Free Trusting Jack by Beth Hale

up her jean-clad thigh.
                  Emma slanted her eyes towards him.  She was well on her way to being drunk, and that was helping to boost her confidence.  She opened her mouth to proposition him, and then snapped it closed.  Just a couple more drinks first, she thought, and grinned at him instead.
                  The fire began dying down and Alison stood and stretched.  After saying her goodbyes she headed for her bed. Richard leaned down and whispered in Norah’s ear.  She gave a feline smile and sauntered beside him to his cottage and closed the door.
    “Looks like I’ll be bunking with you, mate,” Phillip said good naturedly to Marcus.  Marcus grunted as he watched Jack help Emma to her feet. 
    He steadied her and they began walking. Emma
    opened the door and turned to face Jack.  Before he
    could say anything, she pulled his face to hers and laid
    her lips on his.  Instantly responding, he jerked her
    tighter against him and deepened the kiss.  They
    stumbled inside the door, and he kicked it shut.  He nipped at her lower lip then kissed her again. She shivered.
                  Emma broke away and pulled her shirt over her head.  Jack gazed at her red-lace covered breasts before palming them.  He ran his thumbs over her and felt her nipples harden.  Lust fired in his veins when she moaned low in her throat and arched towards him.  He tilted her head to the side and trailed hot, wet kisses down her throat then closed his mouth over her breast. 
                  Emma shuddered and lifted the hem of his shirt.  He helped her pull it off, and she ran her hands up his chest.  She clasped her hands around his neck and he took her mouth again and again.   
                  Jack growled as he cupped her bottom and pulled her against him.  His heat and hardness pulsed through Emma’s jeans and she palmed the length of him before she reached for his fly. 
    “I want you so bad,” she slurred as she began to pull down the zipper.  “It’s been such a long time.”
                  Her slurred speech registered and Jack stepped back.  Emma looked confused and reached for him again.  He caught her hands.
                  “Emma, love, stop.  Our first time shouldn’t be like this.”
                  “What d’ya mean?”
                  “You’ve had a bit much to drink, darling.  I don’t want to take advantage of that.”
                  Emma frowned, hurt flashing in her eyes.  “You don’t want me?”
                  “I want you very much, so much that I’m aching.  But I don’t want you to be sorry for it in the morning.  I care too much, Emma, to take you like this.”
                  Emma understood some of what he was saying, even through the alcohol haze.  She nodded and pulled away.  “I understand,” she whispered.  “I’m so sorry.”  She stumbled as she turned away.
                  Jack caught her before she hit the floor.  He cursed under his breath as he carried her to her bed.  He took off her shoes and slid her jeans down her legs.  He gulped and felt himself harden again when he saw the triangle of matching red lace she wore.
                  He couldn’t decide if he was being a fool or a gentleman.
                  “I’m sorry,” Emma said again as he slipped her between the sheets.  “Are we still good?”
                  “Oh, Emma.  We’ve never been better.  Go to sleep now.”  Jack brushed a kiss over her forehead and quietly left.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 9
     
                  Emma awoke with a pounding headache.  She groaned and dragged a pillow over her face.  The thought of facing Jack made her cringe with embarrassment and she groaned again.  She hissed when the