Shop till we drop *gag* (Jack)

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Rebecca's five weeks with Jack wasn't all that bad, and she was even a little disappointed her was leaving. Of course she was looking forward to it, too. Jack had invaded her privacy on more than one occasion. The man was, after all, sleeping on her couch which meant she had to be conscious about what she left her bedroom wearing, and it also meant whenever she used the bathroom she had to shut the door. Her cabinets were fuller now, though, and she was eating better with Jack around than she had been when he wasn't there with her. Of course she had to deal with shedding now, too. Who knew a man who shifted into a wolf for all of eight hours could make such a damn mess? She would miss his company, though. She had grown accustomed to venting to him about her day, but she knew she would still be able to do that when he came back to work, though she would make sure not to let him be her partner. Last thing she needed was any sort of temptation while out on duty.

Jack had been surprisingly respectful considering their intimacy. After that first time she had feared he would think she was a free ride for him to get on whenever he pleased, and though he did make attempts to get with her more than she liked, he was good about backing off when she made it clear it wasn't happening. It wasn't that she didn't want it, because frankly Jack was a god in the sack and she thoroughly enjoyed their romps now that she was used to him seeing her naked. She still wasn't wild about him looking at her, or complimenting her, but she had no problem with him showing his adoration. It was strictly lust, and she was sure he felt the same. Part of her knew she would miss that, too. Whenever she felt the urge she could simply show a little skin and Jack would be all over her like, well, a dog. He made it easy, and she liked things to be easy. Still, having her privacy would be nice again, and she would still see him daily at work and if he wanted to stop by after dinner and cook for her she probably wouldn't balk at the idea, even if it meant putting out. She could deal with spreading her legs for mind numbing sex while having a full belly. Really, it was sort of a win/win for her.

But for now they were heading out of the city to the outlets to shop. Rebecca needed some new clothes, specifically undergarments (as Jack had kindly pointed out), and Jack said he needed some new things. Naturally, Rebecca wasn't wild about them being seen in the city together in public, afraid it would give folks the wrong idea about them, so the outlets were a good compromise, even if they were sort of far.

"I haven't been to the outlets since I was a kid." Rebecca explained, leaning forward to look out the windshield as the big green signs passed overhead, letting them know they were getting closer to the outlets. She wasn't completely comfortable with Jack driving, still preferring to be in control at all costs, but she was allowing it today because he insisted. "My mom would take my brother and I here right before school every year and buy us an entire wardrobe. Then we came back the week after thanksgiving to do all out Christmas shopping." It wasn't often she told Jack about her life prior to knowing him, but the outlets held such strange, fond memories. It would be weird coming back now as an adult without her mother. Rebecca leaned back and sighed, reaching to play with the radio. "Twenty bucks says they've got Christmas music blaring already." She grumbled. Christmas was something she hadn't loved since she was eleven. Her first Christmas in the system had been a miserable one with toys donated from families across the city. She herself had gotten an ugly pink sweater and a stuffed cat, just what every twelve year old wants after losing her entire family. Her first Christmas on her own had been sort of nice because she got to share it with Maxi. "I swear if I hear that hippopotamus song I'm going to barf." She smirked a little, turning to look at Jack. She liked his new haircut. A lot. He looked handsome this way. Not that he didn't before, but he looked, well, clean. The stubble and goatee was a nice touch, too. She certainly hadn't done bad when attracting a fuck buddy.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

The past few weeks had been the best Jack could recall having in years. Sure, he constantly had to watch his back for people coming to snatch him and take him back to the camps and he was living on another person’s couch, but that couch was Rebecca’s. Every evening she came home and he was there with dinner ready, sometimes already shifted by the time she got in. Sometimes she got home early enough, though, that he was not only able to eat with her, but she would let him into her bed. He was perfectly content with their existence: they were both eating well, he was getting rested and healing from the camps, and he was having sex pretty regularly with the only woman he’d had a genuine interest in for quite some time. Sex had never been so satisfying before, either. He respected when she didn’t want to and would let it be, but it wasn’t often that she turned him down. On top of all that, his sisters and his mother were safe outside of the city and he talked to them every week to check up on his mother’s healing. The sunshine in Portland was doing wonders for her, and he couldn’t be happier. There was only one caveat: he was slowly but surely wanting more from his relationship with Rebecca. Sex was great, more than he could have imagined would be possible between them, but cooking for her and living with her, relaxing with her every day made him realize he loved the familiarity of what they had. It felt so much like home and he dared to dream that it could be more than just lust between them.

That was part of why he decided to leave. He knew Rebecca wasn’t comfortable with more than sex, and she certainly wouldn’t be now that he was returning to work. If he was able to put some distance between them, he would be able to give her time to think about his proposal. He wanted to take Rebecca on a real date, let her see that there was nothing to be afraid of. He’d come this far in proving that she could trust him, so he wanted to take it a step further. Jack was falling for Rebecca and he couldn’t stop himself from wanting more. Today he planned to bring it up when they broke from shopping for food and while he was nervous, it didn’t show as he calmly drove them just outside the city to the outlet stores. He needed some new jeans, since his were about five years old, and Rebecca needed some new underwear. That was what amused him the most about today—he’d been invited to come with her to pick out underwear. True, she hadn’t asked him to help her pick it out, but he was going to have a field day with this. He would be sure to suggest some sexy matching sets, whether she accepted his advice or not. Jack wasn’t a horndog per se, but he felt able to tease Rebecca some; in all honesty, he would have taken her in a sports’ bra and granny panties.

“I haven’t been to the outlets since I was a kid.” He glanced over to her in the passenger’s seat and gave a small smile. It had been a while for him too. Too bad it was a cloudy day outside the city since he could have used the sunshine. “My mom would take my brother and I here right before school every year and buy as an entire wardrobe. Then we came back the next week after Thanksgiving to do all our Christmas shopping.” She spoke with fond nostalgia and he noted she never really talked about her family. It made him smile warmly at her before looking back out to the road, letting her play with the radio in his car. “My mom used to bring my sister’s and I out here around Christmas too, but only so we could pick out our presents for each other. We would all pull our allowances together and pick something nice out for her, too. She would let us pick the store we wanted to get her present from and then wait outside for us. It was always fun.” His father had been a part of that whole process until he passed away, and Jack still had happy memories about his dad suggesting things his mom would like or compliment him on what he’d picked out for his sisters. “Twenty bucks says they’ve got Christmas music blaring already.” He snorted. “You’re on. I think it’ll come on the week of Thanksgiving.” “I swear if I hear that hippopotamus song I’m going to barf.” He actually laughed this time. “I actually don’t mind the hippopotamus song. It’s that stupid Dominic the Donkey song I can’t stand. I never did like it.” It was funny to hear them be so cynical about Christmas together, but Jack actually liked Christmas. It was a time for family and he was a family man. Thinking of Christmas, he would definitely get Rebecca something this year…nothing fancy, but something nice that she would appreciate. Perhaps a little figurine to spruce up her bare apartment.

