Fated Shot

Chapter 18

Mia

It takes me a second to remember to breathe after his words reverberate in my ears. I know I’m just staring up at him, but I can’t stop because, well, my brain has officially become goo.

I’m pretty sure Jack Brody just offered to let me use him as my own personal practice dummy. Not entirely sure how we got to this turn of events, but I can’t say I’m complaining.

“I—” I start, immediately slamming my mouth shut. Blink. Breathe. OK, now speak, Mia, word s.

“I—I need to shower,” I say in a panic as I squirm out of his grasp and nearly jog to the bathroom. Okay, at least those are actual words. I slam the door shut, looking myself over in the mirror.

Get it together.

Thankfully, a shower is exactly what I need to get my head back on straight. I didn’t have a chance to last night, obviously, and was in no mood this morning either. I turn the shower handle to warm as I return to the sink splashing cold water on my face.

Grabbing my phone from my legging pocket, I scroll through my contacts until I find Sebastian Brown. Enough is enough. He’s already taken three years of my life—I’m not giving him another second.

Me: I won’t let you take advantage of my kindness anymore. I’m done. Goodbye, Sebastian.

I hit send, then block his number. Peeling out of my clothes, I finally step into the shower, allowing it to wash away every emotion from earlier.

By the time I’m lathering my hair with shampoo, I’m already feeling a million times better. Call it the perks of a positive mindset, or the gorgeous man waiting for me in my living room. I finish up pretty quickly, brushing my teeth for good measure as I throw my hair up into a twisted bun and wrap myself in my towel.

“Ooop,” slips from my lips the moment I step out and look up, spotting Jack in the open doorway to my room. He’s leaning casually against the doorframe, arms crossed as he takes me in. I instantly wrap my arms to cover my chest, my boobs completely pushed up and squashed where my towel is held together.

A cool chuckle fills the room, intrigue and amusement growing in his smile as his eyes sweep over my body.

“You know I’ve already seen you naked, right?”

I don’t respond. If I meet his eyes, I’m pretty sure I’ll burst into flames. My silence doesn’t stop him, though, as he pushes off the frame, approaching me. “The image is permanently ingrained in my brain.”

“That doesn’t count, last time you were too,” I say mostly to myself as I stay locked on the floor ahead of me.

“Mmm,” he says with a deep laugh, “that’s a valid point.”

Looking up as he approaches, still clinging to my towel, I watch him reach an arm behind his head, pulling off his shirt in one swift motion, exposing his sculpted chest and washboard abs. He looks like he was carved by the gods, it almost feels wrong being this close to that level of perfection .

His eyes burn with intensity now as he continues forward, stopping two inches away, quirking his head to me. “Better?”

All I can do is nod, biting my lip to keep myself in check as my body pulses with desire.

“Good,” he says, his tattooed arm grazing over mine as he reaches forward, sending a tickle across my skin. “I think we should lose the towel,” he breathes at the base of my ear.

Closing my eyes, I arch into the sound of his voice. At his words, my body tingles with exhilaration, starting the throbbing between my legs. Words alone should not wield this level of control over me, but I’m a mess when it comes to Jack Brody. He excruciatingly slowly drags a breath down my neck, activating every goose bump in my body, igniting a spark inside me.

Unable to resist, I grab his stubbled jaw, pulling him into me. The moment our lips connect, I lose every last ounce of self-control. My mind swirls as he sucks my bottom lip. I pull his face closer as my hands tangle in his curled hair and let him in. He’s taking his time, teasing his tongue around mine, fully controlled as I grow more desperate in his arms.

Jack pulls away, steady breaths, but a burning desire in his gaze. I hold in the desperate whimper that threatens the moment we part. I can feel him using every ounce of restraint, not giving in fully until I initiate.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he says with a sigh, shaking his head in disbelief as he slowly brushes his thumb over my lip before kissing me once more.

I want him to pounce on me, take me, but I stay frozen, waiting doe-eyed for his next move. The uncertainty is creeping into my system, fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. I try to will it away and pray that he takes the lead here.

Sensing my hesitancy, he chuckles softly, easing back. “I’ll let you change.”

Shoot . “N-no,” I whisper .

His attention returns to me immediately, confused tilt to his face. “No?”

“No, j-just tell me what to do,” I stammer, a desperate plea escaping my lips. I’d do anything he tells me at this point, I just need to feel him touch me again.

I swear I see his eyes glaze over as his brilliant blue eyes darken, jaw tensing as he closes the distance between us in a second.

