It felt like hours of silence passed before I asked, “Can I talk now?”
He laughed. “Yeah.”
“I’m really sorry, Jack. I know you haven’t done anything to deserve my mistrust, but it’s just that I saw those pictures and I felt so stupid. I’d just told you not to make me look dumb or embarrass me, and I felt like that’s exactly what you did. I went into self-preservation mode where nothing else mattered but me.” I tried to explain my craziness in a way I hoped he’d understand. That basically, he was dating someone with serious trust issues.
His arm swept around my back and pulled me toward him. I allowed a few teardrops to fall before wiping them away. “You make me fucking crazy, but I love you.” He pressed his warm lips against my temple.
“So you’re not breaking up with me?” I asked with a pout.
“You’re not that lucky.”
TEN
JACK
“Kitten, come on, we’re gonna be late!” I shouted toward Cassie’s bathroom in between paces.
“I’m coming, hold on!” I heard the sound of clanking against the countertop and feet shuffling.
“Okay, I’m ready,” she announced as she entered the living room.
My jaw dropped at the sight of her tanned legs in that little white sundress. I scanned every inch of her body, my eyes loving each curve. I shook my head and smiled. She seriously looked like a fucking angel. And I wanted to be her devil.
“Kitten, you’re gonna give Gramps a heart attack looking like that.”
Melissa’s laughter echoed from her bedroom. “Please don’t kill Jack’s grandpa, Cass. Not a good first impression.”
Cassie giggled in response. “I’ll do my best.” Her bright green eyes focused on mine. “See you later.”
I stuffed my cell phone into my pocket before reaching for Cassie’s hand. She locked her fingers in mine as I led her toward the door. “See you later, Melissa,” I shouted toward her bedroom.
“Bye, you guys. Have fun!”
I ushered Cassie outside with a light slap to her ass and when she turned to smack me, she stopped and simply smiled instead. God, I loved this girl.
“You look beautiful,” I said, running my fingers through the soft golden waves in her hair.
“Thank you.” She smiled and hesitated at the side of my car before I helped her up and inside.
I glanced over at the girl to my right and noticed her fidgeting with her hair. Shit. She’d actually curled it and I was going to fuck mess it all up on the drive. I should have borrowed Gran’s Honda.
“Here.” I tossed my baseball cap into her lap.
“What’s this for?”
“Just put it on. It’ll help keep your hair in place.” I shot her a half smile. “It’s better than no hat, right?”
She shrugged her shoulders, saying, “I guess we’ll find out,” and placed the hat on top of her head. She laughed as it fell all the way down, covering her eyes. “You have a huge head!”
I leaned toward her, grabbing the bill of the hat between my fingers and pulled her close. “No. You have a small head.” I ducked under the hat and planted my lips firmly against hers as she giggled. God, she smelled good.
The engine screamed to life as I turned the key in the ignition. “Ready for this?”
“I’m ready,” she answered with a nod and I took off, the wind whipping through my hair.
“So, have you ever brought a girl home before?” Her voice cut through the sound of the air and the roar of the engine.
I glanced at her before laughing. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No.” She shrugged.
“Cassie.” I eyed her before shaking my head. “I’ve never even slept with the same girl twice.”
“So? That doesn’t mean you haven’t brought some random girl home before.” She sighed.
I placed my right hand on her knee and caressed her bare skin with my fingers. “You’re the first. And the last,” I informed her, my expression serious.
She smiled and her whole face lit up. Or maybe it was mine. All I know for certain is that smile lit up even my darkest days.
We drove for ten minutes before I pulled the car directly in front of my grandparents’ blue and white one-story house. Gran’s yard was meticulous, with manicured bushes lining the front of the house.
“It’s so cute,” she said, removing my hat and fussing with the tangled strands of her hair.
I smirked in her direction. “Your hair looks perfect, Kitten. Come on.” I grabbed the hat she discarded and pulled it on my head, tucking my hair underneath.
I opened the car door and helped her down, my hands resting on her hips and ass. “I think you’re trying to kill me in that dress.”