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CHAPTER NINETEEN

KENDRA

F rom the outside, I look like I’m wearing an expensive designer dress and I have my shit together. On the inside, it’s anything but.

Sitting next to me in the executive SUV he booked to take us to the gala, Jack looks as calm as can be in his black tux and bow tie. He also looks hot as fuck with his hair styled back and clean-shaven jawline—the punch from Tyler nowhere near as visible as it was three days ago.

“What’s on your mind, Hart?” Jack’s gaze drops from me to my twisting hands as they rest in my lap.

I stare out of my passenger window, Brooklyn passing us by in a flash of street and car headlights. Up until the past couple of days, so much about tonight has centered around my ex-boyfriend—when he’ll see us at the gala, how he’ll react when he does, if he’ll be with another girl. And now that the night has finally rolled around, Tyler is no longer the reason why I’m nervous.

“Yeah, I’m good,” I reply quietly .

“You don’t even have to speak to him, you know?” Jack’s voice is as soft as mine.

I want to tell him it’s not the thought of seeing Tyler that’s got me all twisted up. I couldn’t care less if he turns up alone or with three supermodels on his arm. I couldn’t care less if he tries to speak to me or even launches his drink in my face.

When Jack suggested we go together, the only reason I hesitated was out of fear of my ex’s reaction. Now it feels like my reservations over us doing this have shifted to something completely new. Because all I can focus on is when Jack plans to kiss me.

His trademark smile is ever present when I turn to face him.

“I’m sure he’ll be avoiding us as much as we will him.”

Jack shrugs as we pull up outside the same venue the gala was held at last year.

Jesus, it’s insane how different your life can look in just twelve months. It’s even more amazing how blind we can be to the one we convinced ourselves was right.

“Jon seated us directly opposite him. I think it was his personal way of punishing me for causing a locker room fight. That, and the fine I was given. Which was half of what Tyler eventually got.”

I pull back as we come to a stop. “But you really didn’t retaliate?”

Jack swings the door open and rounds the car quickly. When he opens my door and holds his hand out to mine, I take it and step out into a sea of flashing lights.

“I didn’t hit him back.” He interlaces our fingers. “But I couldn’t resist antagonizing him a little.”

I want to ask him what he said to Tyler, but the beating music from the venue, combined with hollering reporters, makes it near impossible to hold a coherent conversation. Last Sunday, we kept a low profile, but tonight, there’s no hiding our relationship status as Jack leads me onto the red carpet. And as we make our way toward the entrance, I don’t miss the nudges and whispers between some of the reporters as they focus their lenses on our joined hands.

Maybe Jack can sense the tension running through me because he squeezes my hand and pulls me to one side just inside the entrance. “Still okay?”

I bite the inside of my cheek as couples continue filtering into the venue and then blow out a long breath, focusing on Jack. “I’m good. Just nervous.” It’s as honest as I’ve been with him all night.

When his huge palm wraps around the nape of my neck and pulls me into his chest, I loop my arms around his waist. I’ve spent the past four years with Tyler, refusing to show vulnerability. The determination that got me to the top of my sport also became a fixture in my relationship with him. Each second of our time together felt like running on loose sand. Everything felt like the biggest effort with the least reward. But being around Jack feels easy, even when our history tells me it absolutely shouldn’t. I should feel awkward around the guy who I barely spoke to for years. But I don’t.

“Jenna’s here tonight with her boyfriend, isn’t she?” he asks, tucking a piece of wavy hair behind my ear.

I nod.

“Then try to focus on them and not the asshole sitting opposite us at dinner.”

I stab into my dessert, and my fork is halfway to my mouth when Jack leans down and whispers in my ear, “Want some clotted cream with that cheesecake?”

I narrow my eyes playfully. “American desserts are superior.”

Jack picks up his beer and smiles around the glass as I cast a quick glance at Tyler .

I was correct on two counts. He didn’t attend alone, and I definitely don’t give a shit about the blonde who’s been all over him this entire dinner.

In fact, I’ve barely paid any attention to my ex all night—if only the same could be said for him. I’ve felt his eyes burning into me since the second we sat down, and even with Jack next to me, I’ve been uncomfortable as fuck.

On my final bite of cheesecake, I set my fork down and push back my chair. “I’m going to go to the restroom.”

Jack reaches out and grabs ahold of my hand as I turn to leave. “Do you want me to get you a drink or anything?”

I look down at our hands and then across at Tyler, his eyes laser-focused on them. I know I have a match tomorrow, but it’s also my birthday, so why not?

“Yeah, thanks. How about a prosecco?” I reply, turning to leave the main room.

Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, I’m searching through my bag for blush when the door swings open and Jenna strides in.

“Well, that dinner was … something.”

I nod as I reapply my makeup. “You noticed.”

She comes to stand beside me and watches me in the reflection. “Babe, I could’ve noticed from Sydney. Who’s the girl he’s with?”

I shrug. “Who knows? Could be one of many he likely has on call.” I snap the lid shut on my compact. “Not that I care.”

