Page 46 of A Heart Worth Finding
“What’s so funny?”
“That guy was just…something else.” He reached out and grabbed her wrist, yanking her into his body. “But I’m very excited to see those pictures,” he added, leaning down to nuzzle her neck.
Jessica scrunched her shoulders when he hit her ticklish spot, a yelp of surprise leaving her. She pushed him back and reached for his hand. “Down boy. I have a date with this really hot guy tonight,” she said, then flicked her wrist to check her watch. “And he told me I need to be ready in an hour.”
“Really hot guy, huh? Anyone I know?”
“Maybe?” Jessica couldn’t help herself as she stepped into his space again, running her hands up his arms, lingering on his bulging biceps, before sweeping them across his chest. “He’s super tall, blond, hunky as all hell.”
“Hunky?”
“Yeah,hunky. That’s what comes to mind when I see all of…this,” she said, gesturing at his thick body. “And if this is what you look like at eighteen? I hope I’m around to see you in five years, or ten. Because all this? I have a feeling it’s only going to get better with age.”
Jack offered her a small, shy smile, his cheeks stained pink.
“If I have anything to say about it,” he said, “you’ll be around for a lot longer than that.”
Jessica didn’t know how to respond to that, and she was saved from figuring it out when Jack playfully smacked her ass and said, “Now go get ready.”
“Yes, sir,” she said, then sprinted up the stairs to the pool deck, Jack hot on her heels.
When getting dressed that evening, she’d really taken Jack’s suggestions—wear a dress and wear her hair down—to heart. Though she was comfortable in her own skin and knew she looked amazing, the way Jack’s eyes darkened and trailed over every inch of her body when he caught sight of her had her preening a little more.
Jack stood in the middle of the marble lobby, completely still as Jessica approached him. He wore a long-sleeve button down and sand-colored khaki shorts, his hair still damp from hisshower, the strands standing up at odd angles, as though he’d nervously raked his hands through it.
Only when she stood inches away and rose up to give him a quick peck on the lips did he move.
One moment, Jessica was standing upright, her mouth lightly pressed against his, and the next, she was bent over backward, Jack supporting her with an arm wrapped around her waist and the other cupping the back of her head. She gasped and stiffened, but melted when he kissed her more insistently.
Then she was upright again, head spinning from more than just the sudden movement.
“Hello to you, too,” she said, reaching up to wipe her lip gloss off Jack’s lips.
“You are…everything,” he breathed.
She stepped away and spun in a circle. “You like?”
Jack closed the distance between them again and whispered, “The only way I could like it more is if it was on my bedroom floor.”
And…okay. Was it hot in here or was it just Jack?
The dress was a minty green color with spaghetti straps that tied atop her shoulders. It was fitted in the chest and tiered, flowing out wider with each layer until reaching the flouncy hem that fell mid-thigh. When Jessica spun in a circle, she risked revealing her panties to the world, but she didn’t care. She’d do whatever it took to have Jack keep looking at her like that.
She paired it with a pair of canvas wedges and delicate gold jewelry, her hair falling in natural waves around her face, shoulders, and down her back.
Jack twirled a lock of her hair around his finger, then trailed his hand down her arm until he reached hers, tugging her toward the resort entrance.
“C’mon,” he said. “We’re gonna be late.”
Outside, a cab waited for them, and after a short ride, they pulled into a marina where a massive Catamaran was docked, and people filed onto the deck. Happy chatter filled the air, layering over the smooth notes of a saxophone from somewhere aboard.
“Here?” she asked Jack dumbly.
“Here,” he said with a smile. The cab parked, and Jack paid the man before getting out and extending a hand to help her.
When they reached the gangway leading onto the boat, Jack held out his phone, where the attendant scanned their tickets and waved them on, wishing themuna buena noche.
The Catamaran consisted of two levels with both indoor and outdoor lounge and dining spaces. Several couples milled about, and waiters walked around, passing out trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Jack snagged two glasses and held one out to Jessica, clinking his softly against hers.