They pulled in to the parking lot and he threw the car in park before sliding out and locking the car behind them. His hand ran through his now much shorter hair as he made his way around the car to meet Rebecca. He was still getting used to his new hair cut even though it had been weeks since he’d cut it. “So where to first? I’ll follow your lead. And by the way, don’t think you’re barring me from the underwear store.” He gave her a mischievous grin, knowing she wasn’t entirely comfortable with the idea of him being there while she was buying underwear.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

“I actually don’t mind the hippopotamus song. It’s that stupid Dominic the Donkey song I can’t stand. I never did like it.” Jack laughed and Rebecca groaned. "Yeah, that one's pretty awful, too." She agreed, not liking that one any more than the hippo song. There were plenty of Christmas songs she could tolerate, but those were definitely not two of them. Rebecca liked the classics well enough; Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, Nat King Cole.. Those were the ones she didn't mind, until of course all those pop singers decided to remake them and make them all poppy.

Rebecca felt almost relieved that they were coming up to the shops. Jack found a spot easily enough and Rebecca stretched when she got out of the car as if they'd been driving for hours, which certainly wasn't the case. “So where to first? I’ll follow your lead." Oh, she was in charge of this little trip? That was news. "And by the way, don’t think you’re barring me from the underwear store.” His grin was a mischievous one but it made her cheeks flush and she glowered at him. They weren't a couple and she didn't like him checking out her underwear before she even had a chance to buy it. They were fuck buddy's but more so just friends. That didn't mean he could just check out her goods, even if he was likely the one to be seeing her in them. "Just because I allow you the privilege of seeing me get down to my skivvies doesn't mean you have the right to help me pick them out, or to give me feedback on what I pick or whatever else you think you might want to do in there. I'm a big girl and I pick out my own intimates, thank you." She chastised as they made their way into the shopping area.

It was weird being back at the shops. It looked almost the same as she remembered it, but the stores were different now and a lot of them had been updated. At some point benches had been put in and they changed the color scheme so it didn't look so late eighties. In fact there was one section that looked completely new and she figured they probably added on a few years ago. The shops must have been doing well. "Well, what do you need?" She asked looking up to her male companion. "Did you want to stop at the hair store and buy some products for your new 'do?" She teased with a small smirk. "Maybe a skirt?" She cocked a brow, just teasing him. Rebecca herself couldn't even remember the last time she'd worn a skirt. Most of hers probably had cobwebs all over them and a thick layer of dust. "I guess we could go get this underwear business out of the way.." She grumbled as she looked around, not having any idea where there even was an underwear store.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

Jack didn’t know what it was about making Rebecca glower at him with his teasing, but it always made him want to laugh. He could see the color in her cheeks as he teased her about buying underwear with her and it made him feel strangely triumphant. Of course he would never show it, knowing that would put him in the doghouse, but he felt it. “Just because I allow you the privilege of seeing me get down to my skivvies doesn’t mean you have the right to help me pick them out, or to give me feedback on what I pick or whatever else you think you might want to do in there. I’m a big girl and I pick out my own intimates, thank you.” Jack snorted and shook his head. “I’m just trying to help you out, Becks. Us being friends and all.” His grin was still playful though his voice remained the same soft, even tone he always used. Over the past few weeks of living with her, he’d gotten used to calling her nicknames when he was joking around with her. Not pet names, just variations on her name, knowing she wouldn’t appreciate the pet names very much. She wasn’t that kind of girl.

Jack always felt a little overwhelmed when he was at the shops. There were always a lot of people, even for a small area, especially around the holidays. They were the only brand name stores near the area, so people flocked there to get the best brand name items they could find without having to go even further outside of the city. Over the years the shops had grown, though, and it appeared they were still growing. “Well, what do you need?” He turned his kind brown eyes down to his companion, towering over her as usual. “Did you want to stop at the hair store and buy some products for your new ‘do?” She knew he didn’t put much product in his hair, and what little he did wear, it was ten times cheaper than what they sold in a hair salon. “Maybe a skirt?” He frowned and raised his eyebrows playfully, as if he were considering it. Jack definitely wasn’t going to put on a skirt, but he wouldn’t mind seeing Rebecca in one. With her long legs, she would definitely capture plenty of attention. She was so modest, though, she would never wear a skirt. “I guess we could go get this underwear business out of the way…” He grinned wide at the way she grumbled that. Rebecca was a funny woman. She didn’t do any of the girly things that most women enjoyed and he had a feeling that when she did need to do girly things, Maxi was usually the one with her to give advice. He liked how different Rebecca was, though. What made her go from a ballerina who tried to ride horses to a complete tomboy? She was such a mystery…

“Well, as great as I think a skirt would look on me, I’m here for jeans. I’ve have these for about five years—I think it’s time for an upgrade.” Jack was a simple guy. As long as it worked, he was satisfied with it until it didn’t work anymore. That was how he was with clothes, cars, any technology, and relationships. The only reason he had an upgraded phone was because it was free after so many years with his plan. He gave Rebecca a smug smile as he looked down at her. “If you want to buy your underwear first, though, I’m okay with that. I just don’t know where the store is.” She was glowering again and he wondered if she was going to try and hit him to get him to stop teasing her. Then again, they always said boys teased the girls they liked, and that was true enough for him. “Do you know where the store is? Or should we just wander around and whichever store we come to first, whether Old Navy or Victoria’s Secret, is where we’ll stop first?” He didn’t mind wandering around with Rebecca at his side, but he didn’t think she was much for meandering, especially not in a crowded area.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

“Well, as great as I think a skirt would look on me, I’m here for jeans. I’ve have these for about five years—I think it’s time for an upgrade.” Her eyes instinctively moved to his pants to see how bad off they were, and she hadn't noticed until he mentioned it, but they did seem a little ragged. Sure, they fit nice still, but they were perhaps a little too faded. She peaked up at him, feeling his eyes on her and her cheeks grew hot as he offered a smug sort of smirk at her. What was that for? “If you want to buy your underwear first, though, I’m okay with that. I just don’t know where the store is.” She couldn't help the glower that slipped over her face. He always brought that out in her, it was like his super power. She looked forward not knowing where the store would be either. She hadn't bought underwear in ages and she didn't like stripping down to her skivvies in front of Jack with them being in the current shape they were in. Even she had some amount of pride.

“Do you know where the store is?" She shook her head slowly from side to side looking around. It had been so long since she'd been there, even if she had an idea of where one might have been from her last time, there was a good chance that particular store would have closed by now. "Or should we just wander around and whichever store we come to first, whether Old Navy or Victoria’s Secret, is where we’ll stop first?” Rebecca shrugged. "Sure, we could do that I guess." She offered shoving her hands into her pockets and looking around.

