Thristy

Chapter Four

I placed my phone in the pocket of the sweatpants and grabbed up my dress that was tossed across the room from last night. I stood up straight when I heard Jack behind me, “Damn baby girl. I may make you stay here in my clothes then I can watch you pick up things off the floor so I can look at that ass of yours.” I smiled at him, “You almost ready?” He walked over to his nightstand, “Yup, just to grab the keys and phone then steal a kiss from my baby girl.” He held up his keys and phone then walked over to me and stole a kiss. Man, his lips taste so good.

We went down and got into the car. I told him the address as he raised his eyebrow then placed into the GPS. I looked at him, “What?” He shook his head and smiled, “Nothing baby girl.” He listened to the GPS while we talked about some of the hobbies we hand in common and some that we didn’t. He talked about his sister and his nephew. He was so happy to be an uncle and you can tell that he loves his sister.

We pulled up to the house as he looked out the windshield. He parked the car facing the door, “This is where you live?” I nodded, “Yup, I do.” He got out of the car and walked over to my door and opened it for me. I stepped out of the car, “Thank you, Jack.” He smiled, “No worries, my dad taught me to respect women.” We walked up to the door then I placed in the code to open the door. He walked in, “Damn, baby girl. You did good” He walked around into the living room as I said, “You can settle in while I take a shower. I will not be too long.” He nodded then smirked, “Yup, Pack an overnight bag.” I stopped walking towards the stairs and looked over to him, “I am having dinner with Abby this evening,” He nodded, “I know. She has Rick ask us to a double date with them.” I shook my head, “Okay then. I will be down soon.”  He smiled, “No rush, Baby girl.” He looked over to the paintings on the wall as he studied them.

I ran upstairs and started the shower. I placed my hands on the counter of my sink as I gave myself a prep talk, “It is okay, Monica. You got this. Just take a moment.” I stepped into the shower after clearing my head. I washed my hair then started to wash my body as I felt hands go around my waist. I jumped and screamed as I tried to pull away as I heard Jack, “Baby Girl. It is okay.” He bowed his head as I slowed my breathing, “I am sorry. If I had known, it was a trigger. I would have announced my presence before touching you.” I took a deep breath in then turned into his arms and started to release the tears; it is okay. You just scared me for a second.”

I laid my head on his chest as the water rinsed away some of the soap, “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you Ms. Winters of Winter’s Beauties.” I picked my head to look into his eyes, “You knew?” He smiled, “Yup.” I shook my head, “When did you figure it out.” He chuckled, “Well this is embarrassing. I was taking the dog for a walk when I noticed you watching me from afar. I figured out which place you drove out of.” He held me closer to him, “I noticed you when you were standing in line and told him to let you and your friend in. While you two were having a couple drinks, I looked up the business and read the website.” I looked up at him, “That is when you saw my profile.” He nodded, “Embarrassing, right?”

I placed my head back down on his chest as he ran his hand slightly on the scar. I tightened my muscles as he touched my big ugly scar. He sighed, “I will stop if it makes you feel uncomfortable.” A part of me wanted him to stop but the other part wanted to allow him in just a little. I lifted my head back at him, “You don’t have to stop.” I was screaming inside but I wanted to let him in as I thought to myself, “Why the hell did I just tell him to keep touching it. There is no going back now.”

He leaned over for my washcloth and placed soap on it as he kept me close to him, “Turn around.” I turned as I was screaming inside, not to turn around. He leaned towards me without touching me, “Baby girl, I am going to touch you, now.” He lightly placed the washcloth against my skin on my back as my muscles tightened up. I decided to question him a bit to distract myself, “Why didn’t you tell me that you knew that I was that Monica Winters?” He chuckled, “I was waiting for you to tell me.” I took a deep breath as the cloth glided on my skin, “Why?” He sighed, “I didn’t want you to get the wrong impression.”  I nodded my head, “Make sense, most guys are scared off because I make more money than them. I have pretty much given up on dating and I didn’t want to date these rich entitled assholes that have their egos so far up their asses.”

He laughed as he watched my muscles flinched as he touched me with the cloth, “Good one, Baby girl. Now, turn towards me to allow the water to rinse your back.” I followed his directions as he cleared his throat, “I am not intimidated by your success. I find it sexy as hell. I want you to make a promise to me.” He looked at me as he lifted my chin up as I smiled, “Okay.” He smiled, “When I ask you on a date. You are not paying for a damn thing. I asked, it is my treat. I never want you to feel like I am using you. I don’t want a bail out.” It felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders to hear him say that. It was refreshing to hear it, “I can do that.”

He narrowed his eyes, “I am serious. I don’t care if for some reason I am arrested, owe money to anyone and do not have two pennies to rub together. I don’t and will never ask or expect you to pay.” I leaned into his lips as if he were the first guy in my life that has made me feel safe and not being used. I can feel his breath as he said, “Monica.” I looked down at his lips, “Jack?” He held me close to him, “Feel better?” I smiled as I brushed my lips against his, “Much better. We should get ready.”  He smiled as he nodded as I turned off the shower and we stepped out.

While later we pulled up to his sister’s house which was only a few blocks from my office as he placed his hand on my knee, “Ready?” I nodded as I smiled, “Yup.” Jack got out of the car and ran to the other side to open my door. I smiled as I thanked him. He smiled, “Anything for my baby girl.”

