by Annie Rains
Probably.
A few minutes later, Joey dropped them off in front of Castaways. “Call me when you’re ready for me to pick you up,” he said.
“Have I ever told you that you’re the best brother in the world?” Krista leaned across the center console and kissed his cheek.
“Yeah, yeah. And you’re the lousiest tipper in the history of cabby tippers.”
Krista grinned and stepped out beside Grace and Abby. “Here’s a tip,” she said, leaning over to talk to him through the window. “Keep the windows rolled up when you’re driving around the ladies and they’ll tip you more. We spend a lot of time working on our hair, only to have it wind-tossed by the time we get where we’re going.”
Grace smoothed a hand down her straight locks. “Can’t argue with a free ride, though.”
“I can because he’s my brother.” Krista waved at Joey in the car. “Love you, mean it!”
He pulled away and the women headed inside the bar. It was always packed on Thursday nights.
The women walked toward the back and sat at what Grace realized was their usual spot. A waitress came to the table.
“What can I get you ladies?”
Grace’s mouth fell open. “Tina! What are you doing here?”
Her ex-coworker at Dewy’s shrugged. “I told Dewy I couldn’t work there anymore after what he did to you. I also told him he was a lowlife and a creep.”
Grace shook her head. “You left your job on account of me? I feel terrible.”
“Don’t. The tips are better here.” She leaned in closer. “And the guys are hotter.”
All the women at the table laughed.
“Guys, this is Tina. We worked at Dewy’s together.”
Abby and Krista waved.
“Hi! Glad you’re here!” Krista said.
“Thanks.” Tina pulled out a notepad. “So what’ll it be? Dollar drinks on tap?”
“Perfect,” Grace said, beyond thrilled to know she’d be seeing her friend here regularly.
“You got it.” Tina headed behind the bar. As she did, Grace caught the sight of a familiar face. “Hey, look. There’s Noah.” She pointed at the youngest Sawyer crossing the room.
Krista whipped around to watch. Her crush was obvious to the whole Blushing Bay world, except to Krista and Noah themselves.
Noah sat down at a table, pulling his chair up close to a beautiful woman with long blond hair.
Grace’s heart did a free fall in her gut. Oh no. She looked at Krista just in time to catch the momentary look of devastation on her friend’s face. It was quickly replaced with indifference.
“Looks like he’s found a new Barbie to keep him company for the night,” she said.
Grace pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “Sorry for pointing it out.”
Krista waved a hand and looked between Abby and Grace. “Why is it so hard for you two to believe that Noah and I are just friends?”
Abby rolled her eyes. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you’ve been wearing that twisted fishing hook he gave you when you were ten around your neck for decades.”
Krista’s hand immediately went to the charm on her necklace. “It’s cute. And it’s not just a fishing hook. I paid good money to have it plated in gold. It’s valuable.”
“The question is why did you spend good money to plate an old fishing hook?” Abby lifted a strawberry blonde brow.
“Because I like it,” Krista huffed.
Tina returned with their drinks and placed them on the table in front of them. “Holler when you need more.”
“Oh, just keep ’em coming,” Krista said, pulling hers to her.
Grace grabbed her drink and took a healthy sip, too. A little pang of regret ran through her for her friend. Unrequited love was the worst. Not that she would know. She’d never been in love.
Jack crossed her mind. No, she wasn’t falling for him. With their family history, it would never work. Even if his family had warmed back up to her, he would never warm to her family—her mother.
“Excuse me.” A handsome, clean-cut man approached the table, his gaze solidly on Krista. “I’ve been watching you across the room since you walked in.”
Krista smiled back up at him. “Oh yeah? If you weren’t so handsome, that would be kind of a creepy thing to say.”
He grinned. “Would you care to dance?”
Krista shrugged, tossing a glance in Noah’s direction. “Sure. Why not?” She took another sip of her beer and scooted back from the table. “See? I’m not hooked on anyone.”
