Page 44 of Deception and New Direction

I paused for a minute to catch my breath then turned and made my way back toward the driveway.

An instant later,Iwas swept up inJack’sarms and he was carryingmethis time.

“Jack!”Ishrieked. “Whatare you doing?Putme down!”

“No can do, sweetheart.I’dlike this body in working order later, and that won’t happen if you overdo it on the crutches.”

“Jack,I’mnot an invalid.Putme down,”Iinsisted, though he hadn’t stopped his movement toward the house.

“Can’t hear you.Whatdid you say?” he joked.

“Jack,”Igrowled.

“Yes,Ruthie,” he replied sweetly.

“Gah!Youare so irritating.”

“Why, thank you,” he shot back then placed me on the front porch to his house.

I turned to give him a piece of my mind, but asIdid, his hands came up to grab the sides of my head and he kissed me.Hard.Histongue slipped between my lips as he moved his hands into my hair, sliding his fingers along my scalp and pulling me in deeper for the kiss.

When he released my lips,Iwas a bit dazed and wobbly asIregained my composure.

“There’s only one bag left, soI’llget it,” he said quickly. “I’llmeet you in the house.”

Blast this man and his dizzying kisses.

* * *

The next morning, asIwas getting dressed,IrealizedIneeded more clothes.EventhoughJackhad a washer and dryer,Ihad only packed a portion of my wardrobe whenIfirst moved over here.Iguess at the time,Ihadn’t thought it would last, soIhad only packed ten days’ worth of clothes.Itwas fine in the beginning, butIhad literally been wearing the same few outfits for the past seven weeks.Plus, my friends were taking me out for my birthday next week, andIwanted to grab something a little more fun to wear.

“Can we swing by my apartment after work today soIcan grab some more clothes?”IaskedJackas we got into the car to head to work.

“Yeah, althoughArchercan grab a few things for you and bring them to work,” he responded.

“I’d rather go myself.First, he’s a guy.Idon’t trust him to pick out things that match and go well together,”Iexplained then turned to face him to be a little cheeky. “Plus, are you really okay with the idea of him going through my underwear drawer?”

“No,” he said sharply. “Alright.We’llhead over after work,” he agreed, andIrealizedIliked this agreeable version ofJack.

Now if onlyIcould get him to be this agreeable on everything else.

17

JACK

“Oh myGod,Jack!”Ruthiesquealed, excitedly clapping her hands from the passenger seat. “Ijust realizedIget my cast off one week from today!”

We were on our way to her apartment to gather a few things she said she needed for her night out with the other ladies.

I was happy for her that she was getting her cast off, butIhad yet to have the conversation with her about what happened after.IknewIwas being a selfish bastard, butIdidn’t want her to move out.Ienjoyed having her in my space.Ihad even started thinking about it asourplace.Ialso enjoyed having her help out with my renovations.Itold myselfIwould have this conversation with her tonight since she was in such a good mood.

“Jack,” she said. “Whenwe get there,Iwant to climb the steps by myself.”

“Okay.”

“You’re not going to fight me on this like the first time?” she questioned me suspiciously.

“The first time, you were super wobbly on your crutches andIwas worried,”Iexplained. “Plus,Ididn’t want to get caught staring at your ass.NowIcan stare at your ass and admire it openly the entire way up three flights of stairs.”

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