“I’ve wanted you since the first time I saw you,” he growled, nipping my earlobe. “Stay with me tonight.”
Blowing out a shaky breath, I clasped his hand before he could get my pants unbuttoned. “I can’t,” I murmured regretfully.
He pulled back, his gaze searching mine. “Why not?”
I ran a hand through my hair, wishing like hell I wasn’t afraid to let him completely in. If only I could think with my body and not my heart. “I want to do this more than anything, but I’m not sure if I’m ready. I just need a little more time.”
Taking my hand, he pulled me up. “What are you afraid of?”
I leaned my head against the couch. “Honestly?” When he nodded, I told him the truth. “You. You’re not only an extremely good-looking guy, but you’re talented, funny, and passionate in a mysterious and dangerous kind of way. All in all you seem perfect, which throws up major warning signs. I can look in your eyes and see that you’re a good guy, but I need…more.”
His brows furrowed. “Are you saying you don’t want to be with me?”
I held up my hands. “No, that’s not it at all. I just want to be careful. You can’t blame me for wanting to be guarded around you. I mean, my God, you look exactly like Hook on Once Upon a Time. That guy stole my heart the second he appeared on the show.”
Jack stared at me and then burst out laughing. “What the hell are you talking about? Captain Hook was never a dashing fellow in the movies I saw as a kid.”
I pulled out my phone and searched for my Hook. “That’s because he’s ugly in all of them. In this show, however, Hook is hot as hell. You need to watch an episode with me.” When I found a picture of him, I showed Jack and his eyes went wide.
“Well, I’ll be damned.”
“Exactly. You could be his stunt double. Every woman I know has a crush on that guy and I’m pretty sure there are women like that with you. My last boyfriend attracted women left and right, and look how that turned out. I don’t want to be used until a better piece of ass comes along.”
He placed his hands on my face. “How do you know I don’t feel the same way about you? You’re sexy as hell and could have any guy you want. What if someone better comes along and you leave me?”
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his, especially considering he’d just made a valid point. “Do you like proving people wrong?”
He winked. “All the time, baby.” He helped me up and tilted my chin so he could kiss me. “I’m not going to rush you, Bristol. Believe it or not, I actually want this to work. I’m not saying I know the first thing about relationships, but I’m hoping you can help me on that.”
“I can do that. Since you’ll be out of town visiting your mom this weekend, how about you come over for dinner on Thursday?” I asked, hoping like hell he’d say yes. I had no clue what I was going to cook, but I’d figure it out.
His brows lifted. “You’re going to cook for me?”
“Hey, I’m a decent cook when I take the time to do it. I just don’t like to cook when it’s only me.”
“I’m down for that. Tell me when and where and I’ll be there.”
I gave him my phone number, address, and the time I wanted him there. I was glad he didn’t get pissed when I told him I wasn’t ready to have sex with him. After everything he’d just told me, I felt like I could trust him, but I had a strange feeling I was always going to be scared to trust anyone. Taking the leap of faith was going to be hard, but I had to do it eventually.
“It’s getting late,” I murmured. “I should probably go.”
He walked me to the door and opened it, but before I could step out, he stopped me. “Wait.” His warm hands grabbed my face and he kissed me, his lips firm yet gentle all the same. When he pulled back, he kept his hands on my face.
“Jack, are you okay?”
Shaking his head, he brushed a thumb across my lips. “I’ll be fine. I was just thinking about something.”
“What?” I asked.
“It doesn’t matter. It’s not the right time.”
I stared up at him, wishing he’d let me in just a little bit so I could do the same with him. I didn’t know why he was holding back, but I figured he had his reasons. I had my reasons for keeping people at a distance too. The last thing I wanted was to get hurt again.
“You don’t have to be afraid to let me in,” I murmured.
He slid his hands down my face and then he grabbed my hands, gripping them tightly, as if he was afraid I was going to run. “I know. I promise it’ll happen soon.”
I squeezed his hands back and kissed him on the cheek. “Good night, Jack. I’ll see you on Thursday.”
He nodded and let me go. “Sweet dreams, Bristol.” I was definitely going to have those.
Chapter 11
Jaxon
All day, I’d checked my phone in between practice breaks, expecting to see a text from Bristol. Ryan hadn’t said a word to me, so he obviously didn’t know that I’d been seeing her yet. It was only a matter of time. The way I was with her yesterday was so strange to me. I’d never given a shit about any girl before her and there I was, telling her about my mother. I never discussed private matters with anyone, not even my friends. Maybe I was closed off and that was why I liked being a dick. No one could get close to me if I pushed everyone away.
However, the main turning point with me and Bristol was when she picked out the paintings. The initials in the corner weren’t a T and a B like I had suggested…they were a J and an R. They were mine—my paintings, my first public works of art. The way Bristol’s eyes shined when she looked at them would stay forever ingrained in my mind. I was half tempted to give them to her, but I had another plan in mind. I just hoped I had a chance to work on it before she found out the truth about me.