She swung her hips back, wanting more. Tori felt drugged. Every cell in her body was on fire, screaming for release. Heat stirred low in her belly, then flooded through her in a blast. A loud cry left her lips, her body quaking on top of his.
“Fuck,” he grunted, his body vibrated alongside hers as he filled her with his cum.
When she caught her breath, she crawled away from him, wincing at the pain from her stiffened leg muscles.
“Tori, I… we…”
She angled her head, glancing at him over her shoulder. “I know. We didn’t use protection. You’re safe on my end. Should I be worried?”
“No. I’m clean.” Jack sprang to his feet. “Come, spend the night. I’ll take you to your place early tomorrow so you can get ready for work.” He helped her up and led her back to the bedroom.
A fog claimed her mind. Tori didn’t have it in her to decline the offer because her exhausted body demanded rest. Whatever happened tonight hadn’t been casual sex, even if it’d started as such. She’d opened up, giving to him a side of her she’d never offered anyone. Ever. A mix of worry, confusion, and desire, wishing things were different, stirred in her chest. Jack was a man she couldn’t have, and even if she could, they had history—bad history—neither of them could ignore.
Chapter Twelve
Jack parked his car in front of her apartment building. Stepping out, he walked to her side, opened her door, and offered his hand to help her out. “What are you doing Saturday?”
What was he doing? He wasn’t supposed to want to see her again.
Tori stared at him. “I’m planning to stay in.”
Last night hadn’t turned out the way he’d imagined it would. He’d thought he’d see the end to… to… a prank, a game, revenge… shit, he didn’t know what it was anymore, or what it had been, and now he wasn’t sure there’d ever be an end to it. If closing that phase of his life meant he wouldn’t get to see her again, he didn’t want to shut it yet. “Would you like to go on a ride?” he asked.
She raised a brow. “You’re asking me out?”
“No. I’m just asking if you want to go for a ride,” he said.
Tori stepped around him. “So, it’s not a date.”
Yes. No. Fuck. He didn’t know. He’d prefer to think of it as a ride, not as a date. Considering it a date would steer things in a different direction, a place he didn’t wish to visit with Tori. He’d keep it casual, nothing permanent. “No. Not a date, a ride.” His heart beat faster than it had in years. Why was he nervous all of a sudden? She wasn’t the first woman he’d ever asked out. Dammit. I’m not asking her out. It’s not a date, just a fucking ride.
She held his gaze for a moment, smiling. “I’ll take the ride.” She spun on her heel and walked up the steps to her building’s entrance.
“I’ll pick you up at three,” he said to her back.
Without looking, Tori waved her hand, stepping inside her building.
Jack hadn’t realized he’d been holding his breath until he exhaled. He got back in his car and drove to the office. How he’d make it through the day—or through the rest of the week—without talking to her or seeing her, he didn’t know. It begged him to question why it bothered him. He’d keep it casual—he had to, or else he’d be freaking screwed.
Getting the images of Tori pole dancing out of his head would take a miracle. Fuck. He already had a hard-on just thinking of it. Worst of all, how would he make it through tonight—or every night—if he stayed at his condo in downtown? After last night, he’d never again look at his place the same way. Not when he’d helped her down from the pole and fucked her kneeling on the floor.
What did he do? He’d never gone bareback with another woman. That wasn’t the issue though. The real problem was he hadn’t fucked her. He’d made love to her. No. I couldn’t have. No. No. No. He never made love. Ever. She’d screwed with his head. She’d fucking confused him. He needed to hit the gym after work today. He’d beat the shit out of anyone who dared to join him in kickboxing. He already felt sorry for the fool, whoever that would be.
* * * *
“Are you going to tell us anything?” Vivienne asked.
Tori glanced around the semi crowded sushi bar, then looked at every one of her friends. Their curious gazes stayed on her. She’d been good at evading them since the night she first went home with Jack, but she’d ran out of excuses. She wasn’t at all surprised when the four of them decided to show up for lunch.