“Oh yes, educating children is very important. They’re our future,” she whispered, her lips parting. “Do you, um, think it should be, uh…”
“Yeah.” Jack shoved the basket aside. It slid to the floor forgotten, the contents spilling. With his fingers tangled in her hair, he scooted across the seat and his lips whispered against hers.
He inhaled deeply, breathing her in. The faint tinge of lemon and pine swirled around her. Beneath it, her scent filled his head, hanging about them like a veil. Staring into her eyes, he trailed his fingers down her face, tracing her eyebrows, her nose. His thumb lingered over her bottom lip. He groaned when her tongue darted out to lick at the digit.
He slid his hand down and pulled her closer, his palm easing down her back. Fingers crept over the curve of her ass. Tangled in the fabric, he tugged, pulling it down and bearing her skin. With a moan of growing pleasure, his other hand came up to grab her around the waist. A quick lift and tug and she straddled his lap. He locked his arms around her and stared into her eyes. “I’ve never wanted anyone this way, baby.” The flare of lust in her eyes overwhelmed any hint of doubt.
Tilting his head, he closed the minute gap, his lips pressed against hers. Slowly, he dipped his tongue into her mouth, traced over her teeth, her tongue. Their tongues dueled as they thrust back and forth. Her ragged breathing filled his head, her hands creeping up his chest. Fingers tangled in the hair at his nape, each slow glide against his skin raced to his cock.
Lust throbbed through the shaft, pulsing with life. He dropped a hand to his lap, his palm cupping his erection. Jack slid his hand up and down the shaft and groaned in pleasure. A moment passed before he jumped, pulling back to stare at Gillian. Face flushed, lips parted, she offered a small, timid smile as her hand crept up his leg.
“God, baby, hang on.” He grabbed her hand, pressed it deeper into the hard muscles of his leg, her fingers teasing his cock with a slow, sweet glide. “No, we need to take it slower. I want you. I’m hard as a rock, but we need to slow down.”
“It’s okay if you…”
Jack sighed, his forehead pressing against hers. The harsh ragged sound of his breathing filled the cab. He closed his eyes and prayed for control. Heavy lust raged through his body, making the idea of stopping less than appealing. Longing to just lay her down on the bench seat, he heaved a deep breath. “Everything in me says to let go, to let this happen, but I can’t. God, Gillian, slap me or something. Baby, we can’t. If we’re doing this, we’re going to do it right.”
“But…”
He caught her hand on his leg and locked his fingers with hers before pressing a kiss to her palm. His tongue skirted across the soft sweaty flesh, noting her shudder. “Gillian, I don’t want a quick tumble. I want you.”
“But…”
Jack eased his hand from beneath her shirt and smoothed the fabric down. He pressed a kiss to her lips and leaned back. “No, I’m not looking for a quickie in my truck, Gilli.”
Gillian frowned, doubt clouding her eyes for a moment before shame darkened them. She turned away and bent to pick up the basket, her chin on the dash. “I’m sorry.” Her pitiful whisper struck like a fist. “I admit I don’t—”
“Gillian…” Jack groaned at the drag of denim on his cock. “This has nothing to do with experience. I want you begging, I want to take my time when we make love again. I want to see you come apart. When the time comes, I want to come with you.”
Gillian chewed on her lip for a moment as she seemed to ponder his statement. His throat tightened with emotion when she nodded, her gaze skittering to him before he looked out of the cab. “I get it, I think.”
“Do you? This isn’t me trying to lead you on. This is me trying to be the good guy. I want this to be good between us. I want…”
“I get it.” Gillian stared at her hands folded in her lap, her voice tight.
“Good.” Jack tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The simple touch heated his blood. Already he could feel the regret building, the desire to claim her pushing at his self-control. “Come on, we should head home. I don’t want to be late getting out to see my mom. Sooner I get there, sooner I can get home.”
The drive back to her apartment was quiet. Gillian stared out the window, her brows puckered, a look of concentration on her face. Periodically, she’d reach up to push her glasses higher, her tongue moistening her lips, but she kept her thoughts to herself. Turning into the drive, Jack heard her low, tortured groan.
“What?”
“What is she doing here?” Gillian’s demeanor changed in the blink of an eye. Her knees came up to her chest, her teeth worried her bottom lip, and her fingers tangled in the hem of her shirt.
“Who?”
“My mother.” Gillian’s sigh filled the cab. “Damn woman won’t take no for an answer.”
Jack stared at the black BMW parked next to Gillian’s battered car with mixed emotions. From Gillian’s reaction, he didn’t think there was anything positive about her mother’s visit. He parked beside the flashy new car, his gaze darting from the luxury car to Gillian’s face. “Do you want me to stick around?”
“No, it’s fine.” Gillian offered him a small smile. A sort of unwanted acceptance in her gaze. “She’s not going to go away. It’s best if I deal with this on my own. Thanks for the picnic, it was nice.”
Jack caught her arm as she opened the cab door. “Can I see you again?”
Gillian smiled, her hand coming up to pat his.
