I felt her eyes pierce mine. She wanted the truth and I didn’t want to lie to her. “Yeah.”
She rolled her eyes at my one-word response.
“Kitten. The eyes.”
“You’re such a pig.” She shook her head with disgust.
“This isn’t news! But I’m a changed man, Kitten. I swear it.” I took her chin in my fingers and pleaded, wanting her to believe me.
“We’ll see about that.” She stared back at me, her smirk evidence of her disbelief.
“Care to make a wager?” I offered, dying to loosen up the tense atmosphere.
Her face crinkled at my suggestion. “Please, tell me you don’t need a bet to stay faithful. I swear to God, Jack.”
I felt her body tighten as she angled away from me. With one humorous comment, I’d changed her body language completely. It was as though I could feel her replacing the bricks around her heart that I’d already knocked down. One by one, she cemented them back into place where she felt they belonged.
This away series was going to be the first real test in our relationship. She wasn’t sure she could trust me. I didn’t blame her though, but I was damn sure going to prove her wrong.
SEVEN
CASSIE
I paced nervously around the kitchen while I waited for Jack to arrive.
“Why are you pacing? What the hell’s wrong with you?” Melissa looked up from her textbook and eyed me.
“I don’t know. I’m sorta freaking out,” I admitted, taking a swig from my water glass.
“About what? Seriously, Cass, I haven’t seen the guy even touch another girl since your crazy date that night.” Melissa tried to catch my gaze, her eyebrows raised.
I shook my head and continued wearing down the kitchen floor. “It’s not that.”
“Then what is it?” She sat up straighter, laying her pencil in between the pages of her book and closing it shut.
I stopped walking, took another drink, and swallowed forcefully. “I just don’t get why Dean can’t take him to the bus tomorrow. Why does he want me to do it? And why is he leaving me his death machine?”
Melissa sighed heavily. “Jesus, Cassie. Can’t the guy do something nice for you?”
“How is that nice?”
“Last time I checked, genius, your car is sitting pretty back at home.” She smirked, her head swiveling back and forth in disbelief at my stupidity.
“So?”
“So he’s leaving you his. That’s nice of him.”
“I guess.” She had a point, but my defenses were still up. “But why is he staying over?”
Melissa’s mouth fell open as she leaned her head back. “I’m such an idiot,” she admitted before smacking her palm against her forehead. “This is your first sleepover with Jack. You’re scared to spend the night with him. That’s what this is about.”
My stomach flipped and rolled with her words. I stared at the black-and-white-tiled kitchen counter, my eyes losing focus until the pattern became an unrecognizable swirl of hazy dark and light hues.
“Earth to Cassie, hello?” Melissa snapped her fingers in my direction and my eyes jerked up to meet hers.
“I’m not scared.” My stupid voice shook slightly. “I’m just…not ready.”
“Why the hell not?”
“Because once you give your body to a guy, there’s no taking it back. And once you’ve done that it opens up feelings, emotions, and vulnerabilities you never knew you were capable of having. I’m not ready to give him my heart. What if he breaks it?”
“What if he doesn’t?” Melissa shot back.
The quick knock on the door startled us both and Melissa gathered her composure before I did. “Come in,” she yelled behind her.
The door swung open and Jack walked in, carrying his baseball bag in one hand and an overnight bag in the other. I watched as he dropped the baseball bag next to the door and then disappeared with his overnight bag into my bedroom. I quickly widened my eyes at Melissa before he waltzed back into the room. She stifled a laugh.
“Hey, Kitten.” He nuzzled his lips against my neck and I felt my knees begin to shake.
I forced a nervous smile. “Hungry?”
“Starved,” he answered, before his lips met mine.
All my thoughts scrambled inside my head as I released them and lost myself in his mouth. Warm cinnamon engulfed my senses as his breath and touch consumed me. No matter how hard I tried to fight it, Jack Carter always turned me to mush.
So much for that wall of yours, Cass. Kiss it good-bye.
When he pulled away, I braced my hand against the countertop to steady my shaking body. Once I was certain my legs would carry me without falling, I headed toward the refrigerator and opened the door, tearing through every tray and cabinet.