Page 29 of Jack of All Trades
"Maya," Jack calls out, his voice strained.
I open my eyes to find his face inches from mine. Sweat beads on his forehead, his muscles straining as he maintains the relentless swing of his hips.
"I can't—" he gasps, his control clearly slipping. "I can't hold back much longer. Tell me where—"
"Anywhere," I breathe, beyond caring about anything but the release building inside me. "Wherever you want."
"Don't say that unless you mean it," he warns, his voice rough. "Because what I want is to finish inside you, to feel you completely."
"Yes," I gasp, my body clenching around him as pleasure crashes through me in waves. "God, yes, Jack. Do it."
My orgasm triggers his. With a groan that I'll hear in my dreams for weeks to come, Jack thrusts deep one final time, his body shuddering as he finds his release. I feel the pulsing heat of himinside me, marking me, claiming me in the most primal way possible.
For several long moments, we stay joined, our breathing gradually slowing as we come down from the high. Jack's weight is heavy on me, but I don't want him to move, don't want to break this connection just yet.
Eventually, he shifts to the side, pulling me with him so we're facing each other, legs still tangled together. His hand comes up to cup my face, thumb tracing my cheekbone with surprising tenderness.
"That was ..." he begins, then shakes his head, seemingly at a loss for words, “Incredible.”
"Yeah," I agree, understanding completely. "It was."
Chapter 9 - Jack
I stare at the ceiling of Rex's guest bedroom, my hands clasped behind my head, still trying to process what just happened. Maya lies beside me, her breathing soft and steady, one arm draped across my chest. Her dark hair fans out across the pillow, and in the golden afternoon light filtering through the blinds, she looks absolutely beautiful.
I've been in Rex's apartment countless times over the years—crashed on his couch after too many beers, helped him move furniture, watched games on his TV—but I've never been in this room. Never imagined I'd be here, like this, with his sister.
"You're thinking very loudly," Maya murmurs, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on my chest.
I turn my head to look at her, unable to stop the smile that spreads across my face. "Just trying to wrap my head around the fact that this actually happened."
"Having second thoughts already, Morrison?" There's a hint of vulnerability beneath her teasing tone.
"Not a chance." I reach over to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "If anything, I'm wondering why it took me this long to find you."
She rolls her eyes, but I catch the smile she tries to hide. "Smooth talker."
"Only speaking the truth." I shift onto my side to face her fully. "So, what happens now?"
Maya takes a deep breath, her expression turning more serious. "That depends on a lot of things, doesn't it? I'm supposed to be heading back to Seattle in less than two weeks. You're here, with your life, your rodeo career..."
"Distance doesn't scare me," I tell her, meaning it. "Seattle's not that far. We could make it work, if that's what you want."
She's quiet for a moment, her eyes studying my face like she's looking for something specific. Then, almost cautiously, she says, "What if I told you I've been thinking about moving to Pine Haven? Even before this," she gestures between us, "happened."
I blink, surprised. "Seriously?"
She nods. "My lease in Seattle is up next month. The daycare where I work has been cutting hours. And I've been researching… Pine Haven doesn't have a proper daycare center. Just that part-time thing at the church."
"You'd move here? Start your own daycare?" The possibility makes my heart race with unexpected hope.
"I was considering it," she admits. "To be closer to my brother, to have a fresh start somewhere quieter than the city. But now..." She trails off, her eyes meeting mine. "Now I have another reason to consider it more seriously."
I can't help the grin that spreads across my face. "Me? I'm a reason?"
"Don't let it go to your head," she warns, but she's smiling too. "It's still just an idea. I'd need to find a space, get licensed here, figure out startup costs—"
"I know people," I interrupt eagerly. "The old Watson building on Elm has been empty for years. It used to be a preschool before Mrs. Watson retired. And Michael could help with the business plan, he's good at that sort of thing. And—"
