* * *
A dangerous, dizzying heat flooded Alice, leaving her breathless. She’d never been with a man before. When Tom had been alive, doing things like…well, like this, were frowned upon before marriage. Yet making love to Jack seemed so natural, it was as if they’d done it a thousand times before.
He stroked her from head to toe, and she moved in perfect sync with him. His bare skin rubbed against her breast, stomach, and thighs, leaving her aching to feel more of him. When he pushed her legs apart to enter her, she rose to meet him. The initial thrust ripped through her in a tearing, burning surge of pain and ecstasy. After that, all she felt was pure joy. His musky male scent filled her lungs, and she wrapped her legs around his hips, surging and arching until her entire body trembled along with his.
She was in heaven. So this is what it’s like to make love to a man. All these long years, this was what she’d missed. What a fool she’d been. She should have put herself out there and met someone years ago. But there was no going back, and at least she’d found Jack now. And if he felt the way she did—if he loved her—then she’d have a lifetime to spend with him. She stroked his muscular chest. “You’re amazing. I never knew I could feel like this.”
He rolled onto his side and smiled. “What about your ex back in upstate New York? He didn’t make you feel this good?”
She paused before replying. This was her chance to tell him the truth…that she was Alice. She tried to find the right words to begin her tale, but they wouldn’t come. Her mind went blank and her throat went dry. All she could think of was that Jack wouldn’t believe her. He’d think she was insane. Or worse. He’d go back to thinking that she was a criminal. She wanted so badly to tell him that she’d never made love before, that he was her first and only lover, but that would sound unbelievable too. Instead, all she said was, “He never ever made me feel like you do.”
Jack grinned and slowly moved his hands downward, skimming her thighs. “Good. I’ll bet he never did this either.”
His fingers burned into her tingling skin as he ran them across her stomach, then down between her legs. She was on fire. Wave after wave of pure ecstasy throbbed through her.
She drew herself closer to him, and he took her hands, encouraging her to explore him. His hardness aroused her even more, awakening her long-repressed sexuality. And then he was on top of her again, her breasts crushed against his chest. She welcomed him inside her, and skin to skin, they moved as one. She matched his urgency with her own salacious needs.
He kissed the tip of her nose, her eyes, and then her mouth. When she kissed him back, he thrust into her. Her body began to vibrate, sending a hot tide of passion raging through her. She soared with him, and together they shuddered in an explosive euphoria. Afterwards she lay in his arms, exhausted but content.
He ran his finger from the base of her neck all the way down her stomach. “Do you think your aunt would approve of us?” he asked with a chuckle.
“As a couple, or doing this in her house?”
“Both.”
She wrinkled her brow. “I don’t know. You certainly know her better than I. What do you think?”
He hesitated a moment before answering. “I think she’d be very pleased that we liked each other, but as for making love, ah, that I’m afraid she might frown on. After all, she’s old-fashioned, grew up in a different era.”
Alice couldn’t help but smile. Little did he know, not only did she approve, but she was giddy with joy. This was her chance to open up to him. “I have something to tell you.”
He stroked her hair. “You can tell me anything. Anything at all.”
Awkwardly, she cleared her throat. “I…um, I’m not who you think. I…um, well, I’m…” Her voice trailed off. He stared at her as if he thought she was going to confess to some terrible crime.
“Go on,” he coaxed. “Who are you? You can trust me. Tell me your secret. You’ll feel so much better. I promise.”
As casually as she could manage, she said, “I know I can trust you, and that’s why I did what I did.”
His body stiffened. “What did you do?”
“I’m really not that different from Alice.” To her dismay, her voice broke slightly.
“You’re not?”
“No.” She paused, swallowed hard, then continued to explain. “We’re both old-fashioned. We both have high moral values. And we both believe in waiting until we’re married to make love.”
Jack gaped at her. “What? But—”
“I know,” she said, cutting him off. “I just broke that rule with you. I don’t regret it for one moment, though.”
He had a baffled expression on his face. “You mean…you mean you were a virgin?”
Alice nodded.
“What about your ex-boyfriend?” His blue eyes still showed disbelief.
She shook her head. “We never…” She let her voice trail off, not quite knowing what more to say.
“You never—”
“No.” She cut him off before he could ask more questions.
“Wow!” He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her close. “I’m so flattered that you care enough…think enough of me to have let me make love to you. Thank you.”
She hoped her disappointment didn’t show on her face, but she’d expected a different response from him. Not that she’d thought he’d say, I love you, those magic words she needed to hear, but she had thought he’d express more romantic feelings for her.
Then, almost as if he knew he hadn’t said enough, he whispered, “I’ll never forget this night. You’re very special to me.”
She felt an instant’s squeezing hurt, but then realized she might be expecting too much too soon. Jack had no idea how desperate she was for him to fall in love with her. What she should do was enjoy the moment. She might never have another night like this.
Swallowing the lump that lingered in her throat, she said, “You mean a lot to me too.”
