Holidays and Handcuffs (Bringing Home Trouble)

Chapter 5

Emily

I can’t stop thinking about Jack’s words. I can break away from my family’s control and he’s going to make sure of that. It always feels really good to tell someone, to take the burden off my shoulders.

The rest of the drive we talk about everything and anything: his favorite deployments, my hobbies, our favorite food. After a short drive, Jack pulls up to the edge of a cliff overlooking a secluded lake, it’s surface blanketed wit ha thick layer of snow.

“Wow, this place is beautiful.”

Everything looks untouched, serene, like a winter wonderland hidden from the rest of the world. The sky is an endless stretch of dark blue, dotted with stars that seem so close, you could almost reach out and touch them. From where Jack parked, the open sky stretches out for miles, giving us the perfect view of the stars and constellations.

“How did you find this place?” I ask as Jack carefully places the chocolate chip cookies and strawberry donuts on the dash, a mini picnic. He blasts the heat, and I savor the last bit of my hot chocolate.

“I stumbled on it in high school. I used to come here when I needed to clear my head.”

Jack lift the center consol so there’s nothing between us and gestures for me to come closer. I smile and scoot across the seats until I’m snuggled up beside him. I look up to the sky littered with stars. It’s beautiful, peaceful, and for a moment, I can almost forget everything. I bravely rest my head on Jack’s shoulder.

Jack tilts his head back, pointing toward the sky. "See that cluster over there?" His voice is deep and soothing. "That’s Orion. You can tell by the three stars in a row; those are his belt."

I follow his finger, squinting up at the sky. “Orion’s belt,” I repeat softly.

“And just above it,” he continues, "those two bright stars are Betelgeuse and Rigel. They’re massive stars—like, a thousand times bigger than our sun.”

“Wow,” I whisper, in awe at the vastness of it all. “This is... amazing, Jack. I’ve lived here my whole life and never knew this spot existed.”

“Sometimes the best things are hidden,” he says, his voice low, almost intimate. He’s looking at me in a way that makes my stomach flip. I’m suddenly hyper-aware of how close we are, how his arm brushes against mine every time he moves.

I swallow hard, trying to focus on the stars, but it’s no use. I can feel the heat from his body, and it makes my heart race. It’s like an invisible pull, drawing me closer to him, even though we’re already sitting so close.

“You okay?” Jack’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I realize I’ve been quiet for too long.

“Yeah,” I say quickly, my voice a little too high-pitched. “I’m fine. Just... thinking.”

He raises an eyebrow. “About?”

“Well,” I bite my lip, deciding how honest to be. “This place, and how you’re home, and…you.” I trail off, not knowing how to put my very complicated feelings into words. I reach for a cookie and I take a bite trying to distract myself. Jack has his eyes on me.

Jack chuckles softly. “Me, huh? What about me?”

I let out a nervous laugh, feeling like an idiot. “I…” What should I say? I’m so…inexperienced. Jack has been all over the world, has probably been with tons of women while I’ve been here holed up in my apartment with my books and tea. Jack’s hand moves toward me, and his thumb brushes gently across my lower lip, his touch soft but lingering. My breath hitches, and I look up at him.

“Come back to me, Princess.” His dark eyes lock with mine, his thumb lingering for a second longer. His eyes drop to my lips, and they part instinctively.

“Emily.” His voice is low, almost a whisper, and when I look up, he’s leaning in slightly, his eyes locked on mine.

I freeze. Is this... is he going to kiss me? Should I let him? Insecurity squeezes my stomach. I haven’t been kissed in so long. It’ll show. My heart is pounding in my chest, and I feel a nervous flutter in my stomach. I don’t know what to do. I want to move closer to him, but at the same time, I’m scared I’ll mess it up somehow.

And then, Jack makes the decision for both of us as he leans in, closing the small distance between us, and his lips meet mine.

I freeze, my heart pounding so loud I’m sure he can hear it. His lips are soft but firm, and for a split second, I don’t know what to do. My body feels awkward, like it doesn’t know how to respond, but then his hand cradles my face gently. I close my eyes, trying to mimic what I’ve seen in movies, but this feels different, so much more intense, more real.

