Read Online All Jacked Up by Desiree Holt - Free Book Online

open window so Jack couldn’t just pull away. “A word to the wise, my friend. Forget that attitude she wears like a suit of armour. Darcy’s really a nice lady. I’d hate for someone to use her up and toss her aside like a piece of used Kleenex.”
    Jack goggled at him. “What the hell are you talking about? Darcy and I barely know each other.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Anyway, don’t you know me better than that?”
    “I hope so. Just sayin’.” He tapped the door. “See you later.”
    Jack drove home in a foul mood, trying to decide if he was angrier with himself for getting caught in this situation or with Eli for having such a low opinion of him. And what was so special about Darcy O’Connor? She was just a quirky little female.
    Who makes my dick so hard if I bump into a wall it might break off.
    Well, no more. Never again. If he had to stay out of Eli’s for a month so they didn’t cross paths, he’d do it.
    His cell phone rang just as he got out of his SUV.
    “Jack! My man!” Mike’s cheerful voiced boomed out at him.
    “Hey, Mike.” Jack wished he hadn’t answered the phone. Good cheer wasn’t on the menu for him today.
    “Where are you? We tried the house first but no answer. You never go out on a Sunday morning.”
    Never go out on a Sunday morning? Jesus, was he that predictable?
    “I decided to throw caution to the wind and actually leave the house today.” He didn’t even try to keep the surly tone out of his voice. He was already pissed off at so many things he’d given up trying for a pleasant attitude.
    “Whoa. Sorry, buddy. Did I hit a sore toe or something?”
    Jack sighed. “What is it, Mike? I have things to do.”
    “Oh.” Mike sounded startled. “Well, we decided to throw a barbecue together at the last minute and I wanted to be sure you got the word. Five o’clock. Bring beer.”
    A barbecue. Just what he needed. Socialising with a bunch of happy couples.
    “I don’t think so, Mike, but thanks anyway.”
    “Oh, come on,” Mike coaxed. “You’ll just hang out with Mr Big or some shit like that. And Carly’s making that great cake that you love.”
    “I’m really not in the mood to socialise much,” he told his friend. “I’ll take a pass this time.”
    “Think of it as an extension of your birthday party. Come on,” he wheedled. “Carly will be pissed off at me if you don’t show. She said she won’t have a good time thinking about you sitting home alone if we’re having a cookout.”
    “Home alone?” Was that how his friends saw him? “I’m not her project,” he growled.
    “Listen, just come on over, okay? You can even sit in a corner and not talk to anyone. Well, maybe not. We’re gonna play a little touch football and beat our chests.”
    Suddenly Jack felt tired of arguing with him. And Mike was right. He really didn’t have any plans for the day.
    “Okay. What time?”
    “Five o’clock. And don’t forget the beer.”

    * * * *

    Darcy kicked off her stupid shoes, threw herself backwards on to her bed and stared at the ceiling. What the hell had she gone and done? Bad enough she’d slept with Jack Manning once, though she could chalk that up to accidental circumstances, alcohol and a bad day. But this time she’d done it deliberately. He’d actually asked her to go home with him and she’d said yes.
    I am the stupidest woman on this planet. I am an idiot. I should be committed.
    But that wouldn’t change the fact that the man seriously rang her chimes. Or that he was absolutely the very wrong person for her. Darcy liked her life. Such as it was. She could be the free spirit she’d always wanted to be. Wear crazy clothes. Have a crazy hairstyle. Eat popcorn for dinner and Chinese food for breakfast.
    She’d bet every dime in her slowly growing bank account that Jack Manning had never in his life coloured outside the lines. That he had created an image of himself that overcame whatever his insecurities were and his ideal woman was an