Becky, Booze & Bullshitting (Jack)

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

Rebecca’s hand moved away from the cards and Jack swept them up. “If you want to…” He had to put her lips out of his mind. That wasn’t going to happen. He knew Rebecca Taylor enough to know that she would never be okay with kissing him. They worked together, it would make things awkward, blah, blah, blah. It was amazing Jack still felt about her the way he did, knowing that she would never be okay with the thought of them together. He couldn’t help it, though. Not only was she beautiful, but she was the only woman he’d ever met with such a strong sense of morality. She was intent on justice as he was and she was such an intriguing mystery. The way she smiled and acted around Maxine…he wanted her to be comfortable doing the same around him. They had made great strides in that direction in the last couple months, but they weren’t nearly there yet. He was patient, but sometimes he wondered why. She hadn’t shown that kind of interest in him…And still he had hope that maybe, just maybe, he could earn one kiss. Just one and he swore he would be satisfied…maybe.

“I mean, my hand was clearly there first, but…I mean if it will make you feel better to split the deck then we can do that.” Jack raised his eyebrow at her, letting an amused smile come to his face. That was another thing: they could joke around comfortably and make each other laugh. He always liked being able to joke around with women. “I beg to differ. I think I’m the generous one here. My hand was clearly there first. But I’ll be nice and split it with you. The next time, though, you won’t be so lucky.” His lopsided grin was back and he pushed away any thoughts of kissing her. Well…not all of them, but he wasn’t going to act on them. Not unless she clearly invited him to, and that would probably only happen if hell froze over. Jack started divvying up the small deck they had fought over and ended up giving her one more card than he gave himself. “Because I’m a nice guy,” he added with a big smile. The comment would undoubtedly make her roll her eyes and he looked back to his cards, amused.

He wanted to make conversation while they played, get his mind off her lips. Alcohol wasn’t helping him crush his feral need to make Rebecca Taylor his mate. It was the nature of the beast inside him to mate for life, and since he had his heart set on Rebecca, it was already difficult to suppress his feelings. The alcohol was making it more difficult and he wondered if he should really keep on drinking. Then again, he didn’t want to leave Rebecca drinking by herself, and he did want to have a chance to actually relax with her. The best way to distract himself would be to talk about something completely unrelated as he threw card after card down. “Did you hear about the rhinoceros attack?” he asked casually, watching as the cards flipped one after another on the table.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

He grinned, clearly amused with what she'd said. “I beg to differ. I think I’m the generous one here. My hand was clearly there first. But I’ll be nice and split it with you. The next time, though, you won’t be so lucky.” She put on a mocking smile and watched him dole out the cards, realizing he slipped her the extra odd one. “Because I’m a nice guy,” She cocked a brow. "Oh, is that what you're calling it?" She snorted and took the cards, adding them to her deck.

The game continued on and Rebecca occasionally took a sip of her beer, not sure what to say to him. She was trying not to think about the fact he had looked at her lips. He couldn't have meant anything by it. Either way she suddenly felt a little on guard, mostly because she was afraid of what would happen if he tried anything. She didn't like being so aware that he was male, but she was. She was too aware of it. This would have been easier if he were a woman.

“Did you hear about the rhinoceros attack?” he asked casually, obviously trying to make conversation. Was he serious? Everyone had heard of the rhino attack. She nodded, placing a card on the table, seeing it was a double and slapped her hand down before Jack had a chance to. "HA!" She called out, smirking up at the man and gathering her newly won cards.

"And yeah.. Sort of crazy. I mean, I know it wasn't really a rhinoceros but the public doesn't. There were a lot of strange reported animal sightings that night. There was the rhino, I heard someone called about a panda bear and an orangutan. just crazy stuff. This darkness stuff is really screwing with all of you, isn't it?" Another double went down and she reached for her, her fingers coming down right as Jacks were and she felt him slam her hand. "Jesus, Jack!" She half laughed, half scolded, pulling her hand free and shaking it. "Man, you take this game seriously!" She laughed a little, nursing her hand by shaking it out and then holding it close. "Someone could lose an eye here!"

