“What do you want for lunch baby?”
“
Sandwich
mamma, can Uncle Jack take me to school?”
“Sure, if he doesn’t mind?”
“I don’t mind.” He smiles, tickling her once more.
I finish Lilly’s lunch and help her dress, then she rushes to Jack
’
s car, leaping in. Layla is readying herself for work, so I walk out front with Jack.
“Jade…can I come back after I drop her off? We need to talk.”
I nod. “About what?”
“Numerous things, Jax included.”
I stiffen and Jack touches my arm.
“I…don’t want to know about him.”
“He knows where I live Jade.”
“Does he know I am here Jack?”
“No.”
“Will he?”
“That’s up to you. I will not tell him Jade, if you don’t want me to. If you do, then we can work something out.”
“Will he want to see us?”
He nods. “He has been looking for you Jade, for years. It
’
s what I want to talk to you about.”
“He has?” I croak. “Why?”
“He regrets turning Lilly down, he wants to see her.”
Her, of course he wants to see her and not me.
“How…how is he?”
“Better. It took a few years, but they found the island, and it settled him. Lately, though, he has been tangled in a bit of a mess. It is a long story.”
I nod, weakly.
“You take time to think ok angel?”
“Ok.”
“I won’t be long.”
Jack leaves and I sit on the front swing frozen. I honestly don’t know how to feel. Jax has been looking for us? God, how
am I supposed to react to that?
When Jack returns, I am still in the same spot. He gives me a sympathetic smile and sits beside me.
“You ok?”
“I…I don’t know Jack. Its been so long since I have even spoken his name. To think he is looking for me.”
“He feels really sorry about what he did Jade.”
“He broke my heart.”
“I know.”
“It does not matter. How long until he will visit you again?”
“He comes and goes, mostly about once every few months.”
“Oh. He has been that close.”
“So have I.”
“Where do you live?”
“About ten minutes away, on tenth ave.”
“Oh.”
“Listen, come
over Friday if you have time
. See my house, and we can decide what to do about Jax.”
“Ok Jack, I will.
I might run over, if that is ok?
”
“That sounds good.” He murmurs in ‘that’ voice.
He reaches over and strokes my cheek; his touch makes me shiver.
“That kiss before…” He says, then breaks off.
“I wanted it Jack.”
He looks
shocked. “You did?”
“I love him, always have, always will, but I loved you too Jack. I never wanted to hurt you; I have always thought about…well…kissing you.”
He smiles, touching my cheek. “Have you now?”
“I won’t lie Jack…there were
times…I wondered what it would be like with you.”
His eyes meet mine, and a sizzle falls through me. I never felt the intense love and passion I felt for Jax with Jack, but I do feel something deep and meaningful. I feel lust; part of me has always wondered what being with Jack would feel like, what it would change in me. He is my best friend; we have always shared a deep connection.
“I was jealous Jack, so wildly jealous this morning.”
He grins. “You were? Why?”
“Because…you made love to her and not me.”
Our eyes met again, and his gaze has changed from happy to hungry. Suddenly, our lips are pressed together,
molding
in a heated connection. He grasps my hair, forcing my lips to press harder against his, gasping I pull back.
“Layla…We can
’
t.”
“I am not official with her, I am dating her. And I will continue to do so…I imagine when he returns you won’t have eyes for me an
ymore, and I have wanted this….G
od for so long.”
Fuck it. I wrap my arms around his neck, pressing my body to his. He lifts me into his arms, carrying me inside and kicking the door shut behind him. We fall onto the bed in the spare room, his body over mine. I groan as he kisses down my neck, then over my shoulders. He tears at my top, yanking it off and un clipping my bra. I gasp as his mouth falls over my nipple.
“As beautiful as I always imagined.” He rasps, yanking his shirt off and tossing it on the ground.
He moves his mouth to my other nipple, and my body comes alive. Five years it has been since I
have slept with somebody, and G
od I have needed it. I arch up wanting more, my body is desperate. He slides his mouth down my belly, circling his tongue around my belly button ring.
“This is new.” He says, tugging it with his teeth.
“Yes, oh…”
I can see his grin as he latches his fingers over my pants and slides them down. Followed by my panties. My face flushes crimson; I have not been exposed for so long. I have only ever shared myself with one man willingly. He glances a tattoo I have on my hip, it
’
s Jax’s name. He does not say anything. His fingers slide down, and into my heat. I gasp, gripping the sheets as he strokes up and down.
“JACK!” I beg. “Please.”
He moves down further, and I feel his soft tongue slide through me. It feels darned nice, but I cannot seem to find a release. I want it; god knows I want it, and so does my body yet I can’t…get off. I pant as he slides his body up over mine again, this time he has no pants on. I feel his rigid erection against my thigh and gasp. H
e is not exactly small
.
“You taste beautiful.” He whispers, running his tongue over my lip.
“Jack, don’t make me wait.”
He leans over to shuffle through his pockets, coming back up with a condom. I watch as he rolls it over himself, feeling my cheeks heat at the sight. He is truly stunning. He leans back over me, shifting about and nudging my legs further apart.
“Are you sure?”
“I want this Jack, part of me always has.”
“No regrets?”
“No, but we can
’
t keep doing it. You know that right? Layla, I love her.”
“I know angel, just this once.” He says and then presses forward.
