Page 120 of Blue-Eyed Jacks
I wasn’t going to tell her that was stupid.I’d been planning a similar escape route for her.But she didn’t know that.So, I had to ask, “Why?”
After a moment of contemplation, she answered.“A long time ago you talked about your mother.How she had no choice but to go back to prostitution after your father was locked up.I wondered if she, or Cara, or … poor Tina… if they had a choice, would they take it?”
Shit, I didn’t know Cara like Kate had, but I’d have done the very same for Tina.She wasn’t a bad person, just someone caught up inShock’s issues.
“It was dangerous.”
Kate nodded.“And if Cara hadn’t betrayed us, or if Tina hadn’t lied, then what?I’d have helped two women get out of a situation they didn’t want to be in.”
“It’s still dangerous.”
The look she sent me was designed to put me in my place.
I tried to reframe things so we wouldn’t argue anymore.“Next time, ask for help.”
“Next time?”she prompted.
It took decades to figure out why my father did what he did for Mom.But I finally understood why.“Hopefully, there won’t be a next time, but I know you have a good heart.A wonderful, caring one.And you’ll need help.Please ask.”
Her expression softened.“You will always be my partner in crime.”
“Partner, huh?”
“Always.”
Damn.That sounded like… forever.“I’m going to be a terrible mayor.You know that, right?”
Kate opted to give her answer as a kiss.One that led me to her bed.It lingered and extended into more kisses, and clothing discarded to the floor.I climbed into her tiny bed and held her in my arms.We kept kissing, until I slid inside her, and our sharp inhales of wonder freeze-framed the moment and I had to tell her again how much she meant to me.
“I love you, Kate.With all that I am.”
She repeated my words back at me, adding my name… my real name—the whole damn thing.
“Hold up.When did I tell you that?”For the life of me, I hadn’t.
“Crystal Ann told me.And Zoe found you online.You made the papers.”
I grimaced and tried not to go soft while seated inside her.“Good or bad?”
“Something about a river walk being built in Skilletsville.”
Ah.The good shit.“That’s all Sprout’s fault.”I pumped out, then back in, enjoying the feel of her on my dick.
“I think it was you.Trying to be mayor.”
“Don’t make me laugh, woman.I’m inside you.”I pumped again, setting a slow pace guaranteed to drive her over the brink of ecstasy.
Her eyes glimmered with amusement, and her fingertips squeezed my biceps.“Laugh, Jackson.Life’s too short not to.”
I thrust three times before answering her.“Nope, we’re going to live a long time.You’re going to get sick of me.”I dug in a little harder and gave her all of me.
A small moan escaped her.She tacked on a breathless,“Not if you keep doing, that.More?”
“You gotta be quiet, too,” I whispered in her ear and pulled to the edge of our connection to watch her face as I slid back in.She was so beautiful.
Her eyes met mine as she clamped her mouth shut.She put her hand on my mouth as I picked up speed.I nipped at her fingertips, but she moved in for the kill, trapping my neck and wrapping her legs around my ass.“Kate…” I warned.
“Shh.Bad.Very bad.And very quiet,” she whispered in my ear.
