CHAPTER EIGHT

Sleep eluded me as my thoughts lingered on Jack, spiralling around his words.

Escape is often an elusion

I journaled, skimmed through chemistry papers and drank a whole jug of coffee, yet they barely scratched the surface of easing my racing mind from wanting Jack.

This morning wasn’t any better. I felt mentally dishevelled and exhausted from lack of sleep and the constant tossing and turning. It seemed I was back to square one, after the unexpected meeting with the Adonis. My brain was in continuous shambles, my body wanting nothing but desire a man I couldn’t possibly have. 

Performing my periodic analysis and tests did little to expedite the lie I kept telling myself about forgetting Jack or keeping the thoughts of him at bay.  He was ingrained in my memory and etched on my heart, there was no shaking him off—he was here to stay.

I was desperately longing for Jack McCullen, and last night proved I’d done zero internal work in my quest to forget him. I had barely completed my day’s work when Nate tripped into the chemical laboratory, with a large folder clutched in his hand.

He waved his folder at me, signalling my presence.

“Here” he said, handing over the massive folder.

I blinked, my gaze flickering from his face to the oversized folder in his hand, then back again.

“What’s this?

“From Millicent— these are papers for Claire, but since she’s still unavailable …they’re yours”

“Mine? Nate, the paperwork is meant for Millicent, not me.”

Nate chuckled with a slow shake of his head.

“And besides I’m in charge of the analysis here not updating research files!” I said, my fingers clenching together in irritation.

“Are you done displaying your little tantrum, Miss Robin? You’re whatever Millicent and I say you are in here. Do you understand me?”

I sighed and gave a slow, reluctant nod.

“You’re to go through these and update with new information we may have uncovered in our subsequent analysis. Technology has advanced, and so have the experiments we conduct here. This goes way back to 2015, I trust you’ll do a good job.”

I bit back a sigh. Technology had advanced and somehow, this was still on paper??

“When do you need them?” I finally said after a moment of mulling.

“Today.” Nate retorted, his lips curving into a sly smile.

“Today?” I repeated, my eyes widening as I struggled to process what I’d just heard.

“I can’t finish this load today Nate, it’s impossible!”

“Make it possible, darling” he said, leaving me standing and gaping at his back.

“What the hell, how was I supposed to finish today?”

I went into my mini office at the laboratory, giving the folder a savage glare as I laid it on my desk. At least I would have something to take my mind off Jack for several hours…at best. I left my office to the main lab, and carried on with the rest of the analysis, which I managed to finish before lunch. Nonetheless, I skipped the lunch and snack break, immersing myself in the task, and determined to complete it.

What was he doing now? I wondered, shutting my eyelids tightly together to expunge the thought of him. Which failed drastically. I rushed through one paper after the other, nonstop, determined to focus. How did Claire put up with Nate and Millicent for this long? They were insufferable. And why were there backlogs dating as far back as 2015? I groaned.

How is this glorified behemoth still employing manual processes with damn paper? Oh, fuck me, none of these questions were going to help me.

I buried my face in my palms on a droop, letting out a long sigh of exasperation. I glanced at the wall clock—8 p.m. Great, I could go an extra hour. I stayed an hour and a half longer, going through countless papers. At 9:05p.m., I locked the office doors and made my way to the underground parking lot.

I yanked the door open and sat slumped in my seat, wrapping myself with the seat belt. I turned on the ignition, noting. I turned it on again—nothing happened.

I heaved a sigh, mentally reciting a mantra to keep me even-tempered.

I’m going to get through today in one piece, I’m going to get through today in one piece, I’m fucking going to get through today in one piece.

“Let’s try it again, shall we?” I said, clenching the wheel as I twisted the key one more time in the ignition. This time, I was cool and unruffled—but nothing changed. I felt like throwing myself on the ground and sobbing.

“Why is this happening to me.” I said, hitting my head on the steering wheel. I stepped out of the car, opened the bonnet and peered inside the engine. I leaned in to inspect the mechanism for a moment, then shut it again. Everything looked good. I sat back down and started the car—the engine clicked once, then fell silent. This wasn’t something I could fix. I racked a hand through my hair, frustrated. I sat there, exhausted and blank, unsure whether to laugh, cry, or just put my head on the steering wheel— on top of this dilemma I had no phone to call Lana.

