“How about we pick up some groceries, and I’ll cook at my place? My mom and Carrie are antique shopping in Western Mass, which means I have the house to myself.”
She turned to him. “You cook?”
“Apparently, my shrimp scampi is edible.” He flashed a boyish grin. “I think my chicken marsala is decent too, if you’re brave enough to try it.”
She replied with a suggestive smile. “You know I love a challenge as much as you do.”
“Great, let’s go.”
“I’m all sweaty,” she said. “I should stop by my place to take a quick shower.”
“Or you can shower at my place.” His mock innocent expression shifted into a devilish one.
“Flowers, food, a hot shower—this day is looking up.” She picked up the gear she’d rented and dropped them at the front desk.
He followed with his and they walked out the exit.
The sun had started to set, casting streaks of orange and purple overhead.
“Soon, I hope to have my own place, so we don’t have to work around my family’s schedule. I’m checking out a couple of open houses this weekend.”
Vivi arched her brows. “Buying?”
“Yes. I don’t want to rent. I’m ready to put down some solid roots around here.” He spread one arm before them and then turned back to her. “Vivi, I want to talk to you about something.”
She shrugged. “Go for it.”
“I’ve been thinking about making a commitment to this female.” His tone turned serious. “But I’m not sure I’m ready to take the next step.”
How he was going about it was odd, but whatever. “We don’t have to rush into anything, Jack. We can take it slow.”
“I’m not talking about us.”
Her gut tightened, the ground seemed unsteady. She fought to keep her voice level, but each word came out slow and frosty. “What are you talking about, Jack?”“
“A commitment. It’s scary, but maybe everyone feels that way.”
Her breath came quick. Invisible daggers pierced her insides. Just when she thought everything was going so well with the two of them, that they might really have a chance…
“You know her quite well,” Jack added. “In fact, you introduced me to her.”
How could he be so nonchalant about it? He even had a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Her blood filled with venom as she scrambled to keep up. Who the hell had she introduced him to?
“I have no idea who you’re talking about,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Sure you do. She has stunning green eyes.” He nodded toward Vivi. “You pointed them out yourself.”
Her self-control faltered. “Jack, stop playing with me. If you’ve been stringing me along all this time, I swear I’m going to freak out!”
“All right, all right.” He cocked his head and grinned. “You’re cute when you’re angry, by the way.”
“I’m not angry.” She crossed her arms, huffing through her nose. “Who is it?”
They walked by a park. One section was enclosed as a dog park and several ran across the grounds.
“Stella.”
“Stella? Who the hell’s that?” She turned to face Jack.
“Pretty black cat. Green eyes.” He raised a brow. “Anyone tell you that you swear like a sailor when you’re mad?”
Vivi blinked several times as she pulled the pieces together. “Oh!” She swatted him on the arm. “Why would you mess with me that way? Dick move, Conroy.”
“I don’t know. It all sort of came out as I started to tell you. Maybe I needed something light to counter all the heavy emotional tension I’ve dealt with today.” He shrugged. “Or maybe I wanted to see how you’d react.” He cocked his head and arched a brow. “You’re super cute when you’re jealous—or should I say catty.”
She suppressed a smile. “I’m going to kill you, Jack Conroy! This is worse than that pathetic attempt at a UFO story!”
“Funny, how you didn’t fall for that or Bigfoot, yet you think I could be interested in another woman?” he teased. “Impossible, Vivi. You’re the one.” He caressed her cheek.
Her heart fluttered, but she wouldn’t let him off that easy. “You’re still a dead man.”
He sighed. “That’s tragic timing for Stella. Just when there was talk about adoption…”
Her frustration dissipated with hope for one of the beloved shelter cats. “What? Are you serious?
They reached his truck. He guided her backwards, so she leaned against it, and then he put his arms around both sides as he gazed at her. “That depends. I already talked to Ryan, but I want to talk it over with you.”
A faint scent of perspiration from their workout lingered on him. It wasn’t at all unpleasant. “About what exactly?”
Jack peered down at her with an amused expression. “He assigned you to interview me.”
“Did he now?” Vivi raised one brow. “Ryan seems to be taking quite an interest when it comes to getting the two of us to work together.”
“He’s a born matchmaker.” Jack raised one hand. “People with cats.” He raised the other. “People with people.”
Vivi planted her hands on her hips. It was time for payback. “Are you ready for your interview now?”
“You already know what you need. I have experience taking care of cats, yada yada…”
“Oh no, no, no.” She waved her finger. “You don’t get off easy just because you’ve slept with me. Especially after what you just put me through.”
Jack furrowed his brows. “What does that mean?”
“It means start by filling out an application. I want references.” She clapped one hand into the other. “A full list of pets you’ve owned.”
“What? Are you kidding me?”
