by J. S. Cooper
“What?” I prompted him, needing to know what he was going to say. What was holding him back?
“I think I’m scared that I’m going to let you into my heart and you’re not going to want me.”
“What?” My eyes widened as I stared at this confident, handsome man. “Of course, I want you. You’re funny, too, and you’re handsome and you’re rich.” I laughed. “But you know that’s a joke. You know I don’t care about your money.”
“I know you don’t care about my money.” He nodded. “I knew that on the first date.”
“Oh, yeah? Really?”
“Of course. When you paid for a $500 dinner, which you so obviously didn’t really want to pay for, but you did it out of pride, I knew. No gold digger would do that.” He laughed. “I mean, maybe someone who was playing a long con, but I could tell that you weren’t that sort of person.”
“So then why did you make all those comments to me?”
“I think because I wanted you to hate me. I wanted you to dislike me because I didn’t want us to get close. Because I knew that if I fell for you, it would be real, and I guess I was just scared to have something real in my life. Really real. I have a lot going on in my life, you know? A lot of responsibility, a lot of people to take care of, and sometimes it can feel overwhelming. I’m under a lot of pressure and public scrutiny.” He sighed. “I just want you to have the best.”
“You are the best, Jack. You’re the best for me.”
“You’re so sexy,” he replied. “You know how hard it has been for me to not call you or show up at your apartment? Do you know how hard it was for me the other night when I left?”
“Why did you leave? You made me feel like you didn’t want me.”
“I wanted you to feel special. I wanted you to know that what we had, what we have, it’s not based upon sex. And I wanted to give you space so that you could really think about whether or not you wanted to take the next step with me.”
“What’s the next step? We’ve already had sex.”
“I know we have,” he said, as he pulled me close against him. I could feel his hardness pressing against my stomach. “And I want you more than anything, I fucking want you right now, but it’s not about that. This is about something deeper. I know it sounds cliché to say I was scared to let you in, but the truth of the matter is that I was scared, and I just wanted to make sure that you liked me, too.”
“I really like you, Jack. I really, really like you. Actually, I painted something for you, something really special, and I hope you like it.”
“You’re darling, you know that?” He caressed my hair and kissed me on the forehead. “Of course, I’ll love it. Anything that you give me I would love. A scribble on a napkin. It could even be a dirty napkin.” He laughed.
“Oh, yeah? Want me to scribble on a dirty napkin for you?”
“Well, not really,” he said. “But there is one thing I’d like you to do for me.”
“Oh, and what’s that?”
“I’d like you to bend over that bathtub and pull your panties down.” He winked.
“Jack!”
“What? You’re not interested in a quickie?”
“I thought you said this was about more than sex?”
“It is about more than sex, but I’m fucking horny right now and I want you so badly.”
“Come on, then,” I said and grinned at him wickedly. I bent over the bathtub, pulled my dress up, and stuck my ass in the air.
He growled as he walked over to me, unzipping himself quickly and pulling my panties down. I felt his fingers between my legs rubbing my clit. I was already wet for him. I felt him position himself behind me and with a single stroke, he was fully inside of me. I gasped as he thrust in and out of me.
“Shh.” He laughed as I whimpered. “Got to be quiet, Isabella.”
“I’m trying,” I mumbled, biting my lip. He reached around and covered my mouth with his hand.
“Shh,” he whispered in my ear as he slammed into me harder and harder, and I screamed into his hand. He chuckled in my ear. I loved the sound and feel of him. We didn’t have long and so he thrust into me hard and fast, and I came hard and fast in response. And then he pulled out quickly and I saw him grab a small towel and come into it.
“Whoops,” he said. “I guess this one needs to go directly into the washing machine.”
“Oh, my gosh, Jack. You’re too much,” I said, as I stood up and pulled my panties up. We were both flushed, and he pulled me and kissed my lips passionately.
“We should get out of here before someone wonders where we’ve gone,” he said, and I nodded with a laugh.
I kissed him one last time. “I really like you, you know, Jack, and I think what we have is really special as well,” I said softly, wanting him to know that I cared about him deeply and that he could trust me. “I would never cheat on you, and I would never lie to you about anything.”
“I know,” he said and grabbed my hand. He grinned at me as he opened the bathroom door.
I froze as soon as we stepped out.
Standing right outside were Edith and Lucas, shock on their faces as they looked at me and Jack. The gig was up. I gave Lucas an awkward smile.
He was going to have to tell his grandparents the truth, whether he was ready to or not.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Isabella, what is going on?” Lucas sat down in shock. “Please don’t tell me history is repeating itself? Please, oh, please.”
“Lucas, shut up.” Jack glared at his cousin as he squeezed my hand.
“Really, Jack? You’re going to do this to me. Your own cousin?” Lucas clutched his heart.
I rolled my eyes. Did he really want his grandmother to hate me? If I were to actually end up with Jack, they’d always have negative feelings about me. They’d always hate me. They’d always think that I was some sort of cheat. I didn’t want it to go down this way.
