by Annie Rains
Jack finished buttering the bread and then carried the metal cookie sheet over to the stove. He laid the tray down and moved Grace over by her waist. “Excuse me, sweetheart. Don’t want you to get burned.” He opened the oven and slid the tray in, then turned and faced Grace. “Ten minutes till we eat.”
Her throat constricted as she swallowed. She was definitely feeling the buzz between them as much as he was.
Jack wrapped his arms around her waist. “If I kiss you now, I might ruin dinner. And that would be a shame.”
Her head tipped back to look up at him. “It would. I’ve worked pretty hard on my specialty dish.”
“Hard.” He nodded, unable to help the smile on his face.
She laughed, punching a soft fist into his chest. “I should’ve waited to cook until later.”
“Are you saying you can’t wait for me?” he asked playfully.
She pressed her body against him. He was sure she could feel exactly how much he wanted her.
“I’m known for my self-control. I’m eating first.” His eyes fell on her mouth. “Besides, I like watching you squirm. I might eat nice and slow tonight.”
Her eyebrows lowered. “You’re serious?”
“Always.” He stepped away, because while he had his fair share of control, he had a breaking point. He was going to savor tonight, though. After the other night, he’d thought he’d never get another chance with Grace. He was teetering on a fine line, knowing that she could push him away again at any moment. Her walls could come back up bigger and stronger. Life had done that to her. And part of that had been his family’s doing.
The timer for the oven beeped. Jack turned and grabbed an oven mitt, shifting uncomfortably against the swell in his jeans. This was going to be the longest dinner of his life.
—
“You’re going to eat every last bite, aren’t you?” Grace sat back in her chair and watched Jack fork the last few noodles left on his dish into his mouth.
“It’s that good,” he said. “I might need a nap afterward, though.”
Her lips pressed together until he grinned. “You’re joking.”
“I’m joking.” He slid his dish to the side. Then he stared at her, his gaze grazing over her like a slow, seductive touch. “I’m done. Now I’m ready for dessert.” He held up a hand. “And before you ask, you are my dessert.”
Her back straightened as heat zipped through her, settling low in her belly. He stood and offered her his hand. “Shall we?”
Butterflies swam inside her. This wasn’t their first time together, but she was suddenly all kinds of nervous. What if the second time didn’t live up to the first? What if she did something wrong?
All her worries were silenced as Jack pulled her in his arms and kissed her mindless. Then her body took over, writhing against his, hungry for his touch again. She needed to feel his skin flush with hers. Her hand lowered to the mound at the center of his pants. “How did you sit there so patiently during dinner?”
“Years of practice growing up with you down the hall,” he growled, lifting her shirt over her head and sprinkling kisses up her neck. She moaned in pleasure, pushing him toward her bed. She wanted to straddle him and feel that hardness inside her. Dinner had been torture for her as well.
Jack sat on the bed, reached up, and unclasped her bra, lowering his gaze to her breasts. She froze for a moment, watching him as he took her in. Something about the way he looked at her made her feel gorgeous. He traced the skin around her nipple, making shivers rumble through her. Then he dipped his head and took one breast into his mouth. There was nothing hurried in his actions even though she could feel the urgency of his erection. His tongue flicked against her sensitive skin.
Grace pulled her lower lip between her teeth and bit down. “It was hard for me living with you down the hall, too,” she whispered, breathless.
His eyes opened and flicked up to meet hers before moving to the other breast. “Yeah?”
“Um-hmm.”
“Tell me about it.”
“What?” Grace could barely focus with Jack’s teeth brushing against her.
“I want to hear how much you wanted me.”
“You already know, Jack. I’ve always wanted you.” She’d wanted more than his body, though, and that’s what terrified her.
Jack lifted his mouth and met hers. Then he flipped her onto her back, taking complete control. She let him, trusting him more than she knew she should. He unzipped her skirt at the side and gave it a gentle tug down her body.
