Hurt Like HELL (new adult contemporary romance) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Jack said.  “Why?”
    “It’s that late?” I replied.  “I must have fallen asleep on the couch, waiting for you.”
    From there silence greeted us, as it usually did.  This time felt so much different.  I stood holding Jack’s hands and he didn’t shake me away.  He had a look in his eyes that made me wonder what kind of images he had.  What kind of thoughts he had for me.  What kind of things he wanted to do, or knew how to do, or would show me how to do.
    My body became tingly, warm, and I felt things changing.  I couldn’t believe how I felt right then… I was turned on by Jack .  My cheeks turned an apple shade of red.  I couldn’t control it so I didn’t worry about it.  I remained focused on Jack’s eyes, face, the way he smelled, the pain we both shared.  It was like our lives were bleeding into each other’s, intertwining and tightening, making it impossible for us to ever be apart. 
    The sad reality was that if it weren’t for my father – and Jack’s mother – none of it would have happened.  Jack had been in his room on a quiet night the first time he heard the violent command of my father’s voice and hands earlier that summer, prompting him to come and save me. 
    Jack never admitted saving me because all we did was sit on the couch and talk.  But that did save me. 
    Now, my mind had other plans.
    My feet started to move forward and I inched towards him again.  This time I moved just a couple inches, hinting to Jack that I was okay with whatever he had planned. 
    “I’m sorry I didn’t come over,” Jack said.
    “Don’t be,” I said.  “Things happen.”
    “Do you really miss me when I’m not here?”
    I nodded.  “It hurts when you’re not here.”
    “Worse than him ?”
    “It’s two different kinds of pains,” I said.  “And I don’t care about him.”
    “Tessa… I’m no good.  For you, or anybody.”
    “No, you’re perfect,” I said.  “For me.”
    Jack closed his eyes.  “Nobody deserves any of this mess.  You deserve to go off and be happy.  To find someone with a family.”
    “A family?  What does that have to do with anything?”
    “Us,” Jack said, his voice rising and cracking.  “We’d have nobody but each other.”
    “So?” I cried out.  I didn’t need anyone else in the world besides Jack. 
    “It’s not that simple,” Jack said.  “We’d have nobody else to rely on.  No family.”
    I felt myself wanting to cry.  “That doesn’t matter to me.  We’d become Abby Wednesday and Danny Thursday, right?  We’d find close friends, friends who could become our family.”
    “You really think two broken hearts can make one good one?”
    “Our hearts aren’t broken,” I said.  “Our lives are.”
    We both had suddenly been thrown into a world of adulthood thinking and talking.  I didn’t like it one bit.  I liked it better sitting on the couch, talking about our future.  Or trying to kiss Jack.  Or…
    Jack closed his eyes and cut off my thoughts.  “I think I’m in love with you, Tessa.”
    “I love you too,” I said without thinking about it.
    That’s when Jack took the lead, twisting his wrists so he could hold my hands.  He pulled me hard.  I stumbled forward to his body, inhaling the smell of his clothing.  It was his smell, Jack’s smell.  Old clothes, sweat, and a hint of soap.  It was locked in my memory forever.
    I looked up at Jack and he was already on the move.
    I opened my mouth to gasp, moan, something, and his mouth touched mine.  It was an open mouth kiss, no tongue.  Our mouths just pressed together, both of us shaking.  I went with my urges at that point, closing my mouth so Jack could do the same.  Our kiss was then locked, our lips together.  When he pulled back it made the wet sound that I always dreamed it would make.  Just like on television.  Just like in the movies.
    We kissed three more times, wet smacking, heart racing, and together we slowly opened our mouths