She went to bed, and I sat in the living room, TV on in the background, and a half eaten plate of chicken in my lap. It was approaching nine, and I sat there, not dressed up and nowhere to go.
My phone buzzed, as if sensing my need for entertainment.
A text from Jack: Be ready in ten minutes
My heart leapt and hope skyrocketed as I ran to the bathroom and brushed my teeth and hair. Realizing my hair was a mess of big barrel curls I didn’t have time to tame, I hustled to change out of my yoga pants and tank top when my phone buzzed again.
Jack: Out front. Now.
That couldn’t have been ten minutes. But changing wasn’t an option I had time for. He was waiting, and this was my chance to prove I could play by his rules. Wanted to.
Grabbing my purse, I looked out the front window and saw headlights in the driveway. Writing a quick note to Harper on the counter, I went outside, locking the door behind me.
When I approached the car, a man got out from the driver side and opened the back door. The large black car looked expensive, and Jack wasn’t driving—
He was sitting in the back seat.
His dark eyes snapped to mine. “Good evening.”
“Hi.”
I slid in next to him and put my purse on the floor. The driver shut the door, and we were on the road.
Jack’s gaze roamed over me, and I felt a little self-conscious. “I was going to change, but you said to come outside.”
“And you dropped everything and did what I asked?”
“Yes.”
He nodded, his mouth twitching to a satisfied grin. “Good.” He looked at me again, pausing on my hips, then breasts. “I like this outfit on you anyway. It molds to your body perfectly.”
I glanced down the front of me. I’d never thought of it that way. Just merely as casual wear, or what I wore the few times a month I popped the Pilates DVD in and gave it a whirl.
It was quiet, the road smooth beneath the wheels, as we sped away into the night. The privacy glass between the driver and us was up, and I realized quickly that I was in a relatively small space with Jack. Alone.
The smell of the leather seats mixed with his masculine scent made my knees weak and I was glad to be sitting.
“I hope you brought the stockings.”
I glanced at my purse. The little box was still in there. “Yes.”
He nodded and looked out the window. “Good. In the meantime, tell me how you’ve been the last couple days.”
I glanced at my hands. Should I go for honesty, even if it made me sound like an idiot?
There was a tug on my chin. Jack pulling me to look at him.
“Tell me.”
Honesty it was. “I missed you.”
He let go of my chin, but ran the back of his fingers down my throat. “Did you?”
I nodded. “I’m in this constant state of uncertainty about what we are, what I mean to you, and when I’ll see you next.”
“Haven’t I told you?”
I kept my gaze on him. “Yes, you said we’re together, but the rest is foggy, and I’m not good at deciphering the rules or norms when it comes to relationships. Much les