She gave him a dead-on stare. “Do I look like I’m playing around? I need to know if you’d be a good match.”
Jack grabbed her by the waist, pulling her toward him. Their faces were only inches apart. “You know we would be perfect together.”
Her pulse quickened. Having him so near left her instantly breathless. “Are we still talking about you and Stella?”
“Maybe.” He lowered his head, moving his lips tantalizingly close. “And maybe we’re talking about you and me.”
He kissed her, gently at first, but as the kiss deepened, sparks ignited with growing desire. When they pulled away from each other, she was panting.
“You make one hell of an argument.” She gave him a one-sided grin. “Maybe you wouldn’t be so shitty at law after all.”
Epilogue
Vivi
Vivi took his father’s arm after the opening notes of Mendelssohn's Wedding March signaled it was time. He led her down the path in the courtyard of the Boston Public Library. Surrounded by white marble arches in a Roman-designed plaza, they walked past the fountain and a bronze statue in the center of the pool.
She wore white flats beneath her wedding gown, a simple yet elegant silk dress with thin white shoulder straps. The satin fabric swooshed around her legs, reminding her of the way the blue satin one had done the night she ran into Jack at the cat shelter gala. Her life had changed so much since then.
Jack had started his new position in the Boston schools, and she finished out the school semester. She’d picked up a part-time job at a local pet hospital while continuing to volunteer at the cat shelter.
And thanks to him, she’d learned to love rock climbing again. They’d even gone a couple of times with his cousin, Matty, and his wife, Jenna, who lived down in Newport. Matty had a great sense of humor dealing with his own injury, which helped her lighten up about hers. The four of them had talked about going on a ski trip in the White Mountains next month. Matty’s brother, Angelo, and his wife, Catherine, would also try to make it. Vivi wasn’t sure her legs would be able to bear the pressure of downhill skiing, but knowing they had adaptive skiing gear gave her more options.
Jack had proposed on the Fourth of July w
ith one of his corniest lines yet, but one she’d treasure forever. He’d pointed toward the fireworks exploding overhead and had said, “This is how I feel inside whenever I’m around you.” He then lowered himself to one knee and proposed, “Vivi, will you marry me.”
Of course, she’d said yes.
They’d planned this intimate wedding in early January before she resumed college classes. Tomorrow, they’d escape the New England winter for a week in the Caribbean.
Now she approached the man she loved, surrounded by their closest family and friends. Her breath caught in her throat. He was devastatingly dashing standing in a tux at the end of the courtyard. She caught his eyes and her heart fluttered with unprecedented joy.
The next chapter in their life together was about to begin.
Jack
Dreams could come true.
How else could Jack explain the woman of his dreams headed toward him, looking more beautiful than ever in a white silk gown?
Was she really willing to commit to him for life?
His palms turned hot. A few years ago, continents away, he never thought this could be possible. Maybe when it came to love, some obstacles weren’t impossible after all. It all came down to timing and second chances.
He had a second chance with Vivi and he’d spend the rest of his life trying to prove to her that it was worth it.
They were building their lives together step by step. They’d bought a fixer-upper, which not only housed Stella, the black cat, but two others. His sister teased how he was becoming a crazy cat person himself. He couldn’t deny how much he loved Stella. She often followed him from room to room or curled up near him on the couch and purred.
On the weekends, he worked on the house, something he’d remember his father doing when he was young. Jack’s job working with kids in the inner city was tough, but he loved it.
Vivi was less than ten feet away now. His heart thundered in his ears. Was this just a dream, and he’d wake up alone, aching, yearning—wondering where a woman he’d met on another continent had ended up in the world?
Her father kissed her cheek and handed her over to Jack. He took her hand. The warm vibe soothed him, convincing him that this was real.
Vivi gave him a brilliant smile and his insides melted. He stared into the eyes of his soon-to-be wife and swallowed.
Yes, this moment was real. No dream could ever make him feel so alive.
***
A note from Lisa:
I hope you enjoyed Vivi and Jack’s romance. Their background was inspired by when I’d served over in the Marines in Okinawa. Like many writers, I observed and thought what if…
A few years ago, my daughter and I volunteered at a cat shelter, where we adopted our two crazy kittens. After we volunteered at the fundraising gala, I had the perfect setting for Jack and Vivi’s reunion.
We’re going to head on over to the other side of the world to Okinawa, Japan, for Slade, the next book in this series where Vince and Emma (from Vince) are deployed.
Read more about the friends to lovers, fake marriage romance between two Marines in Slade!
Like Jack’s story, Slade was inspired by my time deployed over in Okinawa.
Another book set there is When Darkness Whispers. If you like darker, more suspenseful romances, check out this book! Eva is investigating a murder when she runs into Marcos, a Marine from her past. One problem—she can’t remember who he is and what he means to her.
