Charli’s mouth curved up. She was an only child and had always wanted siblings. “Are you the youngest?”
Jack grimaced, but his eyes twinkled with warmth. “Yeah, and they all still treat me like I’m five,” he grumbled good-naturedly.
Charli laughed at his complaint. She could believe that after watching his interactions with his sister and brother. But the affection between them was obvious. “I always wanted a brother or sister,” she said wistfully.
His brows rose. “You’re an only child?”
Charli nodded. “Uh huh. My parents retired and moved to Arizona years ago. So it’s just been me for a while now. I’ve wondered a time or two what it would be like to have a sister to call when I need to vent or just to visit. Normally Annette fills that role for me, and she truly is like a sister after all these years.”
Jack grinned and shook his head in amused disbelief. “It isn’t nearly as much fun as you seem to think. But, you can have as many of mine as you’d like. They’ve always been a pain in my ass.”
She grinned at that. Growing up, she’d been so lonely, and most times it had only been her and her mother when her father had been traveling for business. Now, she only heard from them on holidaysand birthdays. She’d always been envious of her friends that had large families, jealous of their closeness.
Even though Jack complained about his brother and sisters, she could tell that they were close.
She nudged him with her shoulder. “I assume your parents still live here?”
“Yeah, they have a place over on Riviera Drive, near the airport,” he answered. “They live on a canal and have a small boat that they like to take out every once in a while. They’re mostly retired now with Janie and David running the business.”
“That’s nice,” she replied. She snuggled into him and waved her hand in the air. “So, where are we headed?”
Jack nuzzled her temple and kissed her softly. “David’s gonna take us out a bit further west so we can watch the sunset in peace and then he’ll drop us off at Sunset Key.”
“Hmmmm.” She grinned up at him. “I researched Sunset Key. It’s looks romantic.”
Jack gave her a lopsided grin. “That’s the idea. We’ll have dinner at Tropics and then head to the cottage, where I plan to keep you for the entire weekend.”
A chill moved down her spine and she shivered. Her nipples tightened and her lady parts tingled at the thought of being stuck on an island with Jack.
He looked at her and frowned. “Are you cold?”
She released a big sigh. “Nope. Just enjoying myself.” She stared off into the distance where the sun was lazily approaching the horizon. “Tropics looked interesting. Do you go there often?”
Jack pursed his lips. “Not really. I’ve been there once or twice when I was meeting with a client. But it’s more of a place for couples, rather than business meetings. You have to take a short ferry ride from the west docks to get there and forget getting a ride there if you don’t have a reservation or aren’t staying on the island.” He pulled her in even closer. “Most couples go there to watch the sunset as they eat their dinner. My sisters rave about it.”
Charli hummed and pressed her lips against his throat. “I can’t wait.”
As the sun sank below the horizon, Charli jumped as several loud blasts sounded off behind them. She glanced around to find the source and met David’s gaze as he stood confidently at the helm. He only grinned and tossed a thumb over his shoulder. “It’s just the tourist ships. They like to shoot their cannons at sunset.”
He spun the wheel and the boat gracefully turned north, the boom swinging around as the boat came about and the sail filling again. “Headed to Sunset Key,” he announced formally.
* * * *
As the boat approached the pier, Jack jumped off as it pulled level with the dock and tied the boat securely to the piling. David handed him their bags and then turned to Charli. He grinned and took her hand, lifting it gallantly to his lips and gave it a light peck, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“It was lovely meeting you, Charli.” He chuckled when Jack growled. “Just let me know when you get tired of the kid.” He nodded his head toward Jack. “And want a real man.”
Jack reached over and grabbed her other hand. “Knock it off, asshole and let go of her.”
Charli giggled at their antics and gave David a nod. “Thanks for the ride and the sunset cruise. I loved it.”
He winked down at her and dropped her hand. “Anytime, angel eyes.”
Jack snorted as Charli stepped onto the dock. He leaned over and untied the boat, then pushed it off with his foot. “Get out of here.”
David huffed. “Guess that’s the thanks I get for helping you out. You’re welcome,” he called out.
Jack waved and turned, placing a hand on Charli’s lower back, and guiding her down the pier. He nodded to their right toward a restaurant with a wall of windows facing the water and tables laid out strategically on the beach. “That’s Tropics. Our reservation isn’t for another hour, so I thought we’d get settled in the cottage and then maybe I’ll give you a little tour of the island. It’s only twenty-seven acres, so it won’t take long.”
