She joined him at the window. “Guilt, I suppose.”
“For what happened with your mother?”
“That, and the fact it took so long for me to learn the truth. I should have trusted my instincts.”
Jack put his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “You were young and didn’t know any better.”
“But that’s just it.” She pulled away. “I did know better. I knew her story sounded fishy. But I was so worried about her finding out about us that I failed to see what was right in front of my face.”
“Hey,” said Jack, taking her by the shoulders, “don’t beat yourself up. Everything turned out the way it was supposed to.”
The world flashed white as another crack of lightning struck.
“I guess you’re right,” she said. “What am I saying? You’re always right.” She leaned against the end of the bed. “But we lost ten years.”
“True.” He brushed the hair from her shoulder. “But there’s nothing we can do about that now. The past is in the past, and all we can do is focus on what’s in front of us.”
With a finger, he lifted her chin, drawing her eyes to him. And there was something in his gaze—a confidence, an understanding—that told her this time was not going to be like the others.
Before she could utter a single word, Jack’s lips were meshed with her own, stealing her breath. His kiss was light, his lips soft and warm. Pulling back a few inches, he gazed into her eyes, and she knew there was no turning back. His next kiss was consuming, hungry yet sweet, teasing her with a hint of promise and driving her body to new heights of awareness.
In one swift motion, Jack swung her up into his arms and carried her to the bed, then undressed and stood naked in the pale light. For a moment, she stared at him in silence, her heart thumping in her chest. This was the moment she’d wanted the night before. Only now there was nothing, and no one, standing in their way.
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
Aftermath
Ellie woke the next morning with her head resting on Jack’s chest, the gentle beat of his heart thumping rhythmically in her ear. In the pale morning light, she traced a finger along his shoulder and across his chest, recalling their night of passion. Since that moment at the ruins the week before, they had been building to a crescendo, perhaps more rapidly than she imagined, and now that it had finally happened, she knew she was right where she belonged.
A little after nine, Jack got up and cooked breakfast for them. They sat in the kitchen and ate with the windows up, letting the cool morning air fill the house with the smell of rain and honeysuckle.
“Last night was fun,” said Ellie, teasing him with a smile.
He blushed. “I could get used to that. Listen, I know you said you were leaving today, but given the circumstances, why don’t you stay, at least until the weekend? There’s still plenty I haven’t shown you. We could take the boat, maybe fish, and I could cook you anything you want.”
Ellie smiled at his proposition, having already decided to extend her stay. “Actually, I don’t have anything on my schedule until July, so I might stay longer, if that’s all right.”
Jack’s grin widened. “Stay as long as you like.”
* * *
When Ellie was certain Marie had gone, she returned to Clara’s to say goodbye to Amelia.
“I wondered if I would see you before I left.” Amelia shut the lid on her suitcase and snapped the locks.
“I couldn’t let you leave without first saying goodbye.” Ellie leaned against the wall, playing nervously with her hands. “Did Mother say anything to you before she left?”
“Very little. I think you shook her up pretty well last night.”
“Good. She deserved it. I only wish I’d said something to her years ago, and then maybe all this could have been avoided.”
When Amelia was packed, Ellie helped carry her suitcases to the car.
“When will you be home?” Amelia slid the key into the ignition.
“That depends. Assuming Jack breaks things off with Sara, I’m thinking of staying for at least another week, but I’ll keep you posted. Tell Sean and Christopher I said hello, will you?”
“Sure.”
