Page 58 of Jack

But she was dying.

"Jack, I can't."

Lifting his head, he gazed at her, bodyjerking as he noticed her storm-filled eyes and parted lips.

"Please," she gasped, handsreaching for him. His control broke. With a low growl, he drove intoher.

Arching her body to meet his thrusts, shewrapped her legs around his waist, hands pulling him down until hewas kissing her with an abandon that drove them wild.

The climax was explosive and had themclinging to each other as the storm raged and buffeted at them untilthey were left weak and drained from the aftermath.

Burying her face in his chest, she clung tohim, her limbs going lax.

Jack felt the blood roaring in his ears,and it took a few minutes for him to get back feelings in his legs.His entire body felt as if it had been hit by a ton of bricks. Hisheart was still pounding, and he felt as if he was in the middle of ahurricane. And he did not want to break contact with her.

When she stirred, he reluctantly eased offher onto the side, gathering her against him until she was cradled onhis chest.

For several minutes, neither of them saidanything, the only sounds in the room their labored breathing. Hishand was slowly and rhythmically rubbing up and down her back as hetried to gather his thoughts. It was plain that this was not goingaway. That the desire for her was not something he could simply turnhis back on.

He was violently attracted to her and didnot see himself being without her for any length of time. He had toldher his rules. It was not a relationship. Then what the bloody hellwas it? He wondered angrily. No matter how much he tried to convincehimself that it was just sex, it was not working. Because he hadnever been one to lie to himself before and he was not going to startdoing so now.

She nestled closer, her breathing startingto even out. He felt the weight of his own emotions pressing down onhim like a heavy shroud.

Jack knew he had to address the situation.He couldn't keep pretending that their connection was merelyphysical. Yet, the fear of complicating things gnawed at him. He hadspecifically told her that he was not interested in having arelationship and he wasn't. Was he? He was no damn good at doing thecommitment bit. He was a loner and had been deliberate at thataspect. He had no time in his life for that sort of thing. He couldnever open his heart to another human being. He was too hardened, tooset in his ways. He could never make her promises.

Shifting so that he could look her in theface, he realized with a jolt that she had drifted off to sleep. Aslow smile curved his lips and if he was looking in the mirror, hewould not have recognized theexpression on his face. His expression was softened and the cynicalcurves that seemed to be etched into his skin had all butdisappeared. His eyes were twin glows of light that made theresemblance to his son much more startling. Lifting a hand, he gentlybrushed the hairs from her forehead, his touch lingering. Reachingbehind her, he pulled the sheets and covered them both. Gazing at herexquisite features for several more minutes, he felt himself driftinginto sleep, arms unconsciously wrapping around her in a possessivemanner.

*****

Jack woke to the sound of birds chirpingoutside the window. He blinked a few times, disoriented by theunfamiliar warmth and softness against him. As his eyes adjusted tothe morning light, he realized Zuri was still nestled in his arms,her breathing steady and peaceful. The events of the previous nightcame rushing back to him, and he felt a pang of confusion mixed withan undeniable sense of contentment.

Careful not to disturb her, Jack shiftedslightly and gazed at the ceiling. His mind raced with thoughts abouttheir situation. This was not what he had planned. He was a man ofstructure and certainty, and Zuri's presence was unraveling thatcarefully constructed life. He had always prided himself on hisindependence, on his ability to keep emotions at bay. But she waschanging all of that, and he wasn't sure how to handle it.

Jack knew he had to confront his feelingssooner or later. He couldn't keep hiding behind the pretense of acasual arrangement. But the fear of vulnerability was paralyzing.Opening his heart meant risking pain, disappointment, and the loss ofcontrol. It was a terrifying prospect for someone who had spent yearsbuilding walls around himself.

Zuri stirred in his arms, her eyesfluttering open. She looked up at him with a sleepy smile, and for amoment, everything seemed right. Jack's heart pounded in his chest,and he knew he couldn't keep lying to himself. Whatever this was, itwas more than just a physical connection. It was real, and itdeserved to be acknowledged, but not now. First he was going to haveto examine his feelings and then decide what to do about them.

*****

"You must be very upset with me,"Jazmine murmured as she took a sip of the fruit punch she hadordered. She had called as soon as Zuri returned this morning andasked for a chance to explain herself. Zuri decided she could betolerant. Last night and this morning had turned out better than sheexpected. Jack had lingered over her from the time she woke up untila few minutes ago and he had seemed reluctant to leave. Very soon hewas going to have to come to grips with the fact that she was here tostay.

Zuri had rushed in an hour ago and gonestraight to the office. She had been doing up the invoices when shereceived the call from her friend. Zach had greeted her quietly, hisgaze searching as if wondering if they were still at odds. She wantedit to end. He had blindsided her with the announcement that he wasinvolved with her best friend, but she wanted him to be happy. And assoon as she gets a chance, she was going to tell him.

He had been through some rough times andthe last relationship had left him upset and miserable. She wantedhim to be happy. She wasn't certain the woman seated across from herwas the answer.

"I had to hear it from my brother."

"I wanted to wait to tell you."

"You just did not have any troubletelling him about me and Jack," she pointed out. Seeing the lookof distress on the girl's face had her relenting with a sigh. "Look,I want to be happy for you, but I don't want him to be hurt. He'sbeen through enough – the same goes for you."

"I am in love with him,"Jazmine's smile bloomed. Zuri blinked at the look on her friend'sface.

"I know you're going to say it's toosoon after what I went through recently. But I love him, Zoo, and Iwant you to be happy for us. If you aren't, he's not going to becomfortable being with me. In case you don't get it, your brotheradores you."

Relenting with a sigh, she reached for herfriend's hand and squeezed. "Of course you have my approval. Mybest friend and my brother." She shook her head. "I'mthrilled."

*****

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