The Engagement Game (Engaged to a Billionaire) (12 page)

I flail my arms but he has me pinned against the wall.
 
He shifts his weight so I can't even move my legs.
 
I feel disgustingly helpless.

"Kat-"
 
The door flies open and Jack stops mid sentence.
 
I see a glimpse of his face and his cheeks turn fiery red.
 
He grabs Dr. P by the shoulders and yanks him back with colossal force.
 
My arms are still shaky.
 
I feel like a whirlwind is scrambling all the thoughts in my head.
 
I almost feel dizzy enough to drop to the floor.
 
Anything to forget.

"Back off-"
 
But Dr. P wasn't conscious to finish his warning.
 
Jack's fist zooms at his face.
 
I hear a gurgling noise - the sound of his skin smashing against the muscles in his face.

"Follow me," Jack calmly grabs my quivering hand and pulls me from my nightmare.
 
I'm speechless but Jack doesn't ask questions.
 
He walks me outside and to the parking lot.
 
I'm in a daze, still trying to make sense of what had happened.
 
I replay every second of it in my head.
 
It makes me livid every time.
 
All I want to know is why?
 
"Watch your head."
 
Jack opens the door to his Camaro and helps me into the passenger's seat.
 
"You want me to take you home?"
 
I slowly shake my head.
 
"Your parent's house?"
 
Definitely not.
 
I shake my head again.
 
"Tell me where then?"

"I just want to . . . sleep or something," I finally answer.

"Okay," Jack agrees.
 
He starts driving and I'm still struggling to cope.
 
I don't know whether to cry or scream.
 
I blush, embarrassed that Jack had to see me like that.
 
So helpless.

"I . . . he-"

"Take your time," Jack interrupts.
 
"You don't have to explain unless you want to."
 
He turns down another street I don't recognize.

"Thanks," I mutter.
 
I hold in tears.
 
Jack parks in front of a brick townhouse with a peach tree out front.
 
"Where are we?"
 
He grins.

"My place."
 
He helps me out of the passenger's seat.
 
I stumble along the sidewalk, staring at my feet.
 
I just wanted to be in a closed room.
 
By myself.
 
I needed to be alone.

"It's . . ."
 
It wasn't a messy bachelor pad with toilet paper hanging from the trees.

"Easy."
 
He leads me to the front door and opens it, revealing even more surprises.
 
Two words described the condition of his place.
 
Simple and clean.
 
There wasn't much color.
 
No fancy decor.
 
No impressive sculptures or art pieces like Rex's flat.
 
Instead the living area had two navy couches, a TV, and sliding glass doors that showcased a fenced yard with more peach trees.
 
I stare down at the floor.

"I thought you said you lived alone," I comment.

"I do."
 
A bushy gray dog walks up to him and sits.
 
"Good girl, Nikki.
 
Let's show Kat to the guest room."
 
Jack gestures towards the stairs.
 
"You said you wanted to sleep?
 
It's quiet up there."
 

For once I could breathe.
 
I rub the side of my sweaty face, my mind taking me to dark places.
 
Nothing was going right.
 
I was a terrible person and this was my punishment.
 
Rex probably just felt sorry for me after what had happened.
 
Or maybe he just wanted a quick piece of action.
 
Either way I was a fool.
 
I clutch my sides, feeling like my stomach was about to do a somersault and spill all of its contents on the floor.

"Um . . . I'll just . . . stay down here.
 
I don't want to be alone with my thoughts."

"Sure."
 
Jack nods like it's no big deal.
 
He flips on the television and let's Nikki outside.
 
I sit on the couch, hoping to get lost in some reality TV.
 
"Something to drink?"

"Something strong."

We spent the next few hours drinking and watching reality game shows.
 
Well
I
was drinking.
 
And in the process of trying to forget, I'd helped myself to Jack's end of the couch.
 
I felt safe at his side.
 
His muscled arm was around my shoulders, holding me close to him.
 
