Chapter 9 #3
Jack chuckled. “Then you need to brace yourself.” He slapped Gus on the back. “I have a feeling that was only the tip of the iceberg.”
Charli’s eyes widened, and she considered his words. “What do you mean by that?”
Jack gave her a soft smile. “It’s nothing to be anxious about, just that I think we’ll be hearing Amelia from time to time. I don’t think it’ll stop until she’s at peace.”
Charli huffed and shot Jack an exasperated expression. “And when the hell will that be? What is it exactly that we’re supposed to do?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure. But I do know that we’re on the right path.”
Her hands planted on her hips, she retorted, “And how do you know that, Jack?”
He shrugged again. “Don’t know. It’s just a gut feeling that I have.” He narrowed his eyes and grabbed her hand again, giving it a light squeeze. “We’re going in the right direction. Just believe in that for the next few months.”
Charli shook her head in disbelief. This was turning out to be way more than she had anticipated.
* * * *
Jack stared out over the balcony railing at the old compound across the street. He took a sip of tequila and released a deep sigh. He had grown up with the ghost stories and legends on Key West and was familiar with Amelia because Dottie had talked about her so often.
But it had been a shock that Amelia would reveal herself so deliberately...especially on the first day they were in the house.
This project was going to be interesting, and he’d have his hands full trying to keep Charli and his team from panicking.
Jack sighed and glanced around the balcony—everything was perfect...light jazz played on the radio, a small table was set for two, and he had a full bottle of his favorite tequila. The only thing missing was Charli. He looked over his shoulder toward the bathroom door where she was taking a shower.
He drew in a deep breath and smiled—he could picture her naked, with the hot water streaming over her breasts and down her legs. His body tightened at the thought and he took another sip of tequila, turning back to stare at Paradise West.
He didn’t know how much longer he could maintain his patience and sanity around this woman. He was a gentleman under normal circumstances, but Charli made him feel like a chest-pounding caveman. The daily urge to toss her over his shoulder and have his way with her was nearly overwhelming.
Looking back, he’d fallen for her the moment he saw her at the airport, when her gorgeous eyes met his and just sucked him right in.
But from the way she spoke, even when Annette was visiting, he could tell she still had roots firmly planted in Boston and planned to go back at some point.
Miriam and Art had both counseled him to be patient, that Charli would come around with time.
However, time wasn’t on his side here and his instinct was to go after her.
His instincts told him that if he didn’t try, he would regret it for the rest of his life.
He smiled to himself. If he let his control slip, they’d be in her bed tonight and he wouldn’t let her out for days. That should destroy any remaining questions she had about his sexuality.
He scoffed and took another sip of tequila.
“What was that sound for?” Charli piped from the shadows, making him jump and slopping tequila out of the glass and onto his shirt.
Smooth Jack...real smooth. What the fuck is wrong with you?
“Shit,” he yelped, wiping the tequila from his shirt. “You scared...” he trailed off when he turned and caught sight of her standing just inside the doors.
His mouth hung slightly open as he took in the short pink dress she’d thrown on, admiring the way it hugged her firm breasts and swirled teasingly around her thighs, her wet hair slicked back and curling as it dried in the humid air.
She had clearly chosen to go without a bra under the dress and he couldn’t see a panty line either. Her purple eyes seemed even bigger as they sparkled with amusement, watching him take her in and his reaction. Her lips were curved in a small smile that he wanted to kiss.
She grinned up at him, and his body clenched. “Did I scare you, Jack?” she finished playfully.
“Actually, baby, you terrify me,” he admitted honestly.
Her grin dropped and her forehead puckered with worry lines. “I terrify you?”
He mentally kicked himself for changing the playful mood so quickly. Sure, she scared the hell out of him—that she would leave and take his heart with her, but he shouldn’t unload all his serious thoughts at this point.
Jack shook his head. “I’m only teasing you.” He waved her toward him. “Come on. The food was delivered while you were in the shower.” He took her hand as she stepped onto the balcony and led her toward the small table that he’d set up for their dinner.
“Wow, Jack. This looks amazing.” She smiled and squeezed his hand, then leaned up and kissed his cheek. “You’re so thoughtful,” she added before settling herself into the chair he’d pulled out for her.
