Page 91 of The Way We Win

“I’m meeting Zane at the restaurant if you’d drop me off there.”

I do just that, then I head to my house. It’s dark when I pull into the driveway, and my heart beats faster as I survey the dark lawn and surrounding trees.

Jack said he would sleep here tonight, and as much as I tried to say we’d be fine, not to worry about us, I’m glad he is.

Walking to the front door, my breath tightens in my lungs.

“You’re safe, Allie,” I tell myself as I type in the security code. “The house alarm was armed, and nothing has been touched.”

Inside, I quickly shut the door and lock it, arming the system again. I remember the night Garrett walked in with me, and I almost wish he were here to do it now—or someone.

As it is, if anything happens, all I have to do is run out the door and the alarm will go off. Very sensible.

Shaking my head, I go to my bedroom to shower and put away my things.

All my reinforcing thoughts and admonitions don’t slow down my movements. I shower quickly, changing into pajama pants and a long-sleeved T-shirt.

Jack’s jersey is tucked under my pillow. I only wear it when I’m sure Austin won’t see me. I’m not sure how to answer his questions yet.

The nights are growing cooler as we get closer to Halloween, and a shiver sends me to the thermostat in the living room to crank the heat a little higher.

I walk down the hall, and the alarm goes off like a train barreling through the living room. My heart flies to my throat, and I scream.

A man wearing a black hoodie and a baseball cap is at the wall where the control panel is located. His back is to me, but when I scream, he turns.

A series of beeps stops the blaring noise, but my entire body is shaking, and my vision blurs. I think I’m going to faint.

Strong arms surround me, and when I inhale the scent of leather and sandalwood, I start to cry.

“Allie.” Jack’s hand smooths my hair away from my face, but I can’t stop. “Didn’t you see my texts? I told you I was on my way here. I didn’t know you’d set the alarm.”

“I didn’t…” A hiccup breaks up my words, “…see your text. I thought… I thought…”

My stomach clenches painfully, and he lifts me off my feet, carrying me to the couch and sitting down with me in his lap. He shushes me, rubbing his hands up and down my arms and kissing the side of my temple.

“I’m so sorry, my beautiful girl. I didn’t mean to scare you.” His low voice is rich and soothing, and my fingers curl in the soft fabric of his jacket. “I’m here now.”

It takes a few moments of breathing to regain control. Shaking my head, I wipe away the tears with the back of my hand. “I’m sorry. I thought… I’m such a mess. I can’t believe I screamed like that.”

“I should’ve called. I shouldn’t have counted on you seeing a text.”

“I just got out of the shower.” I’m so embarrassed.

I feel like a complete disaster. Too much work. Too much drama. He’s got enough to worry about without adding my trouble to the mix.

His arms surround me like protective bands. It feels so good despite of it all, and slowly, my shaking subsides. I tap the tears out of my eyes.

“I’m sorry I overreacted.” Sitting back on the couch, I look up at him sheepishly. “I should’ve known it was you… or Austin.”

“Don’t do that. You have every right to be on edge.” Hereaches out to cup my chin before leaning forward to pull my lips with his.

It sends warmth through my belly, and I climb onto his lap in a straddle, holding his face and kissing him back.

His tongue sweeps inside, curling with mine, and he grips my ass in his large hands, sliding me forward and back over the length in his gray joggers.

I whimper as orgasm ignites low in my belly. His hands move to my waist, fumbling with the hem of my shirt as I continue to rock my clit back and forth against his growing erection.

Sliding his palms under my shirt, he cups my breasts, lifting and squeezing them. The thin cotton rises over his forearms, and he breaks the kiss, moving his mouth to my hardened nipples. He nibbles and sucks them. It feels amazing, and my head falls back. I moan louder as the friction between us shoots sparks through my inner thighs.

---