Chapter 24
JONAH
The words were out of my mouth before I’d even considered them, and they shocked us both.
I could tell from her expression. I didn’t blame her.
How could I be falling for someone I’d only known a couple weeks?
It was hard enough for me to understand, let alone explain.
All I knew was that I’d felt a connection to her from the moment she’d smacked me in the nose.
It was the way she looked at me, the way she smiled.
The way it felt as if something had clicked into place the second she’d stepped foot in Pine Harbor.
Before she’d arrived, I’d felt alone, but I hadn’t realized just how much until I suddenly had someone I looked forward to seeing.
Now I’d opened my big mouth and probably scared her right off.
She’d no doubt be back on the road to Chicago first thing in the morning.
I’d blown it, before I even knew what it was.
‘I’m sorry,’ she said, blinking. ‘What?’
‘What?’
‘You’re falling for me?’
I feigned surprise. ‘Is that what I said?’
‘I think so, yeah.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Jonah.’
‘I just meant how happy I am that you’ve moved here, and how it’s been fun getting to know you.
’ I stammered, kicking at a bit of brick half buried in the ground with the toe of my boot.
‘And that I’m looking forward to getting to know you more, hopefully, by spending time with you.
That’s if I haven’t just completely scared you off. ’
She smiled, carefully pulling one of the marshmallows off her skewer. ‘Relax. I feel the same way.’
I looked up at her. ‘You do?’
She nodded. ‘Yeah. I was terrified, moving here and not knowing anyone. I nearly turned back to Chicago so many times on the drive here. But meeting you… you’ve made it so much easier.
Not that it would have been hard in the end.
Pine Harbor is wonderful, everybody has been so friendly and welcoming. ’
I thought about my mother and the dinner party. ‘Everybody?’
‘OK, maybe not everybody. But almost. And especially you. I honestly don’t know how I’d have got through these first couple of weeks without you.’
‘I haven’t done anything.’
‘Just knowing you’re here is enough.’
She popped the marshmallow into her mouth and closed her eyes, moaning a little as she chewed.
‘Ohh, that is good,’ she declared. ‘The char from the flame adds a particular smoky flavor, and the melted gooey inside is just…’ She kissed her fingertips. ‘Chef’s kiss.’
I popped one of mine into my mouth and chewed it until it dissolved. ‘Agree. You can’t beat a marshmallow toasted over an open fire, unless it’s sandwiched between two biscuits of course.’
‘Smores,’ she exclaimed. ‘Yes! We’ll have to make those next time.’
‘Next time? You’re keen.’
‘I’m keen alright,’ she said, then flushed. ‘On the smores, I mean, not you. Well, and you, a bit.’
‘You’re keen on me a bit?’
‘Maybe a smidge more than a bit.’
‘Is that a legitimate form of measurement, a smidge?’
‘Sure. Haven’t you ever seen a recipe ask for a smidge of salt and pepper?’
‘I’m not really one for following recipes.’
‘Oh come on, you have authority issues even with a recipe telling you what to do?’
I laughed. ‘No. I just prefer simple food. Lobster, fish, steak. Seasoned well and grilled. Few spuds or a salad on the side. Can’t go wrong.’
‘A simple man with simple tastes.’
‘Who are you calling simple?’
She laughed, and the sound was like music in the night.
It did something to my heart, making it feel like it might burst out of my chest. She was so beautiful, even with a smear of pink marshmallow beside her mouth.
I stepped forward and touched her face, cupping her chin in my palm, carefully wiping the smear away with my thumb.
She stopped laughing and held her breath, her eyes on mine.
‘You had a little…’ I said by way of explanation, pulling my hand away.
She caught it in hers, then delicately licked the marshmallow off my thumb.
My breath hitched in my throat when her tongue touched my skin.
It was all the invitation I needed, and before I knew what I was doing I had stepped forward and cupped her face again, with both of my hands this time.
Her body came up short against my chest and she reached for me, her hands scooping behind my head, her fingers threading through my hair, pulling my face down to hers.
We kissed, slowly at first, our mouths finding their way, exploring, remembering.
As they did, our urgency grew. I felt it as her need matched my own, both of us trying to get closer, hands on faces, in hair, around waists, before I felt hers lift the hem of my jersey, sliding beneath, her skin against the skin of my stomach.
‘Mae,’ I groaned into her mouth, arching my back, feeling her hips push back against mine. Summoning every single ounce of willpower that I had, I gently extricated myself, regretting it immediately. ‘I think we should call it a night.’
The look she gave me was a mix of confusion and hurt, and I moved to swiftly reassure her.
‘Don’t get me wrong,’ I groaned into her hair. ‘I want this, believe me; I want this more than you could ever believe.’
‘But you still want to leave me?’ she mumbled into my chest.
I sighed, breathing in the strawberry scent of her hair. ‘I meant what I said earlier, that I’m falling for you. This, us, it feels special to me, and that’s different to anything I’ve ever felt before. I don’t want to rush this. I don’t want to rush you.’
‘I can make decisions for myself you know.’
‘I know. But are you sure you’re ready for this?’
She was silent for a few moments, then sighed. ‘I don’t know. I thought I was, but maybe you’re right. Maybe we should wait. There’s no rush I suppose.’
‘I want the first time with you to be as special as you are. As special as you deserve. And I don’t want it to be on this night, after my family were so awful to you. It’s left a bitter taste in my mouth.’
‘I can understand that. As long as it’s not because you don’t find me attractive after all?’ It was said in jest, I could tell – a lighthearted attempt to lighten the mood. But it came out feebly and with a tiny undercurrent of self-doubt that I knew I needed to dispel immediately.
I lifted her chin with my thumb and forefinger so she could see how serious I was. ‘You’re kidding, right? If you knew how hard it is for me to not pick you up right now, carry you inside and have my wicked way with you, you’d understand.’
She smiled. ‘In that case, I can wait.’