“I’ll be here waiting.”
“See you in ten minutes.”
True to his word, Jack stood outside my door ten minutes later, looking amazing in khaki shorts, a white polo shirt, and his favorite Sperrys. Yes, I can tell them apart from the rest.
He stepped inside and slipped his Ray Bans to the top of his head before wrapping his hands around my waist and pulling me forward until I stood flush against him. Spinning me around, he pushed me back against the door and proceeded to kiss me until I barely knew my own name. His lips teased and tasted, his tongue thrust and tangled, and I followed his lead, taking what he offered and giving back what I could. He rocked against me and I wrapped my right leg around his hip to hold him tight so I could rub against his hard length.
Jack squeezed my ass, holding me still and slowly ended the kiss.
“You erase every bit of my self-control.”
I’d be lying if I said that statement didn’t give my self-confidence a big boost. Making a man like Jack Reagan lose control is quite a feat.
“Sorry.” I raised my voice slightly at the end of the word making it sound more like a question.
He slowly dragged his fingers up my side, over my breast, and cupped the back of my neck. His thumb stroked over my jaw and caressed my cheek.
“I don’t think you are,” he said around a sweet smile. “I think you enjoy it.”
“Well you do the same thing to me, so I guess we’re even.”
His intense gaze met mine, seeming to search for the truth of my words. The man has to realize the reaction I have to him is unique. As usual he read my mind. A slow, sexy smile spread across his face and that damn dimple peeked out, making my knees weak.
We just stood there, smiling at each other for I don’t know how long.
“Hannah, I —”
Jack looked away for a second before meeting my gaze again. He kissed me and straightened, his fingers slowly trailing along my neck as he pulled his hand away. Stepping back, he cleared his throat and said, “I think we better head out so we’re not late meeting your father.”
Jack
Hannah watched the scenery pass as I navigated along the coast. I’d decided to drive to spring training this year, figuring the quiet time would help clear my head. Nothing gets my mind straight better than some windshield time and good tunes. And the ride down had done just that. I was able to mentally sort out some stuff and cool off the anger simmering beneath the surface.
The whole book thing had pissed me off more than I wanted to admit to anyone. I’ve always been honest with the women I’ve gotten involved with right from the start and treated them well during our time together. Only one relationship ended badly, and that was with Cindy.
As the end of last season neared, she started acting more clingy and erratic...two things that drive me totally insane. So even if I was inclined to continue the relationship, her behavior would have changed my mind.
And considering the timing of the book, she obviously had the deal before things ended between us. It just really sucks. No one would want a book out there spilling all kinds of private details about their life. Just because my job puts me in the public eye doesn’t make me any different.
I glanced at Hannah and couldn’t help but smile. Our relationship is the one good thing that came out of this whole book debacle. If we weren’t forced to spend so much time together, I’m not sure I would have ever noticed her as anything more than a kick-ass PR person. And that would have been sad.
For the first time in my life, I’m in what people would consider a real relationship and I really like it. I really like her. The fact that I asked her to join me on the drive home shows just how much. There are very few people I’d want sitting next to me on a long car ride.
I shifted my eyes her way again and found Hannah watching me. At least I assume she’s looking at me. I can’t actually see her eyes through the dark lenses but her head is turned in my direction.
“You okay over there?” I asked.
She nodded. “This is a really good playlist,” she said as The Outfield ended and the Eagles began.
“It’s a 70’s and 80’s mix I think is perfect for road trips.”
“It definitely is.” She looked down at her lap and toyed with the hem of her shorts before turning back toward me. Shifting her glasses up higher on the bridge of her nose, she said, “So, we’re almost a couple hours in now. Do you regret inviting me along yet?”
“Not at all.”
“You sure?”
I took my eyes off the road long enough to look her in the eye. Well, look her in the eye as much as I can considering both of us are wearing sunglasses.
“I’m sure.” I turned my attention back toward the road then chuckled with the thought that entered my head. “What if I wasn’t sure? Would you just have me pull over and dump you on the side of the road?”
“Hopefully you’d at least be willing to suffer my presence a little longer so I can meet up with my dad.”
“Just curious. I don’t plan on dumping you anywhere,” I said. “But seriously, I’m glad you agreed to come with me. This is nice. Different, but nice.”
“Different?”
“I don’t normally take passengers on road trips, so this is a whole new experience for me. But that’s par for the course where you’re concerned.”
I reached over and squeezed her hand, then laced my fingers with hers. She shifted in her seat, sitting up straighter, her lips curled into a small smile. I’ve told her she’s different enough times now that she obviously believes it.
What I haven’t said are those three little words that almost slipped out earlier. Thankfully I’d stopped myself. I have no doubt that my feelings for Hannah are real, but I’m not sure I’m ready to put that out there just yet. Especially not before we’re trapped in a car together for hours.
What I’ve just said has made things feel kind of intense...time to lighten it up a bit.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“How many pair of glasses do you own?”
She burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?”
Settling her head against the headrest, she shifted onto her hip and crossed her right leg over her left. Our joined hands rested in her lap as her body turned slightly in my direction.
“I thought you were going to ask something serious.”
“I am serious. I’ve known you for years and don’t think I’ve seen you wear the same pair more than once.”
“That’s a bit of an exaggeration, don’t you think?”
“Not much of one.”
“It has to be. I only have 126 pair.”
“Only?”
“I know it’s a lot, but it’s kind of an addiction.” She shrugged. “There are worse things.”
“True,” I said. “How did your little addiction start?”
“Like many people before me, I fell during my Hollywood days,” she said. “When my dad’s agent had me made over, the stylist wanted me to switch to contacts, but I have an astigmatism and they didn’t sit right and bothered my eyes. She suggested the funky frames and got me started with my first ten pair.” She tapped the arm of the transparent frames with pink polka dots with her index finger. “These are a pair of the originals. I’ve have the prescription updated when necessary and just recently put in transition lenses so I can use them as sunglasses.”
“So those are twenty years old?”
“Something like that.” She shrugged. “Through the years I’ve gotten rid of a few frames that have broken or are uncomfortable, but for the most part, I just update the lenses when I need to and keep them in my collection. Insurance pays for new frames every couple years and there’s a consignment shop near the stadium where people bring old glasses and sunglasses to sell, especially designer ones. It’s amazing how many I’ve accumulated over the years.”
Looking down, she stroked the back of my hand with her thumb. The G
PS directed me to take the exit a mile down the road, and we drove in silence until I did just that.
“The glasses are the one thing I kept of those Hollywood days,” she said. “I ditched the fake eyelashes, hair extensions, sky-high heels, and fancy clothes. But the glasses quickly became part of me and I didn’t want to let them go.”
“They definitely suit you,” I said. “Recently, I’ve found myself trying to guess what color you’ll have on every day.”
“Really?”
I shrugged. “Sad but true.”
“Have you ever been right?”
“Not once.”
“Glad I can keep you guessing about something.”
“Oh, you keep me guessing about a lot of things.”
“Me?”
I thought about my response as I listened to the GPS and followed the left fork of the road.
“Why do you find that so surprising?”
“I’m just plain Hannah Adams,” she said. “There’s nothing surprising here.”
I took the next right into the parking lot of a shack of a restaurant with a sign out front boasting ice cold beer and the best conch fritters in the state. Extracting my hand from Hannah’s, I pulled into a parking space and shifted the car into park. Unfastening both my seat belt and hers, I shifted in my seat and cupped her cheek.
“Let’s get one thing straight. You’re not just plain Hannah Adams.” I brushed my lips against hers. “You’re amazing.”
Chapter 28
Hannah
I practically floated across the parking lot and through the door of the restaurant. Jack says the sweetest things and it’s amazing how he makes me feel with his words or even just a look. He keeps telling me this is all new to him and I have no reason to doubt that. It’s new to me, too.
It took my eyes a few seconds to adjust to the dim interior, but I eventually spotted my father and Melanie seated across the room, his arm draped across the back of her chair, their heads tipped together as they talked. Jack bumped into me from behind as I hesitated in the doorway. His fingers trailed down my arm and he squeezed my hand.
“You okay?”
I nodded and glanced over my shoulder at him. “It’s still a bit of a shock to see them together like this.”
“I can imagine,” he said. “Just say the word when you want to leave.” He pressed a kiss against my forehead. “I’ll follow your lead.”
“There ye are.” My father’s voice boomed from across the room.
Jack stepped next to me and wrapped his arm around my waist then led me across the room. I reluctantly pulled away from him and stepped toward my father, who stood to hug me.
“I’m happy yer here, darlin’.” He pulled back to look at me.
I nodded and swallowed the lump in my throat, then stepped back. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Melanie watching us from the edge of her seat.
“Hi Mel.” I leaned down to give her an awkward hug. I’m trying to move forward so things can get back to normal between us, but it’s not easy. We may not be blood related, but I always considered Melanie my sister. And now she’s sitting here, pregnant with my little brother or sister. Before my thoughts could fall down that rabbit hole and ruin the mood, my father settled back into his seat.
“Sit,” he said.
Jack pulled the chair on the other side of Melanie away from the table and waited for me to sit before taking the space between my father and me.
“So are ya ready fer the season?” my father asked Jack.
“Yes, sir.”
“Think ye’ll win it this year?”
Before Jack could answer, the waitress approached the table with two glasses of water in one hand and menus in the other. After placing the glasses in front of Jack and me and handing us each a menu, she asked if Jack and I wanted anything to drink besides water, directing our attention to the drink and draft list above the bar.
“I don’t want a drink,” I said. “What do you have besides soda?”
“Sweet tea and lemonade.”
“The lemonade is amazing,” Melanie said, holding her glass out to me. “It tastes just like my grandmother’s.”