She didn’t wait for him to peel the last article of clothing off. She grasped the sides of her lace panties and pushed them down past her thighs, calves, ankles. They dropped to the floor below, leaving her naked.
A moan rumbled deep inside Jack’s throat as he looked at her body. “Gorgeous,” he whispered, sending a rush of goose bumps over her skin.
She wasn’t sure she’d ever had a man look at her this way, like he adored her, thought she was perfect. She sat up and grabbed hold of the button on his jeans. With a flick of her fingers, they came undone. “Take these off,” she said, looking up at him from where she sat on the bed.
Dutifully, Jack shed his pants along with his boxers, then retrieved a condom from his jeans pocket. It took only a few seconds for him to rip the package open and sheath himself.
Grace watched him, eagerly. She’d always told herself that size absolutely did not matter, but looking at Jack, maybe she was wrong about that. He was large by any standard, and he was all hers.
“Last chance to turn back,” he said. “We don’t have to do this.”
“Oh, yes we do. Make love to me, Jack.”
With a grin, he crawled over her body and connected his mouth with hers in a hot, toe-curling kiss. Then he used one of his legs to spread hers apart just enough and, doing exactly what she’d told him she wanted, he pushed inside her, filling her up so completely. She held on to him, memorizing exactly how this felt, so she’d remember after it fell to pieces.
Because everything in her life eventually fell to pieces. But maybe not this one time?
“You are it for me, Grace. My biggest fantasy,” he breathed above her. The feel of him, the sound, the smell. It all added to her building arousal. She could feel her breaths growing shallow as everything pooled just below her center. All her thoughts escaped her—the traitors—as her body took over. She’d never been a loud lover, but Jack had her moaning, chanting his name like some rock star groupie, and she didn’t care.
“Harder,” she pleaded, wanting a release so desperately. She was right on the edge, teetering, holding on to it, waiting for it to take her. As if knowing how close she was, Jack plunged harder, deeper until she cried out, her orgasm breaking all of her self-control.
And yeah, size definitely mattered.
A moment later, Jack moaned as he found his own release. His body went rigid against hers for a long moment. She pulled him in, wanting to give him whatever he needed. Then he softened, melting down on the bed beside her.
“I’m glad you changed your mind about giving us a try,” he said.
Grace tried not to put too much meaning into the word us. Jack was just living out an old fantasy. He’d said as much. By the time the tournament rolled around, the thrill would be over. She was well practiced at saying goodbye. First, her biological father. Then the Sawyer family. She was getting a second chance with the Sawyers, though, and she wouldn’t let whatever this was between her and Jack jeopardize it. When it was time to say goodbye to whatever was between them, she would, she promised herself.
“Me, too,” she said, curling into him.
He kissed her softly—a match striking dry tinder—igniting their passion once more.
Unable to resist, because this moment was all she was promised, Grace rolled on top of Jack, aligned her body with his, and they made love again.
—
Grace blinked at the soft light spilling into her window the next morning. She glanced ove
r at the empty spot in her bed, vaguely remembering Jack getting up and kissing her lips before slipping out. Her secret lover.
Her phone buzzed beside her. She held it up and read the incoming text from Krista.
I have to be at work in one hour. Grabbing a muffin at the café. Care to join me?
Grace broke into a yawn and glanced at the clock. She had to be at work in an hour, too. She could shower, dress, and be on her way in ten minutes, though.
Sure. See you in fifteen? she texted back.
Sounds good, Krista responded a moment later.
Grace hurried toward the bathroom, taking in the soreness of her body. Jack had done that. And she was hoping he’d do it again very soon.
Fifteen minutes later, Krista waved as Grace entered the Blushing Bay Café. The town’s favorite café was only a few blocks from the Sawyer Seafood Company and Blushing Bay Memorial, where Krista worked.
“I already ordered you a coffee and raspberry muffin,” Krista said, pushing it across the table as Grace sat down.