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

Jack watched as Rebecca nodded and then started when her hand shot out the claim the pair on the table. He had gotten distracted and his hand was too late jumping out to claim the cards. “HA!” Jack just smiled and shook his head at her triumphant smirk. Rebecca seemed the type that would put her best into everything she did, even a game of cards. But he wouldn’t just let her win; she’d probably punch him for that. “And yeah…Sort of crazy. I mean, I know it wasn’t really a rhinoceros but the public doesn’t. There were a lot of strange reported animal sightings that night. There was the rhino, I heard someone called about a panda bear and an orangutan. Just crazy stuff. This darkness stuff is really screwing with all of you, isn’t it?” He nodded and was about to comment when another pair showed up on the table. Their hands came down at almost the same time, and his hand smacked Rebecca’s fingers hard in his excitement.

“Jesus, Jack!” He looked at her in shock and he felt bad as she started shaking her hand out. “Man, you take this game seriously! Someone could lose an eye here!” She laughed and he gave a breathy chuckle as he relaxed and scratched the back of his head. “Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to crush your hand.” He pushed the cards in front of her, leaning into her more as he did so. Without moving back, he smiled at her. “I would kiss it better, but I have a feeling you would punch me in the face.” It was a tease bordering on flirtatious, and he realized he must have been looser from the alcohol than he thought. He sat back, half wanting to apologize and half wanting to leave that comment hanging in the air. Things weren’t going to change between them without a nudge right? He let it be, giving her a smile before taking another sip of beer and letting her collect her cards.

They continued making light conversation and play the game until the pizza arrived, and by that point they had finished their beers once more. As Rebecca answered the door and paid the delivery guy, Jack went to the refrigerator and grabbed two more beers. She didn’t seem very eager to drink another beer but he gave a shrug. “Come on, we’re putting food in our stomachs. You won’t even feel it.” They still had a couple hours to sober up anyway, so he didn’t think it would really affect whether she would be able to drive home or not. “This can be your victory beer for winning the game. I’ve only got like five cards left.” He grinned and passed her the beer, taking a seat on the couch and busting open the pizza box. His mouth was already watering as he flipped on the TV to the Olympics and grabbed a slice at the same time. It was gymnastics, and he glanced at Rebecca. “This will probably make me sound gay, but I love watching the gymnastics portion. I think it’s amazing what those teeny little girls and big guys can do.” He shrugged, grinning. “It’s okay to make fun of me for it. Just don’t go spreading that around the precinct.”

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

“Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to crush your hand. I would kiss it better, but I have a feeling you would punch me in the face.” He was teasing her and she pushed a sort of smile on her face, keeping her hand close. She didn't want to go there with Jack. Not because it disgusted her, but because she had an issue with intimacy, especially with coworkers, and this would most definitely fall under the category of intimate. "I couldn't punch you right now even if I wanted to." She teased, "And that's not an invitation." She clarified, but she smiled a little so he wouldn't be offended, because smiling always softened those sort of blows, didn't it? Besides, it wasn't a rejection if neither party was interested. "But I'm fine. That kiss and make it better craps for kids."

They continued playing and talking and she was finally doing better and she wondered if it was because Jack was afraid of crushing her hand again. It was possible, but either way she was glad she was doing better, and the conversation had eased a little. She was glad when the pizza arrived, though. Her stomach gave a little growl when she smelled it and she took care of paying while Jack got more drinks. "I probably shouldn't.." She insisted when he offered her third drink, but after he insisted and reminded her they would be eating, she took it, still a little reluctant.

“This can be your victory beer for winning the game. I’ve only got like five cards left.” Rebecca rolled her eyes and clinked her bottle to his. "Fine. Cheers." She reached for a slice of pizza, intending to eat as much as she could reasonably fit in her stomach.

Her eyes moved to the TV as Jack turned it on, relaxing into the couch and taking a heft bite of her pizza. “This will probably make me sound gay, but I love watching the gymnastics portion. I think it’s amazing what those teeny little girls and big guys can do. It’s okay to make fun of me for it. Just don’t go spreading that around the precinct.” He admitted and she rolled her eyes at him again. "Are you kidding?" She asked, waving her pizza hand at the TV. "Every guy in the world loves the gymnastics portion! Look at those girls. They're hardly legal, weigh seventy five pounds soaking wet and you can clearly see every nook and cranny through those leotards they wear. It's borderline soft core porn, Jack." She took another bite of pizza and then grinned as she reached for the beer, feeling more relaxed again. "That being said, I can't deny liking watching the men's portion. You liking it? Yeah.. maybe a little gay, but it's okay for me to like it. I mean, I may be one of the guys but I don't have the right tools to actually be one, so those men gymnasts?" She looked at him and realized what she was saying, making her purse her lips. "I think this should be my last beer." She muttered, smirking as she looked back at the TV.

