“Did you fuck Tanner?”
I pick at my fingers and cast my eyes downward. The tears keep flowing. My body shudders with each sob. “No. I told you. I’m a virgin.”
Jack twists back around. The bike roars to life, and as soon as I wrap my arms around him, he takes off.
CHAPTER 35
JACK
I’ve never truly wanted to kill anyone until today. I’ve done some awful things in my life, but it was always out of necessity, never because I wanted to do it.
Who do they think they are? I can’t believe this is what Jessi has been dealing with at home. The ridicule. The pettiness. The taunts. She’s stronger than anyone I know.
I veer onto a back road and cut the engine. Jessi’s sobs reverberate against my back. I sigh. I should have reacted differently. But when they said that she fucked Tanner, I saw red. I knew then and there that I would kill anyone who touched her. I want to be the only cock she takes. Ever.
“I’m so sorry,” she says, breaking the silence. “I’m so sorry. I knew I would end up getting you in trouble. I understand if you don’t want me to stay with you anymore. I don’t want you to get into any trouble with my dad or the club.” Her sobs turn into chokes and coughs. “I swear I didn’t sleep with Tanner. That night I went out with him, we ran into David and Austin at another MC. They got into a pissing contest over me. It was a huge turn-off, and I saw exactly who Tanner was, and that you were right. I had him bring me home.”
All my anger sizzles away. In this moment, all I want is to make Jessi stop crying. Stop hurting.
I jump off and remove her helmet before grabbing her in a hug. “Stop saying you’re sorry. You did nothing wrong. I won’t get into trouble for having you stay with me. You’re nineteen. There’s nothing wrong with that—well, legally anyway. I can handle your dad being mad, or whatever Shannon would do if she found out. But there isn’t anything they can do either. You can make your own choices, Jessi.” I cup her face in my hands and gaze into her bloodshot eyes that somehow still manage to mesmerize me. “You’re not going home, you hear me? I have dealt with much worse than those fuckboys. There’s nothing they can do to me. Mike will sort it out with Tim, and if they come near you again, I’ll kill them.”
“What about Tim? Does he think I’m a snitch?” Her body shakes in my hands.
“No, emotions were high. I’m sure it was hard for him to follow since he doesn’t know anything. I would never let anyone hurt you or think badly of you. You’re safe with me.”
I dash away several strands of hair stuck to her face. Then I cradle her neck in my hands and brush my thumbs across her cheeks to wipe away her tears. “As a matter of fact, I love you being in my home. If you want to go back to your dad’s when he comes back, I’ll support you, but I won’t like it. You can stay with me as long as you want. I like you staying. I’m happier with you there. My home is yours. And god damn, I hope you stay.”
She sniffles, but I get a smile.Thank fuck.Even when she’s crying she’s gorgeous.
“Are you sure?” Jessi says. “I feel so bad about all of this. If I hadn’t come over that night, you wouldn’t be dealing with any of this.”
“Dammit. None of this is your fault. Don’t feel bad and don’t blame yourself. If you hadn’t come, I wouldn’t have bomb-assmeals in my freezer, a movie buddy, or home-cooked dinners. I think I have the better end of the deal.”
I grab her again and clutch her to my chest. The urge to kiss her and make love to her on this bike gnaws at me, but now isn’t the time. I have enough self-discipline to know that. She needs me to be here for her, and I’ll be damned if that’s not exactly what I’m going to do, for as long as she’ll let me.
CHAPTER 36
JESSI
After we stop on the back road, we continue to ride for a few more hours, and I spend most of that time mulling over everything. I have turned Jack’s life upside down, and remorse clouds my thoughts. The ride helps clear my head. I didn’t realize I’d been holding my breath waiting for the day I would have to go back home to the house of horrors. When Jack told me I could stay, it felt like the first real breath I had taken in a long time. I need to repay him for letting me stay. I’m not going to be a freeloader. I’m going to need to find a job. I wonder if he’s thought more about me working at the club. I can’t believe I’ve put it off this long. I need to start saving for my own place as soon as possible. The thought of not having to go back if I don’t want to is such a relief. I lay my head against Jack’s back, my arms wrapped around his strong body, and breathe.
Later that night,I knock on Jack’s door. He came in from the garage a few minutes ago, so I know he isn’t sleeping. “It’s open,” he says.
I peek in. He has his shirt off. His jeans are hanging from his hips, already unbuttoned and unzipped, and his belt buckle is hanging open. I’m speechless. My brain is short-circuiting because I want Jack. All of him.
Somehow, I find my voice again. “Sorry,” I say. “I wanted to thank you for the ride and . . . everything. I really enjoyed the evening with you—after, you know. You always know how to make me feel better, and I’m thankful for you.”
He walks over to me and curls a finger under my chin. “Jessi, eyes up here, baby.” I’m in such a lust-filled daze that I don’t realize I’ve been caught red-handed eye-fucking him. “Has it not occurred to you that I want you with me, in my house, and on my bike? Stop saying you’re sorry and thank you, because I like you with me more than you know. But that’s why you need to head back to your room, close your door, and lock it. With how you’re lookin’ at me, I don’t trust myself to not do something I shouldn’t.”
“Jack, wait. We need to talk.” Somehow, I peel my eyes away from him and focus on what’s been bothering me.
He must read the seriousness in my face, because the next thing I know, he’s guiding me to sit on his bed. One of his hands encircles my wrist, and I breathe out slowly, tamping down my desire. “Okay,” he says. “Talk to me.”
“I never really told you what happened at the other MC. It was . . . a lot different than yours. They looked at me like a piece of meat. I hate to judge anyone, but I got the vibe that bad things happen there. I don’t expect you to tell me everything, but I need to have a better understanding of what I’m dealing with. What type of place was that? Is that how all MCs are deep down?”
Jack rubs his thumb along my palm. “Tim’s club is skeezy. They treat women like they’re worthless. It’s disgusting. I hate that Tanner brought you there. If it were up to me, you would never step foot in a club like that. You won’t have to again, as long as you stay off other men’s bikes, that is.” He pinches my chin between his thumb and forefinger, giving my head a playful shake. “I will never lie to you, I promise you that. But I can’t talk about what we do, not until I’m sure of where you stand. Believe me when I tell you, I’m not a good person. I have done awful things, things I can’t forgive myself for. Expect the worst from me,” Jack says, his face downcast.
I cup his cheek in my hand, bringing his eyes back to me. They’re so sad. “You are good. I know you, and I know whatever you did was because you had to do it.”