He kissed her gently; then she snuggled against him, resting her head on his chest. At some point, she fell asleep in his arms, and when she woke, his breath softly fanned her cheek. A lock of hair lay across his brow, and she lightly brushed it back, careful not to wake him. So this is what it’s like to have a man beside you. Her heart filled with joy, and she thought she might suffocate with the happiness of it. She closed her eyes and must have dozed again, because she was reawakened by Jack’s warm hands stroking her back.
“Good morning,” he said. “How did you sleep?”
She smiled up at him. “Never better.”
He ran his hands down her hips and then over her thighs. “We should do this again.”
Aching to feel him inside her, she said, “I think I might be able to arrange that.”
With his fingers, he caressed her skin. “Tonight too soon?”
A delicious shiver ran through her, and she said playfully, “Did you forget the rummage sale? After that, you might rescind your offer and be glad to get rid of me.”
“Never. However, speaking of rummage sales”—Jack glanced at his watch—“we better get a move on, or we’ll be late.”
She watched him climb out of bed and stroll naked across the bedroom, his taut muscles rippling as he moved. He must have noticed her admiring him, because before he reached the bathroom, he raked his gaze over her slowly and seductively, sending a wave of hungry desire through her. She had to fight the overwhelming need to be back in his arms.
When he came out of the bathroom, he slipped on his clothes, then kissed her softly. “I’ll be back to get you in an hour.”
“I’ll be ready.”
After he left, she took a shower. As the hot water ran over her body, her skin tingled, and she was pretty sure it wasn’t just from the water temperature. Thinking back over last night sent a scorching heat over her body. Her only regret was that her fear had kept her from telling Jack that she was Alice. But if she had, she might never have had the opportunity to make love to him. An
d she wouldn’t have given up that for anything. However, if she didn’t tell him soon, it would be too late.
Chapter Eight
As Jack dressed for the rummage sale, he thought back over last night and still couldn’t believe he was the only man Ally had ever slept with. And not just because she was a fabulous lover, but to still be a virgin in this day and age… Guilt washed over him as he thought of how he’d deceived her. Not that he hadn’t wanted to make love to her, but if she had opened up to him about Alice, he would have had to go to the police with the information. And Ally could have wound up in jail.
He knew he shouldn’t care about that. He should only be concerned with Alice’s welfare, but he couldn’t help it. He’d grown so fond of Ally. And if he wasn’t careful, he could find himself head over heels in love with her, if he wasn’t already. He remembered the softness of her skin, the sweet smell of her hair, and the way her warm body felt pressed against him as she slept. There was a bond between them he couldn’t explain.
All the months he’d spent with Bethany, he’d never felt that way. Sure, he’d been physically attracted to her, but that had pretty much been the extent of it. Emotionally, they were worlds apart. With Ally, though, it was different. And now that he’d made love to her, he was more connected to her than ever before. And she had to feel the same way about him. After all, she’d been a virgin. To give herself to him was huge. He prayed Pastor Riley was wrong about her, because then they’d have a chance for a future together. These doubts were driving him crazy. He had to find out the truth soon. The more time he spent with her, the more he fell, and if she was a grifter, it would tear him up inside. It would be impossible to forget her.
With a heavy heart Jack buttoned up his shirt, slipped on his boots, and ran a comb through his hair before heading out the door and down the back stairs to get Ally.
* * *
Alice studied her reflection in the vanity mirror. Overall, she was happy with her appearance. The blueberry-colored sweater made her gray eyes appear brighter than usual, or maybe it was due to her cheeks’ rosy glow. Whatever the reason, she was happy, despite the headache that pounded behind her temples. Stress, no doubt…at going to the rummage sale. And stress at how her feelings for Jack had developed. She’d made love to him, yet she wasn’t able to tell him the truth about herself. If she didn’t find the courage soon, it would be too late, and her life would be over without her ever having lived it.
Her head began to throb again. Hopefully, the pain medication she’d taken would begin to kick in. She pulled her hair back in a loose ponytail. All she needed now was a pair of earrings and she’d be ready to go. Looking through her jewelry box, she found her favorite gold hoops, but her oval locket was missing, as was her ruby-and-diamond ring.
She searched through the box again, but no luck. They were gone, just like the Venus statue. Granted, she hadn’t worn them in years, but they had been in there. No doubt about it.
Panic took hold. What could have happened to them? No one had been in her bedroom except Jack, and he certainly wouldn’t take anything that didn’t belong to him. Ross’s sister had used the bathroom the other night. Could Taryn have taken the jewelry? She hated to think badly of anyone, but what else could have happened to her things?
Should she confront Ross? That would be so awkward. But she had to do something. Those pieces had been given to her by her mother. They were family heirlooms. Tears pricked at her lids. Don’t panic. You’ll get them back, she told herself. But how? She’d talk to Jack. He’d help her figure out what to do. The only problem was she’d have to tell him she was Alice. Otherwise, how would she know the ring and necklace were missing? What a dilemma!
She paced the floor while she thought. If she went to the police, they’d ask her birth date and want to see identification. She couldn’t provide that to anyone, let alone the police. “I don’t know what to do.” She ran her hands through her hair and tugged at it in frustration.
