Page 60 of Booked on a Feeling

Jack drew his shoulders back and stood a little taller, proud of himself for making her happy.

“Oh, thank goodness.” Shannon rushed up to the front ofthe store and wrapped Lizzy in a hug. “I was worried I gave out bad advice yesterday.”

Jack looked between the two women. “What advice?”

“Let’s just say Shannon was the one who lent me that dress.” Lizzy grinned.

“Thank you.” He turned to the shop owner and grabbed her hand in both of his. “Thank you and God bless you.”

“Don’t say I never did nothing for you.” She winked. “So you two kids are all good?”

“Yes.” He met Lizzy’s gaze and smiled. “We’re all good.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“I want to live in this bookstore,” Lizzy said, sinking into one of the refinished chairs in the new and improved Sparrow. The place was turning into a cheerful booklover’s haven right before her eyes—it was beginning to rival Hideaway as her favorite spot in the world. All the hard work was so worth it.

“You already kind of do,” Jack pointed out. “Downstairs during the day. Upstairs during the night.”

“I know.” She sighed dreamily. “Isn’t life perfect?”

Her life in Weldonwasperfect—at least since this morning when Jack whisperedcannonballto her. Their budding romance, Sparrow, the pace of the small-town life… Everything felt so right. She hadn’t felt this whole and content in such a long time. Would she be able to carry this feeling back to Los Angeles? Was it really just the burnout that had made her life back home so… empty?

Jack straddled one of their masterpieces and leaned a forearm across the back. Her eyes promptly fell to said forearm, and she lost her train of thought. She wanted to leave her comfy perchand go run her fingers over its fascinating grooves and ridges. What was holding her back? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

She sashayed over to him and ran her hand over his forearm, reveling in its hard strength. He held himself still and watched her with hooded lids. Then he reached up with his free hand and tugged her down by her arm. She lowered her head without resistance, enthralled by the heat in his eyes.

“Wait.” She drew away from him. “I’m all sweaty and gross from moving all this furniture.”

“I don’t mind,” he said in a low, sexy voice and tugged her back.

Lizzy didn’t mind that he was a little rumpled and sweaty, either. It was actually rather sexy. So she leaned down and nipped at his lips. He sat up taller and kissed her deeply, and she hummed as heat spread through her. But when he buried his hand in her hair, she pulled back again.

“Wait. Hang on.” She was certain that her hair smelled.

Jack groaned and let his head fall against her stomach.

“Just let me go upstairs and shower really fast,” she said.

He straightened up and glanced at his watch. “I should actually head out and get ready for work. I need to wash up, too.”

“You can use my shower.” The words were out before she could stop them, and images of them showering together rampaged through her head.

Jack stood to his full height and looked down at her with an intensity that made her heart stutter. He swooped down and kissed her thoroughly before releasing her.

“As tempting as that offer is”—his eyes roamed over her body—“I can’t. I don’t have any clean clothes, and I don’t want to be late for work.”

“Oh,” she said, both embarrassed and disappointed.

He brought his mouth close to her ear and said in a low voice, “And I refuse to be rushed the first time I have you.”

“Oh.” Her knees wobbled.

“Will you wait up for me?” He trailed kisses along her jawline.

“Yes.” The single word held more air than sound.

“Good.” With one last kiss—a lingering promise—he stepped back. “See you later.”

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