His lips move against mine slowly, and I follow his lead. I’ve imagined what my first kiss would be like, but nothing could’ve prepared me for this—the way my entire body seems to light up.

My hands, which are awkwardly at my sides, slowly move up, resting lightly on his chest. When he finally pulls back, just enough to rest his forehead against mine, I’m left breathless, my lips tingling from the intensity of it all. I open my eyes, and he’s looking at me intently.

“Kissing you is way better than I had imagined,” he says, his voice raspy.

“You’ve thought about kissing me?”

He chuckles softly, his breath warm against my skin. “More times than I’d like to admit,” he confesses, his eyes locking with mine. “You were always in my mind, even when I wasn’t in Auburn.”

“The night you saved me…from those boys, I thought about almost every day since. No one has ever stood up for me like that.”

A muscle in Jack’s jaw feathers at the memory. “I would never let anything happen to you, Emily. Not then, and not now.” His thumb grazes my lower lip again, sending a shiver down my spine.

I swallow, my throat dry. “I believe you.”

Jack stares down at me for a moment before pulling my face up to kiss him again. His kiss hungrier this time, raw. I didn’t expect it but somehow, I’m able to match the energy, feeling pulled by own my desire.

“I’ve thought about doing more than kiss you after all these years, Princess.”

“L-like what?”

He grins. “I could show you.”

Show me. He wants to show me what he’s been thinking about doing to me. Heat radiates between my legs. I look down and am surprised to see a bulge straining against his pants. I swallow.

“Jack, I—I haven’t ever…”

Jack pulls back and levels me with a stare. “Has no one ever made you come before, Princess?”

I shake my head quickly. Jack pulls me close, his lips pressed against my ear. “Would you like me to be the first?” he whispers.

“Y-yes.”

As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I’m pulled on top of Jack’s lap in one swift movement. I gasp and hold onto his shoulders.

“Jack…”

“Let me take care of you, Princess.”

Jack slips a hand in between us, under my dress and presses his hand against my panties. I suck in a breath.

“You’re soaking wet, baby.”

“Is…is that a good thing?”

Jack grins. “Yes, it means you’re mine.”

Before I can even form my next thought, Jack slides my panties to the side and finds the sensitive bud that pulses under his touch. He circles his finger there until I’m gripping his shoulders, intense pleasure coursing through my body.

“Oh, Jack…” I pant.

“That’s a good girl.”

His fingers move from my clit to my opening, and he slips one inside me. It feels incredible, better than anything I could have imagined. But then, he slips another in, filling me up until my legs are trembling.

“You’re so tight, baby,” he says. Jack begins to move his fingers inside me and I cry out, unable to stop myself from moving my hips against his hand. “That’s right, Princess, ride my hand like a good girl.”

I do what he says, rocking my hips against his hand, his palm pressed firmly against my clit. I’m soaking his hand, but I don’t care and neither does he. He’s watching me like I’m the most beautiful creature he’s ever seen, and that sends an explosion of pleasure through my belly. Jack lifts my sweater dress up to my chest and pulls my bra down until my breasts spill out, bouncing up and down with the movement of body. Jack pulls me close using the fingers inside me and sucks my peaked nipple into his mouth. It’s the best thing I’ve ever felt.

“Jack, I—I’m…”

He moves his hand faster inside me. There’s a buzzing sound inside my head, I feel my inner muscles spasm, and stars explode in my vision as a wave of intense, liquid heat crashes over me. I cling tightly to his chest, riding out the waves of my orgasm.

“Fuck, Princess, you’re so beautiful when you come.” He says his dark gaze locking on mine. I can’t seem to formulate any words as I’m still breathless. That was incredible. “I want to be inside you so badly,” he murmurs, his voice thick with desire, “but not here, you belong in my bed.”

A soft moan escapes my lips as he gently pulls my panties back into place, his touch both tender and restrained. Jack carefully puts me back down on the seat, tucking me into his side.

As Jack starts the car and pulls away from the lake, his hand finds its way to my thigh, fingers slowly teasing the fabric of my dress higher. Heat floods my body with every inch he inches upward.

I had no idea a simple touch can generate so much fire. I feel like I’m about to explode as his thumb finds my clit. I’m a soaking mess and I should be embarrassed but I’m not. Instead, I part my legs wider, gently rocking his fingers and throwing my head against the headrest.