A thud came from inside her closet. She raced over to it and opened the door. A shoebox had fallen off the shelf. Beside it, the tin angel fluttered. “What are you doing in here? Another miscalculation?”
The angel laughed. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize.” Alice placed the shoebox back on the shelf. “I’m just glad you’re here.”
The angel’s wings ruffled Alice’s clothes as she left the closet. “Some of your jewelry is missing?”
“I’m pretty sure I know who took it, but I don’t know what to do about it. If I go to Jack or the police for help, they’ll find out I’m ninety years old.”
“How are things going with Jack?”
“Last night we…well, let’s just say we had a wonderful night together. He stayed over.” Her cheeks warmed with the memory.
“Did you tell him?”
She bit her bottom lip.
“When are you going to?” The angel floated nearer. “You’re running out of time.”
Alice wrung her hands. “I know. I know… I keep trying, and I keep chickening out.”
“You need to find the strength, or it will be too late, and then it won’t matter what happened to your jewelry, will it?”
Fear at what fate had in store shook her. “I don’t need to be reminded that I’ll be dead soon.”
The angel’s usually cheery face darkened. “I’m afraid you do.”
Alice sank onto the bed and buried her face in her hands. “What should I do?”
“Take a leap of faith.”
She spread her fingers out and looked straight into the angel’s eyes. “I’ll tell him today. After the rummage sale.”
Golden curls danced around the tin angel’s shoulders as she swirled through the air. “I hope so. You have to trust…in yourself, and in others. Especially Jack. That’s if you want to find love.”
“You know I do.” But she spoke to herself. The tin angel had disappeared.
She slipped on her earrings and checked her reflection in the mirror one last time before the doorbell rang. Butterflies churned in her stomach, not only in anticipation of seeing Jack again, but of going to the rummage sale and facing all those people who would question her about Alice. This charade had really taken its toll on her.
When she opened the door and saw Jack’s smiling face, her worries began to evaporate, and when he took her in his arms, everything in the world seemed right again.
“Ready to go?” he asked, his warm breath caressing her cheek.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” She turned off the foyer light and then was pulled back into his arms. He covered her mouth with his, and what she thought would be a quick peck turned into a long, smoldering kiss. Maybe they wouldn’t make the rummage sale after all.
He must have had the same thought, because he ended their kiss and said, “If we don’t go now, we won’t go at all.” With his arm around her shoulders, he led her out the door.
When they reached the car, Alice noticed the engine running. She slid onto the heated leather seat and was struck by the fact that Jack had prewarmed it for her. He was the most thoughtful man she’d ever known. Aside from Tom. For a moment, she was taken back in time, and a feeling of melancholy took hold, but she pushed it aside and brought her thoughts back to the present and to the man she’d come to love. Jack slid onto the seat beside her, reached over and took hold of her hand, then backed the car out of the driveway.
A few minutes later they pulled into the nearly full church parking lot. As Jack drove around looking for a space, her nerves kicked into overdrive. Her clammy hands and racing heart were signs that she needed to go home, but she couldn’t… What in the world would she say to Jack? No, she had to be brave and deal with her anxiety. Besides, maybe the day wouldn’t turn out as bad as she anticipated.
* * *
Daryn watched Cassie leave the bathroom wrapped in a towel, her skin still dewy from the shower, her hair wet and slicked back from her face. He adjusted his pants to make room for his ar
ousal. It took all his self-control to keep from yanking that towel off her and making love to her, but he had to get her in a taxi and safely on her way to his cousin’s place before he could head over to Ally’s to find that safe. Both she and Jack would be at the rummage sale. In and out. That was his plan, then he could join Cassie in Jersey, and they could start fresh.
She sashayed across the hotel room, her hips swaying as they always did when she walked; then she sat in the straight-backed chair in front of the desk, pointing to the purple shadows beneath her eyes. “See these. They’re your fault.”
“Here we go. I know I get blamed for everything, but how is it my fault that you have dark rings? Last night was one of the rare occasions when I didn’t keep you up.”
She snorted and began to comb through her hair. “Sex isn’t the only reason you’re able to keep me from sleeping. I’m worried sick about today.”
“Why?” He walked up behind her and began to rub her shoulders. “I’ll be fine.”
She shook her head. “I have a bad feeling. I don’t like that you’re doing this heist alone. You need me.”
“You’re right, I do.” He bent down and kissed the side of her neck. “I need you to be safe.”
“I’m safe with you.”
He turned her toward him and cupped her chin in his hand so that she looked him straight in the eyes. “Babe, I’m not going to argue with you. This is a done deal. You’re going to Jersey this morning.”
“But—”
He silenced her words with a kiss. When their lips parted, he said, “You’re too damn distracting. When you’re around, I have trouble concentrating, for more reasons than one.”
She glared at him. “What other reasons?”
“Well, this habit, for example.” He reached across the desk and picked up the necklace and ring she’d stolen from Ally.
“You’re kidding, right? This is what we do. We steal.” She took the ring from him and slipped it on her finger, then reached for the necklace, but he fastened it around her neck instead.
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