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The way he said it, tied with the way he looked at me, made my whole body ache. Like I was desperate for his arms, his chest. For him to wrap me up, so I could cling to him.
For all my shortcomings, my baggage and damage—some he didn’t even know about—he seemed to see me, not only that, he encouraged me.
“Eat,” he said, motioning to my second piece of pizza he’d placed before me. “You’re going to need that strength, baby,” he gave a teasing smile, and it made the heaviness of the conversation a little lighter. “We have an afternoon of the Godfather. Though I hope you weren’t expecting to focus too much on it, seeing as how you’ll be naked on the couch.”
~
I stood in the bathroom doorway, looking at Jack sleeping.
Dark hair and tan skin amongst a sea of eggshell white cotton was like looking into a dream. Or upon a dream man.
It had been a long day, and night. Saturdays had never felt so good. Only now it was past two in the morning, and it was officially Sunday.
And he asked me to stay the weekend.
I wrapped my arms around myself, the feel of his button up shirt the only thing against my skin, and I hugged it closer. With the soft glow of the light from the bathroom behind me, I simply stood there, watching him.
He looked so perfect, so handsome. His chest rose and fell steadily. His thick lashes rested against his cheeks and his brow was relaxed. The man that wove so much control in his world was naked, with nothing but a sheet covering him, stretched out in bed with one arm thrown over his head, and the other resting on his chest.
I smiled, thinking maybe I had worn the CEO out. He definitely had me in desperate need of a protein shake, a shot of B12, and some Gatorade to keep up with him.
The thought of doing just that made my whole body buzz, as if picking up on the sexy memories I was replaying from today.
As I made my way toward the bed, my shoulder caught the bathroom door on the way out, causing the hinges to whine.
Jack’s eyes shot open.
I stopped instantly. Staring at him.
I’d never seen anything like it. I didn’t know if he was awake, but suddenly, those dark eyes were instantly seared my direction. He made no movement other than his eyes. Staring at me.
What concerned me was the emotion behind them. Jack looked terrified.
“Jack?” I whispered.
His eyes just stayed locked on me. It was eerie, as if he was looking right through me.
“The door,” he growled, low with sleep and anger in his voice. The look of fear left his face, and now he scowled.
I glanced behind me. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.” I hadn’t realized he was such a light sleeper.
“The. Door,” he said again, and sat up. I had no idea what to say. He seemed so angry.
“I’m really sorry,” I tried again. “I didn’t mean to—”
Jack threw the sheet away, and stomped out of the bedroom. So fast I didn’t know if the blur I witnessed was of him or something I imagined. I heard rustling coming from down the hall. Cabinets banging, drawers being opened and closed. Finally, he was back with…was that WD40?
“What are you doing?” I asked quietly, but he just passed me and knelt by the bathroom door.
I read once to never disturb a sleepwalker or scare them.
“Jack?” I said quietly, coming into his line of vision. I realized he not only had the WD40, but a screwdriver and paper towels. “Are you awake?”
He wiggled the door back and forth, frowning at the bottom hinge, realizing it was the one that was squeaking.
“Of course I’m awake.”
I took a deep breath. Okay, that was a start. He sprayed the WD40 and tightened one of the screws in the hinge, then wiggled the door again.
