The Heart - Kate Stewart Page 0,18

real man wants to know and explore the inside of a woman before he attempts to claim her in any real way. That was the truth I knew; that was what being loved by Grant taught me. A sick feeling washed over me as I realized I had only been alone with Jack for a few minutes and I was already comparing him to Grant. I squeezed my eyes shut tight and tried to clear my head in an attempt to give my friendship with Jack a chance.

“My mother didn’t protect us from any words we would eventually hear,” I said, returning to the previous subject in an attempt to silence my inner musings. “She didn’t see the point. She told us which ones not to say even though she said them often.”

Jack chuckled. “Sounds like Laura. Your sister seems to have quite the colorful personality, too.”

“You have no idea,” I said as I gripped him tighter and lifted in my seat slightly in a useless attempt to keep the throbbing between my legs at bay. “Anyway, I get crap for it all the time. No one I’m close to likes my music.”

“I can’t sympathize. I’m not a fan, myself. My uncle did teach me everything there is to know about music, but given the choice, it would never be rap.”

“See,” I said with emphasis. “I never win with the company I keep.”

“Sorry,” he said unapologetically. “Tell you what, give me a song to listen to every day... educate me. By the time I’ve set up shop and am ready to leave, I can make a more informed decision.”

“You’re on,” I said as a thousand song titles danced through my head.

“So you think my family is colorful?”

“Absolutely, and I can relate. I know exactly what it’s like to have a colorful family,” he mused. “I was raised by five people.”

“Five?” I asked, curious about the man I was holding onto with a death grip.

“Yeah, my parents, both my aunts, and my uncle. Technically, only my mom and dad are blood relation to me. My uncle and my dad were best friends for years. They met my aunts on a road trip before I was born and have been inseparable since. My aunt and uncle weren’t able to have children, so I guess in a way they shared me. And, well... my other aunt, she was just as much of a part of my life as everyone else. It’s kind of a weird dynamic, I guess, but it’s all I know.”

“Must have been some road trip,” I said, trying to imagine a younger Jack.

“I’m pretty sure it was. Nine months later, I was born.”

We shared a laugh as Jack turned to the county road behind the center. I felt a rush of relief that I may just make it back without losing my cool. Yet the more I brushed against Jack’s hard body and inhaled his scent, the more turned on I became. His face in the mirror, his voice, and hard lines of his body had all contributed to the state I was in. Anything could tip me over. I could feel the indents of Jack’s six-pack underneath my thumbs and rubbed over them without thinking. He eyed me through the side view. It was a heat-filled warning, and behind that warning, a fire had been lit. Apparently, he enjoyed muscle appreciation as much as I enjoyed giving it. He pushed the throttle, making me jump in my seat. Our eyes met in challenge, and I couldn’t help but rise to it.

All right, Jack, let’s play.

I moved my hands as slyly as possible, caressing his midriff and repositioned them just above his belt buckle as I stroked him subtly. I clenched my thighs around him and heard his reluctant curse as he kept his head averted so I couldn’t get a good look at him. He was easy prey, and I wondered if it had anything to do with my unintentional strip tease last night. Secretly, I hoped it did. I let out a soft chuckle as Jack’s head snapped to. Catching his eyes, his intent behind his gaze was all too apparent.

I had been falsely confident in a game his eyes told me he was sure he would win.

The gentlemen who seemed intent on sparing me further embarrassment had just left and was now replaced by a man hell-bent on torturous foreplay. Our eyes locked as he slowed at the entrance of the center. I let out a small