Page 61 of Hard To Leave

I let Jack pull me into his arms without a fight. He curled his fingers along the back of my neck and leaned into me. “I fucking missed you,” he said, bringing his mouth down to mine.

“Dude, my kid is in the room,” Chase said.

Jack released me while still keeping a firm grip along my hip. “Like you’re one to talk. You’re the one who knocked up your wife well before the ink was even dry on your marriage certificate.”

Chase tucked Emily against his side. “Damn straight,” he said, with his dimples popping out as the grin stretched across his face. The man was insanely beautiful, but the way he looked at his wife made him even more attractive.

Jack folded my body deeper into his chest. He leaned in and kissed my forehead. “Why don’t you take your coat off while I get you something to drink?” He started to untie my belt that was holding my jacket together and panic shot through me.

I totally forgot I was standing in his kitchen talking to his friends, completely naked under a flimsy raincoat.

My hand stilled over the top of Jacks, halting them in place. “I can’t stay.”

“What do you mean you can’t stay? You just got here.”

I swallowed nervously as my brain searched for words that I could say to get me out of this mess. “I need to pick up Tanner. He called…when I was on my way over…I have to go.”

Jack looked confused. “Okay, but you don’t have to rush right over. Let’s go outside and have a quick drink first.” His hand started to fumble with my belt, trying to remove it.

I pushed his hand away, took a step back and placed my shaking palm over my chest. He stared at me as if I just had a stroke. “I can’t stay. I’m sorry. I really need to grab him. I’ll be back soon.”

“Chloe, he’ll be fine for another fifteen minutes.”

I took another step back, tightening the hold on my belt. God, this was awful. I could see Chase and Emily sharing a glance out of the corner of my eye. Jack narrowed his on mine as they silently pleaded with him.

“Why are you acting so weird?” His gaze did a slow trek up my body. “And why the hell are you wearing a coat in seventy-five-degree weather?”

He attempted to tug on my belt again, trying to free me from my jacket. I shoved him back a little harder than I intended. “Jack, stop it.”

He stumbled slightly. “Are you okay?” he asked, resting his palm against my skin trying to feel my body temperature. “Do you have a fever or something?”

“I’m fine” I shrugged him off. Then I walked over to Chase and Emily. Chase twisted his lips to the side. There was no doubt that a man as gorgeous as he was, has had his fair share of women showing up in nothing more than a paper-thin coat.

Damn it. Could this day get any worse?

My eyes felt like they were stuck to the floor as I spoke. “I’m sorry to have to run out. I promise I won’t be long.” I placed my hand softly on Mason’s back as I made my way across the room. “He’s a beautiful baby.”

Emily smiled with pride while looking down at her son. “Thank you.”

I turned my head to Jack as I reach the door. “Will you walk me out?” I asked quietly through my teeth.

He grabbed my hand. “I’ll do better than that. I’ll go with you.” He spun around to face his friends. “We should be back in an hour. Make yourself at home.” He gestured around with his free hand. “And you two kids behave,” he warned. “Don’t go getting crazy, but just in case you do, the guest room is down the hall on the left.”

Chase chuckled while Emily rolled her eyes at him. I tugged on his hand so hard I was afraid I would break a bone. I just wanted to get the hell out of there.

Once we were outside, Jack started to laugh uncontrollably. I looked at him as if he’d gone completely mad. He surprised me when he grabbed my hips and pushed me up against the hood of the car. “You don’t have anything under that fucking jacket, do you?”

I blinked at him. “You knew?”

He raked his eyes over my body, taking in my heels then zeroing in on my chest. He pushed his hand underneath my jacket, meeting my bare nipple that was now trying to poke its way through the material. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

“Happy birthday.” I smiled sheepishly, running my hands through his hair.

He threw his head back and groaned. “Please tell me we have time before we pick up Tanner. I don’t think I can wait to unwrap my present.”

My hand rested against his chest. I loved feeling his heart beat beneath my fingertips. “I’m not sure we have enough time do what you’re thinking.”

He slid his hands over my bare breast and started to glide his fingers back and over my nipples. “Is that how you’re going to play it?” His eyes were blazing with heat. “Showing up like this. Bare underneath this jacket, teasing me.”

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