Five Alarm Lust (11 page)

The blasé way she said it revealed more than words ever could just how deeply she doubted her sexuality. Jack closed his eyes, the desire to beat whoever had given her the current impression of herself almost as strong as the need to show Gillian otherwise. “I meant I want to get to know you, Gilli. I want to see the woman behind the glasses and the drab clothes.”

“I like my clothes.” Gillian glanced down at her attire, a confused frown on her face.

“So do I. But that isn’t what I meant. Look, I’m not sure I’m doing this right or not because honestly, I’m in over my head here, but I like you. I like the cute little way you wrinkle your nose before you adjust your glasses. I like you’re not afraid to tell me off or to snipe at things you know you can’t change. I even like that you can’t hold your liquor.” Jack pushed her chin up with his forefinger. “I just want to get to know the whole you. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to jump your bones; just means I want the rest of the package that goes with the amazing, sexy woman who rocked my world.”

Gillian giggled, her finger darting up to straighten her glasses. “That’s nice of you to say.”

“God, I don’t know what I’m doing. You have a way of making me feel like I’m about fifteen again, bumbling through this.” Jack poured coffee into her cup before setting the thermos aside and digging into the food. “Chicken leg or thigh?”

“You cook?” Gillian took the drumstick quickly.

“Some. Being a bachelor you have to learn a few tricks. It gets too expensive after a while if you’re eating out all the time.”

“True. I keep to my budget, it helps me stay organized.” Gillian took a bite out of the chicken, her eyes closing in delight. “I like being organized. But I do like my once-a-month dinner out. It’s perfect for me.”

Jack sipped at his coffee, studying her face as she nibbled on the cold chicken. The look of pleasure was familiar and he eased forward a bit, his cock stirring in his jeans. His fingers burned to trace over her jaw, her pert nose. He watched her tongue slide across her full bottom lip, her teeth catching it and biting down. The tiny white crescents stood out in the full, rose-colored flesh.

“So how much longer do you have on your paleontology degree? I remember you saying a year or two…” He swallowed, setting his coffee cup into his lap to hide his swelling cock. He wasn’t going to let his hormones drive a wedge between them before they’d even started.

“Since I’m doing it in bits and pieces it could be a while. The actual degree is another year or two, but since I’m expanding my field it could be more. Depends on how hard I work. I never set a time frame, it’s something I do on an ongoing basis.” Gillian picked up her coffee, and tucked one sock-clad foot under her. The action pulled her T-shirt and sweats tighter, revealing her braless breasts and the sweet curve of her behind. “I’ve been trying to figure where I want to go with my learning. How about you?” She watched him as she shuffled the contents of the basket round before pulling out a Tupperware container of fruit. “Are you going to stick with firefighting?”

Jack nodded. “I love what I do. One of the things I want to do is help kids learn fire safety. One of the reasons why I like doing the presentations at schools. It’s also why I’m opening my own store around fire safety.”

“Hmm, you should talk to Mister Learner about the program we’re developing.” Gillian pointed at him with the chicken bone. “He’d probably jump at your input.”

“What about you?” Leaning closer, Jack plucked the bone from her fingers and dropped it into the basket. “Do you think it would be a good idea?” He reached out to trail his finger down her chin, smearing the oil so it glistened on her skin. The tremble that raced through her danced along his fingertip and shot straight to his groin. Stifling a groan, he played with a lock of her hair.

“Oh yes, educating children is very important. They’re our future,” she whispered, her lips parting. “Do you, um, think it should be, uh…”

“Yeah.” Jack shoved the basket aside. It slid to the floor forgotten, the contents spilling. With his fingers tangled in her hair, he scooted across the seat and his lips whispered against hers.

He inhaled deeply, breathing her in. The faint tinge of lemon and pine swirled around her. Beneath it, her scent filled his head, hanging about them like a veil. Staring into her eyes, he trailed his fingers down her face, tracing her eyebrows, her nose. His thumb lingered over her bottom lip. He groaned when her tongue darted out to lick at the digit.

He slid his hand down and pulled her closer, his palm easing down her back. Fingers crept over the curve of her ass. Tangled in the fabric, he tugged, pulling it down and bearing her skin. With a moan of growing pleasure, his other hand came up to grab her around the waist. A quick lift and tug and she straddled his lap. He locked his arms around her and stared into her eyes. “I’ve never wanted anyone this way, baby.” The flare of lust in her eyes overwhelmed any hint of doubt.