“Oh, Nana!” Lucas moaned. “How could she do this to me? She’s broken my heart. I thought she loved me, but maybe it really was all about the money.”
“Lucas!” I snapped at him.
“It’s okay, dear.” Edith smiled. “Lucas, you shouldn’t play those pranks on your friends. It’s not funny.”
I looked from her to Lucas and back again. “Um, what’s going on?”
“I already told Nana and Papa last night.” Lucas grinned.
“You did?” I stared at him. “You didn’t tell me!”
“I know, but I didn’t want to make it awkward by coming out at a party where there were other people,” he shrugged. “And, actually, it turns out they already knew.”
“We knew,” Edith said. “And it doesn’t change a thing. Your grandfather and I love you. And we just wanted you to be comfortable enough to come out to us. I mean, I thought we showed you how much we loved you and how much we wouldn’t care, but I suppose you don’t really know until you let people know. I’m glad you finally felt you could tell us.”
“Me too,” Lucas said. “I guess I’ve seen so many movies and have so many friends who had awful coming out stories, which I actually hate that term, by the way. But anyway, I guess I was just nervous, and you and Papa are so old-fashioned.”
“Really, Lucas.” Edith shook her head. “How are we old-fashioned? We’re rich. We’re not old-fashioned.”
“I guess that’s true. So, what were you two up to just now in the bathroom?” Lucas gave us a cheeky smile. “I have a feeling you weren’t showing her how to use the restroom.”
“Lucas,” Jack shook his head, but he couldn’t help smiling. “So, Nana?”
“Yes, Jack?”
“I want to introduce you to my girlfriend,” Jack said proudly.
I looked up at him in amazement. Had he just called me his girlfriend? Did he want me to be his girlfriend? My heart soared at his words. I wanted to freeze this moment so that I could remember it forever.
“What?” Lucas almost screamed. “That happened fast
! Like, I need some sort of replay!”
“Well, maybe I’m rushing it a little bit,” Jack admitted. “Maybe we’re not officially boyfriend and girlfriend yet, but I know that I want Isabella to be my girlfriend, and I know that one day she’ll be even more than that. And I’m glad that everyone here loves her and is not going to make her feel bad for what may or may not have just happened in the bathroom.”
“Yes, dear.” Edith gave me a quick hug. “I just want you to know that I think you’re a really good friend to Lucas, and I’m more than happy to welcome you to the family.”
“Thank you, Edith. I really appreciate that.” I grinned at her, and then I poked Lucas in the shoulder. “Also, by the way, your dramatics just now nearly gave me a heart attack.”
“Well, why? You didn’t know I told them? And there you were slutting it up in the bathroom.”
“Lucas!” I glared at him.
“What?” He laughed. “Maybe I’m jealous? Joke, I’m not. By the way, I totally hope you can meet Noah this weekend.”
“I don’t think she can,” Jack said shaking his head. “She has plans this weekend.”
“I do?” I looked at him, confused.
“Aren’t you going to Vegas?” He winked at me.
“Seriously, Jack?”
“I don’t know. It sounded like you were making plans to go to Vegas?”
“Jack Morrison. Really?”
“Okay. Maybe you’re not going to Vegas, but I’d love to take you on a date.”
“A date? Hmm.”
“Yeah. This time it will be a do-over.”
“But we already had a do-over, remember, on our first date? And that didn’t go so well.”
“Mmmm, but we didn’t know then what we know now.”
“And what is it that you guys know now?” Lucas asked.
“We know that we’re meant to be and that we’re compatible. And that we’re both very, very attracted to each other,” Jack said firmly. “So, what do you say, Isabella, will you go on another date with me? Will you make me the happiest man alive?”
“Now who’s being dramatic?” Lucas interjected.
“Lucas! I hissed. “You’re ruining my moment.”
“Sorry. Come on, Nana. Let’s go in and get some food,” he said. “And leave these two lovebirds be.”
“Okay,” Edith agreed. I could tell from the look on her face that she was really happy.
“Well, that was kind of awkward,” I whispered to Jack. “Like, really awkward.”
“Yeah. But I’m glad it happened.” Jack said with a smile, “Now she knows that we’re together.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“Actually, guys,” Edith stopped in the hallway and turned back toward us.
“Yes, Nana?” Jack replied.
“I already knew you two were together.” She laughed. “Back in Greenwich. I could tell by the way that you looked at her that you were in love with her, Jack. You can’t pull anything over my eyes.” She smiled. “And Isabella?”
“Yes, Edith?”
“I could tell you were in love with him too.” She winked and then continued on her way.
“So, I guess grandma knows best.” I smiled at Jack.
“I think she does.” He bent down to kiss me. “So, this weekend, you’ll go on the date with me?”
“I will,” I said.
“And you know what that means?”
“No. What does it mean?”
“It means that you’re about to have your best date ever.”
“Oh really?” I laughed, “Are you sure about that?”
“I’m positive.” He laughed. “Isn’t that funny?”
“What’s funny?” I asked him.
