It was late afternoon when the knock came.
Jack had just finished sanding down a thick walnut slab for a custom headboard, his shirt long since abandoned in the summer heat. Sweat glistened off his muscled torso, every line of him rippling with power and control, the scent of sawdust and pine thick in the air. He glanced toward the door, already sensing something different in the air.
When he opened it, a familiar face greeted him—more grown, broader in the shoulders, the kind of face that had once looked up at Jack like he’d hung the moon.
“Lucas?” Jack asked, blinking once.
“Been a long time,” Lucas said, stepping in before Jack could even gesture. His eyes swept the workshop—then landed right back on Jack, drinking him in. “Heard you were back in town… figured it was time I saw you again.”
Jack gave a crooked smirk. “You came all this way just to reminisce?”
Lucas chuckled, but there was heat behind his gaze. “You know I never could ignore you. Back then, I was too young. Too scared. But I’m not anymore.”
Jack raised a brow. “So what are you saying?”
“I’m saying I remember how you used to look at me. And I remember how I used to wish you’d do something about it.”
Jack stepped in closer, the air between them charged. “You sure you’re ready for what you were wishing for?”
Lucas’s breath hitched just slightly, but his jaw was set, his eyes locked. “That’s why I’m here.”
Before Jack could reply, the sound of tires on gravel caught both their attention.
Jack stepped over to the window. A familiar silver sedan.
Evelyn.
He glanced at Lucas, who followed his gaze. “Someone else?”
Jack’s smirk returned, unapologetic. “An old flame with bad timing.”
Lucas leaned against the wall, watching as Jack crossed the room, muscles flexing with every step. “You gonna tell her to leave?”
Jack paused at the door, looking back with a glint in his eye. “No. Let’s see how jealous she really is.”
Outside, Evelyn stood at the foot of the porch, arms crossed, sunglasses perched high on her nose.
“I saw her car here the other day,” she said as Jack stepped out. “Didn’t know you were collecting.”
Jack gave her a slow, deliberate smile. “You knew what this was, Evelyn.”
She glanced past him—only catching the tail end of Lucas walking through the workshop shirtless, toned and tanned, stretching like he belonged there. Her jaw twitched.
“Who’s that?” she asked coolly.
“Lucas,” Jack said, leaning casually against the rail. “Old friend. We’ve got catching up to do.”
Evelyn stared at him, her nostrils flaring just slightly. “You planning on making him another project of yours?”
“Maybe,” Jack said. “Unless you’ve got something better to offer.”
Her eyes narrowed, a fire lighting behind them. “You think I’m just gonna stand by while you take in every stray you left smoldering over the years?”
Jack stepped off the porch, walked right up to her, and leaned in close. “No. I think you’re going to come inside… watch what I do to him… and remember what I do to you.”
Evelyn shivered. “You’re dangerous.”
“You already knew that.”
Inside, Lucas had stripped to his jeans, leaning casually against the workbench when they entered.
Evelyn’s eyes dragged over him instinctively. Jack watched them both, the tension coiling between all three.
“I don’t know what game you’re playing,” Evelyn said, trying to sound in control, “but you always win, don’t you?”
Jack approached Lucas from behind and placed a hand on his shoulder. Lucas didn’t flinch—he tilted his head slightly in welcome.
“I don’t play games,” Jack said softly, lips close to Lucas’s ear. “I offer experiences.”
Evelyn stood frozen as she watched Jack’s large, rough hands slide down Lucas’s chest, teasing open the button on his jeans. Lucas let out a quiet breath, eyes fluttering shut. His body responded instantly—hungry, eager, loyal to Jack’s touch.
And Evelyn? Her fingers curled around the back of a nearby chair, breath coming shallow. She didn’t leave.
Jack caught her watching and grinned. “Stay. You’ll want to see this.”
And as he brought Lucas to his knees, commanding and slow, Evelyn realized that even when Jack shared his touch… the power he held was absolute.
Jack’s Page