This morning we have plans to go on a hike, so I know he wants me to unleash when he starts sucking on my clit.
“Yes, Jack.”
“Mmm…” his moans vibrate against my sensitive slit and I’m so close to coming all over his face. His hands grip my ass and he’s kneading me, opening me, and there’s no stopping the freight train of an orgasm that’s plowing through me.
I shout as I feel myself release. He laps it all up until every wave of pleasure has rolled out of me, and then he presses soft kisses to my thighs.
With a big grin, he looks up at me, “Time to go,” and slaps my ass.
“What? What about you?”
“We can do me later. Let’s get to the mountains.”
And I can’t protest anything because he’s already out of bed getting dressed. And his urgency doesn’t stop. The man is on some kind of mission.
We fly through the Pie in the Sky shop, grabbing cookies. Sierra gives me a big hug and a wink. I get the hug but the wink throws me off.
“Have a fun hike!” she calls out as we leave. And then, as if that’s not odd enough, we dash into Espresso Yourself for my vanilla matcha latte, and Georgie does the same thing. “Enjoy your latte,” she says with a wink.
But Jack is pushing me out the door with a groan. I want to mention the winks to him, but when we get into his truck, he blasts the music all the way to the Velvet Peak. It’s fine. I never mind the time in my own headspace to think about my books. I figure he’s just using this time to think about how to convince Wylder to partner up with him. That, or he’s planning how to fulfill Tucker’s request.
Tucker called him last night asking for Jack to arrange a tour for some of Tucker’s employees. He wants a team-building experience. At the time of the call, Jack agreed, but he seemed slightly distracted.
We reach the mountain, grab our bags, and start hiking before Jack finally says something. Though truthfully after the silence I was expecting something a little more than, “Nice day, right?”
“Yes. It’s beautiful.”
It’s like he doesn't even hear my reply as he plods forward.
“Are you in a hurry, Jack?”
“Nope.” But even his answer sounds rushed.
Okaaaaay. Whatever. I know he gets in his own head sometimes too, so I just let him be. It is a beautiful day, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping—
“Hey. Look over there,” Jack’s voice sounds odd. Strained. Like he’s trying to sound surprised, but he’s actually…nervous? Ya. It sounds a bit anxious. I step out from behind him to see what he’s pointing at.
My heart stops in my chest. I see an archway. A blanket. Baskets of flowers. A pile of books.
“What—”
He grabs my hand and leads me to the blanket.
“Sit down,” he says. “Wait. No, stand.”
Oh my God. Is he doing what I think he’s doing?
“Don’t cry yet, baby.” He removes our backpacks from our shoulders and then comes to stand in front of me. I hadn’t decided what position to take, but I guess by default I chose standing.
Then he tenderly takes my hand in his and drops to one knee.
“Jack,” I gasp.
“Emmerson,” he inhales to calm the trembling in his voice, “I can’t wait any longer to ask you this. I know it’s crazy. And I’ll just ask again later, if you say no—”
“Yes!” I shout.
He chuckles and then blinks hard. But that’s the last I see of him. Now, he’s just a blurry outline of a giant, strong, kindhearted man.