Tilting his head, he closed the minute gap, his lips pressed against hers. Slowly, he dipped his tongue into her mouth, traced over her teeth, her tongue. Their tongues dueled as they thrust back and forth. Her ragged breathing filled his head, her hands creeping up his chest. Fingers tangled in the hair at his nape, each slow glide against his skin raced to his cock.

Lust throbbed through the shaft, pulsing with life. He dropped a hand to his lap, his palm cupping his erection. Jack slid his hand up and down the shaft and groaned in pleasure. A moment passed before he jumped, pulling back to stare at Gillian. Face flushed, lips parted, she offered a small, timid smile as her hand crept up his leg.

“God, baby, hang on.” He grabbed her hand, pressed it deeper into the hard muscles of his leg, her fingers teasing his cock with a slow, sweet glide. “No, we need to take it slower. I want you. I’m hard as a rock, but we need to slow down.”

“It’s okay if you…”

Jack sighed, his forehead pressing against hers. The harsh ragged sound of his breathing filled the cab. He closed his eyes and prayed for control. Heavy lust raged through his body, making the idea of stopping less than appealing. Longing to just lay her down on the bench seat, he heaved a deep breath. “Everything in me says to let go, to let this happen, but I can’t. God, Gillian, slap me or something. Baby, we can’t. If we’re doing this, we’re going to do it right.”

“But…”

He caught her hand on his leg and locked his fingers with hers before pressing a kiss to her palm. His tongue skirted across the soft sweaty flesh, noting her shudder. “Gillian, I don’t want a quick tumble. I want you.”

“But…”

Jack eased his hand from beneath her shirt and smoothed the fabric down. He pressed a kiss to her lips and leaned back. “No, I’m not looking for a quickie in my truck, Gilli.”

Gillian frowned, doubt clouding her eyes for a moment before shame darkened them. She turned away and bent to pick up the basket, her chin on the dash. “I’m sorry.” Her pitiful whisper struck like a fist. “I admit I don’t—”

“Gillian…” Jack groaned at the drag of denim on his cock. “This has nothing to do with experience. I want you begging, I want to take my time when we make love again. I want to see you come apart. When the time comes, I want to come with you.”

Gillian chewed on her lip for a moment as she seemed to ponder his statement. His throat tightened with emotion when she nodded, her gaze skittering to him before he looked out of the cab. “I get it, I think.”

“Do you? This isn’t me trying to lead you on. This is me trying to be the good guy. I want this to be good between us. I want…”

“I get it.” Gillian stared at her hands folded in her lap, her voice tight.

“Good.” Jack tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The simple touch heated his blood. Already he could feel the regret building, the desire to claim her pushing at his self-control. “Come on, we should head home. I don’t want to be late getting out to see my mom. Sooner I get there, sooner I can get home.”

The drive back to her apartment was quiet. Gillian stared out the window, her brows puckered, a look of concentration on her face. Periodically, she’d reach up to push her glasses higher, her tongue moistening her lips, but she kept her thoughts to herself. Turning into the drive, Jack heard her low, tortured groan.

“What?”

“What is she doing here?” Gillian’s demeanor changed in the blink of an eye. Her knees came up to her chest, her teeth worried her bottom lip, and her fingers tangled in the hem of her shirt.

“Who?”

“My mother.” Gillian’s sigh filled the cab. “Damn woman won’t take no for an answer.”

Jack stared at the black BMW parked next to Gillian’s battered car with mixed emotions. From Gillian’s reaction, he didn’t think there was anything positive about her mother’s visit. He parked beside the flashy new car, his gaze darting from the luxury car to Gillian’s face. “Do you want me to stick around?”

“No, it’s fine.” Gillian offered him a small smile. A sort of unwanted acceptance in her gaze. “She’s not going to go away. It’s best if I deal with this on my own. Thanks for the picnic, it was nice.”

Jack caught her arm as she opened the cab door. “Can I see you again?”

Gillian smiled, her hand coming up to pat his. “You sure you want to? I’ve got to go, talk to you soon.” She slammed the door and hurried up the steps, her shoulders hunched. Throwing the truck into park, Jack debated following her for a moment before he shook his head. Doing so wouldn’t help his case at all. Jack reversed and turned out onto the street, a glance in the rearview showing only a closed door.

