The Perfect Game(24)

“Your options are grilled cheese, mac and cheese, or a quesadilla,” I announced, somewhat embarrassed by our lack of food choices.

“I can only pick one?” Jack teased. “What if I want them all?”

“Then you can make them.” I smirked while holding the door open with one arm. “Jack, tell me what you want!”

“I sort of do want them all. Is that bad? I’ll help.” His face crinkled as he braced for my reaction.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Fine. You make the mac and cheese and I’ll make the rest. Deal?”

I watched as the tension released from his tanned cheeks and those irresistible dimples appeared. “Deal!”

“Look at you two. Cooking in the kitchen like an old married couple,” Melissa remarked from a safe distance.

I turned toward her wishing I could suddenly shoot darts from my eyes. “Old married couple, my ass. We haven’t even made it through one road trip.”

Jack put down the pot he held and reached for me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and held on to me tightly. “Kitten, are you worried about this road trip? I’m not going to fuck screw up. I promise.”

I avoided his eyes, looking straight past him toward the white wall in the distance. His fingers were suddenly caressing my cheek, before they forced my chin upward. “Look at me, Cass,” he pleaded softly.

I closed my eyes tight before opening them and focusing on his. It was so hard to put my feelings into words, all my insecurities and fears coiled inside me, eating away at the trust we’d built.

“I don’t want any other girl.” He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it gently. “You hear me?”

“I hear you,” was all I could force out in a whisper.

“But do you believe me?” He cocked his head to one side and raised an eyebrow.

I shrugged my shoulder. “I guess we’ll see.”

“Damn straight we’ll see.” He jerked his head playfully. “I’ll prove it to you.”

I rolled my eyes and he pressed his warm mouth against mine, his tongue parting my lips. I jerked away. “If this is your way of proving it…”

His mouth instantly found mine again, the heat between us hot enough to start a fire. The taut muscles of his abs pressed tightly against my stomach. I found myself suddenly aware of his fingers and their location against the small of my back, pulling me against him. His body grew harder with every moment that passed and my defenses lowered.

I maneuvered my hands underneath his shirt and ran my fingers along the curves of his back. His skin was smooth and soft, yet hard and muscular. I found myself unable to stop exploring as I caressed every inch I could reach of his warm skin. Feeling his body this way sent excited tingles shooting throughout my entire body. He pressed the hardness in his jeans against me and I struggled to catch my breath. And even though I wasn’t ready to be one of Jack Carter’s conquests, I found it difficult to resist him when I was this turned on.

Melissa cleared her throat. “Jesus, you two. I feel like I should leave a tip after watching that.”

I peeled my tingling body away from his and wiped at my bottom lip, lust blurring my vision.

“We take quarters.” Jack smirked before leaning in for one last peck.

Melissa’s face contorted with confusion at the inside joke I realized I’d never shared with her. “Whatever. I have to finish my homework. Hurry up and make me some food.”

Jack impressed me by not only helping cook dinner, but cleaning up as well. He attempted to swat me with the dish towel a total of twelve times. It annoyed the hell out of me, but I’ll admit I also found it endearing. I shook my head absentmindedly, lost in thought.

“What are you shaking your head at?” Jack asked, leaning his hip against the counter.

“I was just thinking about us.” I flashed him a reassuring smile as I placed the towel back around the handle of the stove.

“Oh, yeah? What about us?” He took a step toward me.

I put my hand up to stop him. “Just about how differently I feel about you today versus when we met at the party that night.”

“And how do you feel about me today?” He grabbed my hand and tucked it behind my back, pulling my body against his.

“Well, I don’t hate you today.” I smiled, my heart rate picking up speed.

His lips moved toward my face, brushing against my cheek without stopping. “You didn’t hate me that night either,” he whispered, his breath hot against my ear.

Excited chills replaced my will to playfully fight back. I pushed him and spun on my heels away from his hot body. “I have to get ready for bed.”