"Alright. If you could be in any Olympic competition, which would it be?" She asked suddenly, making light conversation as the girl swung around the bars.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“Are you kidding?” Jack looked at Rebecca curiously as he took another bite of pizza. “Every guy in the world loves the gymnastics portion! Look at those girls. They’re hardly legal, weigh seventy pounds soaking wet and you can clearly see every nook and cranny through those leotards they wear. It’s borderline soft core porn, Jack.” He wrinkled his nose, looking back at the TV with indignation. That wasn’t why he liked it at all! “That being said, I can’t deny liking the men’s portion. You liking it? Yeah…maybe a little gay, but it’s okay for me to like it. I mean, I may be one of the guys but I don’t have the right tools to actually be one, so those men gymnasts?” His eyebrows were practically at his hairline with her little rant, but there was a big grin on his face. Well then! That showed she had some desire, at least. She realized what she was saying and looked displeased with herself, but he just watched with an amused smile. “I think this should be my last beer.” He laughed. “Hey, don’t make me sound like some creepy lecher. I’m not into little girls like that. Most of them aren’t legal. I’m just amazed at how graceful and agile they are. The same with the men. Can you imagine the strength you have to have to be a gymnast? Especially a male gymnast! It’s not the gymnasts I’m interested in, necessarily, but what they can do.” He thought that was a good, honest defense of his interest in gymnastics. Another bite of pizza and he looked back at Rebecca. “That being said, I’d never want to be a male gymnast. Too girly.” He grinned.

“Alright. If you could be in any Olympic competition, which would it be?” Jack had to think about it, and he pursed his lips as he did so, watching the girl flying from the lower to the higher bar. “I’d have to say…track or swimming. I love track, jumping over the hurdles and racing to the finish. But I love swimming too. I’m tall enough that I’m pretty competitive in a pool. If I couldn’t do either of those, then I’d do rowing.” The girl dismounted and he winced as she almost lost her footing completely when landing her dismount. “That’s got to be a full point deduction.” The comment was muttered and then he looked from the TV to Rebecca beside him, realizing he sounded really into the sport. He shrugged. “I told you I like gymnastics.” He grinned and gave her a sidelong glance as he took another sip of beer. “I bet with your background as a dancer, you would’ve made a great gymnast too.” Imagining a younger Rebecca swinging on the uneven bars, vaulting, dancing along a balance beam and flipping her way across a floor made him smile. That would be quite a sight.

“Alright, what about you? If you could be in any event, which would it be?” He was pretty sure he knew what she would say since she had mentioned loving track when she was younger, but maybe she would surprise him. “Horseback riding?” he teased with a big smile. She probably wouldn’t like the joke, but that would suit her too. Hell, she would look good doing any of the events, in his opinion.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

"Hey, don’t make me sound like some creepy lecher. I’m not into little girls like that." She laughed, but deep down she was really glad to hear it. She knew when Jack spoke he spoke with sincerity. It was nice to know he wasn't eyeing up the tiny women from around the world who ranged from their mid teens through their mid twenties for the most part. She watched him go on speaking as she chewed on her slice of pizza. "It’s not the gymnasts I’m interested in, necessarily, but what they can do. That being said, I’d never want to be a male gymnast. Too girly.” He grinned and she grinned back briefly. It wasn't that girl, but the outfits were. And some of the guys were. Jack doing the things those boys were seemed like a funny thought, though.

Rebecca paid attention as he explained what even he would compete in, looking between him and the TV and eating her supper. The pizza tasted so much better since she had the beer in her. For some reason the two always went deliciously well together. “That’s got to be a full point deduction.” He muttered, eyeing the TV and she raised a brow, a small mocking smirk spreading over her lips. It was kind of cute in a way, the big hulking wolf man interested in the gymnastics. “I told you I like gymnastics.” He grinned and shrugged, making her roll her eyes at him, turning back to the TV.

“I bet with your background as a dancer, you would’ve made a great gymnast too.” She cocked a brow at him for a moment and then shrugged. He seemed almost interested in her extracurriculars as a girl. He'd brought the dancing up a few times already.

“Alright, what about you? If you could be in any event, which would it be? Horseback riding?” he teased with a big smile. And she narrowed her eyes, pointing an accusing finger at him. "Watch it, pal." She teased back. Her eyes moved back to the TV as she thought about it. "When I was a kid, floor gymnastics for sure. Yeah, I probably would have done that. Or ice skating. Now? Track. Definitely track, but I would wear clothes. Have you seen the track runners outfits? They're running in bikinis practically!"

