We talk to the police and show them the videos. They gather all the evidence they need and inform us they’ll have a warrant out for both arrests soon.
After they go, my adrenaline eases off and I start to focus on the devastation around us, my heart lurching at the destruction. Everything is covered in black soot. The stench of beer and cigarettes has been replaced by melted plastic and smoke. Glass crunches with each step I take. “Mike, I’m so sorry,” I say as he brings a broom from a storage closet and starts to sweep.
We clean up as best as possible, but after several hours, we’re all emotionally and physically exhausted. “Time to call it a night,” Mike says. He squints at the charred chairs and floor. “I’ll call a restoration company in the morning.”
After locking up, we take one last look around and go home.
A squad car is parked down the road when we arrive at Jack’s. I assume they’re waiting to take Austin and David in as soon as they return. It’s a small comfort.
Jack unlocks the door and lets us in, and I waste no time tearing my shoes off my aching feet. My heart hurts for Becky, who sags against the kitchen wall with tears in her eyes.
“I’m so sorry about everything that happened tonight,” I say.
“Girl, my night was not ruined. Every piece sold. It was cut a bit short, but it wasn’t ruined. In fact, we are planning another event since this was such a success.”
So those are happy tears, I tell myself.
I hug her and squeal, thankful that something good has come out of this horrible night. “Are you serious? I’m not surprised because your pieces are breathtaking, but oh my god, this is amazing. Congratulations!”
Jack hugs her. “Becks, I’m so proud of all you’ve done and all you’ll continue to do. I love you.” Seeing Jack so vulnerable makes my chest tighten.
“Thank you. You know, without you, none of this would be possible. I love you so much.”
Jack clears his throat. “Enough of the mushy shit. Let’s get to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow, sorting out this fucking mess.”
Becky heads to my room while Jack and I shuffle to ours. It’s so weird to call it “our” room. It’s been a short time, but my life looks completely different than it did a few weeks ago. Six months ago, I never would have expected any of this, but I’m thankful for every single second.
“We need to shower. I can’t stand the smell of all this smoke any longer,” Jack says.
I smile sweetly at him. “Shower together to save time?”
Jack pinches my chin and kisses me. “Sure, to save time.”
Jack starts the shower, undresses, and gets in as steam fills the bathroom. I follow behind him. Seeing Jack fully naked with water running down his muscular back makes my blood heat, exhaustion evaporating from my body. After undressing andopening the shower door, I climb in. I wrap my arms around him and plant kisses along his back. He grunts, then turns around and lifts me into his arms. I wrap my legs around him and lean into him, not knowing if I’m wet because of the water or because of how turned on I am right now.
He kisses me like his life depends on it. The cold shower wall hits my back as he pushes me against it. His hard length grows between us. A deep need builds inside me, like if I don’t have him right now, I’ll die.
He smiles against my lips and pulls back to nip from my jaw to my ear. His words tickle my cheek and make me laugh. “We need to actually shower, Jessi.”
My hands push against his solid chest. “Jack, I want you. What are you waiting for? I want this. I want you.”
“You don’t think I would love to fuck you against this wall? My rock-hard cock leaking against you doesn’t give it away? I’d love nothing more than to drive my cock into your needy pussy right now, but I won’t have your first time be against the shower wall. I may not be a romantic, but I’m not a caveman.”
Jack sets me back down.
“I don’t want to wait,” I whine. “Not after tonight, when everything could’ve been so much worse.”
He rubs pine-scented shampoo into his hair and quickly rinses it. Then he does the same to my hair. “I like the idea of you smelling like me.” He picks me up again, shuts off the shower with his elbow, and carries me out.
“Here,” he says as he sets me down and wraps a towel around me. I twist one around my hair to wring it out more. But I barely straighten before he takes my hand and guides me to the bedroom.
He nuzzles the space between my neck and shoulder, sending goose bumps flaring across my skin.
I drop my towel and the one covering my hair. “Jack, I meant what I said. I don’t want to wait any longer.” His eyes trail over me, darkening as they dip lower. His cock still stands at full attention. It’s so large that I have no clue how it’ll fit, but my need for him outweighs my unease.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he intertwines our fingers and brings me between his thighs. He showers me with kisses along my abdomen before lying back and easing me on top of him. His lips reach for mine and I move to answer, devouring his mouth as my wet hair falls around us. He flips us over, my back sinking into the mattress and crushing under his weight. I brace for the flashback of David hovering over me, but it doesn’t come. I feel safe with Jack. I know that I call the shots. Jack only stands firm when he’s protecting me.
“Sorry.” He pushes himself up on his arms to study me, then pops one leg up to rest against my thigh. His bare cock brushes against my slick center. My pussy is pulsing, begging to be filled. He kisses along my neck, dragging his tongue down my shoulder, my collarbone. He kisses lower, between my breasts, on my stomach again.
