The Perfect Game (The Perfect Game 1)

“So?”

“So he’s leaving you his. That’s nice of him. ”

“I guess. ” She had a point, but my defenses were still up. “But why is he staying over?”

Melissa’s mouth fell open as she leaned her head back. “I’m such an idiot,” she admitted before smacking her palm against her forehead. “This is your first sleepover with Jack. You’re scared to spend the night with him. That’s what this is about. ”

My stomach flipped and rolled with her words. I stared at the black-and-white-tiled kitchen counter, my eyes losing focus until the pattern became an unrecognizable swirl of hazy dark and light hues.

“Earth to Cassie, hello?” Melissa snapped her fingers in my direction and my eyes jerked up to meet hers.

“I’m not scared. ” My stupid voice shook slightly. “I’m just…not ready. ”

“Why the hell not?”

“Because once you give your body to a guy, there’s no taking it back. And once you’ve done that it opens up feelings, emotions, and vulnerabilities you never knew you were capable of having. I’m not ready to give him my heart. What if he breaks it?”

“What if he doesn’t?” Melissa shot back.

The quick knock on the door startled us both and Melissa gathered her composure before

I did. “Come in,” she yelled behind her.

The door swung open and Jack walked in, carrying his baseball bag in one hand and an overnight bag in the other. I watched as he dropped the baseball bag next to the door and then disappeared with his overnight bag into my bedroom. I quickly widened my eyes at Melissa before he waltzed back into the room. She stifled a laugh.

“Hey, Kitten. ” He nuzzled his lips against my neck and I felt my knees begin to shake.

I forced a nervous smile. “Hungry?”

“Starved,” he answered, before his lips met mine.

All my thoughts scrambled inside my head as I released them and lost myself in his mouth. Warm cinnamon engulfed my senses as his breath and touch consumed me. No matter how hard I tried to fight it, Jack Carter always turned me to mush.

So much for that wall of yours, Cass. Kiss it good-bye.

When he pulled away, I braced my hand against the countertop to steady my shaking body. Once I was certain my legs would carry me without falling, I headed toward the refrigerator and opened the door, tearing through every tray and cabinet.

“Your options are grilled cheese, mac and cheese, or a quesadilla,” I announced, somewhat embarrassed by our lack of food choices.

“I can only pick one?” Jack teased. “What if I want them all?”

“Then you can make them. ” I smirked while holding the door open with one arm. “Jack, tell me what you want!”

“I sort of do want them all. Is that bad? I’ll help. ” His face crinkled as he braced for my reaction.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Fine. You make the mac and cheese and I’ll make the rest. Deal?”

I watched as the tension released from his tanned cheeks and those irresistible dimples appeared. “Deal!”

“Look at you two. Cooking in the kitchen like an old married couple,” Melissa remarked from a safe distance.

I turned toward her wishing I could suddenly shoot darts from my eyes. “Old married couple, my ass. We haven’t even made it through one road trip. ”

Jack put down the pot he held and reached for me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and held on to me tightly. “Kitten, are you worried about this road trip? I’m not going to fuck screw up. I promise. ”

I avoided his eyes, looking straight past him toward the white wall in the distance. His fingers were suddenly caressing my cheek, before they forced my chin upward. “Look at me, Cass,” he pleaded softly.

I closed my eyes tight before opening them and focusing on his. It was so hard to put my feelings into words, all my insecurities and fears coiled inside me, eating away at the trust we’d built.