The midday sun falls on my face and my body slowly heats up. My eyelids try to open but the light is too bright. Turning my head slightly, I decide to take a leisurely approach and reintroduce myself to the world. Blinking several times, I decide to keep them closed a little longer. I want to enjoy how my body feels in this moment.

Feeling and listening to my body come to life is amazing. I’m in a state of euphoric bliss. My body aches from the intensity of our lovemaking, a mixture of pleasure and pain. I’m humming with a rejuvenation of life and love.

Love. Jack loves me.

My lips curve up with a grin that I couldn’t even try to hide. I feel like it’s been plastered on my face since he told me. Hearing him say those words makes all the hell we’ve been through worth it. Our paths were different and extremely rocky but we made it to the other side. We are together and it finally feels right.

As I become aware of my whole being, I reach my arm out to touch the wonderful man who made me alive again. There’s no more doubt of what I need emotionally and physically. He made me open myself up to him and I want more. But, most importantly, my soul is ready to live and love. Jack is my everything, my always.

Turning my head back toward him, my hand feels only the sheet. Eyes widening, I lift my head off the pillow. My heart pangs with a sharpness that isn’t welcome. He’s not there. I try not to panic but old memories have a way of resurfacing quickly along with the hurt they bring. My contentedness was short lived.

“What the fuck?” I mumble into the empty space. My hands form into two tight fists and I’m feeling a sudden urge to punch something or someone, preferably Jack. Since he is not currently present, I settle on taking my barrage out on the bed. Several punches and a few choice curse words, I feel a tad less pissed off.

I have no idea what to do next. The only thing I realize is that I need to get the hell out of here. Flinging the blankets off me, I hurriedly get out of bed and throw my clothes on. “Who the hell does he think he is? I’m not some floozy he can whore it up with and leave!”

Just as I put my first shoe on, the door creaks open. My head whips around like the possessed little girl in the Exorcist. Jack looks terrified. I find myself lunging at him with my other heel. “I’m not some girl you can screw and leave! You can’t tell me you love me and then walk out!”

Jack jumps back while I verbally assault him. Of course, Jack the ass begins to laugh at me which only fuels my rage. “Don’t laugh and look so smug. Are you hearing what I’m saying to you? I’m being serious!”

My heel takes a swipe at him, but he reaches for it before it touches him.

“Babe, listen. I had to get up. Ben’s back and he knocked on the door. You were sound asleep and I didn’t want to wake you. Besides, I didn’t think you wanted him to find out about us this way.” My body slackens and my anger dissipates. I feel his other hand touch my face in an attempt to calm me.

“Shit, Jack. I’m so sorry. I panicked when I realized you weren’t here. I saw red and guess I let our past get in the way of us.” Feeling his thumb brushing my cheek warms me. “As incredible as this is, I have to admit I’m scared.”

His body moves in close to me. My heel is pressed in between us but I don’t care. I need to feel him hold me. I allowed myself to jump to the wrong conclusions. My mind took off with all the possible worst case scenarios. “I’m an idiot.”

Jack’s arms stay true as his words soothe me. “Hey, listen, you are not an idiot. If anyone is an idiot here, it’s me.” He kisses my forehead and his act of tenderness softens me. “My track record with this stuff would scare anybody. Let’s just say we are both scared and for the same reason.” His lips touch mine softly and briefly as his hands cup my face. “Let’s try not to let our past define us. No running. I won’t if you won’t.”

My arms hug him tighter and I can feel my heel stabbing me but I don’t care. He said what I needed to hear. “I won’t run, Jack. I will be here. Always.”

Jack pulls back somewhat. “I don’t want to interrupt this moment between us but we do have two slight problems.” My head lifts off his shoulder to listen. “First item, we have to talk about your family.” I nod my head in agreement. “Second item, this heel of yours is stabbing me. Someday soon we will have some fun with your heels, but not today.” He winks at me with a naughty look in his eyes and I immediately get wet.

He takes my heel and throws it to the floor. Without skipping a beat, he lifts me up and walks me back to the bed. His lips find my neck. “Jack…mmmmmm…what are you doing? I thought we had some items to discuss?”

Jack lifts his head off my neck and licks my lips before placing my feet back on the floor. “Baby, that can be discussed later. Right now I have to be inside you. I like angry Jenny. You’re hot when you’re mad.”

My fingernails scratch down his chest and I bite my lip. He has no idea how his words affect me, but I’m about to show him. I turn his body back into the bed before pushing him down on it. Lifting my dress, I climb over him to straddle his face. “Eat me, Jack. Don’t stop until your face is covered in my come.” Those are the last words I say before my moans take over and I ride his body.