Chapter 6

As Jack's mother led me through their mansion, I couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and discomfort. The sprawling rooms were filled with opulent furnishings and expensive art, yet there was a sense of emptiness that lingered. I turned to Jack and wondered what it was like to grow up in such luxury and still have a mother who loved him.

"Wow, this place is amazing, Mrs. Hawke," I said, genuinely impressed.

"Oh, please. Call me Charlotte," she waved her hand, and a small smile formed on my lips.

"And yes, it's quite something, isn't it?" Charlotte replied with a small smile. "Jack's grandfather built it back in the 1920s."

"I can't imagine what it must be like to live here," I whispered to myself, but Jack turned his head towards me. He was about to say something when a man in a gray suit walked down the stairs.

"Jack!" he yelled with a laugh, and Jack clenched his hands and glared at him.

"Liam," he gritted out. I couldn't help but stare in awe at how similar Liam and Jack looked.

"Brother, it's nice to see you... And you brought a guest," his blue eyes moved to me, and all I could do was blink.

I quickly caught myself and smiled at him. "I'm Amanda, Jack's girlfriend," I said, extending my hand.

He shook my hand and kissed the back of my palm, and at that point, I was disgusted. I withdrew my hand and moved awkwardly to Jack.

Liam turned to Jack and raised a brow. "It's good you moved on," he said sweetly, but his eyes were mocking.

Mrs. Hawke quickly came and placed her hand on Jack's shoulder. "Why don't you show Amanda her room?" she asked, her eyes pleading. Jack sighed, nodded, but not without glaring at Liam.

We walked up the stairs, and Jack opened the door for me. When I turned to look at him, he was shaking with his eyes red.

"I can't stand seeing them," he forced out, his lips trembling. I instantly felt pity for him and cupped his face in my hand.

"Jack," I said softly, but his eyes wouldn't meet mine. I stood on my tiptoes and pressed my lips to his. My lips moved on his, but he made no reaction.

Soon, he began to relax, pulled me to his chest, and sighed. I gasped as he turned us around and pinned me to the wall.

We were both breathing heavily when he broke the kiss. His eyes were on mine, and he pushed his thumb between my lips, and I gently bit on it.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered, and his words sent shivers through my body. His lips met mine again, and I placed my hands on his shoulders, taking off his blazer while he undid my zipper and slid his left hand into my pants. I gasped into his mouth and held onto his neck as my knees buckled.

A knock sounded on the door, and I broke the kiss with my head turned to the door and wide eyes. The door was pushed open, and Bertha was standing there.

"Jack..." I trailed off when he made no attempt to stop. His fingers circled on my clit.

Bertha watched us with dark eyes, her hands clenching and twitching as she watched his fingers move in my pants.

"She's watching us," I said, and he pressed me harder against the wall, his lips landing on the side of my neck.

"Why should I stop what I've started?" he hummed, and I couldn't help it as my eyes rolled back, and I bit my lips.

"Dinner will be ready in 30 minutes," she breathed out and quickly walked away. I gasped again when he pinched my clit and slid in two fingers with his thumb rubbing on the sensitive spot.

It didn't take me long to become a shaking mess, and I released a sigh. Jack pulled his hand out and dropped his head on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, and I furrowed my brows and chuckled.

"I should have stopped when she came. I-I was trying to make her jealous—" "Jealous?" I cut him off and chuckled, holding his head in my hands.

"Isn't that the whole point why I am here, Jack?" I questioned with a smirk, and he smiled a little.

"I don't mind," I sighed and pulled up my zipper. "I'm getting paid and also having a good time."

I ducked under his arm and walked over to the bed. I dropped onto it and released a sigh as I looked at the white ceiling. I could hear the sound of his feet as he walked towards me, and I glared when he was standing above me with his arms crossed.

"Why don't you just make me your girlfriend, then?" he questioned, and I furrowed my brows and sat up.

"You wouldn't want that," I mumbled, running my right hand through my hair.

"Why?"

I got up and looked at the closed window, watching as a bird landed on one of the trees. I turned my head to meet his eyes. "Because I would just be another Bertha."

*********

When I said I was enjoying this a little too much, maybe I was exaggerating. Our forks and knives clicked on our plates as we all ate in silence. It was damn awkward.

Mrs. Hawke cleared her throat, and I looked up and saw her dropping utensils, her eyes meeting mine.

Fuck. Here come the questions.

"So, Amanda, why don't you tell the family about yourself?" she smiled, and I looked around to see everyone's eyes on me.

I swallowed the pasta in my mouth, dabbed my lips with the tissue, and chuckled. I didn't know what the hell I was going to say.

Jack's hand landed on mine, and I could feel all eyes on it. I exhaled a breath. "I work at a café in Denver called 'SugarSips Café,' and I have a little sister—"

"How old are you?"

My lips formed a thin line, and I turned to Bertha, who had her cheek resting on the back of her palm with her fork dangling between her fingers.

"21," I answered curtly, and she turned to Jack with wide eyes and gasped.

"Jack! I know you are into younger women, but isn't she too young?"

I turned my head to Jack, who had his jaws clenched, and at that moment, I realized that I didn't know his age.

I shook my head and looked at my food. Why do I even care? I am doing this for the money.

"If you were curious, darling, he is 32," Liam smiled at me, and both Jack and Bertha glared at him.

"Stay away from this one, Liam," Jack growled, his hands clenching. Liam chuckled, finding everything funny, and raised his hands in surrender.

"Come on, brother, if she wants me, why should I deny the lady?" He winked at me, and I wondered what the hell he was doing?

"Boys!" Charlotte yelled, glaring at her sons. "Stop arguing at this moment and start acting like men."

"What's the fuss all about?" A new voice said, and all eyes turned toward the hallway.

An older man walked in, dressed in a dark blue suit, and a smile on his lips.

"James," Jack said, and the man chuckled.

"Oh, that's Dad to you, Jack."

With furrowed brows, I looked at Jack and realized that his life might not have been as great as I thought it was.