“I shouldn’t have… fuck Jessie, don’t. I can’t do this with you. Not with you.”
She saw the regret all over his face and felt her heart sink as his words registered. He wanted to stop. He didn’t want her after all. She stuttered, confused. “But you were just…”
“That’s called too much fucking Fireball. I’m out of my goddamn head; not thinking clearly. I’m really sorry, Jessie. I didn’t mean to give you the wrong idea. This isn’t going any further. Fuck!”
She climbed out of his lap and then instinctively wrapped her arms around herself to cover up. She dipped down to retrieve her tank top from the floor and held it in front of her, trying to shield herself from Jack’s eyes. She had never felt as inadequate as she did right now.
“I’m just… I… okay,” she whispered, her face flaming bright red as tears burned her eyes.
She darted away from him as quickly as she could and stumbled across the room. She headed for his room and went into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
She turned on the water in the sink full blast and let out her breath, a sob escaping as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Had she ever been more humiliated? She took several deep breaths and tried to hold back her tears.
She was too drunk to drive, so she had no choice but to spend the night here. She wished she could just go home.
As mortifying as the moment had been when Jack had turned her down, it was probably for the best. She was drunk and not thinking clearly.
She didn’t want to have a one-night stand with Jack anyway. Sometimes it felt like there was something else going on between them… something more than just the close friendship that had developed. But she was kidding herself.
She opened the door slowly and peeked into the room. It was empty. She changed into one of Jack’s t-shirts and slipped into his bed, pulling the covers up over her.
She assumed that Jack was out in the living room sleeping on the couch as he usually did when she spent the night. She closed her eyes, trying to stop the salty tears that kept leaking out and sliding down her cheeks onto his pillow.
JACK SAT ON THE COUCH for another minute after Jessie slipped off to his bedroom. He was so pissed at himself. He had come so close to peeling her clothes off and just taking what he wanted from her. Hearing those words coming from Jessie had been so fucking hot… her telling him what she thought about when she played with herself.
Goddammit, he shouldn’t have started that conversation. He had no business asking her such personal questions. But fuck if he could get the images of Jessie rubbing herself off out of his head.
He slipped into the hall bathroom to get himself off. No way would he be able to sleep tonight. Not with this monstrous erection. He was still rock hard, straining against the soft material of his sweatpants, throbbing for her.
He wrapped his hand around himself and thought of the way she had felt under his hand through her leggings. He remembered the sounds she’d made, the change in her breathing, the way she’d whimpered and panted, and how she had moaned and cried out when she came.
He thought of the wet spot that had formed under his fingers and… fuck, he couldn’t stop thinking about how wet and creamy her pussy must have been for her leggings to be soaked the way they were. He came, grunting softly and spurting hard into his other hand.
“Fuck, yeah,” he whispered, relief flooding his body as he turned on the faucet so he could clean up.
He lay down on the couch and a heavy feeling of guilt settled over him as he remembered the hurt look on Jessie’s face. What the fuck was wrong with him? Some friend he was… fucking with the girl’s head when he knew goddamn well how she felt about him. After everything she’d stood by him through, how amazing she was to him and Kennedy. The least he could do is control his dick around her so she didn’t get her feelings hurt.
Should he go apologize? No, better leave her alone for now. He could talk to her tomorrow when they were both sober and thinking straight. Yeah, that would be better.
WHEN JACK WOKE UP THE next morning, his bedroom door was open and Jessie was nowhere to be found. He glanced outside and saw that her car was gone. He swore under his breath and went to change into his running clothes.
He would leave her alone for a while and catch up with her later. Likely everything would go back to normal, just as it had the other handful of times they had crossed the line that was getting blurrier and blurrier each time he got his hands on her sweet little body.
A CHEER ERUPTED AS THE guys sat staring at the television at Chris’s. The football game was on and they all had their laptops in front of them, monitoring their fantasy football teams.
