8
Jack’s foot hit the gas, and the car shot down the road at over 100 miles an hour. My palms were sweaty, and I was too scared to say a word.
We stopped at his apartment building. Jack dragged me out of the car, into the elevator, and all the way to his front door in one smooth
motion.
He pushed me up against the door, his breath hot on my neck.
With a swift rip, my white dress was torn in his hands.
I snapped, grabbing him by the ear. “That dress cost over a thousand dollars!”
He didn’t even blink. “I’ll pay for it.”
Then, before I could react, Jack kissed me hard.
He kissed me like a man possessed, teeth and all, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.
What was this, dog behavior?
If you’re going to kiss me, do it right! My mouth’s not some chew toy!
With my free hand, I pinched the soft skin at his waist, hard.
Jack hissed in pain and finally let go.
In the darkness, he pressed his forehead against my shoulder, panting. His voice was a low, frustrated growl. “Anna, do you even have a
heart?”
Wait, what?
10:24 AM
<
Was it me who lacked feelings, or him?
“I was in the hospital, recovering, and you were out having dinner with another man? Laughing and smiling?”
Hlet out a cold laugh. “Just a reminder: we broke up a year ago.”
Jack lifted his head to meet my eyes, looking both angry and hurt. “Are you really that blind, or just pretending? Can’t you see I want to get back together?”
The room froze for a moment.
That one sentence hit me like a punch to the gut.
When we broke up, I cried until I couldn’t breathe, The suffocating feeling of heartbreak washed over me again.
There’s nothing worse than realizing someone’s affection comes too late,
I forced a smile, “You’ve got your crush, don’t you? She can take care of you.”
“I saw her at the hospital, by the way”
Jack fell silent for a second, probably remembering what I’d seen.
I tried to push him off again, but Jack pinned me back to the door.
“That was my aunt, Anna. My real aunt. Her son’s older than me. She treats me like her own kid!”
Rich people sure age well, huh?
“And I don’t have any crush. The amnesia thing? That was fake. All of it was just an excuse to see you.”
I searched Jack’s face for any sign of deception.
But his eyes were sincere, clear,
There was something oddly satisfying about hearing a stubborn man admit to his manipulative tricks.
Suppressing the urge to smile, I said, “Alright, alright. Let me go. I’m heading home.”
Jack didn’t release me. “I’m actually Injured though. Could you help me with my meda? I can’t reach the wounds on my back.”
My face turned red as I instantly pictured him half–naked in the hospital bed.
“Fine, but you take your own clothes off.”
I swear I’m not a perv.
I just, you know… couldn’t resist checking out his abs.
Ahem.
Let’s call it pity. The guy seemed so pathetic.
Jack disappeared into the bedroom, and I could hear the sounds of fabric rustling.
When I finally walked in, I nearly had a nosebleed
10:24 AM
Jack was standing there, shirtless, in nothing but his suit pants, the belt hanging loosely around his waist.
Broad shoulders, narrow waist, impossibly long legs.
I stood in the doorway, completely frozen, until Jack called out, “What are you doing? Get in here.”
I wiped my nose–thankfully no blood–and stepped forward cautiously. “Can you put a shirt on, please?”
Broad daylight, and this is how he acts? Where are his manners?
Jack ran a hand over his abs, smirking as he asked, “How am I supposed to put on a shirt if you need to treat my back?”
His grin widened. “Don’t tell me you’re getting flustered?”
I absolutely refused to admit anything. I forced my gaze to the side, muttering, “Do whatever you want.”
Jack’s injuries had healed pretty well, so I just needed to disinfect the wound and apply some cream.
It took about ten minutes, and I threw away the cotton swabs.
As I stared at his strong back muscles, I found myself tempted to reach out and poke them.
I told myself it was because I’d gone too long without a proper distraction. The more I looked at Jack, the more annoyingly attractive he seemed.
Whatever. I wasn’t going to get played again.
I turned to leave just as my phone rang. It was Mark.
I hesitated, unsure if I should answer.
Before I could make up my mind, Jack snatched the phone from my hand and answered it himself.
“What the hell, Jack?!”
! mouthed a string of insults at him, frantically trying to grab my phone back.
Jack calmly held me off with one arm, speaking into the phone like he owned the place. “She’s with her boyfriend, what do you think happened?”
“What, you thought she could just say it’s over and that’s it? Clearly, you don’t get it.”
“She’s in the shower right now. Can’t talk. Yeah, send me your bank account Info, dinner’s on me.”
“And one more thing–don’t make a fool of yourself.”
He hung up the phone and turned to face me, looking absurdly pleased with himself.
I blinked, still in shock. Was I supposed to thank him?
“You’re out of your mind, Jack! Do you realize that was Sarah’s friend? How am I supposed to face them after this?!”
I frantically texted Sarah, telling her to smooth things over with Mark.
Jack took my phone from me, again.
Then, out of nowhere, he pulled me into a tight hug, his head nuzzling into my neck.
“Doesn’t matter. You’ve got me now. No more awkward blind dates for you.”
I snapped back, “Who said we’re getting back together?”
He leaned closer, his breath hot against my skin. I’ve already gone this far. Don’t you think you should take responsibility? And where exactly
10
