Page 16 of Once Charmed, Twice Cursed
“No,” he says. “No, I...need you.”
I blink.
“Your help.” He clears his throat. It sounds like rocks grinding together. “I need your help. Your luck.”
Surprise ripples through me. “My luck? For what?”
“It’d be easiest to just show you. It’s close by. And this...purpose I need you for, it might take a while. So you won’t be making it to the altar. Not today, at least.”
“You’re kidnapping me, then?” The words spill out, my voice trembling with disbelief. Disbelief and...something else.
Jack studies me through the dim light. “I guess you could call it that, yes. But you’ll be safe. You’ll be taken care of. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Oh.” I press a hand to my chest. An undercurrent of conviction runs beneath his words, so palpable that I actually believe him. “Well, then.”
“No harm will come to you,” he insists.
My hand falls to my side. All the emotions of the last few days—the dread, the doubt, the agonizing helplessness—come undone at once. They unspool together, into a tangled heap at my feet.
In their wake, gratitude blossoms, so intense that tears prick at my eyes. Stolen. I’m being stolen. From my own wedding. I’m beingfreed.
Jack watches me, perhaps waiting for hysterics that never come.
In the next moment, my fear drops away. I sweep my gaze over him and see not a criminal, but my salvation.
Someone is finally stepping in where Weston and Brendan wouldn’t. Someone is saving me. Someone hand-delivered by Fortuna herself.
My guardian angel.
“Kidnapped,” I say. “Oh, thank the goddess. Or, more accurately, thankyou.”
The relief coursing through me intensifies, demanding some kind of outlet, and before I can think, I step in and press my lips to his.
Chapter Six
Iintend the kiss to be quick. Just a simple peck to express my gratitude.
But the moment our mouths connect, Jack stiffens. His gloved hands rise to my waist and hover, as if he’s warring with himself over how to respond.
As if he intends to push me away at any second.
Except...he doesn’t push me away, and he feels good. Surprisingly so. His lips are warm and plush, molding to mine in a way that wakens my spent nerves.
A whole second sneaks by. Then another. And while Jack doesn’t open his mouth, his stiffness yields a degree. Almost like a welcome. And Fortuna, how I’ve longed to feel a man’s mouth on mine again. After Theodore, I tried so hard to hold out for the one I wanted. I hoped and hoped and hoped. But this small touch, this moment of connection, amounts to more than Weston was willing to give me.
Jack’s posture softens. An unfamiliar heat spins into me, clouding my thoughts, and I forget to pull back.
And then something...happens.
Jack’s hands settle around my waist, his thumbs clamping against my ribs. Then his hesitation shatters, all at once. He slants his head and pulls me flush against his body. The hard planes of his chest crush the air from my lungs.
And he kisses me.Reallykisses me.
And...
Oh.
Sweet Fortuna. He does it incredibly well.
