Page 69 of Finding Yesterday

But the thing is, it’s already going to crush me when he leaves, so what do I have to lose? And his touches, his kisses—it all seems like such a shame to pass up.

And it hits me—tonight is the last night anything can happen with Jack. Ever.

His going away party is tomorrow and then he leaves Saturday morning.

Suddenly, my body yearns for Jack. In a way it never yearned for Hudson or anyone before him. It yearns for Jack in a way that, at least in this moment, erases all doubt, all fear.

I sit on his lap, straddling him with our faces almost touching, our bodies molding together.

“I’ve dreamed of this,” he rasps, moving his mouth up the line of my jaw. “But it wasn’t this good.”

“It could be even better.” My voice is hoarse with longing.

“Is that so?” He nips at the lobe of my ear.

It takes me a second to form a word. “Uh huh,” I murmur. I pull away slightly, mumbling, “I know mixing business and pleasure is bad, but we won’t be working together after tomorrow. I’m okay with this being just a one-night thing.”

He pulls away, releasing a ragged breath. “I’m not.”

I shoot him a quizzical look. “Why not?”

“Because there’s nothing casual about what’s happening here. Can’t you see I’ve been falling for you since you downed that bottle of wine in the cellar?”

“It wasreallygood.” I start to chuckle, but it stops somewhere in my throat when Jack nuzzles my neck and tenderly kisses it. My pulse races, and I swallow back the emotion catching in my throat. Brushing my finger over his nose, I whisper, “I might be falling for you too.”

He smiles and looks down before meeting my gaze again. His voice is soft, hesitant, when he asks, “But…what if I came back to Blue Vine for good?” The corner of his mouth quivers as it ticks up.

I can barely exhale. “If that’s what you wanted, I wouldn’t argue.”

“I’d have to wrap things up in San Fran, of course. But I love it here.” His eyes sparkle. He leans in, bringing his lips to mine again. And this time, all his hesitation vanishes as his mouth moves over mine. He kisses me with everything he has until desperation is coursing through my veins. Hovering his mouth over mine, he manages to say, “And I want you so much.”

He runs his hands up the back of my shirt, and his touch leaves a trail of heat behind. I ache to feel that touch everywhere. “Let’s go inside,” I rasp. I’ve always wanted to do this in the kitchen.

“Okay,” he whispers.

He grabs my hand and whisks me back inside. I push Jack up to the counter, our mouths moving hungrily. Then he stops, his eyes roaming my body, letting out a low, gravelly moan that sends a flash of heat through me. “You’re so beautiful.” Jack trails kisses over my neck, and the only thing in the world that exists in this moment is the warmth of his breath and his touch. “I wasn’t supposed to fall for you,” he murmurs. His words have the same impact as his touches, a dizzying intoxication.

It’s almost as though his beauty fills the air around me, leaving me shivery and hot at the same time.

“You sure you want this?” he asks between breaths. “Because I’ll stop.”

I pull his perfect body to mine, shuddering from the touch of his body against mine. “Don’t you dare.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

I’M AT POPS’Shouse helping Jack find his lucky wine opener. He’s sure it has to be here, and he needs it for the special dinner tonight where everyone is wishing Jack goodbye.

After an incredible time with Jack last night, everything is different—and somehow exactly the same.

That could only happen with Jack.

And I’m so ridiculously happy he’s planning on coming back to Blue Vine for good. If he wasn’t, I couldn’t even begin to process what happens starting tomorrow. My heart would be in a million pieces, especially after last night.

Last night. The thought sends dizzying rushes of adrenaline and heat through me, all over again. I touch my lips, and they feel soft, changed. My body feels awake, alive. It was the best night I’d ever had, and not just because it was magical.

It was because it was with Jack.

And Jack made himself vulnerable in a way no other guy ever has with me. It’s because Jack made me vulnerable too, and for once, I didn’t feel weaker for it.

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