Marcos remembers it all—and he’s shattered by Eva’s cool response. He’s spent years searching for her, but she doesn’t even acknowledge him.
Find out what happens next!
Don't miss this Romance Reviews Top Pick!
Read When Darkness Whispers Today!
When Darkness Whispers
Are some memories better left forgotten?
Eva's past is unclear.
When her murder investigation leads her to Marcos, it triggers memories she lost. Memories that somehow include him.
But, she can't be distracted at this critical time. She's a biologically enhanced Marine leading a team on an undercover mission. American troops are being brutally murdered in Okinawa. Who or how remains unclear.
Eva and her supernatural team track the murderer across the tropical island of Okinawa, discovering a dark history.
She must stop a murderer from destroying anyone else's future. Yet, is it possible without resolving her past?
"WHEN DARKNESS WHISPERS by Lisa Carlisle is a mix of military romantic suspense, paranormal/urban fantasy and serial killer thriller all woven together to make an AMAZING book!" ~ A Top Pick from the Romance Reviews
"Wow If I could give this story more than 5 stars I would... Suspense, Mystery, and Thrills all in one book." ~ Book Nook Nuts
Don't miss this Top Pick!
Read When Darkness Whispers Today!
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Acknowledgments
Here’s a shout out to the team! It takes a lot of time and effort to move from the strange, random ideas to my head to a complete story. Thank you to all the people who are part of this publishing journey, including my critique group, editors, cover artists, beta readers, ARC readers, and Street Team!
And thank you to my family for their support and patience while I’m in another world, working on my stories.
Jack is dedicated to my daughter, who spent many hours volunteering with me at a cat shelter, where we adopted our beloved—and mischievous—cats. She now takes care of cats for local families—and I—a cat lover, often tag along to help scoop poop.
Lisa
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Lisa Carlisle loves to write stories about wounded or misunderstood heroes finding their happily ever after. They often face the temptation of fated and forbidden love--so difficult to resist!
Her romances have been named Top Picks at Night Owl Reviews and the Romance Reviews.
She draws on her travels and experiences in her stories, which include deploying to Okinawa, Japan, while in the Marines, backpacking alone through Europe, and living in Paris before returning to the U.S. She owned a bookstore for a few years as she loves to read. She’s now married to a fantastic man, and they have two kids, two cats, and too many fish.
Visit her website for more on books, trailers, playlists, and more:
Lisacarlislebooks.com
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Book List
Anchor Me
Navy SEALs, Marines, and hometown heroes. Each one encounters his most complicated mission yet, when he will find a woman from his past—who changes his future.
Antonio (a novella available for free here)
Angelo
Vince
Matty
Jack (All Released in 2020!)
Underground Encounters
Steamy paranormal romances set in an underground goth club that attracts vampires, witches, shifters, and gargoyles.
Book 1: SMOLDER (a vampire / firefighter romance)
Book 2: FIRE (a witch / firefighter romance)
Book 3: IGNITE (a feline shifter / rock star romance)
Book 4: BURN (a vampire / shapeshifter rock romance)
Book 5: HEAT (a gargoyle shifter romance)
Book 6: BLAZE (a gargoyle shifter rockstar romance)
Book 7: COMBUST (vampire / witch romances)
&
nbsp; Book 8: INFLAME (a gargoyle shifter / witch romance)
Book 9: TORCH (a gargoyle shifter / werewolf romance
Book 10: SCORCH (an incubus vs succubus demon romance)
Chateau Seductions
An art colony on a remote New England island lures creative types—and supernatural characters. Steamy paranormal romances.
Darkness Rising
Dark Velvet
Dark Muse
Dark Stranger
Dark Pursuit
Highland Gargoyle
Gargoyle shifters, wolf shifters, and tree witches have divided the Isle of Stone after a great battle 25 years ago. One risk changes it all…
Knights of Stone: Mason
Knights of Stone: Lachlan
Knights of Stone: Bryce
Seth: a wolf shifter romance in the series
Knights of Stone: Calum
Stone Cursed
Knights of Stone: Gavin
Stone Sentries
Meet your perfect match the night of the super moon — or your perfect match for the night. A cop teams up with a gargoyle shifter when demons attack Boston.
Tempted by the Gargoyle
Enticed by the Gargoyle
Captivated by the Gargoyle
Night Eagle Operations
A paranormal romantic suspense novel
When Darkness Whispers
Berkano Vampires
A shared author world with dystopian paranormal romances.
Immortal Resistance
Blood Courtesans
A shared author world with the vampire blood courtesans.
Pursued: Mia
Visit LisaCarlisleBooks.com to learn more!
Jack: A Second Chance Marine Romance Page 13