He gruffly directs me, “On the bed.”

Finally. A flutter of relief washes over me as I immediately lower myself to my mattress, barely higher than the floor, looking up at his intimidating figure. He’s a giant while I’m standing, so seated, it’s almost comical how much I need to crane my neck. Thankfully, he joins me a moment later, dropping to his knees at the end of the bed. Anticipation building, I await the next instruction.

“Towel off,” he orders, with a dominant tone but tenderness radiating throughout his expression. I hesitate. This is what I want, but holy crap is it hard to push away my insecurity. It’s freaking intimidating, he’s this demi-god of a creature, and I’m—

I don’t have time to even finish my thought as he crawls toward me, easily climbing on top of me, bracketing me beneath his jacked arms. He lowers his face to kiss the tip of my nose, a small smile breaking out on his face when he notices that it catches me by surprise.

The instant switch from authoritative to sweet causes a flip in my stomach. The perfect balance that sends me reeling, craving him that much more.

Screw it. I release the corner of my towel tucked in my cleavage, letting it fall around me. His collected demeanor drops as he observes, arms still outstretched, supporting his weight. He has a full aerial view of my now exposed body, and he’s studying every inch of it. It’s intimidating being on the receiving end of his attention. I’m increasingly aware of my teetering confidence. In an attempt to not lose my fragile momentum, I extend my arm to graze his torso, an approving groan snaps him back into the moment as he crashes down on me.

I meet his pace, desperately writhing beneath him. This feeling is addictive. No amount of contact will ever be enough. I’m hungry, and every touch sends a bolt of electricity to my core. I feel his hand drag slowly down my stomach as I moan into his mouth when he reaches my throbbing clit. With a thick finger, he starts slowly circling, my body arching off the bed in response. His mouth maintains his pace, commanding tongue taking advantage of my parted mouth, driving our kiss deeper.

I’m already soaked, and when he dips his grip to my slit, his once-controlled possession turns to a frenzy. A rumble erupts from him when he feels my wetness before he breaks away, expression almost pained. “Shit, I don’t have a condom.”

The words barely register as I struggle to descend from my cloud of euphoria.

“I...” My eyes flutter, continuing to sober up from my lust bubble. “I might have one,” I say as I wiggle out from under him, stepping out of my room. I run over to my purse, unzipping the inside pocket, and thankfully spot the cherry red, square wrapper. I practically run back, adrenaline fueling me now.

Jack’s sitting back, full erection on display under his jeans as I hold it up to show him before I toss it on the bed beside him. He leans forward as I climb on the bed again, grabbing my body to his as he flips me onto my back. A giggle of excitement slips when I land before he spreads my legs, leaving me staring at his body.

Standing up off the bed, he grabs his belt, yanking it off without breaking our eye contact. Unbuttoning his jeans before pulling them down, his boxers do nothing to hide the size of him, as he strains against the fabric. When he lowers his boxers, stepping out of them, my thighs rub together in desperation. My eyes drop down as my mouth betrayingly flies open.

I wonder if I’ll ever get used to this sight. I’m pretty sure he’s ruined every other man for me already, there’s no way anyone can ever compare.

“Damn, do you ever know how to make a guy feel good about himself,” he smirks at my reaction. My brain is still struggling to compute how that ever fit inside me, but I’m pulsing with the need to experience it again.

He steps forward, dropping one knee to the bed, grabbing and ripping the foil before rolling it over his massive self. When he positions himself between my legs, his eyes rise to meet mine. Plunging two fingers into me, he shuts his eyes with a hum of satisfaction. When he pulls them out, his fingers glisten.

“Already ready for me, eh?” he says, fisting his cock as he lines up, teasing the tip into my wetness.

I’m squirming now, aching for him to fill me. He grins at my body’s reaction, and without missing a beat, he sinks into me as my breath hitches at the stretch.

“So perfect,” he says as he retracts his hips, the ease of pressure providing momentary respite, but when he drives into me again with his full length, I gasp with pleasure.

Steady pace as he rocks into me, my body takes hold as I grasp my boobs, palms rubbing over my nipples tingling with satisfaction. Each thrust releasing desperate moans as I hit a level of pleasure I’ve never experienced before.

“Fuck yes, I want to hear you,” he says, dropping his head to my shoulder as he quickens his pace. Everything in me tightens as I pull him closer to me, wrapping my legs firmly at the base of his back.

The change in angle sends shooting pleasure through me as I cry out.

