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Shit, shit, shit. I try to think quickly and blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. “I just hopped on a train with no idea where I was headed. It was time for a big change for me.”
More truths. Maybe this isn’t as hard as I thought.
He stops washing and studies me. “You just left everything behind? Everyone you know?” His eyes are full of wonder. I chew my lip and nod. “That takes more bravery than most people have.”
Though he’s clearly surprised by my answer, he goes back to washing the dishes. There aren’t many, so we finish them before I respond.
“Leaving was less about bravery and more about necessity,” I say honestly.
If I’m being honest with myself, I’ve felt more like a coward than brave for leaving like I did. Leaving Adalyn behind to answer all the questions from our family and Christopher.
I feel him watching me again, and I meet his gaze.
“You were a million miles away again,” he says curiously. “I’d like to know where you go in those moments.”
“I’ll tell you one day,” I reply.
He nods in response. “Deal.”
Unfortunately, I know that day rapidly approaches. I’ll have to tell him soon. I want to stay in Fraser and keep the friends I’ve made here. To do that, I’ll have to summon the bravery Jack thinks I have and tell them all the truth.
Without meaning to, I yawn. It’s been a long, stressful day, but I’m enjoying Jack’s company so much I try to hang in there. He must see me yawn because he checks his watch.
“We better call it a night, huh?”
When I realize it’s already ten o’clock, I nod. “Yeah, I suppose so. Thank you for dinner.”
I start to say goodbye, but Jack approaches me. “I’ll walk you up,” he says in a low, husky tone. My cheeks heat at his words.
“Okay,” is all I can muster.
Taking my hand in his, he walks us out of the house, across the drive, and over to the bottom of the exterior steps leading up to my apartment. I look down at his hand in mine a million times from his door to the stairs. Relishing the feel of his calloused palm in mine. Releasing my hand, he motions for me to go ahead. I take the first few steps, and he follows close behind. I feel his eyes on me all the way to the top. As I reach for the doorknob, he gently turns me towards him.
Nervous energy radiates from Jack’s body. Gently, he brings his fingers to my chin and tilts my face upward. His eyes search mine, waiting for me to say it’s okay. It only takes me a brief second to know that I want him to kiss me. Every fiber in my being is alive with excitement and anticipation. I lean into his touch, telling him on a whisper, “kiss me please.” His eyes flare with heat before he leans down and presses his lips to mine. The kiss is gentle at first, but then it becomes rougher, and more passionate.
His body pins me against my door, and heat rushes through me. I’ve pictured a kiss between us more times than I’d like to admit, but this isfarbetter. His hands glide down my sides to land on my hips.
Jack’s touch ignites a fire inside of me, and I can’t stop my hands from roaming up his muscular arms to his shoulders. I finger his shirt, the soft material slips through my fingertips easily as I try to pull him closer to me, deepening the kiss and urging him on.
I’m teetering on my tiptoes when his tongue brushes my bottom lip. I open my mouth to allow him access, and his tongue explores mine. A breathless moan escapes me before I can stop it. His taste is unlike anything I’ve ever had, exhilarating and intoxicating.
Slowly, Jack pulls back, ending our embrace. He places his forehead on mine, and I search his eyes, finding a bit of surprise but no regret. “Wow,” slips past his lips like a prayer and a reverence all rolled into one small but powerful word. I feel empowered by his desire and already miss his lips on mine, so I stretch up for one more passionate kiss on the lips that leaves lasting tingles where they touched. I reach up to gently place my fingers on my lips as I pull back, not wanting that delicious feeling to fade.
“Goodnight, Detective,” I say.
“Goodnight, Andi.” He sounds just as breathless as I am. I slip inside and reluctantly close the door behind me.
What the heck just happened?
And when can it happen again?
Chapter 30
AsIlistentoJack’s footsteps retreating down the stairs, I fall back against the door. I need the support because my knees feel weak and my heart is pounding a new rhythm in my chest.
What the heck was that?I touch my fingertips to my lips where I can still taste him. I’ve never felt something so intense, so panty melting. Suddenly, all the reasons I need to stay away from him fall away in my mind.
His kiss was all-consuming and much too yummy to ignore. I liked it even more than I imagined I would, and I think he did too by the look he gave me before he left.