I can feel another release coming as it overtakes my whole body. I squeeze my eyes shut as an onslaught of pleasure crashes through me.

When I manage to open my eyes, I notice the car isn’t moving anymore, I turn to Jack and he’s staring at me. “We’re here,” he says with a lopsided grin. I turn to see we are parked in front of an apartment.

Jack smirks as he gets down from the car and opens my door. My legs feel like jelly and I doubt if I will be able to walk but when he asks, “sure you can walk?” I respond with a nod and the best confident smile I can muster.

His apartment is nestled in a quiet neighborhood. As I take my first steps, my legs wobble, Jack lets out a low grunt and before I know it, I’m lifted off the ground bridal style like I weigh nothing.

“How are you so strong?” I murmur, resting my head on his chest.

Jack chuckles, the rumble vibrating against me. “Trust me, Princess, you’re my warm up weight,” he says as he effortlessly carries me to the door.

Inside the apartment is warm, there’s a large, undecorated Christmas tree in the corner, still bare except for a few string lights hanging loosely. A fire place. The furniture is simple and masculine, dark leather couches, a low coffee table with a couple of stray magazines, and a flat-screen mounted on the wall.

He lowers me gently onto the couch, his eyes never leaving mine. He gives a peck on my lips before walking toward the open-area kitchen.

“You need something to drink?” he asks, opening the cabinet and pulling out a glass.

I shake my head, still breathless. “No, I’m fine. Your place is... nice,” I manage to say, trying to focus on anything but the heat still lingering between us.

“Thanks,” Jack says, glancing over at the bare Christmas tree. “I haven’t had the chance to decorate it, and at this point, I probably won’t. Christmas is only a few hours away.”

I raise an eyebrow. “I’m surprised you even have a tree, considering you just moved back.”

He chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, it wasn’t my idea. My neighbor had it delivered the day after I moved in. She insisted it’s bad luck to celebrate Christmas without a tree.”

My stomach tightens, and I try not to let the sudden flare of jealousy show on my face. His neighbor? A woman going out of her way to make sure he has a tree? Is she young? Does she like him? My mind spirals with unnecessary questions

There’s a brief silence, broken only by the sound of water filling the glass. Jack walks back over to me, handing me the water with a soft smile. I take it, and gulp it down quickly not realizing how thirsty I was.

Jack narrows his eyes at me, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. “Are you jealous?”

I scoff, my pulse quickening as I avoid his gaze. “No,” I lie, trying to sound nonchalant.

He tilts his head, clearly not buying it. “Mhm, right. Well, for the record, Mrs. Smith is no match for you, not that there’s a competition because I only have eyes for you.”

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Mrs. Smith? She’s married?”

Jack grins, leaning in a little closer as he takes the glass from me and place it on the coffee table. “So,” he drawls, his eyes twinkling with amusement, “you were jealous.”

I shake my head quickly, a nervous laugh escaping me. “I wasn’t—”

He pulls me off the couch. “You’re such a bad liar, you know that?”

“Well,” I say, trying to keep my tone light as my eyes dart to the Christmas tree, "at least you have a tree, even if it’s undecorated. Better than nothing, right?”

Jack smirks, his eyes locking onto mine. “Yeah, I guess. But if I had a choice, I’d rather focus on decorating something else tonight.” His gaze darkens and I swallow hard my breath hitching.

He pulls me off the couch and wraps his hand around the back of my neck and crushes his lips against mine. He slides his hands down my sides and settles them on my hips and I suddenly feel conscious of how large they are, but that feeling immediately disappears when his lips move to my bare neck.

Tingles rush through my whole body. How is he able to take me from a zero to a hundred with only a touch? Placing my hands on his broad shoulders, I kiss him back, following his lead as he brings his lips back to mine.

He makes a throaty groan when his hands move higher and cup my breasts, the sound is so sexy, I feel heat rushing between my legs.

Without breaking the kiss, he lifts me off the ground effortlessly, and I instinctively wrap my legs around him. When we reach the bedroom, he sets me down gently, and my feet feel unsteady beneath me. This is it.

I take a deep breath, my heart racing as I gather the courage to say it. “Will it hurt?”

