Forever Wild (Wildcat Hockey Book 5)

EVERLY

I freshen up while Jack talks with James in the living room. I stay out of the line of the camera, assuming Jack doesn’t want anyone, including his agent, to know I’m here.

“I can’t believe you’ve stayed on top of your emails,” James says. “It hasn’t been this organized since I was managing it.”

I’m fighting a laugh at the compliment James doesn’t know he’s giving me.

“I can’t take credit for that,” Jack says, finding my gaze for a moment before returning his attention to the screen. “Everly did all that.”

“Everly? Tyler Sharp’s sister?”

“Yeah. She’s been helping me out this summer. She’s good. Saved you the headache of apologizing to all the people I emailed back personally and offended with my one-word replies.”

His agent chuckles. “Tell her I owe her one.”

“Yeah, I will.”

I text with Grace while they talk for a few minutes more.

Jack closes the laptop and stands. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay. I have plans and I was dangerously close to blowing them off.”

His mouth quirks up on one side. “Tell me more about that option.”

“The one where I blow?”

He shakes his head, dark eyes lit up with promise. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

“Well, you’re safe tonight. I’m hanging out with Grace.”

I swear disappointment flashes over his handsome features before he says, “Sounds like trouble.”

“Nah, not tonight. We’re staying in. Movies, junk food, wine, maybe some face masks or mani-pedis.”

His lips curve into a smile. “Have fun. I assume I’ll see you tomorrow?”

I start to say yes, but I have this stupid thing called pride and it’s making me question if I’ve made myself too available. Yes, I was helping him out and it’s been great. I love hanging with Jack and watching him work out, bringing him cookies or healthy lunches, swimming in his pool, I even like organizing his email. Also, did I mention how much I like watching him work out?

But now I guess I want to make him work for it. It’s the only explanation for what comes out of my mouth. “I’m actually going to be busy for the next few days.”

He studies me and I sweat it, sure he can see right through my lies. I do need to get my life together for the internship. I still haven’t filled out all the required HR forms; my house still has to be packed up, and I need to shop for business-y clothes. I don’t think my bikinis and cut-off shorts are going to pass the dress code at my internship.

“Is that okay? Will your inbox survive?” I ask with a smirk.

“I’ll manage.”

I grab my stuff and start for the door. He doesn’t move from where he stands, but he watches me intently. I turn but keep walking away from him.

“See you later, stud.”

His face scrunches up with obvious displeasure at the nickname. And it just makes me want to call him that even more.

“You’re either a genius or the dumbest woman I know,” Grace says later that night. She’s at my place and we’re sitting on the floor in my bedroom. I was packing for a while, but the boxes and packing tape, and the piles of shoes and clothes are now abandoned and forgotten.

“I hope it’s the first.” I sip my wine, but the cool liquid does not stamp out the heat summoned by the memory of Jack going down on me in his kitchen.

The man has a wicked tongue. I left that part out when I confided in Grace the reason I needed her to keep me busy for the next few days. She got the abridged version: Jack and I made out and it’s no big deal. I have to keep repeating it to myself, mostly, because damn it felt like a big deal. I know I said I wasn’t going to get attached and that it was just sex, but wow, I think I was underestimating my feelings and his skills.

But now that I’ve told him I have things to do, I need to do those things instead of running back over there for another round.

“Well, this is perfect. We can shop tomorrow and go to Midnight tomorrow night.”

“That’s his club.”

“It’s not like he’ll be there.” Grace gathers her dark hair and puts it into a messy bun on top of her head. “We can drink and dance the night away. It’ll be like junior year all over again.”

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. I’ve missed you.” She started dating her boyfriend Lane and as they got more serious, we spent less time together. Some might say we drifted apart, but that isn’t really true. I know that she would always be there if I needed anything, and the same goes for her. We’re like sisters, but as we’ve gotten older, our lives are less connected.

“Unless…” She trails off and a huge smile breaks out across her face.

“Yeah?” I ask, a rush of hopeful adrenaline courses through me before she’s even filled me in on her idea.

“Have you heard from him?” Grace asks.

We’re outside of Midnight. Me, Grace, and Lane, with dozens of others waiting to get inside the club.

“No, not yet.” I rub my lips together, ensuring my gloss is still there.

“Are you sure you sent the text?”

“I’m sure.” I check again though. Approximately one hour ago I sent him a photo of me in my new sexy dress and told him where I was heading.

It was a clear invitation to hang out, but now I’m wondering if I should have been less subtle. Before I can tap out another text that says, please come peel this dress off me, Grace nudges me in the side with her bony elbow.

“Ow. What was that for?” I ask, glancing up at her. But she’s not looking at me, her stare is locked straight ahead and she’s grinning. I follow her line of vision and then forget how to breathe. Or maybe this dress is just too tight. Who am I kidding? This dress is definitely too tight. But that doesn’t change the fact that Jack is here, walking toward me and looking like a goddamn snack.

I step forward and meet him a few feet away from Grace and Lane.