Jack got up and walked to the kitchen to get another beer. As he came around the corner he saw Jessie standing at the island, several food dishes spread out in front of her… wings, nachos, chili.
“Hey,” he greeted her, his eyes scanning her quickly.
She was wearing a Washington Redskins t-shirt and jeans. The jeans were tight and he couldn’t help but notice how amazing her ass looked in them.
She glanced at him and then away quickly. “Hey.” Her cheeks flushed.
She was so embarrassed about the night before. She had practically begged him not to stop after she had reached orgasm from his hand. He had turned her down, and the rejection had definitely stung.
“Food smells great.” He reached over and grabbed a mini taco from the serving platter and popped it in his mouth. “Mmmm… that’s really good. Where’s Zoey?”
She nodded, still avoiding his gaze, but glad he was pretending like nothing had happened. “Upstairs. She’ll be down soon.”
He grabbed a beer from the fridge and picked up the bottle opener from the counter. He popped the top off and took a sip, not taking his eyes off of her.
“You okay?” He watched her face as she glanced at him and then back down at the food she was preparing.
She nodded. “I’m fine. Will you take those nachos out there with you?”
He picked up the platter, nodding. “You’re sure you’re okay? I know last night was kind of…”
“Please, Jack… don’t make it worse. I’m so…” Her cheeks were flushed pink and she avoided his eyes.
“It was my fault,” Jack interrupted. “I shouldn’t have started something I wasn’t going to finish. I’ve actually never… stopped like that before. You know, before…”
“Letting me know that I’m the only girl you’ve ever been able to control yourself with doesn’t exactly make me feel better, you know,” Jessie laughed bitterly.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Jack protested.
“Jack, I know I’m not… the kind of girl you like, but… I would appreciate it if you could try to remember that before you kiss me and put your hands all over me next time. I’m not a toy for you to pick up and play with when there’s nothing else to do and then drop on the floor when you get bored.”
He sighed. “Jessie, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, I just…”
“Jack! You’re making it so much worse. Please… just don’t do it again. You were right. We’re just friends and we shouldn’t be blurring the lines.” She kept her focus on the food she was making.
His eyes rested on her momentarily and then he nodded and slipped quietly out of the kitchen.
Chapter Ten
“MERRY CHRISTMAS!” JESSIE CALLED OUT as she walked into Jack’s house, a large gift bag in one hand and a plastic container with snowmen all over it in the other. She set her things down on the kitchen island.
“Hey,” Jack greeted her from his position on the couch.
His hair was still messy and he was wearing flannel pajama bottoms, a t-shirt stretched across his hard, muscular chest. Jessie took a deep breath as she fought against the effect his rugged good looks had on her.
“Merry Christmas, Jessie!” Kennedy came running toward her and threw herself into her arms. Jessie picked her up and hugged her close.
�
�Did Santa Claus come?” Jessie asked.
“Yes!” Kennedy tugged at her hand, pulling her toward the living room. “Come see all the presents he brought me! Daddy said it’s because I was such a good girl!”
Daddy. Kennedy had called Jack, Daddy.
Jessie felt her heart swell and tears sting her eyes. She glanced at Jack, but as always, his face gave nothing away.
Jessie laughed when she saw the living room. It was a mess. Shredded pieces of wrapping paper all over the place, bows and ribbon, toys scattered everywhere.
“Where are Sarah and Beth?” Jessie asked.
Jack scowled. “They left a little while ago to drive down to see my father. She said he didn’t sound very well on the phone so it was a last minute thing.”
Jessie nodded and searched Jack’s face. “Did she ask you to go?”
He nodded. “Yeah.”
Jessie didn’t have to ask. She knew why Jack wouldn’t go.
She and Sarah had become quite good friends in the past month. Sarah had given her more information about their father. She had also told her that their father wanted very much to mend his relationship with his son. He had been sober for three years now. Sarah kept in fairly close contact with him, especially since his health wasn’t very good. Years of alcohol abuse had taken its toll. Jack didn’t want to hear about it.
