Page 108 of Seasoned
Jackie’s eyes widened. “Are you crazy? I can’t believe you got on a surfboard!”
“Sure did. Hell, I liked it, too. It really wasn’t that bad once I got over the fear of falling. I’m thinking about taking a class so I’ll get better. I figure it’ll be a nice hobby to take up once I move here.” He kept his eyes on her to see her reaction.
Jackie blinked. “Oh. You’re thinking of moving here?”
“I am.” Tyson looked into her eyes so she understood the gravity of his words. “Youare here.”
“Tyson…”
“Jackie, you know how I feel about you. I’m pretty sure I fell in love with you ten years ago, but instead of following my heart, I chased success and wanted to experience everything I’d missed out on as a young husband and father. The older, wiser Tyson knows that he can’t let you go. I told you, I’m taking a chance and fixing my mistakes.”
“We’ve only been on a few dates.”
He took her hand and leaned closer. “Tell me something, did you really forget about me like you said you did? Or did I make a deep impression on you the way you did me?”
Jackie paused, then nodded her head, admitting in a low voice, “You made a deep impression on me. It took a long time for me to get over our time together.”
He breathed easier. “You don’t have to make me any promises. I just want to be nearer to you so I can woo you.” He smiled.
“I don’t want to talk you out of moving here, but I don’t want to make any promises, either.” Jackie seemed to choose the next words carefully. “There’s a lot going on in my life, plans I’m making, and if you move here, I’m not sure how…how you’ll fit into my life once those plans are implemented.”
“Business plans?”
“No.”
The cryptic answer intrigued him. “Can you tell me what those plans are?” Tyson asked, ready to convince her that he was willing to do whatever was necessary so she would allow him space in her life.
“Not yet, but it’s definitely something we should talk about. At some point,” she added hastily.
He pondered her words, wondering what she could possibly be planning that would have her hesitant to share with him right now. “You can tell me anything, but I’ll let you tell me about these mystery plans when you’re comfortable. Until then, know that I’m in this for the long haul. No games. No running away this time.”
“Good to know.”
Her lovely brown eyes met his, and she squeezed his hand, squashing the surge of anxiety he felt when she initially mentioned plans. If she still had doubts about him, he needed to continue putting in the work to convince her to trust him completely, and he was up for the task. He needed to make some phone calls and get the ball rolling on his transition to the west coast. He’d need to sell or rent his condo and ship more of his clothing and belongings to San Diego since he’d be here longer than expected. For now, he’d keephisplans under wraps.
“How about breakfast? My housekeeper will be here soon, and you can put in a special order for whatever you’d like.”
“How soon will she be here?” Tyson asked.
Jackie glanced at the bedside table. “In about thirty-five minutes.”
“Hmm, that gives us thirty minutes to fool around, with five minutes to spare.” His lips found the side of her neck and she moaned, turning her head and kissing the corner of his mouth.
She smelled earthy and sweet like the goddess she was. He sucked gently on her fragrant skin and flicked the tip of his tongue against her clavicle.
“I like the way you think,” she whispered.
Tyson rubbeda hand over his face and smothered a yawn. “Why are you up so early? It’s Sunday,” he grumbled.
The past week passed in a blur of dates, snuggling on the couch, and rushing from the house early in the morning to get to work since more often than not, they dallied over coffee because she didn’t want to say goodbye and leave for the day—having to wait until nighttime before she saw him again. Jackie had gotten accustomed to the mad dash out the door, then making a quick stop at the Starbucks drive-thru for an egg sandwich and more coffee before she headed to work.
“I’ve always been an early riser, never needed an alarm clock. And since I always go into work early, I keep the same schedule even on the weekend.” Jackie shrugged.
He watched her slip on a pair of red boy shorts with lace edging and a white stretchy top with a big red heart on the front.
“I’m going to have to break you from this habit. Maybe give you a reason to stay in bed longer.” His narrowed eyes and his softly smirking mouth promised more pleasurable moments like last night.
“Look at you. We’ve only been together a short while and already you’re trying to change me.”
