He sucked in a deep breath, his thumbs stilling. “We need to do this responsibly. I don’t want to end up in a body bag in the back of Lilah’s SUV.”
I giggled—and when the fuck did Ievergiggle before meeting Jack?—and said, “She likes you, Sir.”
Yeah. That word felt… right.
Feltperfect.
But he wasn’t finished. “We need to exchange test results and discuss protection. I’m not saying we absolutely will have sexthere, but I’d rather prepare in advance if that’s the direction we take this. And,” he quickly added, “no, I’m still not ‘expecting’ sex from you. If we end up having sex before we go, fine. If we don’t, and we don’t even have sex while we’re there, I know how to jerk off. I meant it when I said I willnotforce you—you need to want to do it.”
I licked my lips. “What if I want to do it right now?”
His gaze narrowed again and dammit, if that wasn’t lethal to my self-reserve I don’t know what was.
“We arenothaving sex right now.”
My heart fell. “Why not?”
“Because for starters I stink and I’m exhausted. I’m barely vertical. Secondly, because we need to have that discussion first, and others. Third, I need to eat. Fourth, if you’re serious about going to the class, I want to talk about that first, show you information about the Ranch, and then we need to fill out your application and submit it as soon as possible.”
“You mean they might not let me go?”
“I joined after being sponsored by a friend who’s not only a member but works there. The general public can’t walk in off the street. It’s very safe, but it’s exclusive in that it’s very… protective,” he finally said.
“Okay.”
He studied me for a long moment. “Which bathroom do you want me to use?”
“I put stuff in the guest bathroom at the end of the hall for you.”
He nodded. “Good girl.”
I noticed he watched me when he said it. I’m sure I didn’t disappoint.
He released one of my hands and stood, urging me up and pulling me into his embrace again, where he stared down at me.
He felt… safe.
He’d always felt safe, even from that first night he came over for dinner.
I know it hadn’t been very long, but I will admit I’d never felt like this before about anyone.
“Would you please make me something to eat while I take a shower?”
I nodded. “Yes, Sir.”
He smiled and I thought he was going to kiss me on the lips, but instead he pressed another kiss to my forehead, lingering, and damned if that wasn’t evensexier. “That’s myverygood girl,” he whispered. “We’ll talk more after my shower, while I eat, okay?”
I wrapped my arms tighter around him, wishing I could freeze this moment in time. “Yes, Sir.”
“Good girl.”
Chapter Five
Emmy
I struggled against my nerves as I held Jack’s hand. We’d taken his truck and he was driving. We’d reach the Ranch in less than an hour, where I’d go through a final, required orientation before I could officially join or attend any events.
It annoyed me that Jack still refused to have sex yet. The closest we’d come to it so far since the night of that revelation a couple of weeks ago was stretching out on the couch with me snuggled against him—and I could absolutely feel his erection.
