He frowned, then asked, “Your mother’s sick…a stroke?”
“Yes…” I covertly studied the sculpted lines of his handsome face, the straight nose and intractable jawline as he smeared on a little more of the cream. Then I explained. “Mom was diagnosed with type one diabetes and high blood pressure in her twenties. But the first stroke occurred six years ago. It left her almost paralyzed on her left side, but with therapy, she was able to move and speak again. At least she’s able to talk better now. We try to make sure she’s as stress-free as possible.”
He nodded, got the tape from the box, tore off four pieces and stuck them to the edge of the counter. Then he selected fresh gauze and carefully placed it over my injury before taping the dressing down. Gently, he stroked it into place, brushing my skin every so often. I bit my lip at the need crawling through me, the desire for more.
“I’m trying not to hurt you,” he murmured, a tinge of apology in his tone.
Thank God, he had no idea what his touch was doing to me.
Needing to distract myself, I continued, “Two years later, Mom was going downstairs when another stroke occurred. She fell and broke her left hip and wrist…it was so bad, we…we thought we’d lose her.”
Jack straightened, his gaze intent. “I’m sorry.”
My smile trembled. “It’s why Dad now works from home,” I said. “In case anything happens. So, you know, he’s always at hand.” I turned away and pulled on my top while Jack washed up.
He reached past me to wipe his hands on the towel, then he leaned a shoulder on the doorjamb. “At least she has you—your family.”
“Yeah.” I put the med box away and changed the subject. It was hard for me to deal with Mom’s illness, the fear that always lingered. “Are you going to the pub?”
“Don’t you want me to?” A teasing glint brightened those striking eyes. “I can stay and play doctor.”
I snorted. “And stop you from your hedonistic lifestyle? Go. Have fun.” I squeezed past him in the doorway. It was a tight fit. The sensation of his hard body against mine, his enticing scent and warmth wrapping around me, I wanted to lean into him.
He grasped my hand, keeping us both in the tiny space of the doorframe. “One of these days, Ray…”
“One of these days, what?” I dared, shocking myself, because this moment, in my bathroom, left me feeling out of sorts with his concerned questions about Mom and how he took care of me.
He stared at me for a moment, then lowered his head and came closer. For a heart-stopping moment, I thought he would kiss me, but he moved past my mouth, his lips brushing my ear. A shiver coasted down my spine, and my nipples tightened. “The only reason you fight me so hard is so you can keep from facing the truth, Rayen. And you know what I mean.”
That I wanted him, too?
“The only reasonyou’reafter me,” I retorted, “is because I won’t chase after you like your slanks do.”
It was my usual comeback, but that tick on his jaw started up again. He let me go. “I’ll see you in the morning.” He walked out, then his voice drifted back to me. “If you need me, you know my number.”
My room door shut. I banged my head against the jamb. God, what was wrong with me? That was a cheap shot. I shouldn’t have said that. But he had me so wound up…and he was right.
If I stopped fighting him, I was terrified of what could occur. It would be disastrous for me.
Exhaling roughly, I was changing into my sleep boxers and t-shirt when what he’d said in the bathroom had me freezing.At least she has you—your family.
My stomach heaved at the thoughts stealing through me. Did that mean he had no support, no one who cared? Except, I had seen his sister with him once at a club, and she seemed to worry about him.
Jack was an enigma. While Max hated being around people, Jack, it seemed, hated himself. Why?
An hour later, I lay on my bed, watchingFriendson Netflix, my mind still circling around Jack and his comments, when my cell buzzed. A little drowsy from the pain meds, I yawned and reached for my phone on the nightstand.
TomCat.
My heart ricocheted against my ribs like a bouncing ball as I read the text.
Dreaming of me?
I grinned since he wasn’t around to see me.Yes, and it’s giving me nightmares.
Then I typed again.So, you’re enjoying Sliders’ back to the eighties night?
His wavy dots danced for a second.It would have been better if you were here.
