Author's Note:

You ever write something and revisit it but every time you do...you just despise your own writing more and more? Yeah that's what happened.

Anyways I've been in a funk lately and have not been liking my own writing. I've been going through phases of decently enjoying my previous chapters...to completely cringing when I read them lol. And then writer's block kept hitting me as a result...blah blah. This is not a sympathy post! Just wanted to update you guys and let you know I haven't (and don't plan to!) give up on this story at all. Unfortunately, your girl here is just a huge pessimist when it comes to her own writing lol. Plus, I may or may not have completely procrastinated studying for my exams...ANYWAYS, here's the update yall have been waiting for! And a very big THANK YOU to everyone who has continued to comment and follow/like this story :)) it means a lot to me & gave me motivation to get over my own insecurities. Stay safe & healthy everyone!

Chapter 9

Yep, it's still Sunday

I never thought I'd be so aroused and embarrassed at the same time.

But here I am.

Pressed against the bathroom wall of my hot neighbor's apartment. BY said hot neighbor.

I blinked a couple times trying to see if my subconscious was playing some kind of cruel trick on me, and this was all just another one of my potentially-unhealthy dreams.

But Jack didn't fade away.

I didn't wake up.

Instead his hot breath continued to fan my face. The warmth from his palm practically burned my already inflamed skin as he cradled my cheek.

Jack didn't comment on my disheveled state; instead his burning gaze pinned me in place.

Despite the heavy tension of lust in the room, there was something in Jack's stare that remained gentle. Patient. Almost as though he was afraid the moment would pass as soon as it came.

"I remember," I said quietly. It was a wonder how I spoke at all. My lungs felt completely depleted at the proximity.

Jack slowly nodded in response.

He leaned forward until our faces were mere inches apart.

My breath hitched.

And then he stopped.

For what felt like an outrageously unprecedented amount of time, Jack stood immobile and silent-observing me as though he was waiting to see what I would do.

I didn't even know what I was going to do. I couldn't think.

The heat from his body radiated across my flushed form. I could smell his scent; earthy and musky. It filled my lungs. It felt like Jack was everywhere all at once. His presence was like a sauna; overwhelming and suffocating, but somehow I found the overstimulation intoxicating.

At some point, my brain turned to autopilot because within seconds my hands grasped at the back of his neck and edged him closer. My senses were in overload as I traced the curve of his throat with my nose.

God, he smells good.

Jack groaned softly and leaned his face against the crook of my shoulder.

"This isn't a good idea," his voice muffled against my skin. Unmistakably, I heard the caution in his tone. I could see it vividly-as though his deep voice seeped with red-a glaring warning to end this while I still had the chance.

That should have stopped me, but it didn't.

"Why?" I asked, electricity flowing through me as I pressed my lips against his neck.

His breathing, unsteady and loud, sounded against my ear.

It felt wonderful kissing his skin-his racing pulse under my lips. The type of wonderful that turned my sober state into a stronger drunken haze than last night.

"Why?" I asked again, my mouth painting a trail to his jaw.

A purr vibrated through Jack's chest as his hands grasped my waist. His touch permeated through the thin material of my (his) shirt, leaving a trail of flames in their wake.

Longingly, my fingertips traveled across the ruined flesh of his cheeks-which felt softer now than they ever had before. Jack shuddered as he closed his eyes, nuzzling his face against my palm.

My breath hitched at the sight of his bliss. I brushed my thumbs against his skin, savoring the act of intimacy between us.

Leaning forward, my tongue traced the outline of the small scar that ran across his bottom lip.

Instantly, Jack pulled my hands away from his face and pressed them against the wall. I was met with his piercing eyes, which somehow appeared warm despite the dark intensity in them.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you not to play with fire?" he asked, unnervingly calm.

The tension in the room escalated at the paradox of his rigid composure. Despite the control he emulated, Jack was panting like a dog in heat. His restraint was so apparent I felt it press itself against my stomach.

"Shouldn't you, my sweet little Doc-toor, know better?" his nose pressed against mine as his breath washed over my face.

I did know better.

Beneath the rigid exterior he portrayed, Jack was pleading with me. It was like a light at the end of his dark pupils. Begging me to follow out and never look back.

"I'm not afraid of you, Jack." I breathed firmly.

