling slightly scared and turned on – who knew that could be a combination?

“Don’t what?” I question back.

“Don’t dismiss what you said, making out what you feel is nothing, making out what this is.

” He pauses and gestures between us. “Making out that this is nothing. I told you last night that it’s something for me.

You have said that it is something for you too, so don’t go disrespecting that by making out it’s nothing.

So I’m asking you again, are you falling in love with me? ” Jack pauses waiting for my answer.

“I, I…” I pause and shake my head. “It is insane, we barely know one another. I mean I… We shouldn’t be feeling anything like this and yet.” I sigh.

“Yet?” he repeats.

“Yet I do,” I cave in let it all out. “I am falling for you, okay? There. I admit it. I am falling in love with you!”

Jack smiles. “Don’t you be laughing at me!” I snap.

His smile just grows wider and he leans in closer, running his nose along mine.

“Baby, I’m falling too, right alongside you,” he whispers before pressing his lips to mine, softly, slowly.

Every caress of his lips on mine breaks down any barrier I was clinging onto.

“Every time I see you, every time I touch you, the more I fall,” he declares between kisses.

Sweet lord, my heart and fanny clench. This man will be the death of me. “Are you getting married?” Hope’s voice calls out. I freeze. Shit.

I break the kiss and move out of Jack’s hold. “No, no sweetie. Oh come on, lets finish eating and then we can get ice cream,” I say to distract her.