“This was a great idea. Saying I have an empty fridge right now would be an understatement.” Although, at least Grace was making enough money now to actually buy groceries.
Krista laughed, taking a huge bite of her own muffin. Krista’s hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She was dressed in aquamarine-colored nursing scrubs with the Blushing Bay Memorial logo printed on the front pocket. “I woke up ravenous. I usually stop in and eat alone, but I wanted more scoop.”
“More scoop?” Grace nearly choked on the bite of muffin in her mouth.
Krista stared at her. “Yeah, you know, about your new job,” she said slowly.
“Oh.” Grace exhaled and pulled her coffee toward her.
“You thought I was talking about something different.” Krista raised a dark eyebrow, inspecting Grace across the table. “Something else has happened between now and when we talked on Saturday. Another lunch date maybe?”
“What? No.” Grace tried to offer a straight face as she hid behind her coffee. Tried and failed.
Krista cocked her head to the side. “Don’t try to play it off. Tell me.”
Grace swallowed. “Well, the job at Sawyer Seafood Company is still going well. Noah is actually talking to me now, which is good. And I spoke to a new prospective customer yesterday. They’re opening a restaurant in Blushing Bay and need someone to supply their fish. The guys are thrilled.”
Krista licked a crumb from the top of her mouth. “You had a huge crush on Jack growing up.”
“Hmm?” Grace asked, glancing around the café, hoping her face wasn’t revealing anything.
“It was so obvious,” Krista confirmed. “Everyone knew. I’m guessing that maybe”—a wicked grin spread across her face—“you still have a thing for him now.”
Grace laughed nervously. “That’s crazy.” She glanced at her watch. “Oh wow. I should get going. I don’t want to be late.”
Krista frowned. “What? You just got here. You have twenty minutes before you have to be at your desk and the guys are complete pushovers.”
“If you’re not early, you’re late,” Grace chimed, collecting her purse and coffee.
Krista bagged the rest of her muffin. “Right. Well, we should definitely finish this conversation later. How about tonight?”
Grace pushed her chair back under the table. “I, um, can’t. I’m actually staying in tonight. I sort of have…plans.”
Krista grinned, her dark eyes lighting up. “Okay. Tomorrow morning, then. Same time, same place. And if you don’t spill the beans over breakfast tomorrow, then we’ll both be late for work, because I’m not leaving here without it.”
Chapter 9
Jack stood at the edge of the new recreational area pier. It was done.
“It looks great.” His cousin Gabe clapped a hand on Jack’s back. “Fast. Well built. I wasn’t sure about Dewy’s kid working with you, but he did a good job under your guidance.”
Jack nodded. He had to admit that he was surprised at how well Tristan had done, too.
Gabe gestured at the new pier. “This is really fantastic work, man. Tristan crashing into my kayak launch was a stroke of luck for me. Maybe this is what you’re meant to do now.”
Jack glanced over. Working with his hands, finishing something he started, felt good. He felt good, better than he had in a long time. “I’m building a boat, too.”
“Yeah? Well, if you start carving out kayaks and canoes, let me know.”
Jack laughed.
After saying goodbye to his cousin, Jack hopped back into his truck to go see Grace. He couldn’t wait to lay his eyes, and hands, on her. When he got to her apartment, he knocked once before she pulled him inside and shut the door behind them.
“I’ve been thinking about you all day.”
He grinned against the kiss she landed on his lips. “Your boss might not appreciate me dominating your attention.”
“What your father doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” She curled her hand around his and dragged him farther inside her apartment. “I was just making iced tea. Want some?”
“I’d love some.” He followed her to the kitchen and sat down as she retrieved two glasses from her cabinet. Jack glanced over at her laptop on the bar. She had several tabs open with what looked like articles. “What are you doing?”
“Yet another thing that’s dividing my attention.” Grace slid a glass of tea in front of him. “I’ve been researching local doctors. Mom’s current doctor is great, but he’s not an expert. Did you know one of the leading doctors who specializes in Parkinson’s disease lives right outside of Blushing Bay? I made an appointment to take Mom to see him next Friday.”