"Oh, you should be," he chuckled darkly. The small smirk on his lips heavily contrasted the sadness in his eyes.

"Why would I be afraid of you? You're not exactly dangerous," I joked half-heartedly. Somehow, I knew that wasn't entirely true.

In what was a poor attempt to ease the tension, unsurprisingly it didn't.

Jack released one of my wrists as he circled his thumb across my cheek.

"I am. Very dangerous. Especially for you." He spoke softly and evenly, the control in his tone appeared more terrifying than his bursts of anger. "And you should leave before I lose all my gentlemen-like restrain-tah."

He stepped away from me then.

Just enough to give me space to move past him and out the door. With one arm lifted toward the exit, Jack's darkened eyes bore into mine, practically daring my defiant nature.

I gulped but stood my ground.

My back remained pressed against the wall as I tried to steady my breathing. But I refused to drop his challenging stare. I refused to give him the reaction he was so used to.

Deep down my subconscious knew that was incredibly stupid.

That in fact, Jack was warning me, perhaps even trying to save me-but my pride and need to stand up for myself was too high.

"No. Push me away if you don't want me, but I won't leave because you expect me to," I stated, even surprising myself at the steadiness in my voice.

"Try to scare me all you want, but I'm not afraid of you." Despite the tremor I felt in my knees, it was true. I wasn't scared of him.

Jack's tongue flickered against his mouth, grazing his scarred skin. The action mimicked that of a snake. His blackened gaze was unreadable.

"Hmm...I see," he crooned.

He took a step forward.

A cold wash of adrenaline made me push myself off the wall as I realized he was now between me and the door.

Breathe. In. Out. Breathe.

I've set myself in a trap.

The corners of his mouth curved upward in a leer when he saw the recognition in my eyes. It took all my self-restraint not to physically recoil as he took another step towards me.

And another.

Agonizingly slowly.

But even now, I wasn't afraid. Because he was proving his point.

No matter how much he 'pushed my buttons', I didn't react in blind rage or cower in fear-instead, I was in a state of mixed defiance and shyness.

I realized then this was a test.

"Sooo…." he drawled, his dark eyes gleaming. "My brave little doc-tor isn't afraid of me."

Smack. The sound of Jack sucking in his scars filled his apartment.

He continued in his liquid slink, edging himself closer until his breath fanned across my face once again.

"Tell me then, cupcake," he murmured, his lips ghosting over mine. "Am I every woman's wet dream? Hmm.. or is it just you?" he teased, pulling me into his embrace.

My throat felt incredibly parched as I attempted to regain my breathing. Any witty response I would have come up with was halted as his erection pressed against my stomach.

Fuck, he's huge-

"Do I turn you on, Pop-Tart?" he purred, his voice sounded like velvet.

The sound of my blood pumping through my ears made the room spin slightly. I was in a daze, constantly overwhelmed and deprived of him all at once.

Pride made me deny it, with a small shake of my head.

"Liar," he smirked softly against my lips.

Jack grasped the back of my neck, his fingers tangling in my long hair, as he captured my mouth with his own.

He lifted me up, wrapping my legs around his waist, as he pressed me against the wall. My arms wound around his neck as I gasped into his mouth. His tongue carefully traced my quivering own, groaning when I returned the kiss with equal force.

Hot. It was unbearably hot.

I could feel Jack's warmth seep through the thin material of clothing separating us, his touch nearly searing my skin. It was like I was on a high that constantly craved more. The burning feeling was becoming intolerable as it traveled below my navel.

Deprived of oxygen, I broke the kiss and threw my head back as Jack's mangled lips moved to my neck. My head spun as I felt him alternate between nipping and kissing my throat.

"Jack," I moaned, my fingers blindly tangling themselves into his hair.

He grunted against my collarbone in response and urged me closer by grasping my bottom. I yelped softly, realizing then I wasn't wearing pants. Jack didn't seem to mind at my lack of attire, instead my moans encouraged his menstruations as he marked my throat.

"Mine," he growled as he licked the bruised skin between my shoulder and neck. It was so repressed and inaudible I wasn't sure I heard him correctly.

I wasn't sure I was supposed to.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I savored the feeling of his excitement pressing against my core. Jack continued to growl barely audible phrases against my skin as he ground himself into me, pressing me further into the wall.