Rebecca had never thought she would come back to these shops. In a way it was really strange because she'd only ever been there with her mom and Sam, but if she could choose anyone to be there with now it would be Maxi or Jack. Jack had become a friend over the last few weeks. Someone she felt comfortable confiding in, at least as much as Rebecca would confide in anyone else. She was still a closed off person, but she'd shared more with Jack than she had anyone else other than Maxi in the last couple decades. Sure, he drove her nuts and he was a bit of a pain in the ass since he was so boyish, but that was something she was slowly beginning to like about Jack. He was predictable and though he was playful, he was kind. Most of his taunting was done in jest and she could tell he genuinely cared for her on a friends level. He respected her too, for the most part anyway.

The pair turned to the next row of shops and naturally Victoria Secrets was the first store there. Instantly her stomach dropped a little and she felt that little wall rebuild itself. This was going to be obnoxious. "Figures." She grumbled and she could feel his grin without even looking at him. "Alright, let's just get this over with then." She pulled the door open but stopped, turning and giving Jack a stern look, pointing a finger up at him. "No funny business." She threatened, though she could see that her words did nothing short of amuse him. Becca rolled her eyes and went inside.

It was the second time she had ever been in a Victoria Secret before. The first time had been a long time ago, during a relationship she was having with another guy back east. It was short lived and in her time with that guy she hadn't opened up to him nearly as much as she had Jack, but then again she saw Jack as a friend, where that guy had been someone she was sort of dating. It was just different. The racks were full of all sorts of colorful, lacy torture devices and she inwardly cringed at how uncomfortable those things would be around her tits. The underwear wasn't all that much better, most of which looked like it was made for flossing her teeth rather than protecting her intimate parts. A permanent scowl seemed to be etched on her face, suddenly feeling even more bashful about being in there with Jack. Maybe it would work out better for her if she just let him pick things out. Then again, probably not. "Don't they have just normal underwear in here?" She asked softly, leaning into him. Then again, Rebecca's definition of normal was granny panties.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“Sure, we could do that I guess.” Jack nodded and mimicked Rebecca by putting his hands in the pockets of his leather bomber jacket. It was old, like most of his clothes, but it still had that great smell leather had. His eyes panned over the shops as they passed them, taking note of what had changed and what had stayed the same in these old shops. The ice cream and candy store he’d frequently enjoyed as a kid was still doing well, even with the recession, and he figured everyone needed a pick-me-up these days. Seeing the old-fashioned sign inviting him in, he almost asked Rebecca if she wanted to go in for some treats. Ultimately he decided that might elicit some judgment, so he continued walking. Just as he looked forward, though, the big pink striped sign of Victoria’s Secret. The grin instantly spread across his face. “Figures.” He turned that grin down to his companion, feeling awfully smug at the moment. He didn’t even plan on teasing her that much, he just wanted to see her reaction to the butt floss they had showcased all over that store. “Alright, let’s just get this over with then.” Biting back laughter, he followed Rebecca to the door, but stopped when she did with her hand on the handle. His eyes came down to hers as she pointed an accusing finger at him. “No funny business.” He grinned wider, reaching out to pull the door open for her. “Who me?” he asked with mock innocence. She rolled her eyes and he laughed, following her in.

The last time Jack had been in a Victoria’s Secret was with an ex-girlfriend years ago. He’d forgotten how blinding all the hot pink and bright white was, not to mention the neon colors of the undergarments displayed. That was the cheap stuff, though. The nice stuff was very classy and he swallowed hard, trying not to picture Rebecca in this stuff. She was much too modest for most of the stuff, but god damn she would be hot in it. In an attempt to stop fantasizing, he looked at his lovely companion and had to grin again at how displeased she looked with everything in the immediate vicinity. These were their most popular styles, he knew; what she wanted would most likely be more towards the back where they kept the more modest and less popular underwear. Honestly, if she wore the thongs on display, Rebecca wouldn’t be Rebecca, and he liked her the way she was. The look on her face as she stared at the little strings of material had laughter hiding at the back of his throat. “Don’t they have just normal underwear in here?” she asked softly, leaning toward him and he grinned at her. He leaned down a little too, talking softly as he said, “I think this is normal underwear for some women.” The look he got made him laugh finally and he pointed toward the back. “I think what you’re looking for would be closer to the back of the store. They always keep the more popular styles at the front.” Now he was getting a suspicious look and he shrugged. “What? I know how stores set up their merchandise.” It wasn’t like he came to Victoria’s Secret in his spare time or anything.

As they moved further back in the store, his eyes roamed over the walls of bras, panties, and other intimates before they landed on the ladies surrounding them. It was the first he noticed he was the only guy in the store. Not only that, but it looked like the ladies behind the counter were talking about him, their eyes trained on him as they leaned close to speak softly to each other. He suddenly felt self-conscious and he looked to Rebecca, his hands finding their way back into his pockets. If he stuck close to her, the ladies might think they were an item and stop staring at him. His eyes fell on a long line of boy shorts and hipster panties and he pointed them out to Rebecca. “There you go; that’s more your style.” He grinned at her, the fact that he knew what her style was flirtatious in itself. At least his voice was quiet so he wasn’t announcing it to the world. While she browsed, he looked away again to the immediate racks, trying to avoid getting hit. Spotting a shimmering purple animal print thong he snorted and reached out for them. He held them low on his torso, turning to Rebecca. “How does this look? You think it’s me?” he asked playfully, modeling it by turning to the side with a grin. She could use some lightening up through this whole process.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

“I think this is normal underwear for some women.” Jack explained as he leaned in a little and at first she was relieved to hear that, but then she realized that Jack just pointed her in the right direction. How would he know where the "normal" stuff was? “I think what you’re looking for would be closer to the back of the store. They always keep the more popular styles at the front.” Was that the story he was going to tell her? She eyed him suspiciously and he offered an incredulous look in reply. “What? I know how stores set up their merchandise.” She rolled her eyes deciding she didn't want to know the true story. "Sure, Roccograndi." She grumbled moving towards the back where he'd pointed.

The displays going towards the back were not necessarily getting better. They were less pink and polka dotty and more sexy now. There were plenty that had feathers and rhinestones adorned to them, some even with things written on the rear in rhinestones. There was a short time in Rebecca's life when she would have adorned those things, but fortunately she had grown out of it and quickly. Finding yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time on several occasions was a good wake up call.

The underwear was soon resembling the types of things she preferred to wear. If she had to pick, granny panties were the way to go. They were soft, comfortable, reliable.. but they weren't exactly attractive. Jack pointed a rack out to her and she turned to look at it. “There you go; that’s more your style.” Rebecca hated to admit he was right. Despised, even. "You shouldn't know what I like." She grumbled more to herself than him. The truth was it was kind of nice that he knew her style. Someone knew her well enough to pick out panties for her, which was sort of a good thing she supposed. It didn't change anything and she still hated it passionately, but maybe not as much as she truly wanted to, at least subconsciously.