“Hi.” A shyness that is very uncommon for me makes a flush spread down my neck. Hopefully it’s too dark outside to ruin the effect of my outfit.

“Of all the clubs in the city…”

“It’s the best.”

His gaze drops to my lips. “You’re not wrong there.”

He glances past me, and I open up my stance as Grace and Lane approach us.

Grace lifts one hand and fans it out in a wave. “Hey,” she says.

Lane tips his head in greeting. He’s always been a little starstruck around the Wildcat guys. He’s a quiet guy but becomes even more withdrawn when any of them are around.

“Good to see you both,” Jack says, then, “Ready?”

It hits me then that we don’t have to wait in line.

“I promise this wasn’t a ploy to get in quicker,” I say.

“No?” His mouth quirks up at the corners. “Just a ploy to torture me in that dress?”

“More like a ploy to get me out of it.”

He shakes his head, but not before giving me another once-over.

We follow him into Midnight. I love the way he walks with a purpose and an air of confidence. The guards tip their heads and let us by without a word. Even people who don’t recognize him move out of the way, making a path for us. He heads to the end of the bar where he’s immediately served.

“What do you want to drink?” he asks as he places a hand on my lower back. The red dress hugs my curves tightly and feels like butter against my skin. The heat of his palm travels through the thin material, and I have to restrain myself from lifting up on my toes so his fingers are resting a little lower.

He’s staring down at me, waiting for an answer.

“Champagne.”

He quirks one brow.

“We’re celebrating.”

He gets Grace and Lane’s requests then orders everything. Turning so his body is angled toward me, he asks, “What are we celebrating?”

“You being out of the house, for starters.”

His lips twist into a sexy smirk.

“And I got a new dress.”

His stare rakes over me slowly like he’s appreciating every centimeter of said dress.

“Do you like it?”

He leans in. “I’d like it better if you’d worn it over to my house. Every guy in this club is staring at you.”

“Jealous?”

“No.” He pulls back.

“No?” I’m surprised by his answer. The way he looks at me, the way his fingers dig in tighter on my back, gives away his possessiveness.

“I’ve slammed plenty of guys into the boards for a lot less than looking at my girl.”

“Your girl?” I ask pointedly.

His answer is a Cheshire cat grin. So fucking cocky and confident.

A nervous chuckle escapes from my lips. I feel like for the first time with Jack, I might be in over my head. “So you’re just going to beat up anyone that looks at me?”

“Exactly.” He winks, and a steady throb starts between my legs. Did I wear this dress hoping to blow his mind? Guilty. Am I regretting that now that I know he might punch anyone that looks at me too long? Maybe.

“You look beautiful.”

The compliment takes me by surprise. I guess I’m used to guys who only say things like that to me when they’re trying to take me home for the night.

“You know I’m basically a sure thing, right? You don’t need to use your pretty words on me.”

“No? What kind of words would you like me to use then?”

“We don’t need to talk at all.” I step closer. His gaze drops to my lips, but he doesn’t kiss me.

He’s all cool and under control, and I’m ready to strip out of this dress and throw myself at him.

“The pool wasn’t the same without you today,” he says, leaning one hip against the bar as he faces me.

“You didn’t touch your inbox, did you?” I ask.

One side of his mouth pulls up in a half smile. “No ma’am.”

“Good. I don’t want you to mess up all my hard work.”

“No, we wouldn’t want that.” He keeps smiling at me. “So, did you get all your stuff done or are you going to be busy again tomorrow?”

“You missed me that much, huh?”

He doesn’t answer, but the air buzzes around us, confirming that whatever is going on between us seems to be affecting us both.

Our drinks come, and Grace and I down our champagne quickly after toasting to our new boss babe lives.

“We’re going to dance,” Grace says, giving me a knowing smirk as she pulls Lane behind her.

They don’t get far when I decide that maybe dancing is exactly how to burn off some of this tension.

“Wanna dance?” I ask him.

With a nod, he takes my hand. Instead of going to the dance floor, he heads to a staircase that leads upstairs. There’s a VIP section, but instead of stopping there, he leads me behind the bar on the second floor to another set of stairs.

My pulse picks up speed. It’s dark and I grip his hand tightly to stick with him.

“Where are we going?” I ask as we reach our destination.

The area is like a sky box that looks down on the club.

“Welcome to the owner’s box.” He winks.

“I can’t believe I’ve never noticed this before.”

“You’re not meant to,” he says. “The windows are tinted so no one can see in.”

A shiver dances over my skin at the thought of him being up here watching people. Watching me, maybe.

There’s a bar up here too, but no one is working. Jack goes behind it and grabs two glasses and a bottle of champagne.

The seats are even lusher than the ones in VIP. This is obviously for the high-profile guests they entertain.

He pops the champagne and pours two glasses. He hands me one but doesn’t take the other.

“Did you have a good day?” I ask before taking a sip. The first glass already has me feeling light and a little tipsy.

“It was quiet.”

“That sounds terrible.”

