Page 37 of Wild for You
Jack laughs, “That’s what you took away from this conversation?”
“Well, yeah, dogs are awesome. What kind do you want?”
He runs his hands down my arms, which is quickly becoming one of my favorite sensations. I really don’t know what I’ll do when I don’t have him caressing me to sleep every night.
“I think I’d like a Mini Australian Shepherd … named Sparky.”
I laugh. “Don’t be specific or anything.”
“Well, you asked.”
“If you know what you want, why don’t you just go adopt a dog?”
He sighs, his hands finding my thighs now. “This isn’t a steady life for a dog. I never know what country I’ll be traveling to, and he’d spend more time with a dog-sitter than he’d actually with me. It’d be pointless.”
“Or …” I say, “you could just bring him with you …”
Jack pauses for a moment as if he’s considering it. “Nah, it’s too dangerous. It’s hard enough babysitting the rich pricks who think their social status makes them invincible. But that’s not how mother nature works. She doesn’t give a shit about who you are or where you came from. She doesn’t discriminate.” His tone softens to almost a whisper. “I think that’s why I love what I do so much. And obviously, it’s why Landon hired you in the first place.”
I consider his words, and I’m both comforted by them and saddened. It seems like there’s always a sacrifice to be made in life, and just when I thought Jack Manning had it all, I find out he’s missing something he can’t have.
I turn over in his arms, so I’m curled on my side with my head resting on his chest. “Well, personally, I think Sparky the Mini Australian Shepherd would be great for views.” I sink into him further as his hand finds its way to my lower back, rubbing and caressing. It’s not a sexual touch. Somehow, this feels more intimate than that; it feels safe.
“Fuck the views,” he says with a snort. “I started this channel because it allowed me to travel the world and do all the shit I wanted to do. To experience life how I always wanted to live. I love my fans, but sometimes I wonder if I’m wasting my time here. If I’m really living up to my full potential. Like what’s the point of any of it, shuffling rich pricks around the world like some kind of circus monkey? I want to empower people to take chances, embrace nature, and slow down to savor what’s really important in life. Sometimes I feel like I’m missing the mark, like I’m just another sell-out trying to make a buck off views. Maybe I should just give it up and settle down like a normal thirty-three-year-old man.”
The idea that Jack would give up on his dreams for something so ordinary makes me sick to my stomach. “Jack, you can’t possibly think you’re not making a difference. There are so many fans who look up to you. I can see your passion every time you turn on that camera. You were born to be in front of it, as a leader.” I nudge him on the shoulder. “You inspire people, like it or not.
“Please don’t ever doubt that you’re making a difference because, from where I’m sitting, you’re the one who seems to have this whole life thing figured out.” I sigh. “Promise me you won’t give up so easily. It would break my heart to see it.”
He rubs his hand through his beard as if in thought. “Yeah. I guess.” His hand glides up my arm. “What about you, mystery woman? What would you do if you weren’t repairing people’s images at the drop of a hat?”
I think for a moment, but nothing comes to mind. “I don’t really know. I’ve always seen myself in Corporate America. I’ve dreamed of making VP since I graduated high school and started my career. I love the galas and working with celebrities. I love spinning a shit-storm into a brand deal. Sure, the work is constant, and I’m basically always on call.” I sigh. “I barely have time to do anything other than work, and I feel like I’m chasing this promotion on a treadmill, not sure that I’ll ever actually make it. Is that sad? Am I just a boring stick in the mud?”
Jack laughs. “Gwen, there’s nothing boring about you, but why are you so set on making VP if you’re not even happy in your current position? Wouldn’t a promotion just end up beingmoregrueling work? What’s so broken that you need a fancy title to fix it?”
“We can’t all galavant around the world chasing fun, Jack. Some of us have to grind because we’ve got shit to do and people to prove wrong.” I cut him off before this goes any further, and I turn back around to sit up. “I’m going to go get cleaned up for dinner.” I gesture to the ocean, and thankfully, Jack takes the hint.
Clapping his hands together, he stands and rubs the sand from his legs. “Yeah, I’ll see if I can find us some moresalad.”
I nod, closing my eyes before turning toward the vast ocean in front of me. The world is so big, and yet this island feels like a world of its own. If only life really could be so simple …
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
Jack
Gwen’s moodhas been kind of off ever since I pressed her about the promotion last night. She even curled into a ball in the tent, sleeping as far away from me as possible. I can take a hint; she needs some space. I just wish she’d be more open with me. I know there’s more she’s not telling me, but today, I’ve got to focus on building the raft and our escape plan.
I send Gwen to collect some oysters for breakfast while I boil some herbs in water to make us tea. It’s not coffee, but I’m feeling extra tired today since I slept like shit last night. I was keenly aware of the cool air in place of Gwen’s body. I kept waking up to make sure she was still in the tent and not wandering off and getting intomoretrouble.
I’m busy chopping bamboo shoots for the raft when she comes up behind me. “How can I help?”
I think for a moment, not wanting to give her a task too dangerous.
“Jack, I’m not that fragile, and I promise not to go near any weird plants or wildlife.” She points to her eyes. “I’ll be on constant alert. Now, just tell me what I can do to help,” she says with a sharp tone.
I laugh. “Fine. Why don’t you carry these bamboo stalks toward the beach and stack them in a pile? I’ll be cutting these down most of the day. After that, you can start braiding palm leaves into a rope. I’ll show you if you want—”
She holds her hand up and rolls her eyes. “I think I can figure out a simple braid. No need to mansplain it.”
