Page 13 of Kissing in the Rain
She looked up with concern. “Ohno.”
“It’s fine. We’ll just let everyone know we’re okay in person.” He winked at her. “How’s your head?” he asked, narrowing his gaze on the small lump on hertemple.
“Fine. No headache atall.”
“Good.” He started pulling out the emergency fooditems.
Jillian turned her attention to the water lapping up on shore. “It’s gorgeous out here. A night on an island sounds like a vacation.” She grabbed the piece of beef jerky heoffered.
“But last night was far from.” He bit at the jerky’s end andchewed.
“In hindsight, it wasn’t theworst.”
“So you enjoy freezing your butt off in the pouring rain and being terrorized bysnakes?”
She laughed. “Yeah, I guess it was prettyawful.”
“Good company,though.”
She nodded, meeting his gaze. “Definitely. So, have you decided what you’re going to do when you get back? About Kimberly’sdad?”
“No. What do you think I shoulddo?”
Jillian chewed thoughtfully. “I think you should put the decision in Lorelai’s hands. You’ve been her overprotective big brother since we were kids, and that’s great. But she’s an adult, and it’s her life. So, I think she should be the one to decide what todo.”
Gabe blinked. He hadn’t even considered that option. But Jillian was right. Lorelaishouldbe the one to make this decision, even if Todd had contacted him instead. Lorelai was an adult. She was levelheaded and smart. She’d do the right thing, whatever that was. “You sure you’re not a therapistyourself?”
Jillian scoffed. “After all the time and money I’ve spent this past year in a shrink’s office, Ishouldhave a psych degree on mywall.”
“What about you? What are you going to do?” he askedthen.
“What do youmean?”
“You said you’re leavingtown.”
“Oh, right. Well, I have to get back to work.” A light dimmed in her green eyes when she said it. She wasn’t excited about the prospect. “I’m due back tomorrow morning,actually.”
“I know you said no to dinner, but can I at least buy you lunch before yougo?”
She frowned. “It’s a long drive. I should probably shower and get started as soon as we getback.”
“Ouch. Rejected twice,” he said playfully. “Is this revenge for our teenyears?”
She laughed out loud. “It does feel kind of good to knock you off your throne. A form of therapy initself.”
“I know something else that would feel good,” he said, lowering his voice and setting his food down. He removed the remainder of her jerky from her hand too. “Why shower later when we can go skinny-dipping rightnow?”
Her smile dropped. “Are youserious?”
“If being on this island is all the time I get to spend with you, then yeah. I’m dead serious.” He leaned forward and kissed her mouth softly. It was hot and tasted salty from breakfast. “You chicken?” he asked, nipping at her bottomlip.
She swatted him, then stood and dropped those lace garments he’d been admiring since last night. Smooth, creamy skin made his mouth water. “Last one in…” she called behind her, splashing into the water as the sun beat down on them. No trace of last night’s storm insight.
Gabe shot up and went after her, his morning wood fully back and ready for action. He’d probably have a case of blue balls for a month, but it’d be totally worthit.
Jillian whipped her arm over the water’s surface, sending water flying over his chest and shoulders as sheran.
“Oh, you’re so going to get it!” he called, needing his hands on her body. They might be limited in what they could do out here, but he planned on pushing those limits as far as hecould.
