Page 107 of This Thing Between Us

His nose dragged along the column of my neck. I shuddered as he breathed me in. Then his lips descended on mine. The kiss started off sweet, before he took his tongue and ran it along my seam, demanding entry.

I let him in, my hands rising to his collar to pull him closer. His lips tasted of my favorite red blend.

His hand splayed out on my shoulder, tugging at my strap.

“The awards ceremony,” I murmured. Jack kissed me again, but I pushed him away. He must have let me this time. “We are missing it. We need to go now.”

Jack pressed his arm into the door, not letting me leave. “Only if you promise to pick up where we left off as soon as this damn event is over,” Jack growled. The hard lines of his face made him look more serious than I’d ever seen him.

He turned my body on like a light switch. I wanted nothing more than to stay in that office with him and make up for the last couple of days of no touching.

It had been a while since I had sex prior to Jack and being with him awoke a part of me that had been asleep for a very long time.

Feelings swirled within me, confusing me more than ever. And being near Jack only made it worse. His apology earlier unraveled me. My job and desire to throw an amazing party ensured I didn’t let him pull that thread.

I couldn't think straight when he touched me or when I inhaled his scent. The rational part of my brain shut down, my bodily instincts taking over.

ButI needed to do my job.

With the restraint of a monk, I pulled away, disengaged the lock, and promised Jack we would talk later, before bolting down the stairs with him close behind me.

I panted as I entered the dimly lit cellar, a spotlight highlighting Barb who had taken center stage.

I stood in the back, watching her do her thing with Jack's towering presence right behind me. His hand found my lower back. It felt like a brand, that touch, searing hot where his palm met my body, even through the thin layer of fabric.

Then someone caught my eye. Katie Kooney clenched her jaw as she locked her gaze on the spot where Jack and I touched.

My stomach turned into an intricate knot. Seeing her brought everything flooding back to the surface.

Instinctively, my body moved out of Jack’s reach.

Needing a safety net, like I needed air, I sought out Savannah, searching the crowd for her blonde crown.

Finding her at a table with a very good-looking gentleman I didn’t know, I walked towards her and sat in the empty seat beside her.

With space between us, I found it easier to breathe, but I felt Jack’s attention on me the entire time.

Sneaking a glance, I tried to decipher his feelings from afar. Then he caught me staring at Katie and seemed to get it. His hands found his pockets as he leaned against the back wall, his attention still trained on me.

Savannah whipped her head back to see what I was looking at. Her shoulder bumped mine. “What happened between you and the brooding Jack?”

“I have a feeling you have a pretty good idea of what happened.” I lifted my brows knowingly. “Thanks for abandoning me by the way.” I accused her of not meeting up with me on the bus, but there was no anger behind my words.

“You two needed to talk. I won't apologize for that.” She took a sip of her ice water with lemon, while something Barb was saying caught my attention.

Barb sparkled behind the podium. Literally and figuratively. Her dark blue sequined gown played off the low lights, creating quite the effect.

No wonder she and the chief were getting frisky.

I shook my head at the memory. I don't think I'll be scarred like Jack. It was more aspirational than anything.

New life goal: make out like a horny teenager when I'm in my sixties.

Then something else caught my eye. Katie Kooney made her way through the crowd. She slithered up to Jack, wrapping her fingers around his bicep. I seethed like a dragon until Jack plucked Katie’s fingers one by one.

I chuckled to myself as she plastered on a smile and fluffed her hair as if she hadn’t noticed the dismissal.

I tore my gaze from Jack as the final award of the night was being presented, with Barb describing the awardee with vigor.

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