His hot palm cupped my breast through the thin fabric separating skin to skin. I just about lost all resolve as his thumb brushed across my hardened nipple.

Whimpering, I bucked my hips upwards to meet his, I pulled his lips back to mine. Jack groaned in approval at my sudden forwardness.

More. I needed more.

Almost urgently, I grasped the bottom of his wife-beater and began to yank it over his head. Jack pulled back far enough to let me finish throwing the top onto the floor, making my fingers fumble beneath his consuming gaze. He pulled the T-shirt off my body in one swift motion, before I tugged his mouth back onto mine.

Jack clutched me closer, gripping the back of my thighs, as he began to walk us out of the small bathroom and into his bedroom.

My back hit the mattress as Jack's body pressed against mine. An animalistic growl filled the room as he explored my almost naked frame.

I was on cloud nine.

Skin to skin. Satin on silk. Hot and velvet. Warm and smooth….Oh God!

Jack's lips traveled down my neck to my chest. He sucked and nibbled at each breast, making sure to flick at it with his tongue. Slowly.

I arched my back, gasping for air as the friction from his scars overstimulated my sensitivity. My fingers fisted in his hair and I moaned his name.

He continued his pursuit along my body, ghosting his lips across my goose-bumped skin until he reached the top of my panties.

Raising his gaze to meet mine, Jack's penetrating stare held me in place as he pulled down the silk cloth. He trailed kisses and licks along my inner thigh, moving closer to my now bare center.

My eyes rolled into the back of my head as the delectable ache pooled a slow burning pressure between my legs. I wanted to say something-suddenly feeling very self-conscious-but his hot breath filled my body, effectively silencing any objections, when his nose nuzzled my dripping entrance.

I was practically arching off the mattress with open-mouthed pants when I felt his tongue eagerly stroke along my slit. Jack gripped my thighs over his shoulders and groaned into my core.

Warm, brown eyes lustfully peered up at mine as Jack began to suck gently, slipping a finger inside of me slowly.

I was a mess.

Moaning his name senselessly into the room. Jerking and bucking against his hot tongue. His scars only added to the sinful friction and I found myself trying to push away the guilt of enjoying the pleasure his disfigurement added to my pulsing cunt.

The heat was building unbearably tense, burning through my body. Close. So close.

"Oh goooddd...Jack"

Searing white blinded my vision as I came.

Gasping for air, I met Jack's gaze. He was still nestled between my thighs, peering up at me with such a dark, intense longing it nearly made me unravel all over again.

"You're amazing," he crooned huskily, licking his scarred lips. There was an insatiable echo in his voice, as though he was a starved man who only got a glimpse of food.

I pulled him up towards me and groaned as his tongue entered my mouth. Whimpering when I tasted my essence on his lips, my hands ran down his muscular chest and stopped at his abdomen.

"Your turn," I whispered against his lips. He groaned in response, effectively re-igniting the heat in my navel.

Pushing him onto the mattress, my mouth explored his toned chest, licking and nipping at the hot skin. I trailed from his abdomen down to the seam of his boxers.

Glancing up at him from under my eyelashes, I held his gaze as I pressed open-mouthed kisses along the fabric covering his member. Moaning, I darted my tongue along his clothed length, stopping to suck at the protruding tip.

Fuck, I want to know how he tastes.

Jack grunted and grabbed a fistfull of my hair.

"Sorry cupcake, we can play another time. I can't wait anymore," he growled roughly against my lips, sounding physically pained.

In an instant, Jack had flipped me back down on the mattress and was looking down at me with a lascivious gaze.

My eyes widened at the realization he had also pulled down his boxers. He was generous in width and especially length. I almost drooled at the sight.

"My eyes are up here," he smirked above me, causing me to blush under his piercing stare.

"Like I said, you're nice to look at." I replied without thinking.

He chuckled as he buried his nose into the crook of my neck. The next thing I felt was a delicious pressure, centered right at the heat that was screaming for his touch. I bucked my hips, desperate to get more friction, but Jack held them in place.

"Didn't they ever teach you patience was a virtue?" he giggled against my ear.

I felt like I was going mad with want.

"You're the only who said you couldn't wait anymore," I mumbled weakly in response. Attempting to jerk my hips forward to no avail.