“Great, such a great fucking day” I cursed, slumping over and resting my face on the wheel.

“Get out, I’m taking you home”

A voice broke through my despondence, jolting me back to the present. I lifted my eyes to blue sapphires staring down at me, looking yummy in all the right places. Focus! I gave myself a mental jolt.

We held each other’s gaze, until the world narrowed to just us. My mind went havoc, whirling around in circles as I contemplated on what to do next. And as always…nothing. My brain and body seemed to shut down when I was with him. Fuck you Jack.

“Come on, let’s go.” he stated, holding out his hand out to me.

“I’m not going anywhere with you” I said, lifting my chin and clenching at my jaw, refusing to look away. 

His hand draped to his side “How the hell are you going to get home then? Your car is sabotaged, you obviously don’t have a phone to call a cab, and it’s bloody late!”

His heart hammered in his shirt, rising and falling in an irregular rhythm.

Why the heck was he angry?

“Get in the car”

“No.” I said, clenching tightly to the wheel with both hands.

“This night ends in one of two ways Robin: you get up and follow me to my fucking car, or I carry you out. What’s it going to be?”

“I’m not going anywhere with you Jack”

“Nope, wrong answer.”

He yanked open the door of Lana’s Audi A3, and leaned down, hauling me out of the car.

“No, Jack. Let me go.” I protested, wriggling myself out of this hold. He was so damn strong.

“Put me down.”

He tightened his grip around my petite body, preventing any further movements.

“There’s nowhere in hell I’m letting you down woman.”

He got to his McLaren W1, hauled the door opened and sat me down, then strapped the belt around me. I felt small and manhandled.

“Don’t even think about opening this door, do you understand me?” He said turning to leave.

I rolled my eyes on a scowl at his retreating back and slumped into the seat. He strode around to the front and sat down at the driver’s seat before pulling the seat belt from its holder.

“Is there a particular music you’d like to listen?”

I kept mute refusing to indulge in any conversation he’d initiate. I crossed my arms defiantly around my body, counting the minutes until I got home. The car was quiet…so quiet save for the low purr of the engine filling the silence.

“You’re all I think about Robin. The avoidance stops now,” he said, snapping his head to the side and flicking a quick glance at me.

“You should focus on Millicent…start there, so you don’t think about me so much.”

“What does Millicent have to do with this insane attraction I have for you?”

“Well, if you need a reminder, I’d gladly be your guest. She’s your fucking girlfriend”

“Watch your fucking mouth lady, and she isn’t my girlfriend,” he huffed. “Is that why you’ve been staying away?”

He’s not dating Millicent?

“She isn’t your girl?

“No, for fucks sake Robin. We dated briefly, at a point, but we’re not an item. She’s nothing”

He pulled over, released his seat belt, and turned towards me, cupping my cheeks in his hands, while caressing and stroking them. I closed my eyes, drinking him in…his touch, his intoxicating scent, his very presence. He looked irresistible. He traced his thumb along my lips before slipping it inside my mouth, pushing deeper. I circled my tongue around it, massaging and sucking gently. He took his thumb out, leaned in and pressed his lips against mine — pushing his bottom lip hungrily inside my mouth. I tugged back with equal hunger. I dug my nails into his arm as he held my face, steadying our growing arousal. He shoved his tongue into my mouth, swirling it around mine— devouring me and massaging together as they rolled over each other. He grasped my chin, tilting my head up and sucking my lip into his mouth. I hummed, threading my hands in his hair. His hand moved in a slow, unhurried pace to my shirt and undid two buttons, burying his hand inside my bra and cupping my breast out before tweaking the stiff nub.

“Jack” I cried, my breast throbbing in its wake.

He unstrapped my belt and hoisted me from my seat onto his lap, undoing the rest of my buttons, and gripping both breasts with his huge palm.