Rebecca was trying to discreetly look through the rack, not exactly into this whole underwear thing, and trying to pretend Jack wasn't there. Were they serious?! How did they get away charging that much for such a skimpy little piece of fabric designed to cover your ass? It wasn't that she didn't have the money for them, but growing up in the system Rebecca never had money for anything. As a kid she had wanted for nothing so it had been riches to rags overnight and she had never been to really move past it. Frugality was hardwired into her system now, but she knew she could use some sexy underwear. She didn't like trying to manipulate herself during sex so Jack wouldn't see what she was wearing under her jeans. “How does this look? You think it’s me?” Jack asked suddenly, pulling her attention away from the white and black boy shorts she was eyeing up. She looked up at him and then down his long, sculpted body to the tiny sparkly, purple, animal print thong he was holding against his junk. Rebecca raised a brow as the thought of him in that slowly slipped into her mind. Her eyes moved back up to his to see that silly grin and she rolled her eyes dramatically trying desperately to hide that little grin that was tugging at the corner of her lips. She reached for the thong and yanked it from his hands, thrusting it back on the rack. "Not your style." She growled. "I see you in the pink polka dot stuff." Her mood lightened slightly and she did smirk a little, appreciating that he was trying to lighten the mood, even if he was being a total boy about it.

She turned back to the rack and finally grabbed the white boy shorts with the black ribbon running up the sides and tying at the top. Even she had to admit it was nice and sexy enough for Jack to see without being over the top. Rebecca wasn't over the top, but then again she was buying lingerie for her fuck body co-worker to see her in, while he shopped with her. "I can't believe i'm spending $8.50 on one undergarment." She didn't admit out loud that she could pay the same price for six, deciding she didn't want Jack to know that for some reason. She moved to the hiphuggers, pursing her lips to look at them. There were boyshorts and hipsters and they all seemed like things she could wear. No wonder girls spent hundreds of dollars there! She looked at the ones in her hand and then everything else. "Okay, just.. pick three out you like. For me, not you." She eyed him up again, mostly teasingly. "Nothing stupid." She warned, figuring this was more for Jack than her. Deep down though she liked the idea of him finding her attractive and wanting her. She was always so hell bent on not letting anyone in, but in a way it was nice having Jack "in". She could be herself and if he up and left she would be okay with it, or so she told herself. In the situation she didn't know. She liked to think she would be cool, but it was tough to say.

The bras caught her attention and she found herself moving over to the next section absentmindedly. She could use one of those too, she decided. Grabbing a couple different styles and sizes she moved back to Jack. "I'm going to try these on. Don't get into any trouble while i'm gone. I'll just be a minute." She couldn't even remember the last time she got a new bra. Most of hers were old and ragged and had safety pins in the side to keep the wire from poking out into her ribs. She moved with the lady to the fitting room, silently trying to come to terms with the fact that she was probably going to drop two hundred on underwear alone today.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

Jack saw the light of amusement flash in Rebecca’s eyes, though it was obvious she was trying to hide it. Those pretty blue-green eyes rolled and she snatched the thong out of his hands as he laughed. She thrust it back onto the rack to his amusement, though she would come off as irritated to anyone who didn’t know her better. Lucky for him, he liked to think he knew her quite well; at least well enough to know she wasn’t really upset. “Not your style. I see you in the pink polka dot stuff.” He grinned wider, admiring the little smirk that played on her lips. Jack didn’t often show this playful side to his personality with people other than his mother and sisters, but Rebecca’s incessant seriousness drew it out of him with a vengeance. He liked teasing her and he liked seeing her amusement even more. As she turned back to the rack of underwear he simply watched her with a warm smile and it would be obvious to any of the women watching them that he was completely smitten with Rebecca Taylor. When she reached up to take a pair off the rack, his eyes followed her hand curiously and it was his turn to smirk as he saw what pair she picked out. It was a sexy little black and white number and he had to keep himself from imagining it on her there in the store. If his thoughts got carried away, he was going to have to hide behind one of the racks until he calmed down. Instead he let his eyes wander back to her face.

“I can't believe I'm spending $8.50 on one undergarment." Jack let out a soft laugh, already having guessed that she didn’t spend a lot on her underwear. Honestly, he would find her sexy in a burlap sack, but it was her idea to get something sexier and higher end. He liked that she wore more material for her underwear, though; there was less chance of him ripping them, a problem he’d had in the past. When Jack got excited, he could hardly control himself, something that was exaggerated with Rebecca. It was best she didn’t go for the real thin, lacy underwear or the thongs—he would tear through those in a heartbeat. “Okay, just.. pick three out you like. For me, not you." He was surprised at the invitation and he grinned when she added that they were for her. Seriously, though, she was letting him pick out underwear for her? In his mind that showed how much progress they had made when added with the fact that he was even allowed in the store with her. He didn’t look too smug about it, though; he didn’t want his privileges to be taken away by gloating. “Nothing stupid.” His grin turned mock appalled. “Would I do that to you?” he gasped, grinning afterward. When she moved away to the bras, he started pawing through the underwear. They all looked like something she would wear and he eyed them all carefully to see what would look best. Again, he was trying not to imagine, but it was getting more and more difficult…It was a good thing she moved back toward him because he was getting lost in thought. His warm brown eyes looked to her face curiously.

“I’m going to try these on. Don’t get into trouble while I’m gone. I’ll just be a minute.” He smiled and nodded and then discreetly watched her go. She didn’t like compliments, but she had a nice ass, one he frequently liked to grab when they were…There went his imagination again. As she disappeared, he looked back to the underwear and figured neutral colors would probably be best for her. The blacks, whites, and nudes…nothing with crazy colors on it. She would like the neutrals best. He picked out three, one a pair of hipsters that were black polyester with small white dots scattered across the material, a pair of white boyshorts with black lace trimming the tops of the thighs and around the waist, and a pair of nude colored hipsters with thin white stripes crossing horizontally. All would look sexy on her and he was sure she would find all of them acceptable. Decided, he looked up and found that she was still in the dressing room. It gave him a wicked idea, one she would probably chastise him for, but his eyes traveled around the store. There were no other men in there and it would be obvious what he was trying to do. Could he create a distraction?