Jack knocked on the door when his sister flew it open, then hugged Jack, “There you are. And it looks like you brought a date with you.” She winked at me as Jack rolled his eyes, “Hi, Sis. This is Monica Winters. And Monica, this is my sister Melissa Jackson.” I started to laugh, “Wait, your mom thought it was a good idea to name you Jack Jackson. How didn’t I know this.” Jack bowed his head as I tried to hold my laughter, “Oh, you poor thing. I wonder how many times you've been called Jack Jack or J.J.” Melissa laughed, “I like her.” He rolled his eyes, “Hey, I like my nicknames, Baby girl.”

Melissa waved us into the house, “Why don’t the two of you come in. I am just about to finish up lunch. I hope that you two love birds are hungry.” The house was filled with a sweet aroma, “Smells good, Ms. Jackson.” She smiled at me, “Please call me Melissa.” I politely nodded to her request. I followed her to the kitchen, “Monica, Tell me about yourself?” Jack chuckled, “That is my hint that I need to check on my nephew. Is Bear out back?” She nodded as she placed her head down, “He is, you may want to give that lump of a dog a bath.” Jack rolled his eyes, “Ugh, it didn’t even rain.” She chuckled, “He loves that lake.” Jack shook his head, “Hate that lake.” Melissa laughed as Jack walked down the hall.

Melissa tilted her head, “Monica Winters. You are not the Winter’s Beauties?” I looked up at her as she grabbed wine and glasses, “That is me.” She placed the wine and glasses down on the island as she walked over to me, “Can I give you a hug?” I nodded my head as she wrapped her arms around me. She sighed as she pulled away, “Let me explain, I got pregnant with Michael, my husband... He became physically abusive. He was always verbally abusive.” She poured us some wine, “I didn’t want to call Jack. I knew he would try to kill my ex-husband for what he did.” Melissa took a sip of her wine, “I ended up in a shelter and Filled out the wish letters.” My eyes widened as she placed her glass down, “A gentleman came to the shelter from the bank and told me, my letter was chosen. That you bought this house for me and my little one.”

She smiled, “You got everything I needed and there was no cost for three years so I can get on my feet. And a five-thousand-dollar check to get us started with things I need for the baby. I can’t thank you enough for what you have done for us.” I shook my head, “Oh, Melissa. There is no need to thank me. I was happy to help.” She looked down as she looked at her wine, “Jack, Still doesn’t know.” She shook her head, “No and can you please not tell him. Not yet. I am still healing.” I nodded as she smiled, “I would like to go to one the shelters that you created. I would like to give something back that you gave me even if it is just little advice.”

I went over to her and gave her a hug, “I would love that. Also, your secret is safe with me.” She looked at me as she nodded. I smiled, “I am going to a shelter on Monday. I am going to meet some of the residents to see if there is any way I can help them. You don’t have to share your story or any of the details of what happened. I would never make anyone share something that they didn’t want to share.” She smiled, “That would be great. Tell me the time and where. It is my day off, but I still have little Michael off to daycare to give myself a break.” I smiled as I took a sip of wine, “That is smart. You can call me Monday morning at eight and I can give you the details.” I handed her one of my cards to her.

She gave me another hug as I felt a lump of a wet dog on my foot. I looked down and it was Bear laying there soaking wet. Jack came in looking defeated, “s**t, Sorry sis. He got out of my grasp and I forgot to close the slider door.” She threw her hands up, “Bear. You are going to be the death of me and my knucklehead of a brother.” Jack rolled his eyes, “I said sorry.” She shook her head, “Every week though.” She waved us to the dining room, “Come on. Let’s eat.”

He shrugged his shoulders when we walked into the dining room when I realized that I forgot that I got a tour of the house back when I bought it for Melissa. We gathered around the table as Melissa went to get Michael then sat him into his highchair. I looked over to Michael, “Well, Hello Michael. I am Monica.” Jack leaned down to Michael’s ear and whispered something into his ear. I couldn’t hear what he said but Jack’s eyes were fixed on me as Michael giggled to his uncle’s voice.

We spent the rest of the afternoon at his sister’s. Melissa and Jack told me stories of their childhood. She loved to tell the ones that embarrassed him. Melissa laughed, “Ok, One more story.” Jack threw his head back as he groaned, “No, Not another one. I think you have embarrassed me for one afternoon.” She rolled her eyes, “Oh, Come on. One more.” I smiled at him, “Yeah, J.J. One more.” He shook his head, “No! Not you too. Thanks sis.” She placed her hands up, “Don’t look at me. It was your big mouth that told her what your last name is.” He groaned again, “Well, on that note. Sorry Sis. We gotta get going.” Melissa shook her head and gave him puppy eyes, “No, I don’t want you to leave.” Jack laughed as he leaned forward to pat Bear, “Sorry, But I have to drop Bear up in the loft then we have to meet Rick and his date in the club.” She teased, “A double Date. Ooooo.” Jack rolled his eyes, “Would you stop it!”

I laughed at the two of them then I saw Melissa sighed, “You know. You can stay here rather than living that small loft above the club. You and Bear are always welcomed. I mean I know it has been a tough year for you and it would just be until you can get back on your feet.” He snapped his head to her and gave her a look that could kill. The look made me wonder what happened that he needed his sister’s help. She rolled her eyes, “Sorry Jack. I didn’t mean to overstep.”

He rolled his eyes, “It is fine. I see you on Friday.” We walked out the car when Melissa gave me a hug, “Monday, Monica.” I winked as I said, “Monday.” Jack raised his eyebrow, “What are you two doing on Monday?” Melissa shrugged her shoulders, “It is no big deal. I am just going to check out one of the shelters that Monica runs. I want to see her in action on how she helps those poor souls.” Jack shook his head, “Why do I have a feeling that there is more to this than what you both are saying?” I shook my head, “It is ok Jack. We are going to be late if we don’t go.” He opened the door to the car as there were still questions.