Grace peered after the two.
“She’s crazy.” Abby laughed, staring after them. “I’m going to go sit at the bar. Want to come?”
Grace shook her head. She’d had enough of sitting in front of and behind a bar for one lifetime. “I’ll save the table.”
“All right.”
Left alone, Grace stared into the blur of dancing couples on the open floor. A wave of nostalgia crashed over her as she watched. No one had asked her to dance in years. Yeah, at Dewy’s she’d been invited to screw, but that wasn’t quite as romantic.
A hand touched her shoulder, followed by the warm breath of someone leaning in to speak into her ear. His voice was low and familiar. Her body responded immediately.
“Grace, would you care to dance with me?”
Jack hadn’t been able to help himself. He’d gone home to a dark, lonely house. Too big for one man. Then he’d proceeded to have a beer and think about Grace—which was pretty much all he did these days anyway.
“A dance? But—”
Jack pulled Grace’s chair out and helped her stand. “But what? We’re just two friends enjoying a little space on the dance floor. I can keep my hands to myself. Can you?”
Her brown eyes narrowed, even as a smile curled at the corners of her mouth. “Of course. I’d love a dance, actually.”
He placed his hand on the small of her back as he led her over to a vacant spot. As if the universe was aligning with his wishes, a slow song came on over the speakers, something jazzy and romantic. The perfect excuse to pull her even closer, his parts flush with hers in the dark.
“If you keep acting like this, people will notice,” she whispered, the sound of her voice and the heat of her breath making him want to drag her off into one of the empty rooms he knew existed in this place. He’d been a teen once, looking to get a little action when no one was looking.
“No one’s watching us,” he said, angling his cheek toward her ear. “I could even—”
Grace stiffened as his hand fell on her bottom. “What do you think you’re doing?”
He laughed, enjoying playing with her. She removed his hand and placed it securely on the small of her back.
“You’re being very bad right now,” she said.
“I can be badder if you want.”
She pulled back and looked at him. “You are in rare form tonight, Jack Sawyer.”
“Imagine how much fun we could have if we were alone.” His gaze flicked to her mouth, which formed a little O. “Are you imagining it?” he asked.
“Maybe. Keep talking.”
Other couples crowded the floor as they clung to each other. It felt like it was just her and him, though.
“A glass of wine. Or two. Maybe I’d take my time kissing every kissable inch of your body. That sounds like a good way to spend the night. Watching you arch and squirm as I crawl up your body starting at your toes.”
Her throat constricted as she swallowed. Her eyes widened.
“I wouldn’t stop until you were begging for me to enter you.”
Grace’s lips parted. She started to glance around again, but he tugged her back to look at him.
“And by every kissable inch, I mean every kissable inch.”
Her chest lifted as she inhaled sharply. “How do I leave here with you?” she asked.
Jack smiled. “You look like you’re feeling a little sick, I think. Maybe you’ve had just a touch too much bee
r,” he suggested.
“But I only had one.”
“Okay. Well then, you’ve got an excruciating headache. No time to wait for Krista’s brother to come pick you up.”
“How did you know—?”
“Small town. Krista and Abby have been using Joey for a good decade.”
Grace nodded as the song ended. “I’ll tell Abby. She’ll tell Krista. You’re just being a nice guy by taking me home.”
“Exactly.”
She pulled her lower lip between her teeth. Jack wanted to nibble on it himself, but he’d wait until they were out of the public eye, for Grace’s sake. Then there’d be no holds barred.
Jack followed Grace to the bar and tried to look the part of a good friend, nothing more, as he stood beside her.
“Hey, Abby. I’m not feeling well all of a sudden.”
Abby turned and frowned at Grace. “Really? What’s wrong?”
“Monster headache,” Grace said.
Jack stared down at his hands on the bar, trying not to give away the lie.
“I’m going to head home, I think,” Grace continued.
