Chapter 10 #2
“Just that you’re here, and how glad I am that you are.”
“Even if I messed with your sleep once again?”
“It was worth it.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“Do you? Think it’s worth it?”
“Hell yes, I do. You can’t tell?” He pressed his hard cock against her back as he continued to toy with her nipple.
She loved how affectionate he was. That’d been a problem in her relationship with Ben, not that she was comparing them, because that wouldn’t be fair to Ben.
She almost laughed out loud at the direction her thoughts had taken.
She’d come to realize her ex-fiancé had done her a favor by calling off their wedding, as traumatic as that had been at the time.
After a week of intense passion with Jack, of counting the hours until they could be together again, she was at that weird point of wondering what it was, exactly, they were doing.
The night she’d gone after him, he’d told her he wanted everything with her, but was he ready for that?
Were they only about great sex? Or was it destined to be more? She hoped for the latter because she liked him a lot—even more so after becoming addicted to sleeping in his arms. She who hated being touched when she slept couldn’t get over that particular development.
Piper turned onto her back, tucking the covers in under her arms. The sun streaming into her room at the Sand & Surf made her feel naked in more ways than one.
Jack smiled at her, and damn, was he gorgeous with scruff on his face and his dark hair standing on end, probably from her pulling it. The memory of why she’d had cause to pull his hair had her face heating.
He ran a finger over her cheek. “You’re very cute in the morning when you’re having all sorts of naughty thoughts.”
“How do you know what I’m thinking?”
“Because I’m hoping you’re thinking the same thing I am.” He leaned in to kiss her. “And I’m thinking… Holy. Moly. What a night.”
“Oh, well…” She cleared her throat. “Yes, it was.” You sound so stupid, Piper. Why are you acting like a blushing recent ex-virgin in front of this guy?
He touched a finger to the furrow between her brows. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Just, you know… Wondering what it all means, as I tend to overthink everything.”
“Nothing wrong with that. If I could have anything I wanted, it’d be more time with you.” He kissed her again. “Lots more time with you.”
“Oh, okay. That sounds good.”
“What did you think I would say to that?”
“I wasn’t sure, and that had me spinning a bit, if I’m being honest.”
“No need for spinning or uncertainty.” He took her hand and linked their fingers. “I woke up this morning, like I did the last seven mornings, feeling better than I have in a very long time, and that’s all thanks to you.”
“I’m glad to hear that. You deserve to feel good.”
“So do you. I don’t like to hear you’re spinning and uncertain.”
“I’m sorry to be weird. I never used to be this way. I guess this is what happens when your fiancé calls off the wedding a month before.”
“He’s a fool.”
“You think so?”
“I really do. Anyone lucky enough to have you in their life should be smart enough to know it.”
She hadn’t realized how much she needed to hear that.
“Remember when I said I wanted everything with you?”
“I do.”
“I meant that, Piper. This is a very big deal for me, and I know it is for you, too. We’ve both been through a lot and have no patience for games or foolishness.”
“What you’ve been through is much bigger than my thing.”
He shook his head. “Heartache is heartache, sweetheart. Moving on from that takes courage, no matter how it happened.”
“Yes, it really does, and if you’d asked me if I was ready for… well, this… I would’ve probably said not really. But now it’s happening, and it’s been so special.”
“For me, too.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and ran his fingertip over her cheek. “It occurs to me that I’ve missed a very important step in my quest to bring the glorious Piper into my life.”
“What step is that?”
“The take-you-out-on-a-proper-date step so you won’t think I’m just after more of this.” He squeezed her breast to make his point. “Although more of this is never a bad thing.”
He made her want to giggle like a girl who was in love for the first time.
Yikes. Take that back. No one was in love here.
“What do you say about a date tonight?” He kissed her shoulder. “Hmm?”
“Sure. That sounds good.”
“Excellent. I saw a text about a hurricane survival party at the McCarthys’ Marina if you’re into that.”
“That might be fun.”
“Any time the McCarthys are involved, it’s fun. But I’d still owe you a proper date with wine and candles and tablecloths.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“Yes, I do.”
She was about to ask him why he thought that when his phone rang.
He took the call and did more listening than talking.
“Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.
” After another pause: “Yeah, I’ll call it in.
Okay. See you soon.” He let out a deep breath as he ended the call.
“They found a body in the Salt Pond. They think it’s Jim Sturgil. ”
“Oh God. I was so hoping he’d be found alive.” Jim’s ex-wife Tiffany was her friend, and she ached for Tiff and her daughter.
“I know. I’ve got to call the coroner to come over from the mainland.”
While he made that call, she thought of Tiffany getting that news and having to tell her sweet little girl that her daddy had died in the storm.
After he ended the call, Jack leaned over to kiss her. “One of these mornings, we’re going to loll about in bed and have coffee and breakfast and more of the fun we had last night.”
“That sounds like something to look forward to.”
“Yes, it does.”
“Don’t you have to get going?”
“I do, but I don’t want to.” He kissed her again. “In case I forget to tell you, this last week has been a very big deal for me, as you know. Because it was you, it was perfect. You’re perfect.” He left her with one last kiss. “This time, I’m really going.”
While he showered in her tiny bathroom, Piper got out of bed and put on her robe.
Ten minutes later, he emerged from the bathroom, wearing his sexy state police uniform, kissed her one last time and was gone, promising to text her later. The door had almost closed behind him when he turned around and came back into the room.
“Forget something?”
“Yeah.” He kissed her again. “I mean it this time. I’m going.”
She released the handful of uniform she’d grabbed while he kissed her. “Good luck with everything today.”
He grimaced as he remembered the grim task that awaited his attention. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“I’ll be here.”
“I can’t wait.”