His gaze darkens, and a low growl escapes his throat. His hand cups my cheek. “Only for a second, baby.”

The way he says it, with so much care and promise, makes my heart swell. As Jack’s hands move to the hem of my dress, he slowly pulls it up and over my head, leaving me standing in just my bra and panties.

The cool air brushes against my skin, but it’s the sudden wave of insecurity that hits me hardest. My hands instinctively move to cover myself, shame creeping in as I hear the echo of my mother’s voice. Your hips are too wide, your breasts are too big—

Before I can fully hide, Jack’s hands gently catch my wrists, stopping me. His gaze softens, his thumb tracing soothing circles on my skin.

“Hey,” he whispers, his voice low and firm, “You don’t have to hide from me, Princess.”

I bite my lip, my eyes flickering away in embarrassment, but Jack steps closer, tilting my chin up to meet his eyes.

“Look at me,” he says softly. “You’re perfect. Every inch of you is beautiful. Just looking at you makes me fucking lose control.”

His words are sincere, but it’s the way he says them, like he’s in awe of me that makes my heart pound. He leans down, brushing his lips over my shoulder, his breath warm against my skin.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he murmurs.

Then, slowly, he starts placing soft, tender kisses along my collarbone, my chest, down my stomach. His lips linger on every inch of skin I once felt self-conscious about, but in this moment, with him, I feel cherished.

“Perfect,” he whispers again, his mouth leaving a trail of warmth as he kisses his way up to my neck. My body responds to him in ways I never thought possible.

Jack’s hands move with steady purpose as he peels off the rest of my clothing, his eyes never leaving mine. The last piece of fabric falls away, leaving me bare before him, and I feel exposed yet safe under the weight of his gaze.

With a gentle nudge, he guides me back to the queen-sized bed, the cool sheets brushing against my heated skin as I lie down.

I watch as he stands at the edge of the bed, slowly unbuttoning his shirt. My breath catches in my throat as I watch him, his body unfolding before me with every piece of clothing he sheds. His muscles flex under the soft light, and when he steps out of his pants, revealing all of him, my eyes widen in surprise. He’s... big, bigger than I imagined.

A nervous flutter dances in my stomach, and I bite down on my lip. Will it fit? Jack’s eyes meet mine, and a knowing smirk plays at the corner of his lips as if he can read my mind as he climbs onto the bed. His lips capture mine again, tender but hungry, and as his hand trails down my body.

He pulls back slightly, his gaze locking with mine as he reaches over to the bedside drawer and pulls out a condom. With practiced ease, he tears it open and sheaths himself, never once breaking eye contact.

“Fuck, I love this,” he groans as he fills his both hands with my breasts, flicking his thumb over my nipple in a way that causes sparks of pleasure to travel all the way down to my clit.

I writhe underneath him, wanting more. He sits up and trails his hand over my chest down to my center his finger sliding inside my pussy, gathers my wetness and spreads it on my clit.

“Jack…”

“Fuck, Baby, you are so gorgeous.”

“Jack, please…”

“You want me inside you, Princess?”

“Yes…” I manage to breathe.

He groans and wraps his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me down to crush our lips together. His tongue invades my mouth at the same time that his cock nudges inside. My eyes go wide. I’m drenched, but he still stretches me with every inch he squeezes in.

I think he gets in about halfway and my gasps soon turn into whimpers. I press my palm against his chest and he slows down.

His eyes are so darkened with lust they look nearly black. I can feel his chest rise and fall with harsh breaths. “Breathe through it, Princess. You’re doing so well.”

“I don’t know if I can do it,” I manage to say as it feels like I’m about to burst at the seams.

“You can, Princess, just breathe.”

I release a harsh breath and lift my hips as he goes all the way in. I let out a cry as he breaks through my barrier, already stretched from his fingers. He cups my cheek and pauses.

“You okay?”

I nod.

“Let me know if you need me to take it easy,” he groans.

“Okay.”

And then he pulls out and rams into me and I see stars. His cock fills me completely, the pain is immediately replaced with pleasure. It feels so good, sending sensation through my whole body.

I’m about to have another orgasm and it feels so intense. My neutral circuits go haywire. I scream as it tears through me, violent and all consuming.