“What? Are you sure?” said a young blond bartender standing in front of Abby. Jack had never seen her here before. “I have ibuprofen in my purse if you want some.”
“No, thanks. Jack said he didn’t mind driving me, so…”
“Let me do it,” Noah said, stepping up beside her.
Jack looked up. Where was everyone coming from?
“It’d be an excuse to end my date early.” Noah drove his gaze to the side, gesturing at the table behind them.
Was he serious? Jack had put up with his younger brother cramping his style and his sex life when they were young, but tonight he needed Grace in his bed. As soon as possible.
“Your date isn’t going well?” Grace asked, looking concerned.
“No. Every word out of that beautiful woman’s mouth is about how wonderful she is. I swear, finding a down-to-earth girl is like discovering a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. You might be the last good catch out there,” he told Grace. “If you weren’t my sister…”
Grace punched his shoulder. “Eww! That’s gross.”
“Definitely.” Noah laughed.
“And I’m sitting right here, you know,” Abby complained. “You don’t think I’m down to earth?” she asked.
“You’re gross, too. You used to be my sister-in-law.”
Jack massaged the throbbing spot in his left temple. “So I’ll just take you home now,” he said, reaching for Grace’s hand and pulling her away from the newly formed clique.
“Right.” Grace winced. “My head does hurt. Sorry, Noah. Maybe Krista needs your help,” she offered as Jack led her to the door. When they were outside, he took a deep breath. “Finally,” he growled.
Grace laughed.
Taking her hand, he led her to his truck. “What is it with you throwing Krista at my brother?”
“They both want more than friendship. It’s written all over them when they’re together. I wish they weren’t so stubborn.”
He opened the door for her and she stepped inside. “Tonight we’re just focusing on us, all right?”
She smiled. “Right.”
“Good. Now let’s go fix that headache of yours,” he said, wishing he could lean in and kiss her before closing the door. No PDA, though. He had to wait until they’d at least cleared the parking lot.
He pointed the truck toward his house and stepped heavily on the gas.
Chapter 12
Grace stirred at the pounding on the front door. Her eyes resisted the light as her mind slowly nudged her awake. Who would be at her apartment this early in the morning?
She opened her eyes and blinked in confusion. Not her apartment. She was still at Jack’s house. And, oh crap, she’d fallen asleep here last night after Jack had made good on his promise to ravage her body, starting from her toes.
Her toes curled at the memory.
The knock came again. Grace tapped Jack’s back. He didn’t respond. He was completely out. She nudged him harder. “Jack! Wake up! There’s someone at your door.”
He barely stirred.
“Jack!” she whispered loudly.
Grace’s spine stiffened at the sound of someone putting a key in Jack’s lock and turning. Whoever it was was coming inside the house and they were going to discover her in Jack’s bed if she didn’t get up and hide. Flying out from under the cozy covers, she ran to the bathroom and disappeared behind the shower curtain. She sat on the floor of the tub and pulled her knees up to her chest to make herself as small as possible. This was no way to wake up.
A moment later, heavy feet entered Jack’s bedroom. Maybe boots?
“Jack?” a deep voice called. “Hey there, sleeping beauty.”
It was Pete Sawyer. What was he doing here?
“Jack?”
“Dad?” Jack finally said, sounding half asleep.
Grace covered her face. If Jack remembered that she’d fallen asleep here, he was going to be freaking out at the sight of his father instead of her.
“Come on, son” Pete said. “Day’s a wasting. Thought we were going on a boat ride today.”
Grace’s eyes widened. She’d momentarily forgotten about her plans to go on the boat with Jack and Noah. And apparently Pete, too. This was turning into a family affair, and a nightmare if she didn’t find a way out of this bathtub soon.
—
Jack rubbed his eyes and blinked up at his dad. Where the heck was Grace? He looked around his bedroom. Or maybe last night had been a dream.
“What are you doing here, Dad?” he asked again as he sat up and stretched.