The heat leaving his skin made me comfortable enough to lightly doze.
 
But sleep would only bring on Sunday.
 
One day closer to my work week.
 
I didn't know if I could handle passing Dr. P in the hallway.
 
How was I supposed to act and would he even remember what he'd tried to do?

"Pops and I used to watch this a lot," Jack smiles, pointing at the screen.
 
I scoot closer to his rising chest.
 
He continues the conversation, avoiding the obvious.
 
But I knew he liked holding me.
 
I could feel it.

"Earl?
 
The Bachelor
?
 
I don't believe it."

"Only so he could pinpoint everything wrong with all the contestants," he chuckles.

"Okay," I giggle.
 
My head is buzzing.
 
"I believe you now."

"No really.
 
He told me all the reasons why these girls weren't in serious relationships already."

"So he's a psychologist too," I joke.
 
I rest my head on Jack's chest, afraid of time passing too quickly.

"He's
everything
."

"Did he analyze you?"

"What do you mean?"
 
Jack takes another sip of his drink.

"You know," I go on.
 
"Like why
you're
not in a serious relationship?"

"You don't want to hear that," he replies.

"I'm pretty sure I do."
 
I take my millionth sip of wine.
 
I'd already gone past my limit, though Jack cut me off once already.
 
I guess the fit I threw was enough for him to pour me one last glass.
 
"Is it the scruff?"
 
I reach up and rub his chin.

"Why is that such a big deal?"

"What did he say?" I blurt out.
 
I turn towards him so our mouths are facing each other.
 
My eyes lock onto his and can't rip away.

"He said I was too distant."
 
His expression is soft again.
 
A look that contrasted with the sharpness of his nose and jaw.
 
But it made him look sincere.
 
"He said it was because I had a problem opening up to people."

"Not me," I say quietly.

"I know."
 
His hand lightly massages the back of my head, moving through each strand of caramel hair like they were strands of fine gold.
 
I meant something to him, and after tonight
he
meant something to me.

Lost in each other's gaze, I lean even closer.
 
The rest of the world is absent from my thoughts.
 
My head buzzes again, sending me head first into a vision of Jack and I together.
 
I can't object.
 
I have no strength to remove myself this couch.
 
I think back to the moment we'd first met.
 
My heart drums as I remember my initial attraction to him.

Jack tightens his grip, moving his hands to my waist and my back.
 
I feel my muscles relax and press into his.
 
Jack waits for my approval before he kisses me.
 
I rub my finger on his stubbled cheek.
 
His chest flexes and he kisses me.
 
He starts off slow, nibbling the corners of my mouth.
 
Then he enjoys the full plumpness of my lips.
 
Our tongues intertwine, exploring the unknown.
 
He gently reclines, taking me with him until we're lying flat on the couch.

The thrill of his body against mine brings my blood to a boil.
 
Heats simmers slowly throughout my limbs, creating pleasurable tingles that finally reach my thighs.
 
Jack's hand moves to my stomach.
 
He gently rubs the skin on my abs, kissing firmer until his mouth moves to my neck.
 
I tilt my head back and close my eyes, breathing heavily.
 
I open my mouth and let whatever noise I feel fit escape.
 
Our rhythmic movements make me feel alive.

Chapter Eight

My eyes open in a bed with cotton sheets.
 
Navy blue.
 
My
sheets aren't navy blue, and my bed doesn't face an open window.
 
Sunlight pours into the room, adding to my pounding headache.
 
I wrack my brain trying to remember what had happened last night.
 
I vaguely remember the horror story courtesy of Dr. Perv.
 
I rub my head, smoothing the blanket around me and the realization hits.
 

This wasn't my
room.

These weren't my sheets.
 
This wasn't my bed.
 
I roll over and all my questions are answered.
 
Jack is next to me.
 
Shirtless.
 
His muscles look like they've been chiseled into a tan block of clay.
 
His chest slowly rises and though his eyes are closed, his heavy arm is closed around me.
 