Jenna gives me an appreciative look. “That’s my girl. Although you know Tyler isn’t the only one who can’t stop staring at you. I mean, other than me because … damn.” She drops her eyes down the length of my dress. “You are a smokeshow.”

I bite my lip and check out Jenna’s strappy black gown. “I can’t say I haven’t thought about spending the night with you either. Lee had better watch out. ”

She chuckles and spins back to the mirror. “But seriously, Jack is a boy obsessed.”

I pick up my clutch and drop my shoulders in the reflection. “As my date. It would be kind of weird if he didn’t pay attention to me, no?”

She scrunches up her nose. “Still not buying it. Anyway, I need to pee. See you back out there.”

I get as far as stepping out the restroom door when I come face-to-face with Tyler, waiting on the opposite wall.

“Kendra,” he calls.

I opt to ignore him and make a break for it down the hallway and back toward Jack.

“Kendra!” he repeats, but I keep walking.

“Kend.”

A hand falls on my upper arm, maneuvering me around to face him.

“What do you want, Tyler?” My voice is full of exasperation as I thumb over my shoulder. “I have a drink waiting for me.”

He shakes his head. “Is it true?”

I look down at the floor, tired of seeing the anger in his eyes. “Is what?”

“Morgan? Is it true you’re dating Morgan?”

“Well, I’m here with him, aren’t I?”

Tyler’s hand is still on my arm, and I pull it back to break free, but he tightens his grasp around me.

“And can you let go of me, please?”

He ignores my protest. “Why are you playing games with me, Kendra? Is this all about making me jealous, huh?”

I pull away again, but his grip tightens even further. “I’d have to care to want to make you jealous. The only thing I want right now is for you to get off me!”

The Blades captain, Sawyer Bryce, approaches Tyler from behind and pulls him away.

And that’s when I see Jack. With a face of thunder .

“Don’t, Jack. Remember what I said,” Sawyer shouts after him.

I’m motionless as Jack stalks past Tyler and heads straight for me. His eyes fall to my upper arm before returning to mine.

He doesn’t say anything as he reaches out and takes my hand in his, and as he guides me back to the function area, he briefly pulls up alongside Tyler. “That’s the last time you’ll ever get to look at my girl, let alone touch her.”

Jack doesn’t stop walking until we reach the bar at the back of the main room.

Two glasses of untouched prosecco sit on a black tray, and he reaches out and passes me one.

I take a sip and try to steady my emotions, although I know I’m doing a better job of managing them than Jack.

“Did he hurt you?” he asks in a clipped voice.

I shake my head and take another sip as I notice Tyler enter the room with Sawyer hot on his heels. “No.”

“Your arm is covered in red marks.”

Jack gently traces them with his thumb. “What did he say to you?”

I look up at him. “That I’m playing games with him and trying to make him jealous. That he knows this is all fake.”

Jack breathes out slowly, and as a few strands of hair fall over his blue eyes, he shifts his attention from the marks to my face. There’s nothing but serenity in the way he looks at me. “Are you trying to make him jealous?”

“No. I want him to leave me alone,” I whisper, my senses alive with anticipation.

“Are you still in love with him?”

“No,” I repeat.

Taking my drink in his other hand, he sets it on the bar next to him and then turns back to me.

The hand stroking my arm comes under my chin, demanding all my attention.

But he already has it .

“You deserve so much better than what he can give you, and the only time a man should put his hands on you is to make you feel like a queen.”

I didn’t even notice we were moving until my back finds the wall behind me.

His thumb and forefinger still hold my chin when his lips hover over mine. “I know he’s watching us.”

“Probably,” I reply, not caring either way.

He smiles down at me. “Remember when you asked if I’d kiss you tonight?”

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Was that because you wanted me to?”

My heart races in my chest. Every part of me wants Jack to take my mouth with his and kiss me in the way I’ve been thinking about for longer than I care to admit. Yet I still can’t shake the uncertainty pooling in my gut. What if none of what I’m feeling is real for him? What if this is his way of proving to Tyler that we’re real and to back the fuck off me?

My head wars with my heart.

Jack’s eyes search mine. “Talk to me, Kendra.”

“I-I want you to kiss me.”

When his hand finds the back of my neck and pulls me closer, he brushes his lips over mine. “How does that feel?”

I roll my lips together. The taste of him is faint but incredible. “More.”

“Do you want my tongue, Kendra Hart?” Jack teases as his breath fans my damp lips, and I can’t fight the smile that pulls at them.

“Yes.”

This time, when he presses his mouth against me, I part for him, and the first stroke of his warm tongue against mine sparks an outbreak of goosebumps across my skin.

This is what it’s like to be kissed.

Jack’s hand ascends my neck until his fingers play in my hair .

His kisses are demanding as his tongue licks into my mouth, and I whimper at the sensation.

The temptation to grind against his knee as he pushes it between my thighs is so overwhelming. If this is the way he kisses, what the hell is it like to spend the night with him?

I want to find out. I hope I get the chance.

“Wow, Kendra,” he whispers against my lips, resting his forehead on mine. “That was … definitely believable.”