“You’ll have your worst date and your best date ever with the same person.”
“Oh, yeah. I guess that will be funny.”
“And you know what else?”
“No. What?”
“You’ll have your last first date ever with the same person, too.” He winked at me and then kissed me again.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back hard. I love this man. This was one of the most special moments of my life, and I wanted to savor it forever. I was so excited for our new first date and I could only imagine, and hope that it would live up to everything I wanted a last first date to be.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Why did I have to bring all my ids and passport with me?” I sat in the passenger seat of Jack’s car with a blindfold around my face. “I don’t understand what this date is.”
“You’ll see,” he said as he drove through the streets of the city.
“Where are you taking me? Are you kidnapping me?”
“Is it kidnapping if you’re willingly going?”
“Yeah, I don’t know. I want to know what the date is?” I was dying of curiosity.
“It’s a surprise, Isabella. I thought you liked surprises.”
“I love surprises, but I also like to know what the surprise is before it happens.” I laughed, knowing how ridiculous I sounded.
“Did that even make sense?” he asked.
“Maybe not.” I giggled, feeling happier than I had in years. “Do you really love the painting, Jack?” I asked him hopefully. That painting had been created out of love for him and our city, and if he really loved it, it would mean the world to me. It would be like praise from a first-class art critic.
“I loved it. I’ve got it hanging in my office,” he answered. “In fact, two executives that had meetings with me last night …”
“Last night?”
“Yes, because I had to work late. Remember?”
“Oh, yeah. I didn’t realize you would have meetings late at night.”
“Yeah. That’s the life of a CEO, but they asked me about the painting, and I think I may have gotten you a couple of commissions.”
“No way!”
“Yep. And even better is that I told them about the coffee shop slash art gallery studio that you and Lucas are creating and they said they’d be very interested in having executive meetings at the coffee shop and possibly team-building exercises in your art classes.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I guess a recent study said that when teams are creative together, they have stronger bonds, and you’re probably the best person I know to help encourage and nurture people’s creativity. “
“You’re too sweet. You know that right, Jack?”
“Really?” He chuckled. I felt his hand on my leg. “I didn’t think I’d ever hear you say that I’m too sweet.”
“I didn’t think I’d ever use those words either.”
He laughed loudly then. “Okay. We’re here,” he said.
“We are? Can I take off my blindfold?”
“It’ll kind of ruin the surprise, but I guess. Hold on.” He stopped the car and got out, and I heard him opening my passenger door. He leaned over and unbuckled my seat belt before pulling my blindfold off, he then gave me a quick kiss on the lips and pulled me out of the car.
We were in a parking garage full of what appeared to be thousands of other cars. Where were we? I blinked looking at him in confusion.
“Are you a psychopath and I just didn’t realize it? And your cousin also didn’t realize it?”
“No,” he laughed. “Where do you think we are? See if you can guess. “
I frowned and looked around. I had absolutely no clue. And then I saw a couple getting out of their car and taking out suitcases. Suitcases? My jaw dropped as I suddenly realized where we were?
“Are we at the airport?”
“Yeah, you got it, Sherlock.”
“Why are we at the airport?”
“Because we’re taking a plane.”
“Where are we going?”
“That’s the surprise.”
“What? I have to know where we’re going, right?”
“No, Isabella, you don’t.”
“I don’t even have a suitc
ase myself. I have no change of clothes.”
“It doesn’t matter. We’ll get everything you need once we get there.”
“Oh my gosh. Jack!”
“What? Do you not want to go?”
“Of course, I want to go. I just want to know everything. I need to know the details. Oh, this is amazing!” I jumped up and I wrapped my arms around him. “Thank you. This is probably the coolest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”
“Well, we haven’t even gotten there yet. You don’t even know if you’re going to like it.”
“I mean, I’m pretty sure I’m going to like it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I guess now’s the time that I tell you that I also got us first-class tickets. I hope you’re excited because we will be flying in luxury.”
“Wow. First-class tickets. That’s amazing. I could never afford first-class tickets. You shouldn’t have. I could never pay you back for this.”
“Don’t be silly, Isabella. Of course, you don’t have to pay me back. I’m a billionaire. In fact, I could have charted a private plane for us, but …” He grinned at me. “I knew you probably wouldn’t be comfortable with me doing that. I figured this was the next best thing.”
“Oh my goodness. Please do not ever charter a private plane for me. That would just be too extravagant.”
“Maybe for our honeymoon.” He smiled at me. I stared at him, my heart beating fast. I couldn’t believe he just said that.
“Maybe.” I gave him a small smile, not wanting him to realize how excited and happy that made me feel. I mean, I knew he was the one, and I hoped he knew I was the one, but I didn’t want to go running away with my thoughts about our future together.
“Come on,” he grabbed my hand. “Let’s go and check in and then we can eat something in the lounge and get drunk.”
“We have tickets to the lounge?”
“Well, of course, we’re flying first class!” He took my hand and we walked towards the elevator. “I love this,” he added.