Jack curled his fingers around the cool glass. “That’s good news.”
“You really think so?”
“Of course.”
“Well, I know you’re not one of my mother’s biggest fans. She’s changed, though. I think you would like the new and improved Tammy.”
Jack leaned over the counter to kiss her. “I like your mom’s daughter, I know that.” Her lips were warm, moist, inviting. Every bit as sweet as her tea and more.
“I have a confession. I thought about you all day, too. Still managed to finish that pier at the rec area, though,” he said.
“That’s awesome.” Grace trailed her mouth over the side of his jaw. “Sounds like a celebration is in order.”
“I like the way you think.”
“Too bad we can’t go out and celebrate. Wouldn’t it be nice to go on an actual date?”
“You’re the one who wants to keep this thing between us quiet,” Jack reminded her.
“I know. I’m just saying. I’d love to kiss you outside of these four walls one day. It’s a fantasy of mine.”
Jack kissed her again. “I have a fantasy, too. Want to hear it?”
“Mmm.” She nodded.
“Or how about I just show you?” he half growled, half whispered. Then he stood and coaxed her to the bedroom—his favorite place these days.
—
Early the next morning, Jack closed Grace’s front door quietly behind him and headed down the steps toward the parking lot. Somehow sneaking around made his thirty-one-year-old body feel like he was a young twenty-something again. He drove to the Blushing Bay Café and grabbed a coffee and bagel, then sat down alone at one of the back tables.
Grace should be here with him. She was probably starving after last night’s sexual Olympics, too. Hiding this thing between them, whatever it was, was silly.
“Hey, bro.” Noah pulled out a chair at his table and plopped down with his own coffee and bagel. “You look lost in space. What are you thinking about?”
Ripping Grace’s clothing off. “Nothing,” Jack answered. Because he respected Grace. If she wanted to keep their involvement under wraps for the time being, he understood. “Why aren’t you out on the boat this morning?”
“A man’s gotta eat.” Noah took a large bite of his breakfast.
“Besides, when you’re acting captain, you get to decide the schedule.”
The muscles in Jack’s jaw tightened. He was about to start lecturing his brother on responsibility and captaining skills when Noah broke into a wide grin.
“Relax. I’m just pulling your chain. My acting first mate had something to do this morning. Can’t very well go out with just those other temporaries you hired as my crew. They’d actually hurt more than they’d help, especially with the water as choppy as it is this morning. We’re setting out at nine.”
Jack nodded, relaxing back into his chair. Not that this was any of his business anymore. He’d given up captaining the Summerly. And maybe, as Gabe had suggested, he was branching off into a new life passion. “I’m talking to a guy after lunch who might be interested in joining your crew.”
“Give him hell,” Noah said. “I’m serious. I don’t want any lightweights on my boat. Next time I get Mitsy on the line, she’s not getting away…So where were you last night?” Noah asked then.
Jack paused drinking his coffee midsip. “What do you mean?”
“I stopped by your place. You weren’t home.” Noah lifted his brows teasingly. “So where were you?”
Jack resisted memories of where he’d been. Grace’s apartment. In her bed. In her.
“Got yourself a girl, huh? Who is she?”
“None of your business,” Jack ground out, his words as tart as the coffee he was drinking.
“Why the big secret? You can tell me.”
Jack wished he could. “No one.”
Noah frowned and reached for his bagel. “I see how it is, bro. You’re afraid I might swoop in and sweep her off her feet.”
Jack laughed. Then he nearly choked on his food as Grace walked in with Krista, who beelined straight for the youngest Sawyer brother.
Noah looked up with a grin. “Hey, Kris. Hey, sis.”
Jack inwardly cringed.
“What are you two up to?” Noah asked.
Krista turned to Grace. “We’re having breakfast. And Grace here is keeping things from me. I’m going to find out what those things are.”
