Chapter 25: Quivers

Roughly an hour later, Jack woke up with a start. His head was pounding because memories of what had happened started to dawn on him. He turned around hoping to find himself in that hotel with Mario, but there was a naked woman lying in there beside him, her brown eyes shut tightly in sleep. Then, he remembered that he had come here to talk, but had not even talked about anything. "Fuck you," He teased the sleeping woman, trying hard to take his mind and eyes off her to no avail. As Jack laid across her bed in the dimly lit room, he couldn't help but gaze at Belle. By now, he had totally forgotten that there had been an intruder...who threatened to hit her, fuck her, and maybe kill her. But here she was, in his arms, safe and soundly asleep. He had protected her, somehow. For the first time in his life, Jack felt like a man. He shut his eyes and relished the sight before him. The soft glow of the bed lamp illuminated her delicate features, highlighting the curve of her cheekbones and