Gah, hated them. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Be careful, darling. Oh, we heard about his huge donation, too.”
Oh, God, kill me now.But, hey, I was cool and grown-up, right? “It’s how I know hereeeallylikes me,” I said, my tone dry.
Mom burst out laughing. “Yes, by not letting anyone else kiss you. I…I like him.”
After she rang off, I stared at my cell. Damn, I had to warn Jack.
Slipping my phone into my pocket, I reclipped my loosened hair into a topknot as I made my way downstairs. Moments later, I entered the kitchen, fragrant with the rich smell of freshly brewed coffee, bacon, and eggs, to find Jack seated at the island counter—freshly showered—and reading the Sunday newspaper. He must have gone for a morning run or swim.
Did he already know?
He looked up. He appeared the same, except for the intensity in his stare, like he’d just seen me for the first time. Then he sent that heated gaze of his in a sweeping glide down my body to my sandaled feet, then up again.
Arching a brow, I drew closer. “What?”
He suddenly grabbed me around the waist and pulled me onto his lap. His mouth came down on mine. He tasted of coffee and sexy man. I sighed and leaned into the kiss, my thoughts fading like mist.
Jack lifted his head, breaking our kiss far too soon. “If we want to get out of here today, it’s better if you get that sexy ass moving.”
Yet, he didn’t let go, keeping me on his lap, his cock a hard bar pressing against my butt. I couldn’t resist. Wriggling my bottom as if trying to get free, I feebly tugged at his arms manacled like a steel around me, enjoying the way he hardened even further.
“You’d have to loosen these shackles you call arms so I can move,” I said, my expression guileless.
His eyes narrowed. “Bug, just so you know, wiggle that ass again, and I’ll have you on this counter so fast, stripped bare, spread out before me as I feast on every delicious part of you. Especially, here—” His fingers slid under my shorts and over my panties to stroke my dampening core. “And I won’t stop until we’re done, even if the staff dare to enter,” he ended on a growl as desire swept through my body.
I angled my head and batted my eyelashes at him, contemplating his words.
“Goddammit,” he muttered, setting me on my feet, and smacked my bottom. “Go, before I change my mind, Bug.”
“Really?” I scowled, rubbing my backside. “And must you call me that?”
He cocked a brow. “Fine. Choose. Fledgling, chick, chicklet, hatchling, eggling, kit, kitten, cub, babe—?”
“Did you just open a thesaurus in your head?” I widened my eyes. “I hate them all, so…nothing! Not-a-thing—nuuuuthiiiinng!”
“Okay then,love. Get that sexy ass moving.”
I stumbled at the endearment. Gah, he was playing with me.
“On second thought, I’m quite happy leaving that wild creature you call a pet where he is. We can take what you started back to the bedroom. Great way to spend the morning until visiting hours.”
Hell. My body demanded that I give in, but I was stronger. “I’m not leaving Wilbur alone.”
I poured a steaming two inches of coffee into a mug, then topped it with a ton of milk and four sugars, stirred, and took a sip. A deep groan broke free. “Hmmm, this is heavenly. I hope he left my dorm in one piece. That scrawny feline thinks it’s his personal playground, and he has ways of making me pay when he thinks I’ve slighted him. Man, I’m going to lose my deposit. I should have fed a dog, at least they’re loyal. Show their affection, instead of scratching…” My verbosity drying up, I grabbed a croissant from the basket on the counter and slathered it with butter, looking up to find Jack watching with a faint smile. “What?”
He shook his head, glanced at the paper, then back at me.
“Yeah, I know I have an unfortunate habit of going off on tangents, but it’s something I’m working on eliminating. It wouldn’t do me any good at job interviews.”
Jack rose and crossed to where I stood near the counter. He cupped my face, his expression tender, and he kissed my mouth. “I doubt anyone would care. You’ll do a helluva good job, Rayen. Because it’s who you are.”
Wide-eyed I stared at him as his thumb caressed my gaping mouth. True, I never gave up, no matter how hard things were. But the fact that he’d noticed that quality in me made my heart squeeze.
Jack laughed, and with another quick peck on my mouth, he returned to the paper on the counter. “You’re moving out of the dorm soon, right?”
In a daze, I took a bite of the croissant still in my hand and chewed. “Yes. End of this week.”