Rebecca tipped her beer back and took a hefty sip, noticing the window. "It's really coming down out there.." She stood up and moved to the window, pizza still in hand as she peered out. It was beginning to stick to the roads and she pursed her lips. She had too much to drink safely even though she felt okay still. She knew she was legally over the limit. "Hopefully it'll stop soon or I might be stuck here until after you've shifted." She looked at him, the thought making her a little uneasy. Sleeping on Jack's couch hadn't been in the game plan. She moved back over and slumped into her seat again, chewing on her crust.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“Watch it pal.” Jack chuckled at Rebecca’s warning, taking another bite of pizza as she considered his question. “When I was a kid, floor gymnastics for sure. Yeah, I probably would have done that. Or ice skating. Now? Track. Definitely track, but I would wear clothes. Have you seen the track runners’ outfits? They’re running in bikinis practically!” He laughed, thinking on the track uniforms women wore, and Rebecca was absolutely right; they were skimpy. “It’s better than watching Baywatch,” he teased. Though picturing Rebecca running in one of those suits…it gave him chills and he needed to calm down. His libido was running too high as it was with his shifts always just below the surface. She kicked back her beer and he couldn’t help thinking how it just added to the image—a beautiful woman who could kick back with a beer was definitely sexy. All this beer wasn’t a good idea. Even so, he took another long drag to help calm his nerves.

“It’s really coming down out there…” Jack looked to the window too, seeing she was gazing out. It was coming down pretty heavily, and the snow was starting to stick to the roads. He frowned a little, thinking at first that she really would scoot, but then remembering she was probably over the legal limit at this point. “Hopefully it’ll stop soon or I might be stuck here until after you’ve shifted.” She gave him an uneasy look and Jack just smiled and shrugged. “Then I’ll just hop up on the couch and we’ll keep watching TV together. I told you I don’t bite. You could just pretend I’m a big dog.” He gave a big, crooked grin, biting into his crust too. “I might even let you pet me.” When his shifts began, his sisters would squeal and pet him when they were too young to go through their own shifts. He remembered it being a nice sensation, but they were the only ones who had ever done so. There was a sense of pride that usually kept him from allowing anyone to do that if they were privileged enough to see his form, but the thought of Rebecca doing it…it was nice. She probably never would, but it was a comforting thought.

Jack was definitely buzzing at this point, even though he was putting food in his belly. He leaned forward to grab another piece and looked up at the TV. It had switched to women’s swimming and there was a young woman bunching her red hair up into her skull cap. It was a mane of red hair, bushy and curly, and he gave an impressed look at the TV, taking a bite. “Wow, that is some red hair. I’m shocked it’s all fitting up into that skull cap!” Was there a hair limit on what skull caps could handle? Perhaps not. “It’s redder than Maxine’s hair.” The comment was off-handed, the only other redhead he knew coming to mind. He gave Rebecca a smile before looking back to the TV. Perhaps it came off as a random comment, but in Jack’s mind it made sense. He just wasn’t really filtering his thoughts at this point.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

“Then I’ll just hop up on the couch and we’ll keep watching TV together. I told you I don’t bite. You could just pretend I’m a big dog. I might even let you pet me.” The problem was she couldn't pretend he was a dog. She would know he was the dog, and that would make her insanely uncomfortable. Touching him would likely be out of the question simply because she knew it was Jack still in there, and she wouldn't pet him normally, so why would she do it in wolf form? She give an uneasy smile and shook her head. "I don't need to pet you." She said softly, almost bashfully. He gave him a wary look before finishing up her slice of pizza and staring at the TV.

“Wow, that is some red hair. I’m shocked it’s all fitting up into that skull cap!” Rebecca chuckled, grateful they had changed the subject and trying to distract herself from the thought of stroking Jacks fur as a dog. The thought was a strange one and she wished he hadn't started that third beer. She was definitely going to have to stick around for a bit, and that snow definitely wasn't letting up. “It’s redder than Maxine’s hair.” She wasn't expecting the comment, but she raised a brow and turned to him for a moment, reminded of a question she'd had earlier.

