Page 76 of Long Shot

I peer out the door and yes, can see the ocean, rough today with whitecaps. “Nice.”

“Yeah, on a sunny day it’s great.”

Two wicker chairs and a table sit out on that balcony. It would be beautiful to sit out there on a nice day.

Jack follows us back down the stairs, his nails clicking on the wooden floor.

“So what are you cooking?” I move back to the kitchen island where a couple of white stools sit under the counter overhang. “Chicken?”

“Yeah. Not a turkey—that’s too much for two of us. Er, three.” He looks at Jack. “You like chicken, Jack?”

Jack’s head tilts.

“He does,” I say with a smile. “And so do I.”

“Good. Hopefully it’s edible. Hard to screw up a chicken. Also made some potatoes and a salad.”

“I brought a bacon spinach cheese dip and some bread.”

“Well, that definitely outclasses the bag of potato chips I was going to serve.”

I laugh and pull the baking dish out of the bag. “Nothing wrong with potato chips. This needs to be heated up.”

“Microwave okay?”

“Sure.”

Together we move in the small area, slicing up the baguette I brought, drinking our wine and beer and talking about the weather and the football game that’s on. It’s easy . . . but also . . . a little thrilling. Tingles slide up my spine every time we brush together, and I have a hard time taking my eyes off him to focus on food. I want to watch his strong arms and hands as he lifts the baking dish into the microwave. I want to watch his beautiful face as he concentrates on slicing bread and pouring mixed nuts into a bowl. I want to watch his sexy bare feet move over the hardwood floor.

I still almost can’t believe we slept together. And wow . . . I get all hot and clenchy every time I remember how it felt having him inside me . . . how it felt having his tongue on me . . . his mouth . . . his big body next to me in my bed. I swallow a whimper.

I stopped and bought condoms on my way over. He probably has some, but just in case he doesn’t, I don’t want another situation like the other night. Not that there’s anything wrong with a little oral sex, but I’m dying for him to fuck me again.

“Do you miss being with your family for Thanksgiving?” Cade asked when we’re seated on the couch, food spread on the coffee table in front of us. “You said you have a sister, right? Is she married?”

“No. She’s a lawyer at a big law firm in Manhattan. And I do miss them. They’re all together today. Apparently, my aunt is hosting this year so they’ve gone over there. My cousins will be there, too.”

He regards me with a crease between his eyebrows. “Damn. I’m sorry, Reese.”

“What are you sorry for?” I shrug and pick up a piece of baguette. “My choice to move here. I knew what it meant.” One corner of my mouth lifts. “But yeah, a day like this that’s a big family holiday is a bit tough. What about you?”

“I don’t have any family, so not a big deal for me. Except . . .” He pauses. “Usually Beck, Marco, and I would be together.”

Ah. I bite my lip. Yeah, those guys are his family. I know Beck’s family is back East and not really close with him. Marco doesn’t have his own family, either, but has clearly been taken in by Carrie’s, from what I’ve seen. “This is the first Thanksgiving since they got together with Hayden and Carrie.”

“Yeah.” He shrugs. “It’s nice for them.”

Somehow I sense that expressing sympathy isn’t the right approach with Cade. He’s a strong, proud man. But damn, I hate to think that if it weren’t for Jack and me, he’d be here alone today. It gives me a tight ache in my chest.

Or maybe not. Maybe he wouldn’t be alone. Knowing him, he could have easily found some hot babe to hook up with, even on Thanksgiving.

But he didn’t. And we’re here, together, two loners. He’s probably feeling sorry forme, now that he knows what happened to me.

We sit side by side on the couch, snacking and halfheartedly cheering on the Trojans while awareness prickles over my skin, the air around us electric. Every time he moves and brushes against me I want to leap onto his lap. I want to grab his stubbled face and press my mouth to his. I want his hands all over me.

“When you said you didn’t deserve fun . . . was it because of what happened at Nova?”

His unexpected question startles me. “Um. Yeah.”

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