Oh no!

It's like a scene from a movie.
 
Classic.
 
I quietly try to crawl out from under Jack's arm.
 
My jeans are on the floor.
 
My head pounds as I wiggle out of his hold.
 
I step onto the floor and grab my jeans.

"Hey," he softly opens his eyes.
 
I freeze.
 
"Where you going?"
 
I turn to him, scared to ask him what went on between us.
 
The memories are fuzzy and I'm praying the scene before me isn't what it looked like.

"Home?"

"Before breakfast?"

Crap.
 
The breakfast line.
 
I
did
sleep with him!

"Yes?"
 
I stall for time.

"Is that a question?"
 
He sits up, his full torso in view with a swirly tattoo that covered his shoulder.
 
His eyes seem to yearn for mine.
 
"Come back to bed.
 
I'll make us something."
 
The tone of his voices tempts me.
 
My body wants to climb back into his embrace but my head is sounding the alarm.
 
What are you doing?
 
Rex is the one!
 
Not Jack!

"I'm not hungry."
 
I hurriedly dress myself and ignore the look of disappointment on his face.
 
"Did we?"
 
My head feels like it's being pricked with tiny needles.
 
Jack grins.
 
No!
 
We couldn't have!
 
And if we did, why the hell didn't I remember?
 
That was a memory I'd like to evaluate.

"No," he answers.
 
Relief.

"Oh."

"You don't remember?" he asks.
 
I dig deeper and the image of Jack kissing me sends my heart into irregular beats.
 
But was that a dream or was it real?

"No," I lie.
 
"I just remember the party and . . ."
 
The pain returns.
 
I'm no longer numbed from the agony that had taken place.
 
A scare that would rip open every time I walked down the halls of Harrison Memorial.

"Yeah," he hangs his head as if he understands.
 
And strangely, I feel like he does.
 
"That was unfortunate and most importantly, not your fault."

"Jack, what you did . . ."
 
I swallow hard.
 
"Thank you."
 
He nods.

"A second thank you?
 
I'm flattered."
 
His light-heartedness helps me brush aside the bruising.

"What do I do at work tomorrow?" I blurt out.
 
It was the first thing I thought about.

"You report him."

"I can't do that," I disagree.
 
So everyone in the hospital could know what happened?
 
So perv boy could make my life a living hell or conveniently get me fired?

"Why not?"

"It'll cause too many problems."
 
I turn my head, blushing again.
 
I still feel embarrassed that Jack had to see me at a low.
 
Wide-eyed and screaming with no control of the situation.
 
I should've been smarter.
 
More alert.

"Nah."
 
He stands up, flexing his core.
 
My cheeks go from pink to scarlet.
 
"That bastard deserves to be fired."

"And let's hope he doesn't try to sue you for what you did to his face."

"He'd have to remember me first," he chuckles.
 
"Kat, he was plastered.
 
I doubt he'll even remember what he did.
 
But you should still report him."

"I'll think about it."
 
I only say it to make him happy.
 
"But I gotta go."

"Why?"

My head spins trying to think up an excuse.
 
I couldn't stay.
 
I had to get it together . . . somewhere else.
 
"I have errands to run and . . . I'm supposed to be to my parent's for lunch."
 
That was sort of true.
 
I
could
call them and arrange it.
 
I hadn't talked to Leah since Jenna's engagement party.

"Of course."
 
He doesn't protest as I grab my things and run for the exit like a crazy person.
 
But then I realize.

"Where's my car?"

*          *          *

My drive home with Jack was awkward but not as awkward as being back at work after mysteriously disappearing on Saturday.
 
Sadie rushes down the hall.
 
The look on her face tempts me to turn around and run.

"What happened to you?"
 
She grabs the side of my arm so I can't escape.

"I uh . . . had to leave."

"You missed an epic titanic scene.
 
Dr. Saxten totally iceburged."
 
Her red locks fly across her face as she looks around to make sure no one was eavesdropping.