He let his eyes roam over her greedily, noticing the curve of her ass in her tight jeans, perfectly shaped legs that ended in fuzzy off-white boots, and the swell of her breasts in a festive red sweater.
He briefly remembered his face buried in that pretty blonde hair, the smell of strawberry shampoo and sunshine making his head spin as he cupped those perfect breasts in his hands and rubbed her nipples. The taste of sugar on those pretty pink lips and her velvety tongue against his, his hand slipping between her legs to rub her. The way she had moaned when she came. That fucking wet spot that he’d been thinking about every time he’d jerked his dick off since. He pushed the thought from his mind.
Jessie helped herself to a cup of coffee before sitting down with Kennedy.
Only two weeks ago Jack had been groping her on the couch where he sat now, touching her like she was the most exciting woman he had ever met. Of course, that was ridiculous. He had been drunk when he had rubbed her off until she came. Her face still burned with shame when she remembered the way she had cried out her pleasure, so there was no doubt that he had brought her all the way over the edge.
He had blamed it on the Fireball. It was true that they were both pretty drunk. But not so drunk they didn’t know what they were doing. More like drunk enough not to give a shit about the consequences. Until at some point he had.
Jessie didn’t think she would ever forget the horrified look on his face when he had pushed her away. She’d wanted to disappear into thin air, she’d been so embarrassed.
She sat down on the floor and patiently let Kennedy show her all of her presents, and then brought her own bag of gifts. Kennedy really didn’t need anything else but tore into the gifts excitedly anyway.
Jessie sat back down next to Jack. She handed him a wrapped gift.
“Merry Christmas, Jack. I also made those butterscotch cookies you like. They’re in the kitchen.”
He looked at her for a moment and then tore the paper off of the package, to reveal a photo book. He opened it and found pictures of a baby girl. He turned the pages slowly, watching the baby grow up before his eyes into the beautiful little blonde, blue-eyed angel sitting cross-legged under his Christmas tree right now.
He swallowed hard, feeling unusually emotional, and turned to look at Jessie.
“Where did you get these?” he asked gruffly.
“Found them in Brandy’s apartment that day I cleaned it out for you.”
Jack had been tied up on a case that week. Brandy’s landlord had given them only one day to get everything out, so Jessie had gone through her personal belongings. Jessie had taken a few of the toys and books in Kennedy’s room. The clothes she had packed up and donated to a women and children’s shelter. They had already bought new clothes for Kennedy, and most of what had been in the apartment she would outgrow soon anyway.
Brandy had a ton of clothes and stripper gear, which Jessie boxed up to get rid of. She hadn’t had much else, besides the pictures she had found of Kennedy. There were a few things she put in a box for Kennedy to have when she was older, since she might like to have some things that belonged to her mother someday. A few pieces of jewelry that were nice and a couple of pictures. She had also found Jack’s name, phone number and address written on a strip of paper in the drawer of Brandy’s night table.
“Thanks, Jessie. This is… this means a lot to me.” Jack looked slightly uncomfortable as he thanked her.
“You’re welcome,” Jessie answered sincerely.
He leaned forward and kissed her cheek, pulling her into his arms for a brief hug. With her face pressed against his neck, she inhaled, enjoying his scent and gently stroking her hand across the back of his head, softly tangling her fingers in his hair. Jack pulled away all too soon.
Kennedy came to Jessie then, handing her a small box, which she had clearly wrapped herself.
“Here, Jessie. Me and Daddy got you a present, too.”
“You did? Well aren’t you the sweetest little thing?” Jessie carefully opened the small box. Inside she found a silver heart necklace, with a pink crystal rose set in it.
“It’s the Enchanted Rose, from Beauty and the Beast,” Kennedy told her excitedly. “It’s from me and Daddy but really I picked it out. Because Belle is your favorite Disney princess.”
“It’s beautiful, baby girl. I love it!” Jessie hugged Kennedy close and kissed her, tears spilling down her cheeks. “You’re such a sweet and thoughtful girl.”
