Page 48 of Redemption

It got me off.

He was like a wet dream, likemywet dream. I couldn’t stop staring at him and I hated myself for it.

I couldn’t sleep last night, my thoughts running on overtime of what could have happened with Jeremy if Jack hadn’t intervened. I was an independent woman and I prided myself on being able to look after myself. It hurt that I needed to rely on someone.

Then I told Jack about the problems with the ranch, that I wasn’t handlingshitright now. I hated that I remembered so much about the other night. How he took care of me, called me sweetheart, the words a plea each time he spoke them. I’d woken up next to him, so warm, comfortable and rested. Not bolting upright in the morning thinking about the long list of stuff going on and riddled with anxiety.

I’d mapped his face as the sun rose, the faint lines fanning from the corners of his eyes, laugh lines that he hadn’t had a chance to really earn. His dark brows twitched with his dreams, drawing my attention. The creases between his brows. The chin dip, slightly hidden by the brown stubble dotting his jaw. I wanted to run my finger down the straight edge of his nose and dabble at the cupids bow on his soft upper lip. I forced myself away from him and left without a backwards glance.

Except I did something stupid: I got that damn dog collar. Which meant then I had to give it to him. And I had to watch him all shirtless and sweaty, doing manly things with hammers and drills and bits of wood that made my lady parts do a little dance,begto make a little love, let alone get down tonight.

I even lingered totalkto him. I wanted to learn more about him and that was dangerous. The moment I realized what I was doing, I hightailed it out of there.

Then last night, I’d hidden in my father’s study and watched him. His strong thighs, the unsurprisingly big bulge in his boxers that made my mouth water.

And he’d stared right back. I knew he couldn’t see me, yet he knew I was there. He even nodded goodnight, the smug bastard. I couldn’t even be mad that he assumed I was there watching him because I was.

“No more,” I promised myself as I made it downstairs, exhausted from being up so late. I stumbled into the kitchen which was already alive with feminine buzz and chatter. I blindly reached for coffee, needing it before speaking to anyone.

“I don’t know, I’ve not heard anything, and you know ladies be bragging aboutthatride,” Maddy snorted.

“Maybe he’s just doing it with everyone, twelve years is a lot of time to make up for,” Tilly said, taking a big bite of toast.

“Tilly, please!” August chastised. “You’re too young to get involved in this conversation. Besides, I think you’re muddying his character. I think he’s a virgin, he doesn’t seem like the promiscuous type.”

“Girl, you’re reaching! He’s not some stuffy eighteenth century British twit in your romance novels,” Maddy replied and August sulked.

Once that first sip of coffee hit, I felt myself becoming more human. “Who’re you talking about?”

“Jack,” they all replied.

Immediately my cheeks flushed, and my body grew warm thinking about him running his big hands over me. The grunts he would make as he thrust deep, those bewitching eyes demanding my body togive in to his.

“Stop talking about him, ugh. I don’t want to hear his name, let alone wonder how many women he’s slept with since he got out,” Daisy said.

Maddy propped her elbows on the table, leaning in. “Leo said women watch him at the bar all the time, but he doesn’t pay attention.”

“OohLeo said, huh? You’re talking to him again then?” Daisy teased.

Maddy flipped her off and there was a knock at the door.

“That better not be who I think it is,” Daisy growled.

“I’ll get it!” Tilly yelled, running from the kitchen.

I heard his deep voice, my insides trembled, and I discreetly grabbed onto the kitchen counter. Why did he affect me so much, was I in heat? Could women go into heat like dogs? Is it my period? That must be it.

Tilly stuck her head around the kitchen entranceway. “Jack’s here,” she sang.

“I’ll be a minute.” I tried to get a hold of myself. “Tilly, get your ass to school and don’t start a fight with anyone.”

Tilly pouted then disappeared.

“I’ll just take him this, he must be thirsty,” August said, heading past with a steaming mug of coffee.

“Make sure you spit in it,” Daisy shouted, too loudly.

“Daisy, stop it!” I hissed, feeling a sudden, bizarre need to defend Jack. She just shrugged unapologetically. I downed my coffee, burning my tongue then left the kitchen. In the hallway I began tugging on my boots, sensing him in my periphery but refusing to look at him. Eventually I stood and saw him wearing a light gray tee that hugged his chest far too tightly and black denim jeans with old scuffed black boots.

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