Chapter 7 Jack

E lyse and I decide on a nice Italian place downtown for dinner. The atmosphere is romantic, with soft lighting and candles flickering on each table.

"This place is beautiful," she says, looking around with an appreciative smile. "How'd you find it?"

I shrug one shoulder. "Just stumbled across it one night after a game. The team was celebrating, but I wasn't really in the mood for a wild party."

Her olive-green eyes study me curiously. "Why not? Don't hockey players love to go out and let loose after a big win?"

"Sure, some guys do." I take a sip of my wine, pondering how much to reveal. "I used to be more into that scene, but…" I trail off as memories of my disastrous relationship with Karina resurface.

She seems to sense my hesitation and reaches across the table, placing her soft hand over mine. "You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to, Jack. I'm just happy to be here with you tonight."

The gentle understanding in her gaze makes me want to open up in a way I haven't with anyone in years. "My ex, Karina…things didn't end well between us. She made celebrating tough for a while after the breakup."

Elyse's brow furrows. "What happened?"

I let out a rueful chuckle. "The story of my life with Karina? Grab a drink because it's a long one."

She leans back, folding her hands on the table. "I'm all ears."

Taking a fortifying breath, I begin. "Karina and I met in college back in Michigan…"

The words start pouring out, and I recount the whole sordid tale—how Karina and I had been the quintessential college sweethearts, how I'd been blindly in love and oblivious to her wandering eye until it was too late. "I came home early from a road trip one night to surprise her," I say, my voice hardening at the memory. "Found her in our bed with some guy from my team."

Elyse's eyes widen in shock. "Oh, Jack, I'm so sorry…"

I wave off her sympathy. "It was a long time ago. The real nightmare came after I ended things. Karina just wouldn't let go. She became obsessed, started showing up everywhere, and harassing any woman I so much as looked at." Shaking my head, I stare down at my hands. "It got to the point where I just…stopped trying to date, you know? Wasn't worth the hassle of her losing it every time."

Silence falls between us for a heavy moment. When I finally meet her gaze again, her eyes are shining with unshed tears. "That's awful. No wonder you've been so guarded."

I attempt a casual shrug, but it feels forced even to me. "It is what it is. I'm over it now." Am I, though? A small part of me wonders since this date with Elyse is my first real one in more than two years.

She seems to pick up on my uncertainty and surprises me by standing to move to my side of the table and sliding into the booth next to me. "You may be over Karina," she says, taking my hand again, "But you're still hurting from what she put you through. It's okay to admit that."

Her words and tender touch unleash an aching vulnerability inside me that I've suppressed for far too long. I turn to face her, our bodies just inches apart. "You're right," I say roughly. "I am hurting. Karina broke something in me and made me afraid to really let anyone in again."

Elyse holds my gaze steadily. "But you want to? Let someone in, I mean?"

My eyes drop to her full, pink lips. "More than anything," I say in a low rasp.

She tilts her head a fraction of an inch. "Then let me in."

My breath catches as I close the distance between us, capturing her lips in a kiss. She melts against me with a soft moan, sliding her fingers into my hair as the kiss deepens.

We're both breathing heavily when we finally part at the sight of our returning waiter heading towards us. Her cheeks are flushed, and her lips are swollen from my kisses. She's never looked more beautiful.

"Wow," she whispers, dazed. "That was…"

"Yeah," I say hoarsely. I clear my throat. "You, uh, want to get out of here?"

She bites her lower lip, nodding. "Definitely."

We quickly pay the check and make our way outside, my arm looped possessively around her waist. As we walk toward my car, a flash of blonde hair across the street catches my eye. My heart stutters in my chest as I make out the familiar, petite figure of Karina Musgrave, my ex. She's staring right at me, her icy eyes glittering with malice.

"Jack?" Elyse's concerned words break through my daze. "What's wrong?"

I shake my head, forcing myself to look away from Karina's hateful glare. "Nothing. Just…thought I saw someone I knew."

Elyse follows my gaze, but Karina has already melted back into the crowd. She frowns, unconvinced, but doesn't press me further.

We make it back to my place in tense silence. As soon as we're through the door, she whirls on me, hands on her hips. "Okay, spill. Who was that woman you saw? And don't try to brush me off again."

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Not a chance." Her jaw sets in that mulish way I'm quickly learning means she's digging in her heels.

Resigning myself, I gesture for her to sit on the couch. Once we're settled, I meet her eyes squarely. "That was Karina. My ex, the one I told you about earlier."

