Jack cradled Kelly as they lay lazily in bed, her head on his chest, while one of his hands drew languid circles on her shoulders and neck. He had never much cared to snuggle with women in the past, but he couldn’t seem to get enough of Kelly. He was compelled to hold her and touch her in whatever way he could until his body had recharged enough to take her again.
He loved the feel of her skin on his hands, the brush of her breath on his chest, the way their legs tangled together or her hair tickled his skin and teased him to life again.
He closed his eyes, content to hold her in his arms as long as she would let him.
“Jack?”
“Hmm?” Jack’s hand didn’t stop its exploration of Kelly’s soft skin as he answered her.
“Why is your aunt so dead set on having Chad in charge?” she asked, not lifting her head from where she was snuggled into Jack’s side.
“To hurt me.” He paused before adding, “There was a time when she was the happiest woman you’ve ever seen. Hell,” Jack said on a laugh, “she used to be as happy as Mrs. Poole.”
Kelly raised her eyebrows at that but waited for Jack to continue.
“Our families used to be so close. Chad and I were both only children, so he and I grew up more as brothers than cousins. We went on family vacations together, saw each other all the time. In those days, Aunt Mabry was so much fun. She was like a second mom to me. Then, one day, my uncle left her. He left, and we hardly see him. Even Chad hardly hears from him. He didn’t leave for another woman or anything like that. Chad said she felt like she wasn’t good enough, that he thought being alone was better than being with her. I thought he was a selfish prick, but what do I know?”
Jack shrugged. “First she was sad all the time, but over time she seemed to be angry with everyone around her. A lot of it was focused on my mom and dad. I think she couldn’t stand to be around them.
“Luckily, by the time she focused on me, Chad and I were adults so it didn’t affect our friendship or working relationship. She comes off as this obnoxious, mean person now, but she really isn’t. She’s just hurting.”
“I like that family is more important to you than anything else,” Kelly said. “Besides, your Aunt Mabry is the reason you’re putting me through law school if you think about it, so I’m okay with her craziness.” She grinned, and Jack let out a laugh and held her closer.
He could get used to this. Hell, forget getting used to it. He could come to crave it. Need it.
He closed his eyes and focused on what they had together. The here and now.