BRAINSTORM

Chapter Eleven - Desire meets deception.

Jack scarcely made it back to his apartment. The corridors were difficult enough to navigate sober, now it was nearly impossible. His journey became a series of difficult decisions, and he made several wrong turns. When he got to his door, he fired a fist pump as if he scored a goal. 

He held his hand over the entry pad, then he was in. Home? Upon seeing the glass cell in the room's center, Jack sobered. Slightly. This door, this room, this goddamned facility was the reason he was drunk in the first place. CIRAS's demands ripped him down the center, making him choose between his principles and achieving his life's dream.

Time to suck it up and begin what he was here to do. Damn that he was drunk. Damn that he didn't quite know where to begin. Damn that thoughts of Ellen dropped back into his mind. Damn. Damn. Damn it all.

Jack walked into the translucent chamber. This time he wasn't walking out until he turned TR on. "Computer!" He slid into the chair.

"Yes, Jack."

"Bring Tabula Rasa online."

"Changed your mind, Jack?"

"Screw you!" He slapped his palm on the desk. 

Hearing a sound, Jack cocked his head. He couldn't figure out what it was at first then he pieced it together. Someone's knocking, idiot. Go see who it is.

Ellen stood in the hallway. Her silky top hugged her curves, and her tight jeans showed off her perfect legs. And those heels . . . damn! He tried to force the thoughts that arose out of his brain. It wasn't easy. And, it wasn't working. He raked a hand through his hair, trying to get a grip on himself.

"Hey Jack, you made me a promise. I intend for you to keep it." Ellen placed her hands on her hips in a way that made an arrow.

Jesus. What promise? The one to have drinks later? She didn't look like she was here for drinks but what the hell did he know? He was drunk, and Ellen was the hottest woman he'd ever seen. His body nearly shook as he tried to resist the magnetic pull he felt towards her. It was a classic story–nerdy scientist attracted to a gorgeous secretary. He gulped as he stared, fearing he might have drowned his self-discipline in all those gin-and-tonics.

Should he try to kiss her? He wanted that and more–much, much more, but he didn't want to screw it up and lose his opportunity. Was there an opportunity?

Ellen shifted one clearly delineated hip to the side. "You could ask me in."

"Oh, of course, come in." Jack stepped back and held the door open. Ellen slipped inside and brushed against him. "Um, can I offer you a drink?"

"No, thank you."

"Can I get you anything? Do you want to sit down?"

She drew close to him, pushing against the tightened muscles of his abs and thighs. "That's not why I came, Jack."

He widened his eyes, pulling in a short breath. Straightening to his full height, he drew his shoulders back so the fabric of his t-shirt stretched across his pecs. He might be a nerd but he also was an accomplished soccer player and his body showed it. He never had any trouble "getting" girls, but his intrinsic southern good manners always fought with his natural sensuality. Nevertheless. "Why did you come, Ellen?"

Ellen glanced at his chest muscles then looked into his eyes. "To see you."

"Obviously. Why?"

"If you can't tell, you're not as smart as you're supposed to be." She moved closer until she was only inches away from him and leaned forward, offering her lips to his. Alcohol still clouded his judgment, but he was too carnally focused to care. Jack moved toward her, his need primal. She had come to him at just the right moment, and he would make sure she didn't regret it. He kissed her deep and hard, gripping the nape of her neck in both hands, letting his nails bite into her just a bit.