"I like seeing you this way," he grunted hotly. "All hot and bothered for little ole me. Makes me want to stop and smell the roses."

His thick length rubbed along my wet folds.

"And boy, did I find a pretty rose," he groaned against me.

"Jack...please…." I begged against his throat.

Jack didn't require any further encouragement. He slid into my body, filling me completely as we both moaned in wanton pleasure.

Hot. Burning. Jack!

It was unbearable how good it felt. No one had ever made me feel this full-this complete. I raked my fingernails along his back, urging him closer and eliciting profanities from him as his groans rumbled through my body,

I really was trapped now.

The intoxicating way he grasped my body against his, fucking me into his mattress, was enough to make me wish this would never end.

My legs wrapped around the small of his back, holding him in place as he pounded me into the cotton sheets. I bit into the skin of my shoulder, drawing blood by mistake, but Jack moaned as though he enjoyed the pain.

"So tight…" he groaned against my throat.

The heat in my navel was coiling in an unimaginably burning friction. My hands tangled in his hair, whimpering his name in uncontrolled desire. Jack moaned and growled as he thrust harder, quickening his pace to make my head dizzy from the pleasure.

The thrusts became more frantic and erratic, both of us clinging to each other in blinded want. With each whimper and moan I released; I felt the deep groans of Jack against my ear.

God, I was close.

More clearly this time, I heard Jack growl, "Mine, you're mine."

I felt myself spill over the edge, helplessly screaming his name as my body convulsed-my walls clenching around his hard cock over and over. Jack released a loud, animalistic groan as he came inside of me.

Panting against each other, we relaxed from our high and laid in our lazy embrace. My fingers combed through his hair. I wasn't sure how long we stayed like that, but at some point Jack rolled over onto his back.

He pulled me onto his chest, placing a kiss at the top of my head.

Peering up at him I said in a post-sex daze,

"Thank god I use birth control."

….

Monday, September 17th, 10:25am

I was wearing a scarf. In the middle of post-summer to pre-fall weather. Inside during my hospital shift.

Yep, not suspicious at all.

It especially didn't come off as suspicious to Olivia-whom very graciously (and professionally) acknowledged said garment by screaming, "DID YOU FINALLY GET LAID?" in the middle of the cafeteria.

Sometimes, and by sometimes, I mean right now, I really hate Olivia's inability to control her blunt outbursts.

"Why don't you just announce over the microphone, Liv?" I grumbled in annoyance.

"You're avoiding my question. Is that a yes?" She asked, ignoring my discomfort.

I mumbled something unintelligible in response.

I left the table when she gave a delighted squeal and tried to coax me for all "the dirty details".

…..

1:17pm

Note to self: neveruse a scarf as a disguise again.

Crane not only spent 40 minutes staring me down in an idiotically confused gaze only he could form, but he also had the nerve to point out to Dr. Kurvousky my "unprofessional attire" and how it "violated the medical code".

Medical code? Really?

Hence me having to endure the embarrassment of answering Dr. Kurvousky's concern as to why I was wearing a scarf.

"I'm just feeling sort of under the weather. Woke up with a sore throat," I shrugged.

Dr. Kurvousky nodded, accepting my lame excuse, but not without giving me a mini-lecture that if I didn't feel well I needed to call in sick.

"Not worth the risk of you or our patients," he said in the same fatherly tone he always did.

I nodded as he walked out of the room, happy to know the awkward encounter was put to an end.

"You know, I'm happy for you. Maybe now that you're getting some you won't be such a bitch to work with," Crane stated in a smug calmness I couldn't stand.

"Well if that's true, I can't wait until you finally convince some poor soul to sleep with you so I can say the same for you and your bitchy attitude."

Crane's eye twitched but he said nothing.

I turned to leave before adding, "Too bad you'll never find someone who won't think you're a repulsive creep."

I'm pretty sure Crane's eye twitched the rest of the day.

…..

7:24pm

I was a puddle of nerves walking into the apartment building.

Although Jack had woken up before me to make me coffee (and surprisingly fed me a balanced breakfast), for my shift at work, I wasn't exactly sure where we stood. What if he was just being polite?

Okay well Jack didn't exactly scream polite, or the type to do things out of politeness, but...he was confusing.