This wasn't the first time he had mentioned Maxine before, and she wondered if he was interested. The comment only reminded her that perhaps he was. "It is." She agreed, reaching for another slice and relaxing back into the couch a little. "Hey.. what do you think of Maxi?" She asked, turning more to him now, curious. "I mean.. you're always nice to her and hardly know her. Are you interested or anything?" She asked, feeling a little awkward about it, but Rebecca approved of Jack. August? No, August was dip shit. Jack would definitely treat her best friend with the love and respect she deserved. He was a good guy, and Rebecca trusted him. At least as much as Rebecca trusted any man, and that was saying something. "Because if you are, I would be happy to help get rid of August for you. At least you wouldn't act like a piece of shit to her." She sipped the beer and gave him a semi anxious look, wondering if he was interested or if she was making an idiot of herself.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

Jack was back to watching the games and shoving his face with pizza as Rebecca agreed with his comment. Rebecca went for another slice and he watched as another race in the pool began. It wasn’t until she shifted on the couch to face him that he looked at her again. “Hey…what do you think of Maxi?” He furrowed his brow and pushed his food into his cheek with his tongue so he could talk. “She’s nice,” he said simply with a shrug. “I mean…you’re always nice to her and hardly know her. Are you interested or anything?” Jack gave her a curious smile, his brows furrowed. “I’m nice to a lot of people I don’t know. It doesn’t mean I’m interested,” he replied, wondering why she was asking. Had he made it seem like he was interested in Maxine? The redhead was beautiful, but she was head over heels for August and that was a challenge he wasn’t willing to take on. Would she be a good choice for him? Probably, but he didn’t know her well enough to say.

“Because if you are, I would be happy to help get rid of August for you. At least you wouldn’t act like a piece of shit to her.” He chuckled and shook his head, taking a sip of beer. “No, I’m not interested in Maxi. I’m interested in you.” The words slipped out before he could filter them and immediately he felt a wave of disbelief wash over him. No, he couldn’t have said that…His wide eyes looked over to her and the look on her face confirmed that he actually had said it out loud. He sat forward on the couch with a sigh, setting his half eaten slice of pizza back in the box, setting his beer on the table and running his clean hand over his face. “Shit. I meant to say, ‘someone else.’” Jack was mortified. He’d never meant to tell Rebecca how he felt, at least not for a very long time when she had gotten closer to him. Now he’d gone and fucked it all up.

Running his hand from his face into his longish hair, he forgot all about the Olympics. “I’m sorry, Rebecca. I realize I just made it really weird. You can, uh…pretend I never said anything. I never meant to say anything.” He chanced a look at her, but he had to look away. She was never going to come back around now. He wouldn’t be surprised if she stormed out of his apartment right now. Why did he have to say something?! Fucking beer. He was never drinking beer again. Jack hadn’t been this embarrassed since high school.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

“No, I’m not interested in Maxi. I’m interested in you.”

Her stomach clenched uncomfortably at his words, her brows raising in disbelief. I’m interested in you. His eyes were wide and she was sure he hadn't meant to say it, but was it because he didn't mean it or because he didn't mean to tell her. He looked almost upset for having said it and she wasn't even sure if it was because the thought sickened him or because it was secret! And she was stuck there, which was the worst part. He put his dinner down and wiped his hand over his face and she looked away, her cheeks flushing. Maybe she could pretend she hadn't heard anything. “Shit. I meant to say, ‘someone else.’”

Did he? Did he mean to say that? Probably. She wasn't worth the effort and she knew that. Besides, he wouldn't be dumb enough to want her, anyway. “I’m sorry, Rebecca. I realize I just made it really weird. You can, uh…pretend I never said anything. I never meant to say anything.”

She had two options. She could either play it off cool, or she could act weird all night. Playing it off would be better considering the predicament she was in. She gave a dismissive smile and shook her hand, waving it away. "You had like three beers. Don't worry about it." She brushed it off like it was no big deal, her eyes going back to the TV and nibbling on the pizza, a little distracted. Her eyes were on the television but her mind wasn't. She wondered if he'd meant it, though. "It's cool." She added, talking more to herself than him it seemed.

She was quiet then, not sure what to say or think. Part of her was almost excited. A not sleazy guy hadn't shown interest in her for ages, and she knew Jack well enough to know he wasn't sleazy, but then again he said he meant to say someone else, not her. Her brows furrowed. Work and social life didn't mix well, but it didn't matter. He wasn't into her. It didn't matter... her eyes panned to him noticing his rippling muscles and her cheeks flushed as she tore her eyes away. No! She would not look at Jack like a piece of meat. He was her colleague and friend, not some man to gawk at and fantasize about. She grabbed her beer and guzzled more than half of it, nearly finishing it. When she was done she stood up. "I, uh.. I'm just going to use the bathroom." She excused herself walking off and taking deep breaths as she went.

