Just Jack Read Online Free Page B

worked—a twenty-minute walk via the coffee shop. Leo pulled at the front of his pants. He wondered how long it would take for them to dry out.
    “So, which way?” Jack asked. His face lit up as he looked at Leo.
    Jack really wanted to walk him? Leo had figured he was just being polite.
    “A few blocks that way.” Leo pointed down the street. “I’ll be okay. I’m sure you have better things to do.”
    Jack simply grinned as he turned and waited for Leo to join him.
    The tightness in Leo’s chest eased when Jack glanced over his shoulder. Damn the man was gorgeous, and his blue eyes sparkled in the bright sunlight. Pushing off the side of the building, Leo pulled his jacket closed with one hand and carefully made his way to stand beside Jack. He squinted as he moved out from the protection of the building and snow was whipped up by the wind and blew in his face.
    Jack rested a hand on his shoulder. Curiously, the gust died away, and the snow fell instead in gentle straight lines. Leo glanced at Jack and Jack looked away, but before he did, Leo swore he saw Jack’s eyes aglow and a mischievous twinkle in them. Maybe it was just the snow and the bang to the head, but Leo felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time, not since he was a child—magic.
     
     

Chapter 4
     
    What the hell is wrong with me?
    Jack returned Leo’s wave and watched the man head into the office building. Something felt different, and Jack was surprised by the empty feeling in his chest. It was strange. It wasn’t the same bitterness that had eaten away at him for over fifty years. No, it was something completely new. He would even dare to call it warm.
    Gently, he rubbed at his chest and gazed at the building. Leo was gone, but the tingling sensation and the spread of heat continued in his chest. His heart beat as it always had, slow and steady and unmoved. It had beat the exact same way for half a century, from the moment it had been broken by the betrayal of another. Almost nothing had changed in all that time—not his heart, not his looks, not his feelings. He often wondered if he would stay like this forever. A forever filled with only ice and snow.
    He looked around at the people busying themselves with their daily routines and ordinary lives. The snow had stopped and was now turning to watery slush in the wake of their human footsteps, and they hurried easily along the street. Jack stared up at the clouds, surprised as they faded away to reveal blue sky.
    That isn’t right , he thought as the sun shone brightly above him. His emotions were getting the better of him, and it was all Leo’s fault. He didn’t usually feel bad about the victims of his mischief, and of all the banged heads and broken arms. He wasn’t sure what had made him stop this time. Was it possible he actually cared? What a ridiculous idea. He didn’t care. His heart had been cold for a long time, and despite trying, he had never cared about anything or anyone since it had iced over in his chest. It was better that way, safe from the pain of having his heart broken all over again.
    Closing his eyes, he took steadying breaths and tried to imagine what it might feel like to enjoy the warmth of the sun on his skin. The last time had been so long ago, and he wasn’t sure he remembered how it felt anymore. He’d forgotten a lot of things. Things that any normal person would strive for—love, companionship, human touch. With a sigh, Jack opened his eyes and looked up at the building. Though only for a moment, he caught sight of Leo in one of the windows.
    Jack held his hand to his chest. It wasn’t possible. He slid his hand inside his open-collared shirt and pressed his fingers to his skin over his heart, but before he could discover if what he’d felt was real, his heartbeat sounded steadily once more. Was it just wishful thinking? Was he imagining what he thought he should be feeling right then? A skip, a surge to the dulcet rhythm? He raised his head and