“Damn.” He slapped the steering wheel and headed for the main highway. No point in delaying the trip to his parents’ place.

Chapter 11

“And where have you been?” Barbara sat on one of the barstools, her heeled foot swinging back and forth. Scarlet-tipped nails tapped on the marble countertop.

“Out.” Gillian hung up her coat and padded into the kitchen. She dug in the cupboard, pulled out a single coffee mug, and reached for the pot. With her back against the counter, mug cupped in her hands, she stared at her mother. “Was there some reason you’re back?”

“Really, Gillian, do you have nothing to wear? I swear.”

“What do you want?”

“I got a call today.” Barbara sniffed, toying with her wedding ring. “Mike is allowed phone privileges again. He called, and we had a wonderful chat. He asked after you. I gave him your phone number.”

“What? How could you do such a thing?” Gillian glared at her mother, her blood boiling at the underhanded way Barbara took control. “I have nothing to say to the bastard. If he calls me, I’ll call my lawyer and let them deal with it. That’s what restraining orders are for.”

“Don’t take that tone with me, Gillian Rebecca. You’d do well to get over this stupid pettiness. The man still loves you, why I’ll never know, but…”

Gillian crossed her arms over her chest and stared at her mother, an icy calm settling over her. How typical, Barbara couldn’t tell the truth to her own child. “No, he didn’t, Mother, he loved fucking you. I was just the burden he tolerated to get into your bed. Now, if there was nothing more to this little visit, perhaps you could find something else to do with your time. Maybe spend time with your husband? Or have you gotten bored with him already?”

“Lenny is a fine man, one who knows how to treat a lady. He’s at work today.”

Gillian snorted, “Yeah, well you’re not a lady.”

“What has gotten into you of late? By God, I should slap that smirk off your face. Mind your manners, young lady. I didn’t raise you to be so—”

“You didn’t raise me, you left that chore up to Emma, an overworked, underpaid, under-appreciated nanny you took great delight in dumping me on. If it wasn’t for her, I’d be dead by now, and not by Mike’s hand!” Gillian slammed her coffee down. “Frankly I don’t know or care why you’re here, but you need to leave. I meant what I said this morning, I’m not about to follow your orders.”

“Have you gone off your meds? That would explain this sudden hostility.” Barbara rose, her hips swaying as she hurried into the bathroom.

Gillian rolled her eyes at the sound of destruction in her medicine cabinet. It would do no good to explain. Barbara had it in her mind things were to be one way. Ignoring the growing noise from the bathroom, Gillian padded to the window and stared out.

What had Jack meant about a tumble? Sure, the sex had been good, or at least she thought so, but was there more to it? Was there something she’d missed that would increase his pleasure and his desire to bed her? She’d have to do some research, look into it.

There had to be a way to seduce the man into wanting to have sex with her.

He said make love, Gilli. There is a difference.

Though I wouldn’t know. I thought it was all sex.

What Mike did was rape, what that guy from the bar did was sex, with Jack it’s making love. He wants you to feel pleasure, to come with him. So how do you plan on making sure he comes back? You have to think of something. The man isn’t out for a random fuck, and if he were, do you think he’d track you down in the middle of broad daylight to ask you out?

There has to be a reason for it. No man wants me. I’m a sexless, shapeless…

Once you get past those hang ups you’ve got you’ll find you’re anything but sexless. You’re the one who came
—
twice
—
in his bed. Remember what it felt like? How he touched you, the heat of his mouth on your
—

“Gillian! I’m talking to you.”

Her mother’s voice hit like a bucket of ice water. With a shudder of revulsion, she glanced over her shoulder. “What is it, Mother?”

“Where are your prescriptions?”

“I don’t have any.” Gillian smiled. Her heart racing, she faced Barbara. “I don’t need them.”

“Obviously you do. Otherwise you wouldn’t be such a disobedient, disrespectful little bitch.”

“I learned from the best.” Gillian ignored the voice of caution and walked up to her mother. For the first time in years she felt as though the reward far outweighed the penalty. “And I’m not going to take them. If that’s everything, I’m sorry but I have to get to work. Unlike you, I have bills to pay.”