เข้าสู่ระบบI pushed him away, struggling to stand on my feet and ignoring the smirk on his face.
"What are you doing here?" His smirk widened and he stepped closer while I staggered backwards. "I think what you mean to say is," he trailed a finger down my hair, "thank you." I slapped his hand away, giving him a stern look. "I mean it, Jason. What are you doing here." He shrugged. "I could ask you the same thing." From the look on his face, I could tell immediately that he wouldn't answer my question and it bugged me. This was exactly why I didn't do one-night stands, they never ended well. And I never had the best of luck. Of course, it made sense why he suddenly showed up here after our rendezvous. "Regretting it already?" His voice snapped the rest of my thoughts away. "Don't tell me you really think we shouldn't have fucked that night?" I narrowed my eyes at him, "What are you, a psychiatrist?" "Close enough," he lifted a shoulder casually, and leaned to press a kiss on my cheek. "I'm a dentist, honey." I rolled my eyes and pushed him away, giving him a dirty look. "Stay away from me, Jason." "Ouch! That wasn't what you said the last time I was inside you." My eyes grew wide and I looked around frantically, hoping no one heard him. "Keep your voice down, will you?" "Why? You remember how loud you were the other night?" "Jason!" "Different intonation last night." I scoffed, glaring at the stupid smirk on his face. "It was around three in the morning, idiot." He stepped forward, closing the distance between us. "So you remember what happened then?" A tingle shot down my spine at his callous expression and I sucked in a sharp breath. "Of course, I do." He reached for my hair, playing with the strands. "Tell me, do you still think about it?" I shut my eyes as his minty breath fanned my face, a sizzling electricity sparking between us. "Jason," I moaned despite myself. He chuckled, the sound dark and wicked, "there it is. I love the way you breathe out my name, Tara. Makes me really hard." I didn't know if we'd both lost our minds or we just didn't care anymore. But we were in the middle of the road, where people were actively passing by and yet, Jason was still flirting with me. Making me aroused and telling me about his hardness that I could literally feel with my thighs. "You think you should be walking around with a boner?" I asked, looking up to meet his seductive gaze. As if he knew what I was thinking, his lips curled up and I caught sight of pearly white teeth. "Not if you helped me ease it up," he tipped my chin up so I could get a better look. "What do you say, darling?" I opened my mouth to respond but Tracy's voice stopped me in my tracks. "Tara, goodness!" She hurried towards us and I quickly tore myself away from Jason. "I was looking everywhere for you, where did you-" She stopped, eyeing Jason who had tucked his hands into his pockets in an effort to conceal his arousal. I tried hard not to snicker at that but there was a small smile on my lips. "Jason?" She called and I straightened but she turned to look at me. "Do you know him, Tara?" "No!" "Yes." I glared at Jason, giving him a warning look which he ignored. Tracy, on the other hand, didn't know who to believe between the two of us. "We met at the Rivers motel just outside of town," Jason provided even though no one asked, "she kept me company for a long time-" "By talking," I interjected before he could say more, throwing him a look. "We barely know each other, just our first names." Tracy cocked a brow and I realized how untruthful I sounded but I didn't want to drag the conversation any longer. "Were you able to get everything?" I asked cheerily, slipping my arm through hers. She rolled her eyes. "Yes, you practically left me to do the entire haul myself. I knew I said I would do the work but you should've watched to see how we do things around here." "I know. I'm sorry," I batted my lashes at her, squeezing gently. "I just got distracted." Jason mumbled something under his breath and we both shot him a look. "What was that?" Tracy quipped and he shook his head. "Nothing, I was just wondering why Tara here is pretending not to know me," he placed a hand on his chest, feigning hurt. "I'm deeply insulted." I rolled my eyes, pulling Tracy's arm. "Come on, Tracy. Ignore him and let's go." "And you're sure you don't know him?" "Yes!" I groaned, exasperated. "But, I do," Jason cut in with a smile. "Tara Henry from Chicago. My mouth dropped open and Tracy turned to me. Now, I looked like the liar. "I must have said a lot that night," I sputtered, throwing my arms around but she didn't buy it. I threw Jason another 'what the hell' glare but he winked, looking too proud of himself. Of course, I told him my full name. I was incredibly loose mouthed when I was stimulated. At least, I didn't tell him my real name. "It was nice to see you, Jason," Tracy mumbled, tugging me gently. "Come on." "Hold on," Jason stepped forward, crossing his arms across his chest. "If I'm not mistaken, you girls are moving quite a few things to an apartment." "It's none of your-" "Yes," Tara cut in, giving me the side eye. "Tara will be staying with us at Suzie's." Jason clapped, grinning brightly. "I was heading in that direction anyways, let me give you girls a ride." "No, we'll be fine on our own. Thanks," I said through gritted teeth and was about to walk away but Tracy was staring at me. "What?" She shrugged. "We can't carry all of that by ourselves, Tara. Let him help." Oh, come on! I groaned under my breath, turning to look at Jason who still had a smug grin plastered on his face. "Fine," I sighed, tucking my hands into my jeans pockets. "I suppose Jason could give us a ride."Tara’s POV Tracy and Sandy were having a full-blown crisis in my room on Saturday afternoon, and I couldn't help but laugh at their panic."This is so important!" Sandy was pacing back and forth. "First impressions matter when you're meeting your boyfriend's parents!"I rolled my eyes. "They're not his parents," I pointed out, but my anxiety was already spiking. "Just his aunt and grandmother." The words left my lips as a mumble.Sandy shot me a look over her shoulders while I grinned back at her. "Same difference!" Tracy threw her hands up. "What if they don't like you? What if they think you're not good enough for Jason?"Now I was genuinely nervous. "Thanks for that vote of confidence.""What should she wear?" Sandy asked Tracy. "Something sophisticated?""No, something that shows personality!" Tracy countered. "But not too casual.""But not too formal either!""She should definitely wear heels!”Sandy scrunched her face. "Heels are too much.”I held up my hands as they started
