Page 74 of Bookworm and the Beast
Yes.For you.
I was at serious risk of babbling again, so I just nodded and peeked into the basket at the selection of sandwiches and plastic carryout containers.
“Where did all this come from?”
“A deli in Dennis.” Jack extracted a tub of cubed fresh fruit and pried off the lid. “My parents used to bring me and Hunter here when we were kids. This was our favorite beach, and we’d make a day of it with takeout from the deli and a bonfire at night.”
“Will we make a bonfire?” I asked.
The prospect of spending the rest of the day and part of the evening here with him was incredibly appealing. And a little hard to believe.
Our relationship had undergone a significant shift in the past few days.
We hadn’t talked about it, but Ifeltit. Something had definitely changed. Beyond the fact we made out like teenagers every night, we were acting differently around each other at other times as well.
Jack smiled at me whenever he saw me in the house and popped into the library to say hi several times a day.
As for me, my mind seemed to drift to him every few minutes, even when he was nowhere in sight.
He shook his head, looking a bit sad as he answered my question. “We’ll have to go back before too long. Ididneed a break, and believe me, I’d love to stay all day and forget I have a book to write… but I do have a book to write. I’m getting close enough now that I think I might actually make it—if I keep working hard and don’t get too distracted.”
He ran his gaze up and down my bathing-suit clad body. “Andyouare very distracting. I like that suit on you.”
All my exposed skin heated under his interested gaze, and my heart bounced around my chest, absurdly pleased by his unconcealed desire for me.
“Want me to go back to New York and stop distracting you?” I teased. “We can throw out that silly contract, and I’ll get out of your hair.”
“No. Absolutely not.”
By the way Jack’s eyebrows lowered, I could tell he’d missed the joke. His voice had a hard edge to it, signifying anger. Or maybe panic?
“You signed an agreement,” he insisted. “It still stands.”
I reached out and touched his arm. “Jack, I was kidding. I’ve made it this far—I’m not going to bail now.”
His body visibly relaxed, though his brow held onto its tension. He popped a grape into his mouth and chewed silently.
Taking a sandwich from the basket, I unwrapped it, studying the stern expression and clenched jaw.
Fascinating.What did it mean, this unexpected strong reaction to the idea of me leaving him?
“Especially not after you’ve brought me to this gorgeous beach,” I said lightly. “And bought me the world’s most delicious looking sandwich. Whatisthis?”
The clouds on his face parted, and Jack’s dazzling smile returned. “It’s their avocado caprese special. It’s got tomato, fresh basil, homemade mozzarella. It’s basically an orgasm on a focaccia roll.”
I laughed and took a bite. “Oh wow, you’re not kidding.”
Doing my bestWhen Harry Met Sallyimpression, I moaned dramatically over the incredible blend of flavors, faking a food-gasm.
Instantly Jack’s expression changed. The spectacular turquoise irises were nearly obscured by thick black lashes as his eyes narrowed, and his lips parted to reveal just the barest glimpse of white teeth. He reminded me of a stalking tiger, prepared to pounce the instant his prey caught scent of him.
“You’d better be careful with that,” he warned.
“With what?” I feigned innocence. “It’s a good sandwich.” Giving him a saucy grin, I added, “Although your hallway work is still better.”
One of his eyebrows lifted, and his lips curled in a naughty grin. “You should see me in a bedroom.”
For a long moment we held blistering eye contact. “I’d love to,” I said breathlessly, turning what he’d meant as a joke into a bold invitation.
