Page 54 of Ten Hammers

Jack continues to surprise me as he stops at Tino’s Bistro, my favorite restaurant.

“I don’t think they’re open,” I tell him. In the past they didn’t open until lunch, but it’s been so long since I’ve been here. My mouth waters thinking about their homemade croissants.

He flashes me a grin that I feel in my knees. “Be right back.”

He takes the picnic basket inside while I wait in his truck.

When he returns with the basket, the smells of bacon and pastry wafting out are so incredible I nearly moan.

“Damn, I should’ve bought a blindfold,” he says as soon as we’re back on the road.

I laugh. “Oh, so you are that kind of guy.”

“I mean so you won’t be able to see where I’m taking you.”

“I could just close my eyes?” I offer.

“Can I trust you not to peek?”

I think it over. “In this particular circumstance, yes.”

“Alright then. Close’em. No peeking.”

I obey. With my eyes closed and the soothing instrumental piano music Jack has on, I feel sleepiness setting in. I hadn’t realized how tired I was after my late night solo activities and my morning very much not solo activities, but I doze off.

“Final stop,” Jack says, waking me. Without thinking, I open my eyes and spoil the surprise.

We’re at Sienna Park.

“Jack,” I breathe.

“I thought you would’ve guessed when I told you we were doing a picnic,” he said.

“I didn’t.”

He comes around and opens my door for me, which is something he’s always done. I know exactly where we’re going, or I hope I do. But I let him lead the way. It’s a bit of a walk, but he’s holding my hand again so I treasure every step.

“Here we are,” he says finally.

Nestled beneath the shade of a weeping willow, beside a tranquil pond, there’s the perfect grassy spot for a picnic. He sets the basket down.

I remember the spot well despite being away so long. The water reflects the emerald leaves above. It’s secluded, intimate.

It’s the perfect place to lay down our blankets so I can stretch out beside him and kiss him with my entire being which I’d be doing already but I’m getting too choked up. Good thing he stands a few steps behind me now, because if I was to look in his eyes right this second, I’d burst into tears. I have actual chills and it’s not because I’m cold.

“Do you remember when we came here to celebrate your birthday?” As he asks the question, he closes the space between us to gather me back up against his chest, his hands resting on my waist.

Of course I remember. How can I forget? It was the location of the first birthday party that had ever been thrown for me. Jack had planned it all. He was determined to make my birthday party fit for a fairy princess. Princess Winifred. The party started after the sun had gone down, and we knew Gram would be asleep. It was one of the many times Dad was in jail so it was easy to sneak away after Gram had gone to bed. Jack had ringed the clearing with fairy lights, draping them around the tree. The boys had bought me a cake covered in pink roses and presents, small ones Gram wouldn’t notice and question or try to sell like sparkly butterfly hair clips. The Hammer boys were always giving me tiny treasures like that.

“I would never be able to forget this place,’’ I say, and my voice is thick. “I would never want to.” I turn in his arms to link my hands behind his neck, on my tiptoes to reach his lips better. “I love it here, Jackrabbit.”

The nickname makes him grin and the gleam in his eye is suddenly heating me quicker than his embrace. “That’s a new one. Jackrabbit is kind of cute, though. You don’t mean Jackson? Or Jackass?”

I pull his face closer to mine. “I definitely don’t mean Jackass,” I say. I brush my lips against his which instantly part. The kiss is gentle, hesitant at first. The tips of our tongues teasing, our mouths pushing forward, then pulling away in a slow sensual dance that’s like falling into a dream. It’s almost impossible to kiss and smile at the same time, but my face wants to do both. Meanwhile, his hands are all over me, and mine all over him.

“You seem to really like my butt,” I say when we pause for a moment to stare into each other’s eyes. His big hands are still splayed across it, his fingers bending and flexing like he wants to dig them into the flesh…

“I have been a longtime admirer of your ass,” he murmurs, dropping a kiss on my forehead. “Do you want to eat?”

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