“You have no idea.” He closes the distance between us and his lips cover mine, stealing my breath and making my heart race faster.

Jack and I used to go days, weeks even, without seeing each other, but the day apart felt like a lifetime.

“This dress,” he grumbles as his hands roam down to my ass and squeeze.

“Had to bring me all the way up to your private lair to keep other men from looking at me,” I tease.

“Damn fucking straight.”

His words light me up. The song changes to one of my favorites and I turn around, giving him my back and moving to the beat. Those big hands of his stay on me, moving up and down my sides, from my ribs to my thighs. I’m still holding my champagne, but my other hand rests on his leg.

Jack moves with me, chest pressed to my back. He pushes my hair off my neck and drops his mouth to my shoulder. My eyes flutter closed as his teeth scrape and then his lips kiss away the pain.

He’s a good dancer, not that we’re actually doing much more than grinding. Still, he has rhythm and keeps up with me as I shake my hips and bounce around to the music.

His attention focused on me is a heady drug, combined with the champagne, and I’m floating.

I drop my head back onto his chest and his hands roam around to my stomach, keeping me in place. I love the feel of his strong arms holding me against him.

Eventually his fingers drop to the hem of my dress. It hits high up on my thighs and the dancing has inched it higher so that it’s only just covering my ass. His thumbs glide up, taking the material with it. The cool air pebbles my bare skin. He growls against my neck as he reaches the lacy material of my panties.

I’m soaked. A realization he finds out for himself seconds later when his fingers brush against my center.

“Is this what you had in mind when you picked out this dress for me?” he asks as he slips one finger under the material.

I gasp as he circles my clit in lazy strokes.

“No, but I’m not complaining.”

He sucks on my neck as he adds another finger under my panties. It’s euphoric with the loud music and couples dancing below us, watching them while his fingers are buried inside me.

I’ve been so keyed up since yesterday. Two orgasms should have satiated me, but instead, it awoke a desire I’ve never felt before. Also, I just missed him. Like really missed him.

I swivel my head around and he immediately takes the hint, crushing his mouth down on mine as he continues to pump his fingers in and out of me. I cry out into his mouth as I come so hard my legs feel weak.

If he weren’t already so damn arrogant, I might tell him I have never come so hard in my life as I do for him.

His fingers continue lavishing me with attention as the orgasm subsides, then he squats down in front of me, placing a kiss on my inner thigh as he slides my panties down. I step out of them and he pockets them before pulling my dress down like nothing happened.

When I’m breathy and starting to sweat, I turn back around to face him.

“I should have brought a second pair of panties.”

He grins. “They just get in the way.”

My breaths are still ragged when I ask, “How’s your knee?”

“You don’t need to worry about me. I’m good.”

“I like worrying about you.” My gaze moves to one of the cushy chairs. I set my champagne down on a table and pull him with me to the chair. The room has graduated floors so that even in the back, you can see the dance floor.

He smirks as I playfully shove him down into the chair.

“Take a load off, big guy.”

He sits like a man in a throne, legs spread apart and arms draped over the sides. I step between his spread legs. He doesn’t move, but his eyes darken and his jaw flexes as my arms lift. I brush my hair off my neck and then raise them in the air. The movement inches my dress higher. I’m lost to the beat and to the weight of his stare. It’s electric. The way he watches me makes me feel cherished, possessed. Men never make me feel that way. I never wanted that.

But I crave Jack in a dozen different ways. His words, his smile, his touch, just to name a few. I even missed watching him work out today – and no, not just because he looks damn fine while doing it, but because I’ve been seeing him progress a little at a time. His knee is stronger every day. It’s incredible. He’s incredible.

It’s hard to wrap my brain around this thing between us. A month ago, I would have laughed if someone said that Jack Wyld was going to change the very fabric of what I want from men.

Placing one knee on the chair between his thighs, I lean in and kiss him. He still doesn’t place his hands on me, but his mouth shows me how much he wants me.

He tastes minty fresh and smells like citrus and leather.

I place one hand on his hard chest and trail it down over his stomach. I can picture exactly how he looks underneath and my mouth waters at the memory.

He finally lunges for me, wrapping an arm around my waist and tugging me down on top of him. I giggle as he settles me on his lap. His palm drops to my knee and he smiles in a way that is both sweet and sexy.

I drape one arm around his neck and play with the hair at the nape of his neck. He studies me, gaze hot and sinful. We just stare at each other like we’re both trying to decide if we should talk or keep kissing all night long. I could easily get on board with the latter if it weren’t for my friend downstairs. I’ve already been gone long enough that she might be worried.

“I should probably go find Grace and let her know I’m safe soon.”

“Okay.”

“Thanks for bringing me up here.” I glance around, wondering if I’ll ever see it again. “Being the owner has its perks, huh?”

“It did tonight.” His fingers dance higher and I bite the corner of my lip. I don’t want to go yet. Downstairs I know he won’t touch me this freely. But here we have this whole area all to ourselves. Just me and this sexy guy that I can’t get enough of.