Page 29 of Wild for You
“I think I’ll have another,” she says before I’m even finished.
I crack my knuckles and wink. “Another Jack Manning special coming right up, m’lady.”
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Gwen
The cool,salty breeze blows my hair back from my face, and my body hums in response. From the crackling fire and the sound of the ocean’s steady waves crashing along the shore, and of course, the three coconut rums, I can’t help but feel relaxed.
Jack and I have moved to the side of the fire, where there’s a break in the trees above us. We’re lying on our backs, giggling as we recall the events of the last couple of days.
“I swear to god, if I knew Betty White was going to crash anyway, I would’ve let you suck me off as we went down. I can’t think of a better send-off than that!”
I elbow him in the side. “You’re so confident that I would’ve followed through, are you?” I chomp my teeth, “I think medicated Gwen could be pretty feisty. I don’t know if you and your dick would’ve made it out alive.”
Jack flinches as he ponders this and lays his head back down in his hands. “Yeah, maybe you’re right. Besides, I don't know what that crooked can-opener tooth in the front is capable of. My dick could’ve been mangled beyond repair.” He laughs.
I gasp, covering my mouth. “You asshole! How dare you bring my crooked tooth into this! I’ll have you know, I’ve only had rave reviews from my oral skills, crooked tooth and all.” I rub my tongue over the rogue bottom tooth. Besides that, my smile is damn near perfect.
“I’m just teasing.” He nudges me. “I think your snaggle tooth is hot as fuck.”
I blush, feeling a warm tingle work its way from the top of my neck to my toes. I rub my tongue over my tooth and smile. “It used to be straight. I had the most expensive orthodontic plan money could buy.” I pause, considering how open I feel like being tonight. But there’s something about how he’s looking at me that makes me want to share all my secrets with him like he’s got some kind of spell on me that’s slowly pulling down my layers.
“I feel like there’s more to this story …” he presses.
I roll my eyes and give in. “Of course, my parents insisted on braces as soon as I was old enough to have them. How could you have a perfect daughter without a perfect smile to go along with it. After I moved out and distanced myself, I decided to quit wearing my retainer. It was my very first tiny act of rebellion, so even though my smile is flawed, I kind of love it just the way it is.” I beam.
“I knew you were a rebel with a cause. Watch out, world, or she might hit you with a retainer strike,” he teases, then lightly boops me on the nose. It’s a playful gesture that would’ve enraged me a few weeks ago, but somehow, Jack makes it endearing.
“You have no idea the kind of grudge I’m capable of holding, Jack Manning. You better watch yourself, or you may find a detached ponytail laying next to your head in the morning.” I giggle.
“You wouldn’t!”
“Oh, I would.”
“So, what must life as a stubborn rich girl from Atlanta have been like to make you resort to such harsh retaliation?” Jack says through a cheeky smile.
“Technically Buckhead Village, it’s a suburb outside Atlanta.” I correct him. “And growing up wealthy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” I offer him a forced smile. “I know. I know. Poor little Gwen, it must’ve been so hard growing up having everything your heart desired.”
“I didn’t say that. Don’t put words in my mouth.” He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear, letting his fingers linger on my cheek before pulling away. “Having money doesn’t always mean happiness. Believe me, I see that every day, dealing with all of these rich kid pricks.”
I look down at my hands and nod. “Yeah, my dad’s this self-made rags-to-riches businessman, so he expected a lot from me.” I sigh. “It seemed like nothing I ever did was good enough. Mix that with my mother’s hyper-critical opinion of my appearance … and you get this.” I open my arms wide. “A workaholic perfectionist who doesn’t know how to relax.” I scoff. “You must be exhausted being around me this long. I don’t know how you haven’t tried to ditch me yet.”
Jack’s eye bore into me like he’s examining my innermost thoughts under a microscope, and though I try to force a smile to play off my embarrassing moment of vulnerability, he doesn’t match my smile. “I don’t think I could ever tire of someone who cares so much about what they love. Maybe you see it as neurotic, but I see someone who’s dependable, hardworking, and tough.”
I suck in a breath, his kind words are like a balm on my lacerated heart, and he slides over, putting our mouths so close I can almost taste him. “I can’t help but notice you’re speaking of them in past tense …”
“Well, when it was time to decide what I wanted for my future … I guess we didn’t share the same vision. I started out on the path to law school like my parents always dreamed of, but I was miserable and hated everything about that life. So after my first semester, I transferred schools to pursue a communications degree … and then they cut me off.” I shrug like it’s no big deal.
I don’t know what’s got me so loose-lipped tonight, if it’s the long day in the sun or the rum or just a combination of the two, but I feel safe here with Jack, so my secrets just seem to be seeping out.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that.” His fingers trace along my forearm, and my heart races from the contact. It’s a comforting gesture laced with something I can’t put my finger on. When our eyes meet, his look is serious and protective.
“It’s fine. I’m happier now that I’m not constantly vying for their approval. It’s freeing to finally let myself decide who I want to be rather than my parents.” I roll onto my back, so I’m looking up at the night sky.
Of course, Jack wouldn’t know anything about suffering or pain. From what I see, I bet he has two loving parents who poured all they had into him, supported him, and encouraged him to grow up to be whatever he wanted. You can just tell when people come from loving homes, and Jack’s lack of worry about anything in the world tells me he’s always felt safe to be himself fully. It’s what annoyed me most after getting to know him. His joy about his career and life is like a searing hot fire poker burning me every time I get close.
“So, how about you? Do you have parents waiting on your safe return back in—”
