Chapter 6 Elyse

A beam of morning sunlight hits me in the eyes, stirring me from a deep slumber. My eyes flutter open, and I'm nestled against a warm, solid presence. Jack's arm is draped over my waist, his steady breathing tickling the back of my neck. For a moment, I allow myself to relish the comfort and security of his embrace.

The tranquil moment shatters as Sam's voice cuts through the air. "Do you want to tell me something?"

I jolt upright, nearly tumbling off the couch in my haste. Jack stirs beside me, his brow wrinkling before he lets out a little snore. Sam stands before us, arms crossed over his broad chest, with an unreadable expression on his face.

Heat rises to my cheeks as I smooth down my sleep-rumpled hair. "It's not what it looks like. We just fell asleep talking last night."

Sam arches an eyebrow, his green eyes flicking between Jack and me. "Is that so?"

I nod emphatically, desperate to dispel any misconceptions. "Nothing happened. I swear."

Sam studies us for a long moment, his gaze probing. Then, without warning, he slugs Jack on his uninjured shoulder. "Get up, sleepyhead. We've got practice in an hour."

Jack grunts and sits up slowly, rubbing his shoulder as he shoots Sam a disgruntled look. "Thanks for the wake-up call, buddy."

I watch their exchange, relief washing over me as I realize Sam seems unperturbed by finding us asleep together. He treats Jack with the same rough camaraderie I've witnessed between them countless times before.

As Jack rises from the couch, stretching his muscular arms above his head, I avert my gaze, heat creeping up my neck. The memory of his lips on mine and his hands tangled in my hair sends a rush of longing through my veins.

Sam clears his throat, drawing my attention back to him. "I'm going to grab a quick shower. You two behave yourselves." He points a finger at us, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

I roll my eyes, tossing a throw pillow at him. "Very funny, Sam."

He catches the pillow with ease, chuckling as he disappears down the hallway. I turn to face Jack, an apology on the tip of my tongue, but the words die in my throat as I meet his intense gaze.

"Elyse…" he says. "About last night…"

I hold up a hand, cutting him off. "It's okay, Jack. We don't have to talk about it right now." I'm not ready to confront the implications of our kiss, let alone the depth of my growing feelings for him.

He searches my face, eyes filled with an emotion I can't quite decipher. After a beat, he nods, "You're right. We should probably get ready for the day."

I murmur my agreement, rising from the couch on slightly unsteady legs. As I make my way toward the guest room, I can feel Jack watching me walk away, sending a tingle down my spine.

Once inside the privacy of my room, I lean against the closed door, heart racing. The events of the previous night replay in my mind. I press my fingertips to my mouth, still feeling the ghost of his kiss. I should be focusing on my internship and gathering information for the lawsuit against the Firebirds, but as I stand there, surrounded by the lingering scent of Jack's cologne, it feels like my priorities are beginning to shift.

With a deep breath, I push away from the door, determined to compartmentalize my feelings. I have a job to do, and I can't let my growing attraction to Jack distract me from my goals.

As I begin to get ready for the day ahead, I vow to maintain a professional distance from Jack, but even as I make the promise to myself, I know it'll be easier said than done. The pull between us is undeniable, and I fear it's only a matter of time before we're drawn together once more.

I hastily shower and dress, aware I've overslept. After throwing on tweed pants and a pretty blouse with a bow at the neck, accompanied by a cardigan, I shove my feet into wedge heels and rush out of the bathroom. "Oh, god." I let out a little shriek at the sight of Jack sitting at the breakfast bar. I clutch my chest. "You scared me."

His lips quirk into a lopsided grin, his gray eyes sparkling with amusement. "Sorry about that. Didn't mean to startle you."

I shake my head, my heart still pounding from the unexpected encounter. "I thought you'd be at practice by now."

"Sam left a while ago." He leans back in his chair, his broad shoulders stretching the fabric of his snug T-shirt. "I wanted to wait for you."

A flush creeps up my neck as I remember last night. I avert my gaze, suddenly self-conscious under his intense stare. "You didn't have to do that."

"I know, but I wanted to."

I glance at him, my breath hitching at the raw longing on his chiseled features. A part of me wants to throw caution to the wind and give in to the undeniable pull between us, but another part, the rational side that's been drilled into me since childhood, whispers warnings about the complications that could arise.

He seems to sense my inner turmoil and rises from his seat, closing the distance between us with a few long strides. His fingers graze my cheek, making me tremble. "About last night…"

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "Jack, I…"

He silences me with a shake of his head, his thumb tracing the curve of my lower lip. "Don't overthink this. Just tell me what you want."

His words ignite a fire within me, burning away my doubts and insecurities. In this moment, all I want is him—his touch, his kiss, and his embrace. I reach up, twisting my fingers in the soft strands of his sandy hair, and pull his mouth down to mine.

The kiss is searing, consuming me from the inside out. His arms encircle my waist, drawing me flush against the hard planes of his body. I lose myself in the heady sensation, my world narrowing to the taste of his lips, the scent of his skin, and the rapid cadence of our mingled breaths.

All too soon, the need for air forces us apart. Jack rests his forehead against mine, his eyes heavy-lidded with desire. "Elyse," he says, his voice rough with emotion. "Go out with me tonight. On a real date."

My heart stutters in my chest at his request. A part of me wants nothing more than to say yes, to explore the depths of this newfound connection between us, but the nagging voice of reason reminds me of the precarious situation I'm in—the lawsuit against the Firebirds, my promise to Dervin Kobin, and the secrecy around both. Secrets aren't conducive to a relationship.

Jack must sense my hesitation because he cups my face in his calloused palms, brushing his thumbs across my cheekbones. "Just one night, Elyse. Let's not worry about anything else."

His words lure me in with the promise of escape from the weight of my responsibilities. I search his eyes, finding only sincerity and a raw vulnerability that tugs at my heart.

In an instant, I decide I can keep my investigation separate from my personal life, at least for one night. I owe it to myself, and to Jack, to explore this spark between us without the burden of expectations or obligations. "Yes," I say, my lips curving into a tentative smile. "I'd love to go out with you tonight."

His answering grin is dazzling, lighting up his entire face. He pulls me into a fierce embrace, brushing his lips against my temple in a tender kiss. "You won't regret this. I promise."

As I melt into his arms, I hope he's right. For tonight, at least, I'll allow myself to be swept away by the intoxicating current of our connection, consequences be damned.

Even as I revel in the warmth of Jack's embrace, a small voice in the back of my mind whispers a warning that this could all lead to heartache and betrayal. I push aside the thought, determined to live in the moment and worry about the future when it comes.

For now, all that matters is the man holding me and the promise of a night where we can be nothing more than two people exploring the depths of their desire. The reality of my situation will come crashing down eventually, but for once, I'm willing to take a risk.

With a deep breath, I pull back from Jack's embrace, offering him a radiant smile. "I should get going. I'm already running late for the office."

Jack nods, his fingers trailing down my arm in a lingering caress. "I'll meet you here at seven?"

The words slip out before I can stop them: "It's a date."