Elyse's expression morphs into one of dismayed understanding. "The one who cheated on you and then stalked you for years?"

I nod grimly. "The very same."

"Oh, Jack…" She reaches for my hand, squeezing it sympathetically. "I'm so sorry you had to see her again, especially tonight. That must have brought up a lot of awful memories."

"It did," I say roughly. "But you know what? I'm done letting her haunt me. Karina's in the past, and you're my present, Elyse." I draw her into my arms for a heated kiss.

When we break apart, she's breathless, her eyes shining with desire. "Jack, I—"

Whatever she was going to say is lost as I capture her mouth in another kiss, pulling her onto my lap so that she's straddling me. I run my hands over her body, exploring every curve and dip, committing them to memory. She moans softly, grinding against me, and my cock hardens instantly.

I reach for the hem of her dress, tugging it upward until her breasts are exposed. I cup them, teasing her nipples with my thumbs, and she gasps, arching into my touch.

"We should go to your room," she says. "I don't want my brother to see us here on the couch."

I laugh, imagining my chin meeting Sam's meaty fist. "Good point. Let's move this party to the bedroom."

I stand, lifting her easily, and she wraps her legs around my waist. I carry her to my room, kicking the door shut behind us. Once inside, I set her down on the bed and step back to admire her.

She looks like a goddess, her black hair tousled, and her cheeks flushed with arousal. Her dress has slid up and is bunched around her waist, revealing her lacy black panties. I can see the outline of her pussy lips through the thin fabric, and my cock strains against my pants, desperate to be buried inside her.

I strip off my clothes, tossing them aside, and she does the same, removing her dress and panties. I take a moment to appreciate the sight of her naked body, admiring her full breasts, toned thighs, and smooth skin. I've never seen anyone more beautiful.

I push her gently back onto the bed and climb on top of her, kissing her deeply. She responds eagerly, wrapping her arms around my neck and tangling her fingers in my hair. I trail kisses along her jawline and down her neck, pausing to suck on the sensitive spot just below her ear. She moans, arching her back and pressing her hips against mine.

I continue my exploration of her body, moving lower and lower until I reach her breasts. I tease her nipples with my tongue, swirling and flicking, and she writhes beneath me, her breathing ragged. She's so responsive, and it drives me wild.

I slide my hand between her legs, finding her wet and ready for me. I stroke her clit, and she cries out, bucking against my hand. I insert a finger into her tight pussy, and she clenches around me, her inner walls pulsing with need. Suddenly remembering she's ten years younger than me, I pause to ask, "You've done this before, right?"

She stares at me for a minute before laughing. "Yeah, though it wasn't all that great. I'm hoping you'll change that."

With a growl, I push my finger deeper inside her. "Challenge accepted."

I add a second finger, stretching her, and she whimpers as I pump them in and out of her. My mouth waters at the thought of tasting her, and I slide down her body, positioning myself between her legs. I inhale her sweet scent, and my cock throbs with anticipation.

She spreads her legs wider, and I bury my face in her pussy, licking and sucking her clit. She tastes like heaven, and I devour her, savoring every drop of her sweet juices. She grips the sheets, head thrown back in ecstasy as I feast on her dripping pussy.

"Oh, god, Jack." She gasps, rocking her hips against my mouth. "That feels so good."

I continue my assault on her clit, alternating between licking and sucking, and she shudders, her orgasm building. I slip two fingers into her again, fucking her with my hand as I tongue her clit. She screams, her pussy clenching around my fingers as she comes hard, trembling with pleasure.

I lap up her release, cock aching to be buried deep inside her. I can't wait any longer and fumble in the bedside drawer for a condom. I roll it on and position myself at her entrance, teasing her with my cock. She's so wet and ready, and I slowly push into her, groaning as her tight pussy envelops me.

She wraps her legs around my waist, pulling me closer, and I begin to move, thrusting in and out of her. She meets me thrust for thrust, digging her nails into my back as she urges me on.

The room is filled with the sounds of our moans as we fuck each other senseless. The base of my spine tingles as my balls tighten, and I'm close. I reach between us, rubbing her clit as I pound into her, and she shatters, her pussy clamping down on my cock as she comes.

Her orgasm triggers my own, and I explode, filling the condom while she milks me dry. I collapse on top of her, spent and sated, and she holds me closer, her heartbeat pounding against my chest.

As the haze of pleasure lifts, one thought runs through my head: my fake girlfriend feels pretty real right now.