Once in the bathroom she stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself. There were bags under her eyes from the weird sleep habits she developed with this constant darkness. She found herself tired more often these days. She didn't wear makeup, and her hair was pulled away from her face, looking dry and limp. She could be attractive if she cared to be.. Not someone Jack would be interested in. She shut her eyes and shook her head, not even believing she was thinking on this. No, it was over, she would move past it. Rebecca peed, washed her hands and then came back, slumping down next to Jack on the couch again.

"Man, this dark craps killing me." She muttered absently as she grabbed her slice of pizza from the box and leaned back, chewing on it afraid to look at Jack even. She sat in such a way that she hoped she looked more masculine, like one of the guys. "So, uh.. who's the lucky lady?" She asked, still not looking at him, opting for the TV instead and feeling annoyed with herself for asking. She hadn't even planned on it, it simply came out and she silently chastised herself for her own stupidity. Did it matter? No! What did it matter who Jack liked anyway?

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

Rebecca gave a dismissive smile and waved her hand, much to Jack’s surprise. She…she was okay with what he had just admitted? “You had like three beers. Don’t worry about it.” He was shocked. She wasn’t mad that he had totally made things awkward between them by admitting his feelings for her? Had she known already? He wasn’t quite sure how to feel about it. “It’s cool.” The way she stared intently at the TV instead of looking at him suggested otherwise. So maybe she wasn’t as okay with this as she said. He grabbed his pizza slice again, still bewildered, and grabbed his beer, sitting back on the couch again. Though his eyes were on the TV, he wasn’t watching it. Well…if she was going to take the news like that, why hadn’t he told her a long time ago? Did that mean that she liked him too? No, that couldn’t be it. If that were it, she would have said something…at least he thought she would. For a long time he just contemplated, his eyes focused on the screen but not processing anything that he saw.

“I, uh…I’m just going to use the bathroom.” He looked to her and nodded with an odd, anxious half smile. “Okay,” he replied softly. He watched her go, knowing she was probably going more to collect herself than to actually use the bathroom for its main purpose. Still, he looked back to the screen, zoning out as he munched on his pizza. Was it really so easy to move past his admission? He liked Rebecca. It had been a while since he really liked a woman, but he liked Rebecca. Maybe it was the fact that he knew he would have to impress her to catch her eye. He liked the mystery she was and figuring her out. Every new bit of information he learned about her was a reward for proving his trustworthiness. It was a challenge, and he loved a challenge. But there was no challenge after what had just happened. Had he been rejected? He didn’t even know that! It wasn’t even like he could ask, now. They were pretending like it didn’t happen, so that’s what he would do. He drained his beer after he polished off his second slice of pizza, and it wasn’t long before Rebecca came back. She was…she was beautiful.

She took a seat next to him again, her posture casual. “Man, this dark crap’s killing me.” He gave a small smile and a small shake of his head. “You have no idea,” he muttered in reply. She settled into eating pizza again and he watched the screen, slowly beginning to absorb what he was watching again. “So, uh…who’s the lucky lady?” Jack’s brow furrowed in confusion as he looked at her. Had she misunderstood him? It was possible he supposed. The thought didn’t even occur to him to lie. “I…I just told you…I like you.” His words were slow with his confusion. Then he realized what it must have sounded like he said. “What I meant was I meant to say, ‘someone else,’ to cover up the fact that I like you. But…well, the more direct answer came out before the cryptic one.” His face was starting to turn red even with his dark skin. He cleared his throat, looking from her to his knees. “I, uh…I have for a while, actually. I just…didn’t think you’d want to hear it. That and I was too chicken shit to tell you.” His eyes glanced to her, trying to gauge her reaction but…well, he couldn’t hold her gaze that long. Smooth, Rocco… He chastised himself inwardly and shook his head lightly. There was no way she could like him.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

“I…I just told you…I like you.” Her eyes widened just a little and her jaw opened like she was going to protest but then slipped shut into a tight line. Fuck. “What I meant was I meant to say, ‘someone else,’ to cover up the fact that I like you. But…well, the more direct answer came out before the cryptic one.” Her face was redder than his and she looked away, her brows knitted tight together as she stared off absently, not looking at him, or the TV. She wasn't looking anywhere, mortified that this conversation was happening at all.

