Page 100 of The Originals
Of all the places they could’ve ended up, their only stop had been at the river in Ghosttown. It was a risk taking her there, knowing they could have run into someone from the club. The river was a hotspot for the brothers and the women. To those who lived in the city or at the beach, it was nothing more than a tiny river hidden by a mass of trees. Nothing special. But for Jack and other locals, it was a mini-sanctuary. Quiet, tranquil, and beautiful. Some of the hardest decisions he’d made were settled at the river.
It was close to sunset, and they’d been at the river for at least twenty minutes. They were the only people there, and he watched from the bank as Colleen walked along the edge of the water. She’d taken her shoes off and dipped in her toes. Initially, she’d suggested they go for a swim. Jack shut down that idea immediately, knowing the water temperature. But Colleen insisted on finding out for herself. In her bare feet, she lasted ten seconds.
Jack propped up against a large rock and pulled out a cigarette. He lit it and took a deep drag, all the while his gaze never left her. She’d been quiet for the last ten minutes. Every once in a while, he’d catch her looking off across the river as if she was deep in thought. She was the most beautiful when she didn’t know anyone was watching.
Colleen turned toward him and started walking up the small hill with a pout. “I can’t believe it’s so cold.”
Jack chuckled, taking another drag from his cigarette. “Told you.”
Colleen smiled. “I had big plans for us.”
That piqued his interest, and he cocked his brow, waiting on her to answer.
Colleen playfully waved her hand. “You probably don’t want to hear it. It involved both of us naked.”
Just the vision he was conjuring up in his mind had his jeans tightening and cock pressing against his zipper. He’d seen Colleen naked before. It was a sight. It had been a while though. She’d changed a lot since she’d first come to the club.
“Skinny dipping?”
Colleen wiggled her brows. “It would’ve been fun.”
“I have no doubt, darlin’.” Jack took another drag and glanced over the river.
“It’s so pretty here,” she whispered.
He’d taken the boys camping here so many times when they were little. Not as much when they got older, and their schedules became more about their friends than spending time with him. It was the natural progression of parenthood. Still, he missed it.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
Jack snorted. “About how life changes real fast.”
Colleen nodded, humming in agreement. Silence was underrated. It was perfect now with Colleen. Neither of them forcing a conversation and enjoying the quiet and the company.
Minutes passed, and Jack looked over at her.Beautiful.
“What you got going on in that head of yours?”
She smiled and drew in a breath. “Why are you letting me stay with you?”
Jack took another drag from his cigarette, unsure how to answer her question. He had to be careful with his words. Up until now, he’d been able to resist her knowing there was no future. Not because of her. Colleen would have an amazing future. It just wouldn’t be with him. Jack went with the obvious answer.
“You needed help.”
There was a small stretch of silence.
“So, you would’ve helped anybody? Let any of the girls stay at your house?”
Jack glanced down at the ground with a small smile playing on his lips. Colleen was smarter and more intuitive than most. She just never got the credit for it. Jack wouldn’t have let just anyone back at his house. He would’ve helped but in a different form. Jack might’ve dropped them off at the motel, had a brother drive them out of town and to family. But no one would be invited back to his home. Except Colleen.
Jack glanced over at Colleen. She was staring back at him.
Jack shrugged, trying to brush off the comment without answering. But Colleen wasn’t having any of that.
She knocked her shoulder into his. “Don’t go getting shy on me now, Jack.”
He scoffed and furrowed his brow. “Shy?”
He’d never been shy a day in his life.