“Are you almost done with that?” He walked over and peered down at her with his lips pursed. “You’ve been at it for hours.”
“Shannon helped me narrow things down before she went to pick up Elliot.” She rolled the stiffness out of her shoulders and creaked her neck left and right. “I think I’m about ready to start loading that baby up with these.”
He stepped around and knelt behind her. Curious, she glanced back just as he placed his strong, warm hands on her shoulders and squeezed. She moaned as he gently kneaded her tight muscles. His thumb pressed down right on the spot that needed it most, and she hissed. He immediately eased the pressure.
“No, don’t stop,” she said, leaning into his hands. “That hurts so good.”
Cupping her other shoulder to hold her steady, he pressed the heel of his hand into the knot just below the juncture of her neck and shoulder. Her head rolled back as tension released from her body. She sighed with a dreamy smile on her face.
“You’re making an awful lot of noise over a shoulder massage,” he growled into her ear, making a tremor run through her. “I find it very… distracting.”
“Distracting you from what?” Her voice was embarrassingly breathless, considering he was just giving her an innocent massage on the floor of a bookstore.
“Distracting me from carrying out this selfless service without getting overly turned on.” He placed a hot kiss behind her ear.
“Sorry. I’ll be quiet.” She bit her lip to stop a moan from escaping when his lips trailed down the side of her neck. “Carry on.”
He continued his ministrations, but the movement became more languid, his hands shifting lower and lingering. His touch set off little sparks of electricity on her ultra-sensitized skin. She tried to turn around, but Jack stayed her with his hands on her shoulders, then squeezed her arms with firm pressure, traveling down, then back up.
“I want you to relax,” he purred. “You’ve been working much too hard.”
The massage wasn’t innocent. It was obscene. His big hands grew rough on her body, and wetness seeped between her legs. Unable to sit still, she reached behind her and grabbed his ass, digging her fingers into the tight, round flesh. He groaned low in his chest. Their little game of shoulder massage was over.
When she turned her head to the side and lifted her face up, he leaned down and crushed his lips against hers—hot, wet, and a little out of control. Just her cup of tea. With a frustratedwhimper, she spun around and wrapped her arms around his neck and let him taste a bit of her desperation. They were both on their knees, pressed from thigh to chest. Eschewing outdated notions such as breathing, they kissed as though their lives depended on it.
Sex with Jack was freaking amazing. But the kissing—just kissing—was lovely, too. The thrill of the first touch, the swell of emotions, and the breathless pleasure of it. With most of her common sense still intact, she could relish the fact that she was kissing the kind, generous, and wonderful man she was in love with.
In moments like these—when she felt cherished and adored in his arms and her heart swelled with joy—it was hard to hold back the words that clamored to be released.I love you.She could imagine what would happen if she said them out loud. He would stiffen and pull away, his eyes landing everywhere but on her. No. He wasn’t ready for the words yet. But she told him in other ways. Through her kisses and her touch. With her eyes and her smile.
She felt Jack slowing down their kiss until he leaned back with a wistful smile. “I can’t seem to be around you without kissing you.”
“That’s just the way this works,” she quipped even though she was melting inside. “Accept it.”
“Oh, I have.” He swept in for a quick, hard kiss as though to make his point. “But I need to be mindful that this is Shannon’s place of business.”
“Fine. Be all responsible like that.”
He laughed and got to his feet, then helped her up. “Only because I know how hard you and Shannon worked to turn things around for the bookstore.”
“You were working right along with us.” She linked her fingers through his and glanced around the store. “I can’t believe howfar we’ve come. Look at this place. I almost can’t believe it’s the same bookstore.”
“And with social media and live events, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes a town favorite.”
“I can’t wait for the beer-and-dessert-pairing night.” She did a little happy dance. “Just a few more days.”
“Tara says she and Aubrey are busting their asses to prepare for it”—his eyes crinkled at the corners—“even though it looks like they’re just drinking a lot of beer and eating way too much dessert.”
“Tell them their sacrifice will not go unnoticed.”
“Speaking of beer, I need to go sell some.” He tugged her to him and kissed her lightly on the lips. “I’ll be back as soon as I get off.”
“Well, don’t let me keep you from your duties,” she said, wrapping her arms around his waist. She wasn’t letting go until she got a proper goodbye kiss.
With a knowing laugh, he kissed her thoroughly enough to make her dizzy, then firmly set her away from him.
“I’ll see you soon.” He walked backward toward the front entrance, holding her gaze.
“I’ll miss you.” She bit her lip, worried it was too much. But she couldn’t help it. It just slipped out.