Tara’s POV He was still standing there, and my heart was hammering against my ribs so hard I thought he might be able to hear it."I want to pay you back for this," I said, gesturing to the bag of sweets.He chuckled, a low, warm sound. "Will you actually be able to afford it?"There was definitely flirtation in that question. I stammered, heat flooding my face. "I… well, I mean-"He leaned closer, and I held my breath. "It's a gift, Tara. Just accept it."He smiled and then he walked away, leaving me standing there with my legs feeling like they might give out at any moment.I spent the rest of the day avoiding him, gravitating toward Daniel and the other guys and keeping myself surrounded by people. I texted Tracy intermittently, confirming times and what I should bring because I needed the distraction.When we finally closed up for the day, Daniel asked if anyone wanted to grab drinks. Joshua eagerly agreed, but Eren said he was crashing early, and I declined as well."Boo!" Danie
Tara’s POV I stared at my laptop screen without really seeing it, my head pounding with a dull ache that no amount of water seemed to help. Jason hadn't reached out to me since he rushed out of my apartment. He sent a single text this morning.‘Don't forget about Saturday by 6pm. Also, wear something nice.’There was no apology or explanation for why work had been more important than keeping his promise. Just a reminder about the family dinner I was absolutely dreading."You okay?"Jeremiah's voice pulled me from my thoughts. I snapped to attention, realizing I had been staring blankly at my screen for who knows how long."What? Yes. Sorry." I tried to smile, but it felt forced.He studied me with that intense gaze that always made me feel exposed. "You don't have to stay if you're not feeling well. Go home, rest.""I'm fine," I said automatically, then immediately regretted it because he raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing me.I chewed on my lower lip, warring with myself abou
Tara’s POV I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe, the cold water from the hose mixing with my sweat as I spun through the spray. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt completely present in the moment. There was no anxiety about my father or overthinking. Gerald suddenly stopped spraying us, and everyone's attention shifted to something behind me.“What’s wrong?” I asked, panting gently but they still had the same surprised looks on their faces.I turned around, still dripping wet and breathless from laughter, to find Jason standing there. There was a bouquet of flowers laying at his feet, abandoned on the grass."What are you doing here?" I asked, surprise making my voice high."Why is he here?" Chuck asked loudly, earning himself a sharp look from Sandy."Go," Sandy told me with a knowing wink. "Go say hello to your boyfriend."I laughed and rushed toward Jason, still asking "What are you doing here?" but before I could get another word out, he pulled me cl
Jason’s POV I cradled the phone between my ear and shoulder while juggling a bouquet of roses with one hand.My assistant Naomi was fluttering around trying to help with the other."Stop fussing, Naomi, I've got it," I said, even as a stem pricked my thumb.Her eyebrows were puckered above her glasses. "But you're going to drop them-""I won't.” I interrupted gently, flashing her a smile. “Just relax.""Tara?" I spoke into the phone, finally getting it settled against my ear properly. "Hey, beautiful. Listen, I'm heading out now and I want to spend the rest of the day with you.""Jason, you really don't have to come here." She was trying to convince me otherwise but her voice was uncertain.My lips curled even higher. I liked how coy she acted, it was almost cute. "Too late. I already closed up shop and even arranged takeout at that Italian place you mentioned.” I arranged my bag and bouquet properly. “Just get ready for me, okay, sweetheart?"There was a loud noise in the backgroun
Tara’s POV The hospital discharged me by late afternoon with strict instructions to rest and see a therapist. The doctors gave me more recommendations I nodded along with while having absolutely no intention of following through on the therapy part.Jeremiah drove me home himself, and the moment we pulled up to the boarding house, it became clear that word had spread.Susie was on the porch before we even came to a complete stop, her face creased with worry. "Oh, Tara! Thank God you're okay! Thank you so much for bringing her home, Jeremiah.”"I just took her to the hospital," he said with a bright grin, but Susie was already ushering me inside like I was made of glass.Tracy appeared from nowhere, immediately taking my arm. "Come on, let's get you upstairs. You need to rest."Chuck bounded down the stairs, practically vibrating with energy. "Tara! I heard you collapsed! Are you okay? Do you remember anything? What did it feel like?""Chuck," Tracy said, stifling a laugh. "Let her
My head felt like it was going to split open, and at this point, I wouldn't mind if that happened as long as it would relieve me of this pounding ache. My eyes weakly flapped open and the familiar walls of my room met with me. "What?" I groaned, slowly rising from the bed. How did I even get bac
"Are you ignoring me, city girl?" I glared at Anders, my fingers tightening around the hotdog stick. "If you're like our hotdogs so much," he plucked the stick from between my fingers. "I could show you one that's even tastier."Okay, that was it!I stepped forward, opening my mouth to respond br
The sound of the alarm clock woke me from my slumber, and I groaned, dragging myself from the bed. My muscles protested as I moved around, heading to the bathroom first. Today was yet another of applying for more jobs. After yesterday's rejection, I was prepared to just lie in my bed today but my
The sterile white walls of Jason's office felt surreal, adorned with dental charts and gleaming instruments that I kept poking at every chance. My fingers traced the laminated brushing technique poster, I still couldn't believe he was actually a doctor. A part of me felt he was lying or trying to