It turned out he didn’t need to. The door swung open and two men stepped inside both of whom were looking around as if searching for someone. Turns out, they were looking for one of the ladies behind the counter and the lady manning the dressing room. The girl scurried over to get her presumed boyfriend and all three women working in the store began talking loudly and vibrantly with the men. It was like he no longer existed. Jack slipped back toward the dressing room and with a final glance back to the women, still taking no notice of him, and he ducked into the dressing room corridor and listened for the sounds of shuffling. Only one stall door was closed and he moved quickly toward it, the three pairs of underwear still in his hand. He rapped softly on the door, glancing to the entrance of the dressing room. Still clear… “Rebecca, I came to help measure you for the bra. You know, just in case you weren’t sure what your size is.” He had to bite his lip to not laugh at the excuse. Please just open the door… he silently begged, nervous the girl would come back and kick him out before he got a chance to complete his nefarious idea.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

When Rebecca got in the dressing room she hung the new bras up and then pulled her shirt off, looking at herself in the mirror. She never cared much for changing rooms. What if the store got held up or a fire started while she was in the middle of changing. She would be expected to come out of the dressing room wearing whatever she happened to have on at the moment, and the thought unnerved her. She was a private person and she didn't care for anyone to see her in anything she wasn't prepared to let them see her wearing. Jack had been the first man in a long time to cross that boundary with her. He'd seen her in things, or rather not in things, she wasn't completely ready for but she allowed him to because.. well, Rebecca wasn't even entirely sure why she let Jack in. Maybe because he cared. He wasn't in it just for the sex and he wasn't trying to tie her down. He didn't make things awkward either, at least for the most part. Jack had become someone she could trust and Rebecca decided that was probably the reason why she felt as comfortable as she did around him, which to others might not seem comfortable at all, but to Rebecca she had let a lot of walls down for him.

Rebecca pulled her bra off and reached for the one she thought was her size. She pulled the straps over her shoulders and then clasped the back, but immediately she knew something wasn't right about it. It wasn't comfortable. She adjusted her breasts a little and then scowled in the mirror as she looked at herself. The thing pushed her boobs up in a way she wasn't used to and it made the cleavage practically spill everywhere. Jack would have loved that, but Rebecca wasn't comfortable in that sort of garment. It just didn't feel right, especially in her line of work.

The woman was just about to take the bra off when someone knocked on the door, startling her. “Rebecca, I came to help measure you for the bra. You know, just in case you weren’t sure what your size is.” She felt the rage and embarrassment seep through her, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. Was he serious?! Did he just sneak into the damn fitting room? Not wanting to get kicked out, Rebecca opened the door a little and glared at the hulking man on the other side, careful not to let him see more than her bare shoulder with the strap over it. "Have you lost your damn mind?" She hissed at him. "We're cops, we set the example. Get out of here before someone sees you." She growled, but she could see how anxious and excited he was, like a little boy who had just found where his parents hid the Christmas presents. She rolled her eyes and was about to shut the door, but his hand stopped her. Glowering up at him she peaked her head out the door and saw the coast was clear and decided that it would look bad if he sauntered out of there. She would need to check if the coast was clear for him and she wasn't ready for that. With a huff and an eye roll she opened the door and grabbed Jack's coat, hauling him into the changing room. "You're a pain in the ass, you know that?" She grumbled at him, her arms folding over her chest to hide the dangerous amount of cleavage the stupid thing was making. It wasn't as if Jack had never seen her chest before, but she wasn't ready for him to see her looking like, well, a girl. "Just turn around so I can change out of this damn thing, okay?"

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

Jack had to keep from smirking as Rebecca yanked the door open, glaring up at him. From the bare shoulder that peeked around the door, he could tell she was shirtless and it amused him further. “Have you lost your damn mind?” He’d lost it a long time ago, apparently. “We’re cops, we set the example. Get out of here before someone sees you.” She was about to shut the door, but he reached one large hand out and stopped her, eliciting an angry scowl. With a furtive glance to the front of the dressing room, he said, “They’re all busy at the front, they don’t know where I am. I’ll just be a second.” He didn’t know what it was about Rebecca that pulled this playful side out of him. The man was acting like a teenager and while part of him felt foolish for it, he also enjoyed the feeling of being so carefree again. It was probably Rebecca’s overly serious attitude that inspired him to act the way he did. She huffed and reached a hand out, yanking him by the coat on his chest and pulling him into the changing room, which made him grin. “You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?” With a soft chuckle, he shrugged his broad shoulders. “I’ve been called that before.” His eyes were bright with mischief as he smiled down at her before he was distracted by her…very perked up chest. He didn’t mean to stare, but damn! Before he could really admire the way the bra pushed her breasts together, she was crossing her arms over them and obstructing his view. It drew his eyes back up to hers.

“Just turn around so I can change out of this damn thing, okay?” The remark made him give a devious lopsided smile and he stepped closer to her. “Do I have to turn around?” he teased in a low voice. Again his eyes fell to her chest before coming back to her face and trying to give a nonchalant shrug. “I like it, personally. It’s a good color for you.” They both knew it wasn’t the color he liked so much about the bra and it only made him give that crooked smile again. Again he stepped forward and looking into her eyes, towering over her even though she was a relatively tall woman. “And it is pretty sexy.” He knew she was going to roll her eyes and protest, which she did start to do, and he reached out and took her hips gently in his hands to get her attention. “Can you shut up and just take a compliment for once?” he said in a low, playful and yet seductive voice as he leaned into her. Jack didn’t do the public display of affection thing and he certainly didn’t do public sex, but Rebecca made him forget that. Not the sex thing, because he wasn’t about to fuck her in a dressing room, but he definitely wanted to make-out with her there. It was hot and taboo and exciting; normally he had to be drunk to act this way in public. As his lips came to Rebecca’s, he felt drunk, a sensation he’d become quite familiar with over the last several weeks.

Before she could come to her senses and push him away his arms came around her narrow waist and pulled her into him tightly. His mouth pressed firmly to hers, parting her lips with his and letting his tongue dart out to touch hers. With every second the kiss was getting deeper, harder and hotter and it left him panting. His arms still tight around her, he moved toward the wall blindly, pressing her back against it when they collided with it. One hand moved up and coiled into her hair at the back of her neck, keeping her addictive lips close. A soft growl sounded in the back of his throat, getting worked up by their hips pressed together and her hands clutching at him. He didn’t want to get carried away since he knew damn well if he did he wouldn’t be able to walk out of that dressing room for several minutes. It was just about impossible to pull away though and every time he tried to pull back to catch his breath, he was sucked right back in. The hand on her back slid forward and up her side before running back down to her hip again. Finally he pulled back enough to look in her eyes as his nose brushed past hers. “I found some underwear for you, by the way. I think it’s on the floor now.” He grinned at her, staying close for as long as she would allow him and glancing down to her lips. It was like he could kiss her forever. Before she could push him away his lips came to her jaw and trailed down her neck, his tongue dipping out to taste her skin. He knew her neck was a weak spot and he fully intended to take advantage of it, as he always did.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

“Do I have to turn around?” he teased in a low voice with a wicked lopsided grin. She glowered at him, trying to show she didn't want his taunting right now, but deep down she did sort of like it. Just a tiny little bit. “I like it, personally. It’s a good color for you.” The scowl deepened. "Eyes up here, Roccograndi." She growled softly knowing full well that his eyes were on her cleavage that she was failing to cover. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know that Jack could give a shit about the color. He stepped closer and her head tilted up so she could still glare into his eyes. “And it is pretty sexy.” The hairs at the nape of her neck stood as goosebumps trailed down her spine. The way he looked at her and the words he used did nothing short of excite her, but she despised compliments especially concerning her body. Jack knew this and she was about to protest but his hands reached out grabbing her hips, distracting her for a moment. “Can you shut up and just take a compliment for once?” She made a low growling noise of frustration, pursing her lips. "You're impossible." She grumbled up at him, but his face moving to hers distracted her. Her brain screamed to shove him away; they were in a public place for crying out loud! But She wanted this. She hated how much she wanted to feel his lips on hers, how irresistible she was to him and how he couldn't seem to keep his hands off her.

