Page 64 of Could Have Been Us
His lips are on mine a moment later, and he pushes harder, faster, and deeper than before. I fall apart again, Jack following seconds later, and I know that nothing will ever come close to that again.
* * *
It’s nightfall, and I’m lying in his arms on the couch. The television is playing some movie that neither of us is watching. Dinner was . . . inventive. Jack is in desperate need of some food shopping.
I was able to put together some type of snack board with the crackers, salami, and cheese sticks he had. It wasn’t elegant, but it was perfect for us.
He shifts a little, tucking me closer into his side. We are naked under the blankets, being warmed by each other and the fire.
“What are we watching again?” he asks after a few minutes.
“No clue.”
“You put it on.”
I shrug. “It’s a movie channel.”
He studies the television a little longer. “No, it’s a chick movie channel.”
I laugh at the face he makes. “It’s all about love.”
“How the hell did you even find this channel? I thought I only got sports.”
“Yes, Jack, you get only sports channels on your television.”
“Well, it’s all that’s ever on.”
I shake my head. “Look, they’re snowed in together.”
“It’s almost summer, why would we want to watch this?”
“She’s the local farmer’s daughter, and he’s a grumpy business mogul who got stranded. Fifty bucks says they fall in love and he wants to stay there because he sees the simple life with her is worth more than this company.”
Jack sighs deeply. “Are you implying this is somehow about us?”
I grin and nestle closer. “You do love me and are grumpy.”
“I was grumpy. Today, I’m definitely not.”
“Why is that?” I ask playfully.
“Some dark-haired beauty let me do very dirty things to her.”
I laugh as the heat fills my cheeks. “She sounds like a keeper.”
“I think she is.”
I look up from under my lashes, batting them a few times. “Do you think she’s worth more than a company?”
“She’s worth everything.”
My chest gets tighter. “She’s scared,” I confess.
“Of what?”
“Waking up tomorrow and losing her grumpy man.”
Jack lifts my chin, waiting for my eyes to meet his. “She doesn’t have to worry about that.”
