Page 54 of Forever Wild
“You and I getting involved is a bad idea.”
“Why? Afraid I’ll get attached?” This time I do roll my eyes. “I told you, that won’t happen.”
He drives away from the restaurant without answering me. Not that I really expected him to.
There’s a comfort in being with Jack, even when I’m fighting with him, but I don’t let myself relax. I want to hold on to this anger.
“Can you drop me off at Mike’s?” The local college bar is one of my favorites. I need to let off some steam. Possibly throw darts while imagining the board is Jack’s big head.
“No.” He keeps going, finally pulling up in front of my house. Mine for only a little while longer. Ty owns it and I’ve been renting from him.
It’s a light-yellow three-bedroom within walking distance to campus. I’ll be sad to leave it, but right now I am not ready to go inside.
“Thanks for the ride.” My fingers grab hold of the door handle.
“Wait.” His tone is sharp, and I hate the way my body reacts before my brain has time to kick in.
“What?” I look over at him.
The struggle on his face pushes me out of the vehicle. I don’t need him to give me some pity speech or list all the reasons why he isn’t interested in me. I have more pride than that.
I shut the passenger door and take off down the sidewalk in the direction of Mike’s, but Jack is circling behind the SUV and cuts me off.
“God dammit, Everly. I’m not afraid of you getting attached.”
He hovers over me. Even in my heels, he’s a good head taller than me. His stare surveys my face, settling on my lips and then dragging up to my eyes. “I’m afraid I will.”
I’m still deciphering his meaning when he steps to me, lifts his left hand to the side of my neck, and kisses me.
Shock makes my other senses slow to respond, but a tingle starts at my lips and works its way through my body.
He’s afraid of getting attached to me?!It’s too bizarre to comprehend, but my stomach bottoms out and a giddy sensation spreads through me.
Why haven’t we been doing this every day, all day?
His lips work mine over, as demanding and controlling as I expected. Look at that, I found the one situation in which I don’t want to fight back. Nope, I’m as compliant as I’ve ever been.
His thumb drags along the side of my neck and his teeth scrape against my lower lip as he tugs it before diving in again. He captures the needy groan that escapes my mouth and hums in appreciation.
He walks us backward until my shoulder blades ram into the side of his G-Wagon. I’m trapped between it and his body. Both of his hands now hold the sides of my neck, the tips of his fingers tangle in my hair.
I grip the front of his T-shirt and arch into him. The way our bodies line up feels so perfect. I’m seconds from rubbing up against him, when he pulls back.
His lips are wet and slightly swollen, and his chest heaves in time with mine.
“Do you want to come inside?” I ask, still hazy.
Instead of answering, Jack lowers his shoulder and picks me up.
“What are you doing?”
“Testing out the knee.” His gravelly voice vibrates through me and an ache shoots straight to my core.
“Jack.” I laugh. “I can walk.”
But he’s already taking the steps up the porch. He sets me down in front of the door. I punch in the code to unlock it and then push the door open.
I step inside but Jack doesn’t move.