His lips were soft and firm as always, and though her brows were still knit low over her eyes she allowed him to kiss her, knowing she should stop him but momentarily lacking the willpower to do that. She could feel her senses kicking in though and her hands came up to his chest to push him away, but Jack was faster as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tighter against his big, hard body. He controlled her with his expert tongue and for the moment she allowed it, letting her fingers curl into his jacket instead of pushing him away. Worse than hating how much he wanted her, she despised how much she wanted him back. How all her morals could fly out the window when he did something as simple as kiss her. She felt tempted to do things she would never normally dream about, like letting him have his way with her right there, though she knew not even she would really let him. She had to draw the line somewhere, and that was something Rebecca would have never allowed.

Rebecca didn't fight Jack as his lips parted hers and he deepened their kiss. All she could do was sigh into his mouth and enjoy the intense moment he was pushing on her, a moment she would pretend she didn't want though she craved it with him now. He pushed her against the wall and she squirmed to get comfortable, but it wasn't the position that was making her uneasy but the fact that they were getting close to progressing in a direction she wasn't entirely sure she was okay with, one she wasn't entirely sure she could stop him from going in. His fingers curled into her hair and she continued to hold his jacket tight, squirming again as his body pressed hard against hers, showing her how much he enjoyed the forbidden moment they were sharing. Her body was readying itself for him but her mind was reeling. They couldn't be doing this! Anyone could walk in there! They were police officers, dammit! But God did it feel good..

It was Jack who finally pulled away, as though he had heard her thoughts and was doing what she simply couldn't do. She had an easier time controlling her emotions with him at first, but it had become harder to do with every passing week. “I found some underwear for you, by the way. I think it’s on the floor now.” She gulped, the scowl gone as she looked up into his dark eyes. Dirty thoughts flittered through her mind and she silently chastised herself. The fingers in his jack loosened and she cleared her throat. "Thanks." She mumbled obviously less angry than she had been when he started. How had he turned her into sex crazed girl? Not that she was, but in comparison to her old self that was exactly how Rebecca saw herself with Jack. Her palms pressed on his chest as if to tell him to back up but before she could push to hard he was moving back towards her and Rebecca froze. His mouth made contact with her jaw and dutifully trailed kisses down to her neck. The son of a bitch knew she liked that and Rebecca gulped, her head leaning back against the wall. She shuddered as his hot tongue danced across the sensitive skin, her back arching some as her hips moved out instinctively, pressing against his once more. "Jack!" She growled weakly, her voice soft to keep from calling attention to themselves and lacking the authority she had hoped to convey. "We can't do this here.." Once upon a time she had no problem telling him no. Even now she could tell him no, but it got harder to do with every passing day. She had become addicted to his love making, but not necessarily to him. She told herself she didn't need Jack, he had simply awoken a part of her that had laid dormant for a long time. Anyone could fill his void when he inevitably left. She didn't want him, but she did. Rebecca knew it had taken a long time to let him in and it would be a while before anyone else would be allowed access to her life.

As much as it killed her, she pressed on his chest to try and move him off her, but he was big and strong enough to ignore her weak physical protest. "You need to get out of here and I need to change. I still have to try the other ones on." She reminded as if this would somehow make him want to leave. "Go...find more underwear or something. I don't know.."

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

Rebecca’s head leaned back against the wall and Jack took that as an invitation to move his lips over her throat, his tongue darting out once again. The way she arched into him, her hips moving into his…it was all he could do to not hike her onto his hips and have his way with her right there. It was too late now to stop his pants from feeling tight and his hands instinctively moved to her hips to hold her still. There was sunlight and his moon cycle had reset itself to a normal time outside of the city, but he still couldn’t control himself around her! So much for hoping for the darkness to lift over Scriptor Bay so he could be normal again… “Jack!” Chills shuddered down his spine to hear his name on her lips, though he could hear the weak irritation in her voice. “We can’t do this here…” She was right but that didn’t stop him from wanting it. From how weak her voice was, it didn’t sound like her whole heart was in her protest either. He couldn’t deny how much he liked her wanting him. These days it was like she wanted him as much as he wanted her, and it felt so good to have broken through so many of her walls. But even now he was scared of upsetting her too much, so when he felt her hands push more on his chest, he backed off her neck though he stayed close to her. His eyes looked down into hers, always finding it hard to back off when she appeared as flustered as she did. “You need to get out of here and I need to change. I still have to try the other ones on.” He smirked, biting back the comment that he wouldn’t mind seeing those too. With how flustered she was, it would only frustrate her further. “Go…find more underwear or something. I don’t know…” His smirk became an amused smile at her feeble command. He leaned in and kissed her again, his hand coming up to cradle her neck, his thumb resting just at the back of her jaw to keep her face tilted up. The kiss was long though not quite as deep, still wanting to leave her breathless.

Finally he pulled away from her mouth, looking down in her eyes. She really was beautiful, even if she didn’t want to hear it. “Fine.” He would give into her this time since he was well aware he couldn’t do anything with her in this room. When they got home, though…that was a different story. “I’ll go find more underwear…or something.” He offered a lopsided grin and then backed off her. The man didn’t realize how hot he’d gotten until the cool air surrounded him again and he moved to the door of the room. He would need to find a corner to face into for a little while until his groin calmed down…The door popped open as his hand pushed the handle down and he glanced to the front of the dressing room and saw no one there. Maybe the girls were still distracted at the cash register. He looked back to Rebecca one more time, noticing the underwear he’d dropped on the floor. With a grin he quickly swiped them up and then moved back to the door. “See you on the floor.” Throwing her a boyish smile, he slipped out of her room and moved silently to the front of the dressing room. Upon looking around the corner, he saw all of the girls were still huddle at the cash register with the two guys and he breathed a soft sigh of relief as he rounded the corner and moved inconspicuously to a nearby wall that faced away from them. They would never be the wiser…he felt pretty smug in that moment.

As he looked at the various styles and colors of underwear, letting his blood cool once more, he really considered what had just happened. Weeks ago he wouldn’t have even considered doing something so bold, afraid of screwing up what he had with Rebecca yet again. So why did he feel okay doing it now? Over the past several weeks they had really grown into this role of friends with benefits. Usually the passing of time cooled the fires of passion, but it their case it only seemed to grow stronger. Even now, outside of the city and on normal time he still wanted her constantly. Jack was not a horndog—he’d gone two years without sex before. It was just that Rebecca…it was different with her, had always been different with her. She sparked his interest in every way and every day he learned something new about her. He was eager to please her just because she was so hard to please. And every time he did was more gratifying than the last. Now after all of these weeks of busting down walls and pushing his limits, he wanted to try more. He wanted to nudge them in another direction. If it didn’t work, it didn’t work, but he had to try.