“We’re taking Grace fishing, right?”
“Right. Noah and I are.” Jack ran his gaze through his room, looking for evidence of Grace.
“Well, I’m going, too. Noah and Sam are out back waiting.”
“Sam? Don’t you guys have anything better to do?”
His father laughed. “Fishing is what we do.”
A little ache resonated in Jack’s heart. Fishing wasn’t what he did anymore.
“We’ll go pick Grace up—”
“No,” Jack said quickly. “She’s, uh, meeting us here.” He searched his room again. Had she gone home in the night? She didn’t have her car with her. “I need a few minutes to get ready. Feel free to make yourself some coffee. I’ll be right out.”
His father pointed a finger. “Don’t take too long. Those fish won’t wait for us.”
“Right.” His father had been saying the same thing since Jack was a child. When he was gone, Jack closed his bedroom door and started looking around. Under the bed. In the closet. He headed into the bathroom and pulled the shower curtain back to find Grace cowering in the tub. She was half naked, hair mussed, and absolutely gorgeous. If his entire family wasn’t waiting outside for them, he’d take her back to bed right now. That’s all he really wanted to do.
“Dad’s here,” he said.
She slowly uncurled her body. “I know. They can’t find me in here with you.”
Jack agreed. This wasn’t exactly the way to break the news of his relationship with Grace to the family. “It’s not just Dad. Noah and Sam are outside waiting, too. We have to get you out of this house.”
“How? I don’t have a change of clothes. I need to brush my hair and teeth.”
Jack grabbed his toothbrush and toothpaste, laying it on the sink. “Here. Use my things. I think there might be some women’s clothes around here that will fit you, too.”
Grace’s brows furrowed.
He grinned. “My cousin came to visit early this summer. You remember her.”
Grace nodded slowly as she stepped out of the tub.
“She left some of her things accidentally. Come on. Let’s hurry. The guys don’t like to wait when it comes to fishing.”
Ten minutes later, Jack led Grace to the front door. “We’ll pretend like Joey dropped you off.”
“The focus is on fishing this morning. No one will catch on.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her body against his before she headed outside. “It’s going to be a long day keeping my hands to myself.” He kissed her. “Umm. You taste so good.”
Grace smiled against his mouth. “Being with you but unable to touch you will be torture. I’m actually kind of excited, though.”
He looked down at his shorts. “Me, too.”
She swatted him as she laughed. “Grow up!” she called as she walked away.
A couple of minutes later, Jack took his travel mug of coffee out back where his dad, brothers, and Grace were sitting.
“Even Grace got here before you, bro,” Sam called. “You’ve been out of the game too long.”
Jack flipped Sam the bird and took a sip of his coffee. Sam and Noah had driven the Summerly to the dock behind his house, where he usually only kept his personal boats, a small skiff and a pontoon. Growing up on the coast, he’d collected water toys instead of the land ones that some men liked. Jack had never had use for motorcycles or fast cars, though.
He pulled a ball cap over his head and walked up beside Grace. “Good morning,” he said, as if they hadn’t already said their hellos. “Did that headache of yours go away last night?”
Grace was wearing a ball cap, too. Jack recognized it as Noah’s. “All better.”
“Good.”
She walked along the dock and he resisted helping her step into the boat. She was a big girl. She could handle herself. And those sea legs of hers were working just fine these days.
“I wasn’t expecting this to be a family event,” Jack said as they backed the Summerly out onto the water.
Sam shrugged. “Our boat needed more repairs. That bump into the bridge’s column the other day is costing us big time. Plus, we heard Grace was going to be catching her first big fish today. Couldn’t miss that.”
Grace sat in a seat along the side. “I’ll be observing.”
“Oh no,” Jack said at the same time that Noah started shaking his head. “You’re bringing one in. If you’re going to be captain at the tournament, you need a fish under your belt.”
Grace blanched. “I can’t…I don’t know…”
