Page 48 of Paradise West
“Well, it looks incredible,” she replied as she peered at the different entrees. “I’m not picky when it comes to seafood—I love it all.”
Jack grunted as he poured her a couple ounces of tequila over ice. “Well that’s good because we have enough of it here.” He held up the glass to her. “Here’s the drink I promised you.” he offered with a grin.
“Finally!” She took the glass and held it up in a toast. “Here’s to Aunt Dottie and her crazy house! Well, I guess it’s our crazy house now,” she added with a grin.
He chuckled and clinked his glass with hers. “Cheers!” He took a sip, then held up his glass again. “Here’s to Amelia and the restoration...may it bring all of us peace.”
Charli tilted her head and smiled. “Cheers!” She tapped his glass with hers and took another drink. Releasing a huge sigh, she sat back in her chair, an odd expression on her face.
“What?” Jack asked, watching her closely.
She held up her glass, studying it. “Isn’t everyone on Key West supposed to drink rum?”
Jack laughed knowingly. “It’s just a vicious rumor and stereotype. We conchs love all alcohol. It’s in our DNA.” He nudged the bottle with his elbow. “Besides, I figured today warranted a nice bottle oftequila. And this one is my second favorite weakness.”
Her eyes twinkled as she leaned teasingly toward him, glowing in the evening light. “And what’s your first favorite weakness?”
Jack considered her for a moment, taking in her beautiful face flush with enthusiasm and happiness. It was a risk, he knew, but he chose honesty and leaned closer until his mouth was merely inches from hers before replying, “You.”
Her mouth dropped open at his admission and she leaned back to look him in the eyes. “Jack...”
He took another sip as he let her digest that information. “You can’t be too surprised. Well, except for your brief period of insanity when you thought I was gay.” His face twisted with chagrin. “If you haven’t noticed, I haven’t been able to take my eyes off you or stop touching you since the moment I spotted you in the airport.”
Charli cringed, her hands coming up in supplication. “You’re not gonna let me live that down, are you?” She paused, and her eyes narrowed. “And what you said isn’t completely true. You haven’t touched me much at all since our trip to the Dry Tortugas,” she added, almost accusingly.
He scoffed and leaned forward in his seat, holding her gaze. “I was trying to give you space. Besides, doyou know how hard it is not to pick you up and take you to bed every time I see you?”
The corner of her mouth ticked up. He wanted to lick it.
“Well then, Jack...what are you waiting for?” she countered, a clear, confident challenge in her voice echoed by the sudden smolder in her eyes.
He blinked, then stared at her incredulously for a moment, not daring to believe he’d heard her correctly. But his body had no such doubts and he throbbed at the prospect. He stood and grabbed her hand before he changed his mind.
Jack hauled her up from her chair, enjoying the slight gasp she gave. His fingers forked through her hair as he yanked her into his body, and his lips covered hers in a fierce kiss. Her arms wound around his shoulders and she moaned into his mouth as he dominated hers, no longer holding back.
His left hand moved down her back to cup her ass as he slowly walked her backward through the french doors and into her bedroom, his lips and tongue continuing their assault and meeting an eager counterattack from Charli. Jack growled and his body tightened further as she rocked her shoulders back and forth rubbing her breasts against his chest.
He knew this was going too fast but he was helpless to stop. This felt inevitable, like it was meantto be and there was no way—and no reason—to stop it.
Using his last vestiges of self-control, Jack drew back when they reached the bed, his mouth hovering over hers as he stared into her eyes.
“Are you sure about this?” he murmured huskily, his lips still lightly playing over hers.
She reached up and brushed a lock of dark hair from his forehead. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” she whispered.
* * * *
As Jack paused, seemingly hesitant to take it further, Charli leaned up on her toes and captured his lips with hers. She squirmed and groaned into his mouth, her body throbbing with need and desire. The mere thought that he’d pull away again from some misguided gentlemanly notion made her want to shriek with frustration. She needed him...NOW.
Charli grabbed the back of his head, trapping him in a hard embrace and rubbed her torso across his, her erect nipples tracing gently across his chest. She wrapped her right leg around his waist pulling him closer and grinding into his hard length.
Jack growled in response and cupped her ass, grinding her softness on his hard cock, making her gasp and grin. There’d be no turning back now.
His tongue mated with hers as he trailed his fingers down her thighs, hooking onto the hem of her dress and slowly pulling it up her body. Charli held her arms up, encouraging him to strip her.
As the dress dropped to the floor, Jack stared down at her body, clad in nothing but the moonlight streaming in through the window. “Damn.” While Jack stood there and ogled her, his mouth agape, she made quick work of his shirt, tossing it on the floor, and unbuttoned his carpenter pants. He leaned in to give a sucking kiss to her neck as he helped, pushing his pants and boxers down and tossing them aside.
She wrapped a hand around the firm thickness of his hard cock and gave it a quick stroke, marveling at the immediate response.