After several minutes Jack had found three more pairs for Rebecca’s approval and Rebecca came out looking around surreptitiously before realizing that the workers were far too engrossed in flirting and conversation to notice what had happened in the dressing room. He smiled at her a little smugly, though more amused. “They never even knew I was gone.” His voice was low and playful and just loud enough for the two of them to hear. She still didn’t look happy about it, though not nearly as angry as she had been initially. This might be a weird time to ask the question bubbling in his mind, but he had to ask. “So now that I’ve been out here picking out underwear for you, I was wondering…” His eyes looked down to hers, a little bit of hope shining in them. “Would you go on a date with me? A real date. Nothing really fancy, but maybe dinner or something.” He found himself holding his breath. What would he do if she said no? An easy crooked smile came to his lips at the answer. “If you say no I’ll just ask again in a couple of weeks. And again and again until you say yes. We both know I’m persistent.” And he would do exactly as he said.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

For a moment Rebecca worried that Jack wasn't going to stop. She could force him to, and she would if she had to, but she didn't want to. She didn't really want him to stop but they needed to be law abiding citizens or their badges would be at stake. This was Rebecca's whole world, and to lose a job over something like this could be detrimental to her career in the future. She would need to move outside of the city to work in one of the neighboring towns and that was just if she was lucky. But God did Jack know how to work that mouth of his and he knew she was practically a slave to it. Rebecca tried to make him work for it, but the more she let him in the more difficult it became and she knew he was getting cocky because of it. This was one of the main reasons she didn't let guys in. They were friends or they were guys she had sex with, but never both. Both was too close to dating and she wasn't much of a dater.

Just when Rebecca thought she was going to have to get mean Jack pulled away and she gulped looking up at him stoically. “Fine. I’ll go find more underwear…or something.” His grin was taunting and she frowned a little at him as he moved away. "Thanks." She grumbled, her eyes moving to the obvious lump in his pants. The sight of his groin made her look away, feeling that excitement shoot down to her own groin. She was surprised at how badly she wanted him, and a little embarrassed about it. Why did she look? Why did he need to be so big? She licked her lips, refusing to look back in that direction until he was gone. “See you on the floor.” She missed the smile, offering a quick little "Yup." back at him. Finally she heard the door close and she was alone again.

Now alone Rebecca looked around and let out a long breath, allowing her heart to stop racing. She looked down at the bra she was wearing and then at herself in the mirror. She had to admit she looked hot. Her body was toned and the bra really accentuated her chest, but it just wasn't her. Sure, Jack might have liked it, but it just didn't feel right and if she was going to spend that sort of money she wanted to feel comfortable in her skin.

The other bras weren't as sexy but one of them was comfortable and nice enough that she could let Jack see her in it and not be embarrassed by it. It felt like a newer version of her current ones, and much prettier and less ragged. She changed back into her clothes and left the changing room, slipping the unwanted goods on the rack to be put away by one of the girls on the floor later on. She made her way back onto the floor, easily spotting Jack. It wasn't like it was hard to spot the beast among the racks of pink and glitter. “They never even knew I was gone.” He said smugly and she rolled her eyes. "Doesn't mean you should have done it." She pointed out, and it was the truth. Just because he got away with it didn't make it any less wrong. She eyed the new panties in his hands and was about to ask to see them when he began talking again. “So now that I’ve been out here picking out underwear for you, I was wondering…” She raised a brow at him almost challenging him to say something inappropriate. “Would you go on a date with me?" The look quickly changed to surprise. A date? He was asking her on a date!? Was this his idea of a sick joke? "A real date. Nothing really fancy, but maybe dinner or something.” Rebecca couldn't believe this was happening. No. She could. This was such a Jack thing to do! It would be like him to ask her on a date after assaulting her in a changing room with his.. his damn sexyness, and then turning around to ask her out. He'd turned his smugness into confidence and Rebecca fumed. “If you say no I’ll just ask again in a couple of weeks. And again and again until you say yes. We both know I’m persistent.” She pursed her lips and glowered at him. "Oh.. my god." She grumbled, sounding more like Maxi than herself. She snatched the underwear from him, not even bothering to look at it. Once she had the garments she stormed to the register and threw everything down on the counter, as she dug for her wallet. The girl was talking to the other saleswomen and some guys but Rebecca didn't care. She saw Jack approaching and turned to offer a dirty look. Victoria's Secret was NOT the place to be discussing this.

"Here's your receipt, have a nice day." The girl chirped and Rebecca snatched the pink striped bag, uttering a small "Thanks." Before storming out the door, Jack in tow. Once outside of the store and away from the front window she turned to glare at the man who had accompanied her. "This is why I don't sleep with co-workers, Jack!" She snapped at him. "This complicates everything! We can't date and work together. Hell, we can't be fucking and work together but since you've been out.. I don't know. This was just a mistake! I can't have this looming over my head, don't you get that? I will lose everyone's respect, especially the captains, if he knows I fucked someone on the force. Do you have any idea how hard it is being a woman in a male dominated career? Do you know how hard it is to be considered an equal? Do you know how quickly that can all unravel for me? I've worked too damn hard to throw that away, Jack.. even on you." Her brows were low over her eyes, but her face softened slightly as she looked up at him. "I like you, okay? You're a great guy. I have fun with you and you're a good cook and I don't need to tell you how great you are in the sack but my career is the only thing I have. It is the sole thing I've worked for and it's important that I have respect. Do you understand that?" She pleaded, not wanting to fuck up what they had, but at the same time not sure she could progress any more than they had. It would be hard enough having a secret fuck buddy, but dating? That was public. There was nothing secret about a boyfriend and she was sure they all expected her to end up with one of them anyway. She hated having that looming over her head, and she wouldn't allow Jack to give everyone else the satisfaction, even if deep down the thought of dating Jack didn't necessarily bother her. He was a good guy and he could protect her in a pinch, not that she needed protecting, but considering her past she wanted to make sure that there was protection around in case things ever went sour. But could Jack understand all that? Would he fight for her? Would she even give him the opportunity to?

