“She agreed?” PJ agreed to take a break from us, fromme. The air rushed out of my lungs, and I couldn’t pull it back. I’d lost her. I wasn’t careful, and I’d lost her.
Nick didn’t acknowledge either of us as he made his way out their front door.
“Dylan,” Ellie sighed before cupping my cheek. “She is crazy in love with you and hates this. I’m trying to get back some kind of peace, and all of you going to your separate corners for a couple of days will, I hope, do that. Nick has a huge heart with a fiery temper. He passed along both to PJ, and she’s an artist, so she’s emotional by nature.” She pursed her lips in an attempt to probably make me laugh and lighten the mood, but a joke wouldn’t help the brick now settled deep in my gut and the huge hole in my chest.
“She’s a great artist.” She was a great everything, and I was already lost without her. I dug my keys out of my pocket and headed for the door.
She cocked her head to the side with a sad smile. “I always hoped PJ would find someone like you.”
“What do you mean?” I squinted at Ellie as I looked past her at PJ’s door. The urge to run in and kiss her until everything was better was so overwhelming it almost choked me.
“Someone this heartbroken over having to leave her for a couple of days. Trust me?”
Forcing a tiny smile, I nodded. “I do.”
“Good.” She slapped my shoulder before I headed out.
I moped across the street to my house on autopilot. I stepped inside and flopped on my couch, my head falling into my hands. I felt PJ here. I could smell her, feel her. She was close enough to touch, but out of my reach. Again. What could I say or do to make this better? This was my fault. I knew sleeping in her room was dangerous, but I’d wanted to be with her so badly, I ignored the bad feeling in my gut. She made me forget everything because shewaseverything. I reached into my pocket to grab my phone, my fingers frozen on the keys.
ME: I love you. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone. Than I ever thought I could love anyone. You’re everything to me, Patricia. Your mom asked me to leave, but I’m not walking away. I can’t. Ever. I believe in your mom, but please believe in us.
32
Danielle
“Jack,”I pleaded on a moan as his teeth grazed my earlobe. All proprieties, scruples, and common sense left the building days ago without any hope of return.
His days were numbered as a patient—asmypatient. His surgeon made me complete a long series of paperwork, longer than my usual discharge forms, but I took my sweet time completing the materials. His discharge time was solely up to me, but I couldn’t get around to starting the process.
Everything was in jeopardy. My job, if anyone caught us, and we were more brazen every day—and my heart. The organ I did my best to ignore was calling all the shots. Jack was an addiction I couldn’t stop or control.
All my time and thoughts were with Jack: when I’d see him during sessions, the dirty texts he’d send me afterward, the long talks we’d have in the cafeteria while we held hands under the table like teenagers. And last, but certainly not least, the moments I completely lost myself and what was left of my mind in Jack’s kisses and magic hands. I now had an unhealthy affection for both my patient, and to my surprise, the very spacious supply closet.
“We’re pushing our luck. Someone is going to catch us …oh, God, right there,” I felt Jack’s smile against my skin as he devoured my neck. I was never with anyone who just … knew. With my ex, I’d tilt my head and motion to where I wanted him to go, but he was eitherthatdense orthatdisinterested. With Jack, no words were needed. He made my body quiver in some places and throb in others with no direction at all.
“I want to make you come,” he panted before his index finger hooked into the waistband of my pants.
“Are you crazy?” I gasped but didn’t make a move as he popped open a button and slid his hand inside my panties. His fingers circled my clit, making my body slump against his, powerless like a puppet with no strings. All I could do was bite the cotton of his T-shirt as I fought against a loud scream.
“You’re soaked.Holy shit, Dani.” Jack’s head fell to my shoulder as his hand moved faster between my legs. When he slipped a finger deep inside of me, we both whimpered in muffled ecstasy.
My palm slid to the bulge in his jeans, grabbing and stroking without any finesse—only pure, stupid need. Stupid being the operative word as he thrust his denim covered cock into my hands while my hips followed the ministrations of his fingers. Neither of us thought of the repercussions of being caught. In truth, I was the only one with actual repercussions. He’d walk out of here fine, but I’d follow him, unemployed. Even Kathryn wouldn’t give me a pass on an indiscretion this grievous.
“I want you,” I breathed before I had a chance to think. “I … I … God, Jack …” My head fell back as my climax snuck up on me. I couldn’t cry out, but my silence made it that much more powerful. It was sharp, crippling, and yet, invigorating at the same time. Jack’s hold on me tightened as he pulsed against my hand.
“You know, coming in my pants should embarrass me, but it doesn’t. Not even a little bit.” His lips feathered against mine in a quick peck before his mouth split into a wide grin.
I was falling for Jack, and by falling, I’d meant already been knocked over and ruined.
“You are the sexiest woman I’ve ever met.” His fingers weaved into my hair, grasping a handful before pulling my head back. “And I want you, too. So, so much.” His mouth was back on mine, our kiss slow and sweet. “I can’t wait to take you out on a real date.”
“A date?” I squinted at Jack, my fingers fumbling to button my pants.
“As much as I enjoy the closet and the cafeteria, we deserve better.” He rested his forehead against mine. “And now thatI’mbetter, it can finally happen.”
I cradled his strong jaw, peering up at him with a huge smile to stop the onslaught of tears scratching against my throat. I didn’t doubt Jack’s feelings, but I had a difficult time believing they’d stick once he didn’t need my encouragement or guidance anymore. Guilt weighed in the pit of my stomach at how I’d taken advantage of him. He’d been broken, confused, and coming off a bad breakup. I’d only wanted to help him, but I’d become too high on how much he needed me. Maybe I deserved to have my heart crushed when he discovered he didn’t have that need for me anymore.
“I think you’re getting ahead of yourself. We both are. Maybe we need to slow it down a little.” I inched a centimeter away for my own comfort. His shoulders slumped with an almost inaudible groan when he noticed.