One second, he had been pushing me away to pinning me against his wall-then warning me how dangerous he is apparently-and then leading to us doing the dirty in bed.

My body shook with desire at the memories of last night.

Grumbling to myself, I remembered the annoying encounter I had with Crane. What kind of asshole thinks he has any right to comment on his coworker's sex life?

"Asshole," I grumbled as I attempted to unlock my apartment.

"Bad day, cupcake?" a velvety voice spoke behind me.

I jumped slightly and turned to face a smirking Jack.

God he's delicious.

"You could say that," I replied, trying to ignore the blush creeping on my cheeks at his presence.

Annoyingly our little "encounter" last night only made my embarrassing antics around him worse. I nearly dropped the keys from being so flustered.

"And what's got my little doc so upset?" he teased with curiosity.

Before I could respond, his large hands covered mine as he opened my front door.

Large hands that were all over my body last night.

I swallowed the drool in my mouth and forced myself out the daze induced from his proximity. When we entered my apartment, I had to physically restrain myself from jumping him.

"It's nothing, it's stupid," I mumbled but Jack's questioning stare pushed me further.

I bit my lip.

"Erm, everyone at work noticed the scarf I was wearing and put two and two together," I replied blushing furiously.

Jack was quiet for a moment before raising an eyebrow.

"Hmm...so did some "Asshole" feel the need to point that out to you?" he asked, his tone dangerously low.

"Yeah, but it's whatever. I told him no one will ever want to be with him anyway and I'm pretty sure it gave him an aneurysm."

Jack chuckled, eyes twinkling in approval.

"See, my little Pop-Tart always proving my theories right," he purred.

I shook my head in an attempt to steady myself from the seductive growl in his voice.

"What theories exactly?" I asked.

"You never let anyone get you down," he stated matter of factly. "You also proved another theory last night.

"And what's that?" I asked, rolling my eyes.

Jack winked, "Always knew you were a screamer."

….

8:15pm

I opened the door and was greeted with a sheepish Peter, who was holding a wrapped up plate of Mrs. Larde's cooking. Peter smiled but within seconds his expression fell as his eyes flickered behind me.

I quickly glanced over my shoulder and saw Jack staring daggers at Peter.

If looks could kill.

Clearing his throat, Peter said, "Here you go, D. Just wanted to drop these off."

"Thanks, kiddo! Do you want to come inside? I promise I won't let grumpy pants bother you."

Peter attempted to smile but he met Jack's gaze again, and instead his expression fell into a grimace.

"No that's okay, D. I gotta get some stuff done anyway." he said, averting my gaze.

I frowned at his discomfort.

Why did Jack have such a strong hatred for someone as sweet as Peter?

I was going to make sure Jack learned his manners. Peter was just a kid anyway!

Peter coughed awkwardly and scratched the back of his neck. "Erm, I hate doing this, D, but your neighbors made a noise complaint and I gotta ask you to keep it down next time."

My neighbors...made a noise complaint….about ME?

The only other person on this floor was Mr. Walters. Deaf, Mr. Walters.

Peter must have seen my confused expression because he added quickly, "It wasn't on your floor. It was the people above you. And erm...well below too." He added, turning beat red.

I continued to furrow my brow. What?

"I don't understand? I'm barely in my apartment to make noise?" I said, bewildered.

The sound of Jack sucking in his scars made me glance at him. His gaze shifted from Peter's flustered form to mine. For the first time, Jack was full on smirking. His warm eyes were twinkling with mischief.

Wait-

"It was when you guys...I mean….you were really loud, D." Peter blurted out.

He absolutely refused to look at me.

Oh my god.

"Peter-" I choked out in horrified embarrassment.

"I'm not judging! Just please….keep it down." he said meekly. And with that, Peter practically ran down the hallway.

Sweet, innocent little Peter had to come to my apartment and ask me to keep it down.

BECAUSE THE APARTMENT BUILDING HEARD ME DURING-

I am a bitch of the first order.

Peter will never be able to look at me in the eye again.

I didn't know how long I stood there holding my door open in shock, but I was too flustered to notice.

Are my eyes twitching?

Jack pressed himself against my back and leaned down to nuzzle my neck. My body trembled in humiliation as I felt him chuckle against my ear.

I didn't have to turn around to know Jack was still smirking.

"Told you you're a screamer, Pop-Tart."