“I, uh…I have for a while, actually." Oh God, please stop talking she wished silently, her eyes slipping shut as her stomach twisted. This wasn't happening! "I just…didn’t think you’d want to hear it." You were right! I don't! Oh, but she did. "That and I was too chicken shit to tell you.” Understandably so!

Finally he stopped talking, leaving Rebecca sitting there unsure of herself and the situation she was thrust into. "Jack.." She groaned after a pregnant pause, biting her lip and looking anxiously at him before reaching for her beer and draining what little was in there. She was going to be stuck there for hours stuck in this damn mess! "I don't.. I don't date. Especially coworkers. It's just... well, being a woman in the force isn't easy. You have to fight for respect ten times harder than any man and just dating one messes it all up. It's not that... I mean..." Her brows furrowed, "God, look at you. Man, you're ripped, and you're good. Jack, you're one of the good ones, just.." ..I suck at being a girlfriend and relationships scare the piss out of me!

"You need someone like Maxi. Someone who's sweet and cute and peppy and is completely obsessed with all of... all of that." Her eyes were on his torso, nodding at it, not needing to see him shirtless to know how completely ripped he was. She could tell from the way his clothes fit him and the muscles on his arms. "I mean, not that I don't appreciate the male form, especially yours, I... Christ, Jack!" She snapped, feeling cornered and unsure. She huffed and stood. "Fuck, if I'm going to be stuck here then I need another drink. I can't do this this sober." She moved towards the fridge quickly, pulling it open and grabbing a beer, twisting the cap off and downing some of it quickly there in the kitchen, her back to the fridge. This sucked!

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“Jack…” The way Rebecca said his name made Jack sigh heavily and close his eyes. He knew it. He could hear her draining her beer, but he didn’t look at her. He was humiliated. “I don’t…I don’t date. Especially coworkers. It’s just…well, being a woman in the force isn’t easy. You have to fight for respect ten times harder than any man and just dating one messes it all up. It’s not that…I mean…” Jack looked at her finally, curious to hear how that statement ended. What wasn’t it? What did she mean? “God, look at you. Man, you’re ripped, and you’re good. Jack, you’re one of the good ones, just…” His heart was pounding. She thought he had a good physique and he was a good person. So what was the issue? “You need someone like Maxi. Someone who’s sweet and cute and peppy and is completely obsessed with all of…all of that .” She nodded at his torso and he raised a brow, glancing from his abdomen to her face again. Was that a compliment? “I mean, not that I don’t appreciate the male form, especially yours, I…Christ Jack!” He was in shock that she found him attractive. Why didn’t he see it before? Were they both that good at hiding their attraction? He didn’t think he was.

Rebecca jumped to her feet while he continued to just stare at her in awe. “Fuck, if I’m going to be stuck here then I need another drink. I can’t do this sober.” She stormed off to the kitchen and he remained on the couch gathering his thoughts. So…it was pretty obvious she was attracted to him. He had to respect her boundaries, though. But couldn’t he prove that he wasn’t going to advertise what they were if he dated her? Had he already proved he was trustworthy? He knew better than to post it around the precinct that he was dating Rebecca Taylor. He kept to himself so much that there was no way anyone would know unless they were spotted on the town together. How likely was that, really? He could hear her open another bottle of beer and shut the refrigerator door. This was his chance. She was already pissed off, so how much worse could he make it? He pushed himself to his feet, his heart hammering in his chest. He just had to go for it.

Jack went to the archway leading into his kitchen and stood in it, blocking her from getting past him. He was intent on her hearing him out. “Rebecca…I don’t want someone like Maxine. You…you’re such a mystery. With Maxine, everything is out in the open, she wears her heart on her sleeve. But with you I have to work for everything you tell me about yourself, and that makes me want to know you even more. Would it be easier with someone like Maxine? Sure. But I’m not interested in easy.” He stepped toward her, stopping in front of her, towering over her and looking down at her, his gaze unrelenting. “I’m interested in you.” His eyes fell to her lips momentarily as they had during their card game. What would they feel like pressed against his? He would give anything to find out. His eyes flicked back to hers, his stare intense. “I want you, Rebecca.” He was practically holding his breath in anticipation for her answer.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

She was trying to collect her thoughts there in the kitchen, but the shadow of the lurching man in the doorway made her feel almost sick to her stomach. She eyed Jack warily from her spot at the fridge, the beer clenched tight in her hand. Why did he need to block the door? Why did it need to be snowing? Why the fuck did she have another beer in her hand?

