Page 21 of Steel & Jenna
By the end of her speech, Jack was standing next to her with his arms over his chest and a glare in his eyes. “Are you done?”
She shook her head, trying to fight back a smile. “Count von Count is inside teaching the students and the Cookie Monster is inthe cafeteria holding wrestling matches where the winner gets all the cookies.”
Jack took a step towards her. To her credit, she held her ground. The amusement in her eyes made them sparkle like a gemstone in the sunshine. “You know, I was being serious when I asked that question.”
Her lips twitched. “I know.”
Snagging her around the hips, Jack drew her flush up against his chest. Her smile broke through her control. Fuck, that glow on her face made his heart ache. He wanted to give her a life where only good things happened to her so that smile could never falter.
“You did have me going for a second,” he confessed. His lips bent down to brush against hers without claiming them. “Who the fuck is Enrique?”
She shrugged. “No clue. I didn’t think about theSesame Streetcharacter theme until I saw the trash can.”
Jack shook his head, making their noses rub against the other. “Fuck, I love to see your smile.”
“Even when I’m smiling while making fun of you?”
His lips touched the tip of her nose. “Especially then. Don’t ever be afraid to smile at my expense, Jen.” His right hand trailed up her side, over her shoulder, and up her neck to cup the side of her face. “And for the record, I think I make a better bodyguard than an imaginary elephant.”
Her lips widened. Their eyes bore into the other’s like they were trying to see deep into the other’s soul. “I am currently hiring for the position.”
“Yeah?” His grip on her hip tightened. “I’ll write up my resumé.”
Jenna tipped her face closer, talking against his lips. “What’s your work experience?”
Before Jack could respond, a car backfired in the parking lot. Jenna jumped but Jack’s hold on her kept her steady. With a resigned sigh, Jack kissed her forehead and then stepped back. “It’s so easy to forget the rest of the world exists in your arms.”
Her cheeks flushed. “I feel the same way.”
“Let’s go get my sister before we get arrested for PDA or indecent exposure.”
Jenna’s eyes widened and her face flamed so bright that it clashed with her orange hair. “Jack! You can’t say things like that!”
“Why not?” he asked. “I’m completely serious, Jenna. You’re too tempting for your own good. I’ve been a raging pile of hormones all day.”
Her eyes cast downwards, which Jack did not like. He wanted her eyes onhim. “I’ve never… I mean, I don’t…” She took a deep breath before saying out in a quick rush, “You’re the first boy I’ve kissed. I’ve never…with anyone.”
As soon as Jack understood what it was she was struggling to say, his shoulders sagged slightly. He felt bad about her embarrassment, though he also felt that it was unwarranted. He reached out, brushing the pad of his thumb against her hot cheek. “Sweetheart, you and I are in the same boat. You’re the first girl I’ve kissed too.”
Her eyes widened in shock, snapping up to his. “Really?”
Jack nodded. “And if I have my way, you’ll be my last.”
Her skin flushed brighter, but a different type of heat lit up her hazel eyes. “I want that too,” she said softly. “I just… I find it hard to believe… A guy like you…”
“A guy like me?” he questioned back.
“Come on, Jack. You have to know how beautiful you are. Girls were staring at you all day.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Pretty sure they were staring atyou. Regardless, I’ve never felt even a fraction towards them what I feel for you.” He framed her face between his hands. “And just so we’re perfectly clear, Jenna Elizabeth Scanlon, when we do decide to take that next step, it will be becausewewant to, because it’s right forus. I want you, make no mistake on that, but there will never be any pressure for us to go further. Ever. It takes as long as it takes.” He leaned down, pressing his lips gently against hers. “There’s no one else in this relationship so we’re all that matters. Understand?”
Her face bobbed up and down between his hands. “Thank you. I mean, I wasn’t sure what to think. We kinda…”
“Jumped into this thing with both feet without looking?”
She giggled. “Yeah.” Reaching up, she gripped his wrists, holding onto them tight like they were the safety bar keeping her from falling over the edge of a steep cliff. “I appreciate you saying all that, Jack. I really do. Because as much as I want you too,” her cheeks flamed, “I also know that I’m not ready. I know most of our peers are?—”
“Fuck our peers.” Then he realized what he said and flinched. “Wait, that came out wrong.”