“You gonna come for me, Mia? ”

All I can manage is a frantic nod as I chase the high growing deep within me, holding on as he continues drilling into me.

As if I could get any more turned on, he drops his lips to my neck, teasing and sucking as I climb even higher.

“Oh god, please don’t stop,” I beg, desperate for more.

“That’s it. Say my name, Mia. Say my fucking name while come on my dick.”

His words send me over the edge as I thrash beneath him, coming apart, “Jack,” a breathless cry ripping out of me.

“Mmm, good girl.” He pushes up off me and, in one swift motion, flips me onto my stomach. His huge hands send a shiver across my skin as he grips me hard, pulling my hips up toward him.

I’m still dazed, but before I have a chance to even react, he plunges back into me, bottoming out, as I grip my sheets. His pace is more hurried now as I work to push my hips back, meeting every thrust with added friction. One hand resting on the small of my back, he’s moving with me, guiding me toward him each time. I can hear his breaths grow more ragged, he’s close, and the thought that it’s me getting him there is exhilarating.

Still inside me, strong arms suddenly wrap below my breasts, pulling my back flush against his chest. This time, he palms my still taut nipples.

I didn’t think it was possible, but I’m building up again. I can feel another orgasm teetering. Whimpering under his grasp, I fight to stay grounded, his hot breath swirling around my ear. One heavy hand slides down, grazing gently over my sensitive clit, and I know I’m close again.

“You’re going to make me come again,” I cry out, a mixture of shock and desperation as I continue working my body against his .

“That’s it. One more, Mia.” Gripping my neck, forcing my mouth to his, he swallows my moans as I ride out an even more debilitating rush of bliss. As his movements grow more frantic, my body squeezes around him, his thighs shaking slightly. A deep groan leaves his mouth as he delivers a final, hard thrust, and I’m filled with warmth.

I sag back into him as he wraps his arms around me. It’s addicting being in his arms, and despite coming down for my lust-ridden high, I want nothing more than to stay exactly as we are. He doesn’t seem to be in any rush either as he plants a kiss on my shoulder.

“That was—” he croaks, “amazing,” guiding me up as we get dressed.

It’s never felt like this before. I’m giddy around him, drawn in by his magnetic pull. I crave more of it, loving how I feel when with him.

He makes me feel wanted, sexy, and confident.

He makes me feel like I am anything but boring.

He is exactly what I need right now.

***

We’re two more episodes into Is It Cake when Jack’s stomach growls loud enough to wake the sleeping Bean on his chest. It’s not that he isn’t a social cat, he’s always been a massive cuddle bug. He’s just never liked, well, actually I guess just Seb and his friends. Man, cats really are the best. I pat his head lovingly before turning to Jack and offering to order lunch.

Reaching for his phone, he checks the time. “Ahh, I should really get going soon, actually.”

“Oh.” The disappointment gives me away immediately. “Totally, no worries,” I add in an attempt to cover it, standing up off the couch .

“It’s just we’re flying out in a few hours to uh—”

“Vancouver,” I interject. Always a bittersweet trip for my dad. He always talks about how much he loved playing there. It was a good fit for him for quite a few years, but it’s also where he had his last game.

A surprised look crosses his face. “Yeah! How’d you—” he stops himself, physically shaking his head. “Oh, uh, I forgot for a sec.”

Awkwardness ripples as I wait to see which one of us is going to break the silence. Clearly, this is as weird for him as it is for me.

“Can I text you?” he asks, one hand awkwardly rubbing the back of his head as he peers over at me. It’s endearing, almost as if he’s as intimidated as I am at the thought of this. I don’t even know what we’re doing here, but I’m too far deep now to care.

When I nod, he breaks into a full smile, affectionately nuzzling a finger into Bean’s cheek.

“Thanks for letting me chill, buddy. I’ll see you soon,” he says as he heads toward the door.

Following him, I linger back a step while he puts on his shoes. As he turns to me, arching in to plant a kiss on my cheekbone, his scent hits me as his warm lips land on my skin. When the kiss ends, it leaves an emptiness I don’t like. I don’t know why, but I actually feel a tinge of sadness that he’s leaving.

Before walking out, he grabs his phone and types something in quickly, just as mine starts to ring. I pull it out, rolling my eyes when I see the name on the screen.

“Hey, had to just make sure you didn’t block my number or something.”

I laugh, showing him the call notification as proof. With that, he opens the door and it’s back to just me and Bean.