Page 29 of Powder
Jack grabbed me, pulling me hard against him, his mouth already on mine before I could breathe. “That was beautiful,” he whispered between kisses, his voice kept low, cautious—as if he was terrified that same woman might come storming over to tell us to keep it down again. “Fucking amazing, Tian.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Fuck, Jack, seeing you at the end of the jump?—”
He kissed me again, harder, his excitement spilling over, and I gave up trying to talk and laughed against his mouth, then swallowed the sound as his tongue slid against mine. What started frantic softened, slowed, became a kiss that lingered, his forehead resting against mine, our breath shared. I pressed into him, our hips grinding, the desperate edge turning into something almost tender. We kissed and rubbed, our eyes locked, and in that moment, it wasn’t about medals or points, just about being here, together, wanting each other so badly it hurt.
Jack murmured against my lips, words tumbling out between kisses, praises, and curses that made my skin burn. “So, fucking proud of you… God, you’re gorgeous… can’t believe what I saw… can’t believe I have you here.” Every whisper made me shiver harder, made me grind against him with more urgency. My fingers dug into his back as the heat between us spiraled until I couldn’t hold back—I lost it first, breaking apart with a muffled cry into his mouth. Jack didn’t stop, kissing me through it, until he groaned and followed, clutching me tight as if he’d fall apart without me. Breathless, sweaty, we slumped together, foreheads pressed, our hearts hammering in the same wild rhythm.
I wasn’t long back in my room, Brett heading down to the gym, when my phone buzzed with an incoming video call from Dad. I answered, and both he and Mom were peering into the camera in the way that only parents can.
“Amazing day one, son!” Dad boomed, pride dripping from every word.
Mom chimed in, her voice warm and teasing. “Dad said you were incredible out there. We’re so proud of you.” Then she cut to the chase as all the best moms do. “But more importantly… who is Jack? I mean, we know he’s the captain of the Railers and a hockey player—I looked him up—but who is he to you and when do I get to meet him?”
I froze, then grinned so hard it hurt. “He’s the man I’m gonna marry,” I blurted, then laughed at myself. Because, jeez, we were barely at the start of things, but god, I wanted more.
There was a pause on the line, and then Mom laughed too, delighted. “Oh, sweetheart!”
Dad cleared his throat, but I heard the smile in his voice. “Well, he’d better be worthy of you.”
“He is,” I said softly, more sure of that in that moment than I’d ever been. “You’ll see.”
“Dinner, as soon as your event is over, and before his starts,” Mom replied.
“Of course.”
We said our goodbyes, Mom promising to watch my runs on the highlights that Dad curated so as not to freak her out too much, and then I was on my bed, restless but tired, knowing I needed to get some sleep before tomorrow’s day two.
My phone buzzed again just as I was plugging it in to charge. A message this time. Jack.
Jack:Can’t make tomorrow’s runs. We’ve got a mandatory media block—press, interviews, all that PR crap they love to shove at us.
Tian:I wouldn’t swap you for that.
Jack:Not when you’re flying like you did today. Fiona will be there, and I’ll be thinking of you, though.
Tian:Good. Maybe I’ll throw a trick just for you.
Jack:Just land it clean. Gold looks better on you than bruises would.
Tian:On it.
Jack:BTW, what you said to your dad?
Tian:What?
Jack:About me being your Jack?
Tian:Seemed right at the time
Jack:I like it. Very possessive
Tian:Asshole
Jack:Now get some sleep, Tian. Second day tomorrow.