Thoughtful...ugh, nice guy words...
He stood there behind her for a moment with clenched fists, the spot on his cheek tingling where her lips had touched, fighting the impulse to pounce on her.
Patience, man...patience...
He cleared his throat and walked around the table taking his seat.
Once settled, he motioned toward the food spread across the table.
“This is from the best seafood place on the island. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I ordered several dishes to try.
There’s gulf shrimp and cocktail sauce, conch ceviche with tortilla chips, fried oysters, hogfish tacos, and stone crab claws. ”
“Well, it looks incredible,” she replied as she peered at the different entrees. “I’m not picky when it comes to seafood—I love it all.”
Jack grunted as he poured her a couple ounces of tequila over ice. “Well that’s good because we have enough of it here.” He held up the glass to her. “Here’s the drink I promised you.” he offered with a grin.
“Finally!” She took the glass and held it up in a toast. “Here’s to Aunt Dottie and her crazy house! Well, I guess it’s our crazy house now,” she added with a grin.
He chuckled and clinked his glass with hers. “Cheers!” He took a sip, then held up his glass again. “Here’s to Amelia and the restoration...may it bring all of us peace.”
Charli tilted her head and smiled. “Cheers!” She tapped his glass with hers and took another drink. Releasing a huge sigh, she sat back in her chair, an odd expression on her face.
“What?” Jack asked, watching her closely.
She held up her glass, studying it. “Isn’t everyone on Key West supposed to drink rum?”
Jack laughed knowingly. “It’s just a vicious rumor and stereotype. We conchs love all alcohol. It’s in our DNA.” He nudged the bottle with his elbow. “Besides, I figured today warranted a nice bottle of tequila. And this one is my second favorite weakness.”
Her eyes twinkled as she leaned teasingly toward him, glowing in the evening light. “And what’s your first favorite weakness?”
Jack considered her for a moment, taking in her beautiful face flush with enthusiasm and happiness. It was a risk, he knew, but he chose honesty and leaned closer until his mouth was merely inches from hers before replying, “You.”
Her mouth dropped open at his admission and she leaned back to look him in the eyes. “Jack...”
He took another sip as he let her digest that information.
“You can’t be too surprised. Well, except for your brief period of insanity when you thought I was gay.
” His face twisted with chagrin. “If you haven’t noticed, I haven’t been able to take my eyes off you or stop touching you since the moment I spotted you in the airport. ”
Charli cringed, her hands coming up in supplication. “You’re not gonna let me live that down, are you?” She paused, and her eyes narrowed. “And what you said isn’t completely true. You haven’t touched me much at all since our trip to the Dry Tortugas,” she added, almost accusingly.
He scoffed and leaned forward in his seat, holding her gaze. “I was trying to give you space. Besides, do you know how hard it is not to pick you up and take you to bed every time I see you?”
The corner of her mouth ticked up. He wanted to lick it.
“Well then, Jack...what are you waiting for?” she countered, a clear, confident challenge in her voice echoed by the sudden smolder in her eyes.
He blinked, then stared at her incredulously for a moment, not daring to believe he’d heard her correctly. But his body had no such doubts and he throbbed at the prospect. He stood and grabbed her hand before he changed his mind.
Jack hauled her up from her chair, enjoying the slight gasp she gave. His fingers forked through her hair as he yanked her into his body, and his lips covered hers in a fierce kiss. Her arms wound around his shoulders and she moaned into his mouth as he dominated hers, no longer holding back.
His left hand moved down her back to cup her ass as he slowly walked her backward through the french doors and into her bedroom, his lips and tongue continuing their assault and meeting an eager counterattack from Charli.
Jack growled and his body tightened further as she rocked her shoulders back and forth rubbing her breasts against his chest.
He knew this was going too fast but he was helpless to stop. This felt inevitable, like it was meant to be and there was no way—and no reason—to stop it.
Using his last vestiges of self-control, Jack drew back when they reached the bed, his mouth hovering over hers as he stared into her eyes.
“Are you sure about this?” he murmured huskily, his lips still lightly playing over hers.
She reached up and brushed a lock of dark hair from his forehead. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” she whispered.
* * * *