"Sadie, what does that even mean?"

"It means he's splitso."
 
She looks around a second time.
 
"He's gone."

"Gone where?"
 
My heart leaps.

"After you left, he made a fool of himself.
 
And in a drunken rage he totally grabbed Mrs. Nelson's assets!
 
Mrs. Nelson.
 
As in the
Nelson
pediatric wing?"

"So he's?"
 
I feel like yelling through a megaphone.

"Been forced into a leave of absence until he can see a shrink about it."

"Wow."
 
Suddenly things were looking up, and I didn't have to look into the face of my tormentor today.
 
Maybe never again.

"Yeah wow," Sadie giggles.
 
"Now tell me about you and Jack.
 
Was he the one whose house you were stuck naked in?"

"Sadie," I hush.
 
"Keep your voice down."

"I wouldn't have to ask except you always leave me out of the loop.
 
I feel like a Jonas Brother without skinny jeans."

"Okay," I laugh.
 
"I get the picture and it's freaky."

"See what I mean."

"It wasn't Jack," I admit.
 
"I was at Rex's place."
 
Her eyes open wider.

"You little-"

"Please don't say hussy."
 
I was feeling bad enough that I'd promised myself to Rex.
 
I'd gone further with Jack than I should have.
 
"Jack and I just talked."
 
I'd been lying a lot the past week."

"And . . ."
 
Sadie knew I was holding back.
 
She raises her eyebrows, waiting for the rest.

"I fell asleep in his bed.
 
That's all."
 
I see the wheels turning in her brain.
 
Her face lights up.
 
"That's all!"
 
I turn the opposite direction.
 
"I need to go check on Earl."
 
Sadie shrugs and let's me go.
 
I take a few calming breaths as I wander to Earl's new room.
 
He was in critical condition and no longer on in my assigned section.
 
I push open the door, relieved that I don't have to face Jack too.
 
The room is empty except for an occupied hospital bed.

Earl has even more monitors at his side.
 
The excessive tubes were probably driving him nuts.
 
He smiles when he sees me but he can hardly turn his head.
 
His skin is pale and his collar bones protrude through his gown.

"Kat."
 
My heart sinks when I hear his raspy voice force itself to speak.

"Well look at you," I say, upbeat.
 
"You're lookin' good."

"How many times have you lied today?"
 
His look was smug.
 
Um a lot.

"I came to see how they're treating you over here," I continue.
 
It breaks my heart to see him this way.

"Well," he forces himself to say.
 
"They don't sneak me Junior Mints from the cafeteria."
 
I shrug.

"What's the matta?"

"Nothing," I reply, amazed at how well he could read me.

"You're face tells me otherwise."

I walk closer to his side, letting him squeeze my hand.
 
His skin is dry and his hair is thinning.

"It's been an interesting week."
 
That's the only way I could describe it.

"You're telling me," he says slowly.
 
"Is my boy minding his manners?"

"Yes," I reassure him.
 
"Don't worry about that."

"Jack is good kid."
 
He turns his head away from the monitors, avoiding looking at the IV stuck in his hand.
 
"When you've lived as long as me, the
rough
weeks don't really matter.
 
Family matters.
 
Friends matter.
 
Don't give up what you got."

"I won't," I respond.
 
I suddenly feel stressed that all these tubes and machines were keeping him hostage.
 
It was clear to me that was not what he wanted.
 
"You give good advice."

"I've seen lots of things," his raspy voice croaks.
 
He coughs, covering his hand with his mouth.
 
"Want to know my advice for
you
?"
 
I nod, and Earl just smiles.
 
"Someday, my dear.
 
You come see me again and I'll tell you."

"Deal," I agree, though curious as to what he was thinking.
 
I leave his room in a trance.
 
Earl's hoarse words play over and over again in my head.
 
I pull out my cell phone.
 
It was time to stop being childish.
 
Life
wasn't supposed to a competition, and I was in a bind.