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

Jack felt like Rebecca was trying to melt his face off with that glare of hers and he gulped as his face fell, legitimately afraid of her reaction. “Oh… my God.” He’d never heard Rebecca sound so…feminine? The way she said the words made him think of Maxi, but the way she stormed off toward the counter was definitely like Rebecca. Apparently she was highly offended by his question. He began following her to the counter, but once again her eyes shot lasers at him over her shoulder and he took a deep breath before puffing out his cheeks and shoving his hands in his pockets, obviously chastised. A couple of the girls looked up at him and were obviously fighting back laughs at the expression on his face. Well at least his fear was amusing to someone. The girl behind the register bid Rebecca a nice day and his companion was in such a mood that she simply snatched the bag up and mumbled, “Thanks.” Jack was a little more pleasant as he nervously watched Rebecca storm past him and then threw a halfhearted smile to the gaggle of young people at the counter, giving a small wave as he followed behind Rebecca. Maybe this whole date thing was a bad idea. He would continue to ask her if she said no, but maybe with more finesse…

As soon as they were outside, Rebecca rounded on him. “This is why I don’t sleep with co-workers, Jack! This complicates everything! We can’t date and work together. Hell, we can’t be fucking and work together but since you’ve been out…I don’t know. This was just a mistake! I can’t have this looming over my head; don’t you get that? I will lose everyone’s respect, especially the captain’s, if he knows I fucked someone on the force. Do you have any idea how hard it is being a woman in a male dominated career? Do you know how hard it is to be considered an equal? Do you know how quickly that can all unravel for me? I’ve worked too damn hard to throw that away, Jack…even on you.” He didn’t like being called a mistake and he didn’t like the assumptions she was making in her speech. Did she think he would go around blabbing about them dating or even being obvious about it? Did she still think so little of him after everything that had happened between them? Though he wanted to confront her about it, his heavy brow low over his eyes, he stayed silent at the look on her face. "I like you, okay? You're a great guy. I have fun with you and you're a good cook and I don't need to tell you how great you are in the sack but my career is the only thing I have. It is the sole thing I've worked for and it's important that I have respect. Do you understand that?" He did. They were very similar in how much they valued their work and how much they put into it, so of course he understood. Perhaps what calmed his anger the most was that she admitted she liked him—that was a step in the right direction. Her pleading tone softened him as well and he let out a heavy sigh and put his hands in his pockets as he looked at the ground. How could he ease her into agreeing to go on a date with him? When his eyes came back to hers he too had something of a pleading look on his face.

“Rebecca, I didn’t mean to upset you. I’ve been very honest with you about how much I like you and I don’t think any of my feelings have been a secret from you for quite some time.” His voice was soft, his usual tone, if not a little more soothing in this case. “That being said, I have no intention of letting on to our coworkers what’s going on between us. I told you that when we started this arrangement we have and I meant it. We aren’t partners, Becks. Yeah, we see each other every day, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be professional. What happened in the store was a spur of the moment thing and I think you know that. I would never, ever do that in the station.” He stepped forward a little, hulking over her as he so often did, his eyes soft and warm. “How many times do I have to prove to you that you can trust me? I would take this to the grave if that’s what you wanted. And if this got serious then I can always transfer to one of the nearby towns if it would make you more comfortable. It’s not a big deal, I adapt easily.” He reached out and grabbed her shoulders gently, making sure she was looking at him. “I like you, Rebecca. A lot. I want to take you on a date if you’ll let me. And if we do go on a date no one needs to know. I’ll follow your lead on this, just like I always do.” He gave a small, crooked smile and raised his eyebrows. “So do you trust me?” It was a question he often asked, but it always seemed to have a calming effect on Rebecca. He hoped it would be the same now and he found his heart was jumping just a little faster with anticipation.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

Jack let out a heavy sigh and shoved his hands in his pockets and for a moment Rebecca truly believed he would back off. Maybe for once he would listen instead of fight her. Then again if he'd never pushed her they would have never been in this situation. He wanted this and he got it. She had eventually caved as he wanted her to, and she worried that maybe he thought he could make her cave again, but he was seriously mistaken if that's was something he believed might happen. At least that's how she felt at the moment..

“Rebecca, I didn’t mean to upset you. I’ve been very honest with you about how much I like you and I don’t think any of my feelings have been a secret from you for quite some time.” She suddenly felt a little stupid. How had she turned into the stereotypical male in this relationship. She had genuinely thought they were being friends. Yeah, maybe he had a little crush on her, she couldn't deny that, but she had never thought it was serious or anything! “That being said, I have no intention of letting on to our coworkers what’s going on between us." She suddenly felt herself heat up again. Did he really think it was so simple as him just not telling them? That wasn't the only way they could find out! "I told you that when we started this arrangement we have and I meant it. We aren’t partners, Becks. Yeah, we see each other every day, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be professional. What happened in the store was a spur of the moment thing and I think you know that. I would never, ever do that in the station.” She knew he wouldn't because she would break his damn wrist if he tried anything like that with her at the station. Rebecca was a no nonsense kind of gal and if Jack still couldn't see that then his skull was thicker than she thought.

His eyes seemed to almost plead with hers and she pursed her lips trying not to get too annoyed with him. He was pouring his heart out and begging her for something as stupid as a date. What happened if they first date went well? Another one! And what if someone DID find out? “How many times do I have to prove to you that you can trust me? I would take this to the grave if that’s what you wanted. And if this got serious then I can always transfer to one of the nearby towns if it would make you more comfortable. It’s not a big deal, I adapt easily.” He took her shoulders and it took Rebecca a lot of effort not to shrug the gesture away, knowing it would hurt him more than letting him just grab her like that. She took slow even breaths, trying not to glare. She didn't want him to move jobs because of her. That was just stupid. Scriptor Bay was his home and his commute would double, if not triple. It would make living in the city pointless for him. “I like you, Rebecca. A lot. I want to take you on a date if you’ll let me. And if we do go on a date no one needs to know. I’ll follow your lead on this, just like I always do.” He smiled at her and she felt like he was trying to manipulate her in a way. When would she stop being so damn defensive? “So do you trust me?” And just like that he finished unraveling her.

Did he think this was simply a trust issue? Did he think she was saying no because she didn't trust him? Sure, initially it was a trust thing and even now she didn't trust Jack with much, but trust wasn't part of the issue now and she was pissed that he just assumed she didn't trust him. Not caring about his feelings she shrugged his arms off her shoulders, taking a step back and glowering up at him again. "You think this is just about me thinking you'll go run and tell the guys? Fine, you say you won;t and I believe that but what happens when one of our colleagues spots us out on a date. We going to go outside of the city every time? And what happens if we get pulled over by Malone or Porch or one of the other guys? Or we get in a car wreck? Don't you think it'll look fishy that we're together? You blabbing isn't the only way for things to get out, Jack! Stop accusing me of not trusting you. You know more about me than most people. Jesus, do you think I would tell you shit if I didn't have any trust in you?" She accused, taking a deep breath and huffing a little. "And moving to another station is stupid. People would blame me if they found out about us because you're a good cop and the first thing they're gonna think is Oh, hur hur, why didn't Taylor transfer? and you know what? I don't want that, Jack! I don't want to be the consolation prize!" She shook her head and looked away. "Maybe this was all a mistake. We shouldn't have gone out shopping today. We should just go." She grumbled looking around to try and remember which way the car was. Remembering she took a step in the right direction assuming he would follow her lead.