“Okay. Let’s go.” Suddenly, Jack was by her side, tugging her off the barstool. He saluted his younger sister as he marched Lizzy toward the exit. “Thanks, sis. You’re the best.”
Lizzy had to skip and run to keep up with him, but her happiness bubbled over at his exuberance. Being with her made him feel this way. It was gratifying and heady, and she felt sotreasured. And being with him made her feel the same way. She couldn’t contain the giddy laugh that escaped her, and his deep laughter joined hers. He held out his hand to her, and she linked her fingers through his.
When they reached his car, Jack pushed her up against the side and crushed his mouth against hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and melted against him. She liked him like this. A little out of control. A little helpless. She swept her tongue inside his mouth, and he groaned low in his throat. It made her feel in control and more than a little powerful. She did this to him.
He shifted against her, and she felt the door handle dig into her butt. The slight discomfort brought her out of the moment enough to make her aware that they were making out in the middle of the parking lot—the one right outside his family’s brewery. It was glorious, but they needed to stop. Before all rational thought flew out the window, she turned her head to the side. But Jack wasn’t to be deterred. He seamlessly changed course and trailed kisses down her neck.Gah.It felt so good.
“Jack,” she said breathlessly with the last of her willpower.
“Hmm?” He moved on to nibble on her earlobe.
“We need to go.” She placed her hands on his chest—trying not to notice the hard muscles underneath—and pushed gently.
He drew back from her, looking dazed with lust. “Go where?”
“We’re going out for drinks, remember?”
“Right.” He rubbed his hand down his face. “Right.”
“Do you want me to drive?” she asked innocently. Horny Jack was sexy as sin but pretty darn adorable, too. She couldn’t help teasing him a little. “You seem kind of out of it. Do you have enough blood going to your head?”
“Not at the moment. Thanks to you and that dress.” Heleaned in for a hard, fast kiss, leaving her a bit light-headed herself. “But I’m okay to drive. Did you have a place in mind, or do you want me to pick?”
“You choose. I’m easy.” She cringed as soon as the words left her mouth. “That’s not… I mean… I’m not picky.”
“I know what you mean, doofus.” He held open the passenger-side door for her.
Lizzy stuck her tongue out at him and got in the car. A giant smile spread across her face as excitement coursed through her. She liked the direction their second date was headed. Maybe one thing would lead to other things sooner than she’d thought.
It was karaoke night at the sushi sports bar.
Jack drove all the way over to the next town specifically to come to the most unromantic venue for their nightcap. He was so turned on that he wanted to drive them off to the side of the road and jump Lizzy. Because a back seat quickie would be the perfect culmination of decades-long yearning. Fuck.He badly needed to cool off, and watching Lizzy sing might be the only thing in the world that could help him do that tonight. She was a truly horrible singer, and she always—without fail—sang when she got tipsy.
“Don’t fool yourself for a minute that I don’t know what you’re up to,” Lizzy whisper-screamed at him as they walked into the restaurant.
“I haven’t the faintest clue what you’re talking about.” He widened his eyes innocently.
“See.” She pointed her finger so close to his face that he flinched a little. “There’s the tell. You talk funny when you’re lying.I haven’t the faintest clue.Ha!”
“Come on.” He placed his hand on her lower back and led her to a small table near the bar. “Let’s sit and order some drinks.”
“I’ll stick to water. Thank you very much.” She plopped down on the chair he pulled out for her and crossed her arms over her chest.
He quickly drew his eyes away from the tantalizing view and focused on the task at hand. “Are you sure? They have plum wine.”
“Shit,” she said succinctly. She loved plum wine.
“And lychee shochu,” he tempted in a lilting voice.
“Bastard.” She glared at him.
“I’m hurt.” He put his hand to his chest. “I brought you here because they have your favorite drinks. How can you be mad at me for thinking of you?”
“Because…” Her pout turned into an edgy smile, and she brought her mouth close to his ear. “Sex.”
He nearly jumped out of his seat. The forbidden word echoed in his mind as though his head were an empty, cavernous space.Sex, sex, sex, sex…
“Excuse me.” He waved his hand frantically to get someone’s—anyone’s—attention and yelled across the restaurant, “We’re ready to order.”