Before I could overthink it, I took a sip of Melanie’s lemonade.
“I’ll have a glass of lemonade,” I said, setting her glass back on the table.
“Make that two,” Jack said.
“I’ll go get those and give you some time to look at the menu,” the waitress said.
We sat quietly, perusing the menu. Everything looked so amazing, we decided to order a bunch of appetizers to share so we could sample it all.
“So, do ye think ye’ll win it this year?” my father asked Jack again.
“We go into every season planning on winning it all,” he said. “This year we look better than most. If the baseball gods smile down on us and we keep injuries to a minimum, we’ll get it done.”
He continued to ask Jack questions about the upcoming season and baseball in general. For a man who never even watched a baseball game before I started working for the Waves, I’m pretty impressed with my father’s insight and knowledge. He’s learned a lot in the last decade.
While the two men in my life talked, I figured Melanie and I should do more than just sit there listening.
“Your mom must be thrilled about the baby. She’s been bugging your brother for a grandchild for years.”
“She is,” she said. “This was a shock to my parents too, but she’s looking forward to spoiling the baby.”
“When did she find out about your relationship?”
“I held off telling her as long as possible, but when I quit my job and started traveling with A—your father, I didn’t have a choice.” I nodded and sipped my lemonade. “I wanted to tell you then too, but he didn’t think it was a good idea. I guess I should have pushed him more.”
I’m not sure what to say to that. I imagine the shock level of finding out would have been the same if they told me sooner, but the betrayal I felt from their lies may have been less. I don’t know. Either way, my relationship with both of them would have been affected and we’d have to rebuild.
“It doesn’t matter,” I said. “We just have to move forward now.”
Melanie blinked away tears. She opened her mouth to speak, but the waitress arrived with our food. After setting her tray on a stand, she placed baskets and plates of mouthwatering goodness on our table until it was completely covered then refilled our glasses and left us to our feast.
We ate and laughed and talked about how amazing the food was until our plates were empty.
“Now that yer bellies are full, we have somethin’ ta discuss,” my father said. He placed his hand over Melanie’s and toyed with the huge diamond ring he’d given her. “Melanie and me plan on gettin’ married before this babe comes along, and we’d like ya ta be there.”
“Oh.” I glanced between the two of them. “When’s the wedding?”
“We haven’t set a date,” Melanie said. “We wanted to find out your schedule first. It’s not going to be anything big, just a small ceremony at my parents’ house so we can do it whenever you can make it.”
“A small event at your parents’ house? Really? Has that ever happened?” I asked.
Melanie laughed. “I’m sure the whole neighborhood will be invited, but it’s not going to be a big Hollywood event.” She looked at my father and smiled. “Neither of us wants that.”
I pulled my phone from my purse and opened the calendar. The next few months look crazy as usual, but I have to make time to attend. If I don’t, it will always be between us, and don’t want that. I’ll put in for vacation and make a long weekend of it.
“Other than the next two weeks, I can make any date work.”
Melanie’s eyes widened then she grabbed my arm and squealed. I’m sure that squeal would have been a full-blown scream if we weren’t in public.
“Thank you so much.” She squeezed my hand. “It means a lot to both of us.”
&nbs
p; I leaned over the arm of my chair and pulled her into an awkward hug.
“Of course I’ll be there,” I said. “We’re family.”
Jack
After a teary goodbye, Hannah and I hit the road again and for the past few hours, haven’t said a word to each other. She seemed content to pass the miles just listening to the music and I didn’t feel the need to break the silence.
That’s another thing that makes Hannah different from every other woman I’ve been with. She doesn’t need to fill the air with idle chatter like the rest of them. I never knew how nice it could be just spending time with a female in comfortable silence. And this is a comfortable silence. I’m sure she’s thinking about the intense scene at the restaurant and her father’s upcoming wedding to her best friend, but she doesn’t seem upset or stressed.
Needing to touch her, I reached over and squeezed her hand then laced our fingers together. I watched her mouth curl into a small smile before returning my attention back to the road. We’d put quite a few more miles behind us when Hannah spoke, her voice just above a whisper.
“Thank you for today.” I glanced over and found her watching me. “I know they’re my people, but it was nice having you there in my corner.”
“Anytime.”
“You must think we’re the most dysfunctional people on earth.”
I lifted her hand to my lips and brushed them against her knuckles.
“I think nothing of the sort. I’ll admit the situation is a bit messed up, but it’s easy to see how much love is between you.” I chuckled. “Wait until you meet my father. Then you’ll see true dysfunction.”
I pulled into Hannah’s driveway and killed the engine. After I’d basically promised to introduce her to my father, we’d chatted for a while, then she dozed off. I looked over and couldn’t stop a smile from spreading across my face at the sight of her. Hannah is such a force when awake, I love getting to see her all soft and snuggly like this.
Leaning over, I kissed her forehead.
Waste of Handsome (Carolina Waves #2) Page 24