I gasp and then cry out, pain sizzles through me. He slows, easing out and then pressing back in, a little further this time. My cries turn into moans as he fills me, and begins moving
slowly in and out. Oh G
od, could this man make love. Jax was a wild lover, hot, steamy and damned good. He could get a girl off just looking at her, but Jack, he is slow and gentle, holding me as though I am made of china.
“Jesus, your tight.” He groans.
“Oh…Jack.” I moan as his pace quickens.
Heat fills me and I begin panting, Jack pulls out, then slams back in so hard I scream,
he feels so amazing.
I grasp his shoulders, yanking him closer and deeper as he begins thrusting harder until the bed is slamming against the wall. His release follows soon after, and he groans into my ear. After a moment, he rolls off and lays beside me.
I didn’t find my own release, yet somehow, I feel so much better.
“I…wow Jack.”
“Wow yourself angel, no wonder he was so obsessive over you. God, I have never felt that good before.”
“You are
just being nice.” I smile at him.
He strokes my cheek. “No, you are the whole package Jade. I hope to god when you fall in love again that you are treated like the angel you are. Any man would be lucky to take you forever.”
I feel a tear slide down my cheek. “Thanks Jack. I am so glad you are here.”
“Me too angel, me too.”
CHAPTER 2
Friday comes around quickly. I have thought about Jack all week, called him a few times and spent hours with Layla chatting about my past. I am glad he is back, but my confusion over Jax being so close is eating at me. Part of me wants so badly to just let him know I am here, but the other part, the bigger part, does not want to go through seeing him again. I love him too much; I always have. Seeing him would do too much damage.
I see Jack’s name light up on my phone as I am pulling a pair of running shorts on. I w
ill be there soon Jack!
I sli
de my tight singlet on
and pull my hair up into a high pony tail on my head. I yank on my shoes, kiss Lilly goodbye and leave. Layla is taking her to school today, so I can have the morning with Jack. I run to his house, which is only about twenty minutes way.
When I pull up, I gape. He lives in a gorgeous red brick home right across from the beach. It is three stories high and stunning. I have no doubt the inside will be just as beautiful. I jog up the path and knock on the front door. No answer. I open it and step inside. Wow, his house is old school, with a
distinct charm about it. Wooden floors, rich furnishings and stunning fittings. The living area is enormous, filled with rich dark couches and a fire place.
I walk into the kitchen, which is vast and bright. It has white bench tops and stainless steel appliances. I turn and look to the left, when I glance outside I see the back of a man. He is standing between a woman's legs; she is sitting on the outdoor table. Her hands are on his back, rubbing up and down. I feel my heart throbbing. Something about that back…I squint and my world spins. I know those tattoos.
I take a step back; I am seeing things. It’s not him. It’s not. The woman, with her red hair, pale green eyes and doll like skin, looks over at me. She tilts her head, then says something and the man turns. I feel my mouth open, just enough to make an odd strangled sound. The man squints and then his gorgeous,
emerald green eyes widen. No, G
od no. This is not how it is meant to be. I am not ready. No, not ready.
When he takes a step forward, his muscles flex. He is not wearing a shirt, and old memories flit back into my mind. He has not changed a bit. Not a damn bit. He looks as damn gorgeous as he did five years ago. I hear footsteps behind me and spin around, my eyes are wide and alarmed. Jack is standing behind me; he gives me a sympathetic smile.
“I tried to call.”
“Jade?”
I turn again; Jax has stepped
inside. The look on his face, G
od the look on his face. I shake my head, back up.
“I…shit. Holy shit. I do not want this. No.”
I turn and run; I whizz out the front door and begin a dead sprint across the road. I can hear footsteps beside me. No, this is not real. He is a dream. All a dream. It can’t b
e happening, not after I tried so hard to move on. I tried s
o hard. I hit the sand, and it slows me enough for a set of firm arms to go around my waist and yank me backwards.
I kick and squirm; his hold is far too tight. I lash out, and my foot connects with his leg.
Jax yelps and leaps backwards.
I am on my hands and knee’s, so I scurry forward. I crawl far enough out of his grips so I can stand and run again, but his arm shoots out and grips my ankle, pulling me backwards.
“Let me go!” I scream.
“You are not fucking running, I have been looking for years there is no way in hell you are running.”
“Fuck you!” I wail, kicking my free leg out to connect with his shoulder.
With one hard flip, I am on my back, and his body is lying flat over mine. His gun is grinding into my hip. I look up to meet those emerald green eyes and feel my heart quicken. Missed him does not begin to explain the loss I have felt for this man. I turn my eyes away; he reaches down and grips my chin, forcing me to look back.
“I have imagined this day for so ma
ny years, I have been looking
four solid years for you Jade. I can’t begin to tell you how this feels right now.”
“Screw you,” I hiss. “I hate you.”
I squirm again, but he does not move. His body on mine, his scent washing through my nose, it is all just too much.
“Stop wiggling for fucks sake.”
“Get off me.”
“No, we have so much to talk about, and we are going to do it. After I go back and beat Jack fifty ways from Sunday, you are going to talk to me.”
“Like hell! And leave Jack out of this, he didn’t know I was here until a week ago!”
“Oh?”
“Get off me. I am leaving, and so are you.”
“That is not going to happen. I want to see my daughter.”
“Eat shi…”
He grips my jaw and yanks my face close to his.
“Don’t you try and keep me away. I have the right to be here as much as you do. I made a mistake, but I want to fix it. Don’t send me away.”