Page 87 of The Originals
His hand tightened over her thigh, and a warm rush raced through her veins. In all the time she’d known Jack, he’d rarely touched, and never anything this intimate.
“You ain’t staying here.”
What?
Jack released her leg as the bike started to roll. She clasped her hands around his waist, and he took off through the parking lot and back onto the street.
Colleen had no idea where he was taking her. Maybe she should’ve asked, but she was speechless in her confusion. They drove through the center of Turnersville and down a long, winding, dark and desolate road. She peered around but couldn’t see much until his headlight shined over a reflective number on a mailbox. Jack turned left into the driveway and up a steep hill before it leveled out, revealing a small house.
Where the hell are we?
Jack pulled up on the side of the house and parked, shutting down the bike. She turned her head, taking in her surroundings. It was too dark to see much beyond the house and the backyard. In the driveway to the left, she saw a carport with a beat up pick-up truck, two older cars, and a few motorcycles.
He tapped her leg, and she got off the bike. The house was dark except for the front porch light. Did he bring her to his house? She spun around, watching Jack swing his leg over his seat and straighten.
“Is this your place?”
Jack looked over, and his gaze shifted to the house.
“Yeah. You can stay a day or two. Let Dunn settle down.”
Her mouth fell open, and her eyes widened. “You’re going to let me stay at your house?”
Jack smirked. “Darlin’, it ain’t anything special as you’re gonna see when you get inside.”
Colleen felt like she was in a fog or the latest episode of the Twilight Zone.This is his house, and he’s letting me stay here?Her mind didn’t fully comprehend.
“Come on, darlin’,” Jack said, and she realized he was halfway to the house, and she was still standing next to his bike.
She rushed forward, catching up to Jack at the porch steps. The porch was the length of the house with plenty of space for outdoor seating, but it was empty with only a filled ashtray balancing on the railing. Jack opened the door and walked in, flicking on the lights. She remained just outside the door looking in. The house was on the smaller side. It had a decent living room that segued into a small dining room and a kitchen off the living room. From where she was standing, she could see the majority of the first floor. If she had to guess, the upstairs wasn’t much bigger.
It smelled like stale cigarettes, and there were magazines and other things on the coffee table. Along with a good amount of dust. It was fitting for a single father with two teenage boys. Colleen had never met Jack’s sons, but they’d come around a few times to the clubhouse. His oldest son favored Jack’s looks with lighter hair, but they both shared Jack’s brown eyes. They shouldn’t have been anything special, and she could never figure out what was so enticing and intriguing.
“You coming in or gonna stand there all night?” Jack teased from the doorway into the kitchen. He had a beer in his hand, and he leaned against the archway.
Colleen smiled, walking farther into the room, still looking around.
“I like your house.”
He arched his brow, and the corner of his mouth curled. It was beyond sexy. “I don’t hear that often.”
This was the first time she’d been alone with him outside of the clubhouse. It felt strange, yet exciting, and oddly comfortable.
“It’s very homey.”
Jack squinted and looked around the room. “It ain’t much, but it’s better than staying at The Lodge.”
“Much better,” she blurted.
She hooked her hair over her ear, peering around as she shifted on her feet. “Um, Jack?”
“Yeah, darlin’.”
Her cheeks pinkened, and her lips twitched. “Where are your boys?”
“Cade’s got football training camp, and Kase is in Virgina.”
“So, we’re alone.”