“Oh God…Jack,” I cried, biting back a loud moan and gripping unto his shirt for support. I was a quivering mess on his lap.

“You’re too fucking beautiful Robin, every part of your body.” he cooed, sucking and nipping at my neck. My breathing hitched as I ran my hands through his soft hair.

“I want you so badly, baby,” he whispered, moving from my neck and running his moist tongue over my lips. His phone buzzed on the dashboard, making me jump.

“Ignore it.” he husked, our teeth clicking as he kissed me hard. I was breathless, my lips swollen and red.

The calls came in continuously this time. I pulled back.

“I think you should answer your phone.”

“It’s not important Robin, it’s probably just work.”

“Still…”

We brushed our lips together, Jack taking my lip into his.

“Take the call,” I said against his mouth, pushing him back with a grin.

He flipped the phone over and saw Lana’s name flashing across the screen.

“Lana,” he said, in a calm cadence.

“Robin hasn’t come home yet, and it’s already late. Can you check up on her at the confectionery?” Lana said, frantic with worry.

Jack turned the mouthpiece toward my face, gesturing for me to speak.

“Lana, I’m safe. Jack’s bringing me home.”

“Oh, thank the heavens! What the hell happened? And how did Jack get to you so fast?”

“I thought you wanted me to check in on her?” Jack said, a smirk playing at his lips.

“But I didn’t think you were with her! Put Robin on!” He turned the phone back to me.

“What happened to the car?”

“It refused to start. A mechanic has to take a look.”

“Alright, I’m just glad you’re safe. Jack…”

She screamed his name through the phone. Jack turned it to his mouth.

“I’m right here, Lana. No need to yell”

“Bring her home to me safely,” she said.

“I live for that”

He hung up and tossed the phone onto the passenger seat, pulling me closer by the waist.

“Where were we?” he whispered against my breast, playing with the nipple.

“Jack…” I breathed, trying to get his attention. I ran my hand through his hair.

“Hmm…”

“Do you know anything about my car not starting?”

“I sabotaged it,” he said, circling me and flicking his tongue around my hard mound nipple.

It made all the sense—how he knew exactly where I would be at that time! The arrogant scoundrel.

“You what, now?” I asked, pushing him away, a sting tugging at my nipple. His face was smug, showing no remorse.

“You deliberately destroyed my car?”

“Yes, Robin. I paid for your car to be wrecked,” he said, stroking my face. “I told you. You’re not running from me anymore.”

“So you destroyed, my car?” I asked, eyes widening in disbelief.

“Yes. And anything that’ll stand in my way,” he said, brushing my lips with his thumb. I batted it away from my face, wriggling my body from his lap to the passenger seat.

“Okay, I’m sorry”

“No, you aren’t,” I said, rolling my eyes at him. “That was Lana’s car, Jack.”

“I’ll replace it,” he said, taking my hand in his.

“I’m going to let the eye rolling slide because you’re angry. Next time, you’re going to moan and shake in frustration.” He lifted my hand to his lips placing soft kisses along the trail.

I swallowed hard. “Just take me home.”

The tires screeched against the road as the car tore forward, going mad fast. Half an hour later, we pulled up outside my apartment. I grabbed the edge of the belt to ease myself out.

“Hold up! I’ll get it.” he said, stepping around the car to my side in seconds. He crouched and released me from the seat belt, then gently pulled me out by the hand.

“Thank you” I said, my lips curving into a smile.

“I aim to please, lady.” he said, tucking the wisps of hair that covered my face behind my ears.

“I’m taking you to dinner tomorrow. I want you to get to know me better, Robin. I’m not as bad as you think,” he said, pressing our foreheads together and leaning in to take my lips in a short, passionate kiss.

“I’ll get you at 7p.m.”

“Okay,” I said, sauntering to the door, occasionally turning my head back like a high school girl freshly introduced to the dating game.

I heard the low purr of his engine fading down the road as I stepped inside. I have a date with Mr. Hot McCullen, I muttered dreamily to myself as I made my way to my room.

I squealed inwardly in excitement.

OH MY, I HAVE A DATE WITH A GOD…