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Leaning in, I study her eyes and tug her tangles. “No. I’d really like to take you out. We can ‘trade’ over dinner.”
She agrees, and we get dressed and head to my truck, me with a small overnight duffel in hand. I tossed in an opened box of condoms, but I might need to resupply. Miraculously, Jackie doesn’t put up a fight when I propose we go in my vehicle instead of driving separately, and I call that a win. Now she’s stuck with me.
Turns out she booked a small economy hotel in Atlantic Beach, and we pull into the parking lot fifteen minutes later. The room is no frills, its bedding a little threadbare, but it has a shower with lots of hot water and great water pressure. It’s not big enough for two, but my creativity comes out as I think of ways to make up for that deficiency after we’re both squeaky clean.
Jackie sneaked clothes into the bathroom and got dressed in there, so there’s no attacking a naked Jackie fresh and dewy out of the shower. Now she peeks through the curtain out the window. Shirtless, I slide up behind her and band my arms around her. I’m already hard as a rudder. Stuffing my nose in her hair, I inhale that fragrance that drives me nuts. Must be her shampoo that makes her smell like a bakery with spritzes of flowers and oranges—or maybe it’s all her.
She wears fresh jeans and a pretty shirt with pearly buttons down the front I find irresistible. I sprinkle kisses along the perfect line of her neck, working my way down. Closing her eyes, she leans back into me and sighs. My mouth worships her neck while my fingers make short work of her buttons. Pulling the fabric aside, I drop my head and move on to her throat, her collar bone, the sharp point on her shoulder. Soon my fingers are dipping into her bra and pulling down the cups.
“Colby,” she hisses. “We need to stop.”
I don’t stop. Instead, I roll her nipples between my fingers and thumbs and nuzzle her ear, licking a tender spot at its base I’ve discovered makes her weak in the knees. “Why?”
Her stomach rumbles and snaps me out of my lust-filled prowling. We both laugh. “Okay. I get the message. You’re hungry.” So am I. Besides, I want to fuel up for what I hope is a sleepless night for us both.
Spinning her so she faces me, I step back and admire her as she rearranges her bra and buttons her shirt. Her skin is so beautiful. Ivory and smooth, like thick cream. She’s beautiful. Everything about Jackie Harper is perfect.
We stop at a few restaurants, but the vibe isn’t quite what I’m looking for. I suggest we try Beaufort, and I use a phone app to snag us a reservation an hour from now.
We return to Jackie’s room, and I’m eyeing the bed, but my girl’s hungry and I need to feed her.
Wait. My girl?
I shake my head to clear the thought away. “Why don’t you pack up your stuff and bring it with? That way, if we decide to spend the night in Beaufort, you don’t have to come back.”
Her brows crunch together. “Spend the night where?”
“My boat?”
“Oh.” Her gaze drops, and I can’t read what’s streaming through her head right now.
Closing the short distance between us, I palm one side of her face and weave my fingers through her hair. She’s left it down and brushed it out, and it’s all soft, wavy, golden silk. “Hey, I know it’s not the most comfortable and it might seem kind of weird—the thought of spending the night on my boat—but it’s weird for me too.”
Those fern greens lift and meet my gaze. “It’s not uncomfortable.”
“I’ve never invited anyone to spend the night on the Gail. Ever. This is a first. That’s what I meant by ‘weird.’ But I want you to stay with me tonight, Jackie, and I don’t care if it’s here or there.”
Something shifts in her eyes, and her shoulders ease an inch or two. Her mouth curls up in a half-smile. “Okay, then. Let’s be weird together.”
Am I a perv for interpreting that comment in a wholly different way than I’m sure she intended?
Chapter 28
The Trade
Jackie
The hostess leads us to a cozy corner by windows that look out on the harbor. The world outside has a dark blue cast to it. It’s only five o’clock, which is how Colby was able to get the reservation, but the leftovers from the storm have caused twilight to settle in early. A real candle flickers on the white-linen-covered table, lending it a romantic ambiance. The young woman deposits our menus and gives Colby an extra brilliant smile, along with a flirty eyelash flutter.
Jealousy spikes inside me, and it’s fierce—not that I can blame her for her obvious admiration. He’s dressed simply—a black button-down and jeans—but that doesn’t minimize how handsome he is. The confidence he oozes is magnetic. Intoxicating. Couple that with his rich brown hair, neatly trimmed beard, and the way those steely gray eyes of his flash, and a swarm of butterflies lifts off in my stomach. He’s not turning those eyes on her, though. No, he keeps them fastened on me, and the woman inside me preens and devours the attention this sexy man lavishes on me.
“Have you eaten here before?” I venture, hoping he doesn’t say yes because then I’ll undoubtedly flip through a series of images of Colby with various dinner companions. Though he said he’s never invited anyone to sleep over on his boat, a seed of doubt niggles at the back of my brain. It’s not that I don’t believe him—I do. It’s just that … well, he’s so damn attractive, and he spends a lot of time in this town, so it’s hard to imagine him spending many of those nights alone. Maybe not in his sanctuary, but possibly at her place or in one of those charming boutique-y hotel rooms I can’t afford. Not that it’s any of my business. My logical mind is aware of this, but my heart has ideas of its own, and the two aren’t syncing now.
Under the table, he squeezes my knee. “Hey. Where’d you go, First Mate?”
Flustered, I snatch up a menu and duck behind it. “Just wondering what’s good here. That’s why I asked if you’ve eaten here before.”
Two fingers appear at the top of my menu and slowly lower it. On the other side, Colby smirks like he has a front-row seat to my true thoughts. “I have not eaten here, but I’ve heard good things and wanted to try it out. I didn’t have anyone I wanted to ask to join me. Until now.” With a wink, he releases my menu and picks up his own.
