Page 45 of Found By Him

Nate steps up next to Jack. “Jack’s right. Alice is one of the best people I have ever met. This is certainly not goodbye, because let’s be honest, there’s no getting rid of us now, but we really are going to miss seeing your smiling face almost every single day.” He turns to her and raises his glass. “To Alice.”

“To Alice!” Boisterous cheers rise from the crowd as Nate and Jack take turns hugging a sobbing but smiling Alice.

I dab the corner of my eye, and Becky laughs next to me. “Same, girl.”

I turn to find her handing me a tissue as she pulls one out for herself.

Jack and Nate’s speech was moving, and it’s clear how much they all love each other. But the thought of being in a group like this has me even more emotionally charged. I have little doubt that being with Jack alone would make me undeniably happy, but if I were to get this amazing family of both blood and choosing in addition to him? That would truly be something beyond what I could have ever imagined for myself.

And to top it all off, he looks mouthwatering up there, commanding the room’s attention with his confidence and stature. His face, muscular build, and broad shoulders don’t hurt either. I take a deep breath as I decide to take the ending of our evening into my own hands.

Now, I just need to not chicken out by the time Jack gets back to me.

24

Jack

Following the speech, cake-cutting, and multiple rounds of hugs and conversations with Alice’s husband, her daughter, and who I think is her neighbor from elementary school, I’m ready to get back to Gisella. I’m ready to get her out of here.

I weave through the crowd back to the table we were sitting at. A lightness I haven’t felt in a very long time swirls around me as I observe Becky and Gisella laughing and talking animatedly. Gisella so desperately needs a friend right now. And if I’m being honest, so does Becky. She doesn’t like to admit it, but because of the judgment and ostracization she suffered from her friends when she got pregnant in high school, she’s always been wary of female friendships. But I know, deep down, she would love to have someone to do things with her that none of the rest of us want to do with her.

I’m not sure what about Gisella has made Becky put her guard down to at least start to let her in, but I’m happy to see it.

When I’m behind Gisella’s chair, I put one hand on the back of it and one on the table in front of her. The pure joy on her face as she looks up at me makes my heart skip a beat.

“Hi. That was a really sweet speech you gave.”

I bend down farther, needing to be closer to her. Gisella’s hands come up to my cheeks as I kiss her lips softly. Her thumbs gently rub my beard as I pull back enough to see her face. Her eyes are filled with so many emotions, it’s hard to distinguish the most prominent one. She pulls my head back so she can whisper in my ear, “I need you, Jack. Please, can we go?”

I bite back a groan before straightening and pulling her from her chair. “Becky, we’re leaving. We’ll talk to you later.”

I drag her from the ballroom, waving and nodding farewell to people as we go.

Gisella is laughing behind me as she tugs on my arm to get me to slow down as soon as we are in the hallway. “Jack? Can I run to the restroom before we go?”

I stop outside the bathrooms and give her chaste kiss on the lips before spinning her and pushing her gently toward the door. “Make it quick.”

She laughs as she enters the bathroom.

I pace impatiently outside the door as I wait, anticipation taking over my every thought. I need this woman like I have never needed anyone.

My back is to the door when it opens, revealing the woman consuming me entirely. When she takes a step out to me, I pivot back in her direction. I can’t take it anymore.

As she approaches, I move closer, grabbing each side ofher waist and pushing her back to the wall. A small puff of air leaves her lungs as her back connects, my name the next to fall from her lips in a breathy plea that lets me know she’s just as wound up. Starting at her temple, I tangle my hand in her soft hair until I grip the back of her head, my other hand still holding her waist. Her gorgeous green eyes are wide, watching me, waiting for me to do more. I bend my head down as I push one of my knees between her legs. She parts hers easily to allow me access, her dress sliding up her thighs as her rapid breathing floats across my lips.

“I can’t wait to taste you,” I whisper against her mouth before I capture her soft moan that releases at my words. I can’t hold back. My tongue meets no resistance as it explores her mouth. Her tongue caresses mine as she fights me to do her own hungry exploring. Soft hands slide inside my suit jacket and grip the back of my shirt, trying to pull me closer. I give her what she wants and lean into her. Her breasts are pressed into my chest, warm core rubbing on my thigh. My dick aches as her curves move against me.

It takes every ounce of self-control I possess to break our kiss. She said she needed me, but I want to make extra sure we are on the same page. “Come home with me.”

Her answer is a whispered, “Yes, please.”

I step back and adjust myself. When I see her watching me, I smile. While I love her interest, her beautiful, desire-filled face does not help deflate the part of my body she’s staring at. “You need to stop looking at me like that for about twenty minutes.”

With her lip caught between her teeth, her eyes snap up to meet mine. She nods, dazed, as I place my hand on the small of her back to propel her toward the lobby.

The valet better sprint to my car. If I knew where theyparked it, I would run to it myself, fearing they won’t retrieve it quickly enough.

Fortunately, no one else is waiting when we approach the podium. While we wait, I wrap my arms around Gisella’s shoulders and pull her into my chest. I need the physical contact. She reads my mind and wraps her arms around my waist, resting her head on my chest. As she exhales a loud breath, she melts into me.

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