“Rebecca…I don’t want someone like Maxine. You…you’re such a mystery. With Maxine, everything is out in the open, she wears her heart on her sleeve. But with you I have to work for everything you tell me about yourself, and that makes me want to know you even more." What, so because she was quiet and didn't offer personal information easily he was interested? Did that even make sense? Not to Rebecca. "Would it be easier with someone like Maxine? Sure. But I’m not interested in easy.” WHY?! She screamed in her mind, feeling as though she might become ill. Why was he doing this? Why had she come over? Why? Why? WHY?

The girl tensed as he moved closer, unable to back up any further. She stared into his dark eyes as he gazed down into hers. Why was he so damn big? “I’m interested in you.” Her stomach gave another unpleasant lurch as he spoke, his eyes moving to her lips making her pull her bottom one into her mouth as she scowled slightly up at him. “I want you, Rebecca.”

Want her? Want her? What did he mean by want? Like... as a girlfriend? Or there on the kitchen counter? Why her? Why now? Why was he doing this to her? "Trust me, you don't." She assured him, her throat dry. Rebecca had no idea what to do as she stood there looking up at him. It as clear in his eyes that he wanted to kiss her and she feared it with her entire being. She didn't want to give in. She was terrified to. Too much was at stake, but even as she thought it she knew it wasn't entirely true. He wasn't the type to flaunt it, but she felt he was the hearts and flowers kind. She would be devastated if flowers ended up on her desk at work. She pursed her lips at the thought, noticing him torso again. He was rock hard under that shirt, and that could be hers..

No! She shook her head. "So, what.. I'm some mystery and that excites you?" She accused, frowning at him. "What is it you want to know, Jack? Why I'm so guarded? Why I don't offer my whole life on a silver platter for others to ogle at like Maxine would? My story isn't all that great. It's depressing, that's why I don't share it. That's why I'm rough around the edges. That's why I make a shit partner. You only think you want me, but you don't even know me. And you know what? I don't know you. What I do know is that we both drank maybe a little too much.. that's what I know." She fidgeted again anxiously against his fridge, "Which I think I should keep doing, because I really think I need some liquid courage right now." She tore her eyes from him and brought the beer to her lips again, shutting her eyes and chugging, not sure what the fuck she even wanted, other than to be sober so she could run away safely.

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“Trust me, you don’t.” Jack’s jaw set, getting irritated. He hated when people told him what he wanted, what he needed. Only Jack knew what he wanted and needed, and right now it was Rebecca. Maybe he’d had too much to drink, maybe it was the shifts making him crazy, but in truth, he was only acting on what he’d wanted for months. “So, what…I’m some mystery and that excites you?” Yes. “What is it you want to know, Jack? Why I’m so guarded?” Yes. “Why I don’t offer my whole life on a silver platter like Maxine would?” Yes. “My story isn’t all that great. It’s depressing, that’s why I don’t share it. That’s why I’m rough around the edges. That’s why I make a shit partner. You only think you want me, but you don’t even know me. And you know what? I don’t know you. What I do know is that we both drank maybe a little too much…that’s what I know.” He was getting frustrated and heated and he watched her fidget against his fridge. “Which I think I should keep doing, because I really think I need some liquid courage right now.” That made his heart throb hard; she was as nervous as he was. Why couldn’t she just let him feel for her? And he did feel for her…he felt a great many things for her right now.

He watched as she chugged her beer, waiting for an opening. All he needed was an opening. Finally she brought the bottle from her lips and he took it in his own grasp, setting it quickly on the counter but not moving from his spot. When he turned back to her, in one swift motion he had her head in his hands and his lips pressed hard against hers. She struggled, but he held her tight, refusing to stop kissing her. The struggling slowly came to an end and one of his large hands moved from her hair to her waist, pulling her as close to him as he could. He leaned her against the fridge, his lips devouring her mouth as he’d longed to do for months. It was like a dream—he was kissing Rebecca Taylor…and he could have sworn she was kissing him back. Though the taste of beer was still on her lips, it was laced with a sweetness only her mouth could have.

Leaning more heavily against the cold metal fridge, he changed the direction his head was tilting, giving him better access to her mouth. God…when was the last time his heart hammered this hard? His hand raked through her blonde hair, gripping the back of her head firmly as he kept her close. He had to be dreaming. His tongue brushed along hers through her parted lips and he felt a jolt shoot through him at how soft it was. The world where this could never happen was completely faded now. This was happening and he didn’t know if he could ever stop. Damn, her mouth was soft.