Page 49 of Hometown Heart

No one had ever said that about me. Something caught in my throat—nearly a sob. Jack noticed, pulling back to study my face.

"Too much?" he asked quietly.

I shook my head. "No. Just... unexpected."

His thumb traced my jawline, eyes never leaving mine. "I've been wanting to tell you that for weeks."

"Why didn't you?"

"It all happens in good time." A smile tugged at his lips. "You practically ran the first time I touched you, remember?"

I laughed softly, remembering that moment at the carnival. "I was scared."

"And now?"

"Still scared," I admitted. "But not of you. Of how much I want this. How much I want you."

Jack drew me closer, guiding my head to rest against his shoulder. His arms enveloped me, strong yet gentle, sculpting a space that felt safer than any I'd known.

"We don't have to rush anything. We've got time."

I closed my eyes, breathing in his scent—pine and wool. For once, I didn't feel the need to escape and retreat behind my carefully constructed walls. For the first time in years, maybe ever, I let myself be held—without planning an exit strategy.

Outside, snow continued to fall, wrapping Whistleport in a quiet blanket of white. "Stay," I whispered against his neck. Not a question this time, but a statement. An invitation.

Jack's arms tightened around me, his lips pressing a soft kiss to my temple. "For as long as you'll have me."

The night stretched before us, full of promise and discovery. And for once, I wasn't afraid of what morning would bring.

Jack's lips found mine again, this time with a deeper hunger. Our breaths mingled as our bodies pressed closer, the heat between us intensifying. His hands roamed over my chest, each touch igniting sparks of desire that coursed through my veins.

I let my hands wander, tracing the lines of his back, kneading his muscles as his shoulder blades moved. His skin was warm and inviting, and I couldn't get enough of it. Every caress and every kiss revealed something new—Jack's light whimpers and the light, trimmed hair across his chest.

Jack's mouth moved down my neck, his stubble brushing my skin. He paused at my collarbone, planting soft kisses before moving lower. He unbuttoned the rest of my shirt, pushing it aside to expose more of me to his touch.

I gasped as his lips found my right nipple, his tongue circling it gently before moving to the other. My hands gripped his shoulders, anchoring myself as waves of pleasure washed over me. His hands moved lower, tracing the waistband of my jeans, teasing me with the promise of more.

I reached for his belt, fumbling with the buckle in my eagerness. He chuckled softly, helping me with the clasp before pushing his pants down. We kicked off our remaining clothes, finally bare and vulnerable before each other.

Jack's eyes roamed over my body, his gaze full of admiration and desire. "You're perfect," he murmured.

I pulled him back to me, our bodies aligning as I pressed my face into his bare chest, his pecs molding against my belly.The feel of his skin against mine was intoxicating, every touch amplifying the sensations coursing through me. Reaching down, he wrapped his hand around both our cocks, lightly stroking, the friction sending jolts of pleasure through my body.

Our movements became more urgent, our breaths coming in ragged gasps. Jack's lips found mine again, his kiss deep and passionate, pushing me closer to the edge. I reached over to the end table, fumbling with the drawer until I found the condoms I had purchased the first time I dared to hope there might be more with Jack.

With trembling hands, condoms, and lube, I managed to prepare us both, the anticipation heightening every sensation. Jack's eyes met mine, full of a mix of desire and tenderness that made my heart race even faster.

As we moved together, the world around us faded away. The pleasure built to an almost unbearable level.

With Jack's final, desperate thrust and my hand wrapped around my cock, I let go, waves of pleasure crashing over me as I cried out his name. Jack followed soon after, his body shuddering against mine as he reached his own climax. We clung to each other, our hearts pounding in sync.

At that moment, there was nothing but the two of us, lost in the aftermath of our passion, finding solace and comfort in each other's arms.

"Stay with me," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Jack's lips brushed against my forehead. "Yes," he replied.

We moved together in an unhurried rhythm, learning from each other in ways words could never capture. Jack's hands traced slow, reverent lines across my skin, his breath warm against my shoulder.

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