Jessie handed the necklace to Jack and then lifted her hair off her neck so he could put it on her. He secured the clasp and let his fingers brush against her silky soft skin a moment too long before pulling them away from her.
Kennedy interrupted the moment, tugging on Jessie’s hand.
“Come see my new bed! It’s a real castle! It’s a princess bed for a real princess! My daddy made it for me!”
The bed that Jack had made for her was gorgeous. Jessie had seen it a couple of weeks ago when it was almost done, but seeing it finished, set up in Kennedy’s princess room, Jessie squealed with delight like a child herself.
“Oh my God, Jack! It’s incredible! I can’t believe you made this!”
“Yeah, it came out okay.”
One side of the “castle” was a set of pink and white stairs winding up to a cozy loft bed in the “tower”. Opposite the stairs was a fun slide.
Pink wood block letters spelled Kennedy’s name across the entrance to the nook under the bed that held a tiny desk and chair, with shelves for books, toys and dolls. There was also a twin sized bed underneath, perfect for having a friend sleep over. The fluffy pink rug that Jessie had picked out was on the floor over the dark wood planks.
“It’s more than okay, Jack. It’s truly amazing!”
For a man who claimed not to know anything about little girls, Jack had managed to create the perfect girly room for his own little princess.
Jessie snapped a few pictures with her phone.
“Honestly, Jack. It’s beautiful.” She looked at him. “You’re really talented.”
He shrugged, his face expressionless.
“So, will Sarah be back for New Year’s?” Jessie asked.
Jack nodded as they walked back downstairs. “Yeah.”
They were planning to celebrate New Year’s at Jack’s house. Just a small group of friends that could stay the night if they drank too much.
Jack and Jessie both had the week off, since Drake & Associates closed over the week between Christmas and New Year’s.
“Thinking about taking the kid to the beach for a few days. Come with us.”
“When are you going?”
“Was planning to go today.”
“I can’t. I’m seeing Dane tonight.” Jessie glanced at him and then looked away shyly. She had only been out with Dane a few times, but things were going well so far.
Jack was silent for a moment. “We’ll wait for you then. It’s supposed to keep snowing. Might be better to leave tomorrow anyway.”
Jessie nodded. “Okay, sure. Why not?”
“So, what are you and the good doctor up to tonight?” Jack asked, with just a hint of sarcasm.
“Well, his family lives in Ohio, so he doesn’t have anyone to spend Christmas with. I’m going to make him dinner at my place. Then we’ll probably watch a movie or something. In fact, I need to get going. I’m going to make him a full Christmas dinner so I have a ton to do.”
Jack grunted, wishing he hadn’t asked. The last thing he wanted to think about was this asshole doing all of the things with Jessie that he had done. Or worse, the things he wanted to do.
“I feel bad leaving you guys alone. I assumed Sarah would be here to cook for you.”
“We’ll be fine. But I’m surprised you’re not having a thing with your family,” Jack said.
Truthfully, he was jealous as hell that this random guy was going to get one of Jessie’s amazing meals for Christmas and he was going to have to scrape something together for him and Kennedy.
“We had a big dinner last night. My whole family was there.”
Jack nodded.
“How about I make you guys a Christmas dinner tomorrow night at the beach house?”
“Sounds good. Be careful. Snow’s coming down pretty hard.”
Jessie left and Jack stood on the front porch and watched her car pull away. Then he went inside where Kennedy was waiting to teach him how to play Candyland.
They ate grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch, which didn’t look as pretty as the ones Jessie made them, but they tasted okay. Putting the meal together wasn’t nearly as easy as Jessie made it look.
Jack was pretty sure Gwen would have a heart attack when she came tomorrow and saw the condition he’d left the kitchen in. He made a mental note to double the Christmas bonus he had put into an envelope for her, along with the gift that Kennedy had picked out.
Burned Page 11
