“I had an idea andIstarted writing, andIneed internet access soIcan keep going before it disappears andI?—”
“Go change,”Jacksaid as he took my laptop from me and dropped the clothes into my hands. “I’llput on a pot of coffee.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “Justlike that?”
Jack cocked his head toward the bathroom door. “Goon.”
He had given me an old fire department t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants.Thet-shirt was basically a tent, and the sweatpants had to be rolled over four times so they wouldn’t drag on the ground or fall off my hips.Butthey were warm, dry, and comfortable, and smelled just like him.
I tiptoed out to findJackclearing off the kitchen table.Hehad set up my laptop beside a fresh cup of coffee, and was moving his mail and a basket of folded laundry.
“You didn’t have to do all that . . .”Isaid.
“You can sit at the table or on the couch or the recliner if you want.Whatever’smost comfortable,”Jacksaid.Hismuscles flexed and rippled as he picked up the laundry basket and tucked it under his arm.
“I promiseI’llbe quiet,”Isaid asIbounced on my toes.
He cracked a smile. “I’ma heavy sleeper.Youwon’t bother me.”
We went our separate ways, him slipping back into his bedroom asIsettled into the kitchen chair.
I had just pulled up the documentIstarted whenJackwalked back into the room with something in his hands.
“One more thing,” he said as he came up behind me.Jackset a thick white notebook beside the mug of coffee.Theedges were singed and seared.Charmarks streaked the cover, but the pages inside were mostly untouched. “Ithink you might need this.”
I gasped asIsmoothed my fingers over the cover. “You. . . saved my plotting notebook?”
Jack shrugged. “Lookedpretty important.IfiguredI’dkeep it out of sight, out of mind if you weren’t ready to revisit writing again.Andif you were, it was safe and sound waiting for you.”
I couldn’t help myself.Ijumped out of the seat and kissed him square on the mouth.Jack’smomentary surprise quickly dispersed into a deep, soul-stealing kiss.Hishands wandered around my waist, pulling me in as close as he could while he tipped his head to the side to deepen the connection.Histongue slid against mine, stroking and massaging.Thetaste of toothpaste and coffee was a potent combination.Ipressed my body to his, seeking more, but it wasn’t enough.Atorrent of gratitude and lust melded with the realization that he saw me.Heunderstood me.
I broke first, desperate for cool oxygen whileJackheld my hands against his bare chest.
“That was a hell of a ‘thank you,’Roar,” he murmured against my lips.
“You don’t know how much that means to me,”Isaid as we rested our foreheads together.
Jack squeezed my hands once before letting go. “Getto work,Wander.Ibelieve in you.”
“You going to bed?”
He nodded. “Hollerif you need anything.”
17
JACK
WHERE THERE’S SMOKE
Ineeded to go to sleep, butIwas torturing myself.Asliver of light slashed through my cracked bedroom door, giving me a direct view ofAuroraat the kitchen table.Herfingers flew at a furious pace, dancing across the laptop keys like a gazelle.Hergaze was sharp and true, like a sniper.Softlips formed silent words as she mouthed the thoughts that were unknown to everyone but her and the characters.Everyso often, she would get up to refill her mug.
I couldn’t get the sight of her, drenched and shivering at my door, out of my head.Icouldn’t get the sight of her in my t-shirt out of my head.Icouldn’t getherout of my head.
Especially not after that kiss . . .
Fuck.
I rolled over and squeezed my eyes shut, but it was no use.Icould still taste her on my lips.
