Page 117 of The Originals

Their breaths echoed through the kitchen, and her soft moan was in sync with his deep groan. He pressed his lips against her shoulder, kissing her softly. Such a tender sweet moment had put her over the edge. She rocked her hips, and Jack matched her rhythm. It felt too good, too right, and Colleen was wishing for a superpower to delay the inevitable.I don’t want it to end.

Seconds later, they came. Together.

Colleen closed her eyes, dropping her face into the crook of his neck. His heavy breath fluttered her hair as his hand on her back caressed her in a circular motion. It was beyond soothing. She was in a complete daze. It was the only explanation of why she’d said what she’d said.Well, almost said.

“I love—” Colleen caught herself and glanced up at Jack, his gaze heated and intense. “I love being with you,” she whispered.

Jack didn’t say anything back. He kissed her, sliding his lips over her mouth while still deep inside her. Making out usuallyserved as foreplay, but Jack wasn’t showing any signs of wanting to stop.

Unfortunately, nature had different ideas. He stepped back and turned toward the counter as she righted her dress. With both their backs to one another, they subtly cleaned up. It wasn’t until now, she realized, this was the first time they hadn’t used protection. Colleen wasn’t concerned. She’d been on birth control since she was fifteen. She hadn’t had so much as a scare.

When she turned around and leaned against the counter, Jack was snapping the button on his jeans with his back to her.

“I was thinking we could do a fire tonight,” she said.

Jack was silent. He was probably tired. He’d obviously had a long and stressful day.

“Or we could do it some other time.”

He glanced over his shoulder. There was something off in his eyes that was beyond stress. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he had a little sadness in his heart.

Jack walked over to her and braced his hands on the counter, caging her in. “We’ll do a fire tonight.”

She smiled, and his gaze softened.

“Are you sure? You had a long day. We can do it some other time.”

“Yeah, we’ll do it tonight. Anything you want.” Jack leaned in, brushing his lips against hers. “Go get your sweatshirt.”

She cocked her brow. “You meanyoursweatshirt. Unless I steal it.”

Jack smiled, angled, his head and kissed her again. He stepped back, and she started through the kitchen, heading toward the stairs. She was almost out the door when she remembered what he’d said when he came home. She grabbed the doorframe and looked over her shoulder.

“What did you want to talk to me about?”

Jack stared back at her, his gaze scanning her face. There was a long stretch of silence.

“It can wait ’til tomorrow.” He lifted his chin and smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Hurry your sweet ass up.”

Anything you say, Jack.

*

Jack was standing at the kitchen window, staring out the window when she walked into the kitchen the next morning. He did that a lot. Colleen figured he was watching the sunrise. From Jack’s property, it must be beautiful. Colleen had always slept past it. Except today.

“Morning.” She walked up behind Jack, wrapped her arms around his waist, and leaned past his arm to look out the window.

She’d called it. The sun was just cresting over the mountains in the distance. It was an amazing sight. One she’d lock away in her memory. They stood in silence, both enjoying the view for the next two minutes. Colleen pressed her lips against his back before stepping back and walking toward the refrigerator.

Colleen grabbed the handle, opened the door and peered inside. “What can I make you for breakfast?”

“We can grab something on the road.”

She straightened and looked over at Jack. He was leaning on the counter staring back at her.

“Where are we going?”

Jack grabbed an envelope from the counter beside him and placed it on the table. Colleen had no idea what it was and made no move to take it.