Page 82 of Half Moon Whim

He grasped a handful of her hair, breaking their kiss to press it to his face and inhale. “I’ve missed you so much.” Before she could respond, he pushed her back against the couch, kissing her deeply.

Sara circled her arms around him, rubbing her hands down the hard planes of his back. Gently pressing his tongue inside her mouth, Jack asked, not demanded. His kiss was perfect, and she tightened her hold on him as he slid a hand up her shirt and under her bra. She moaned softly as his thumb slowly circled, then yanked his shirt off.

They returned their mouths to each other, and Sara ran both hands over the warm, velvety skin of his chest and its smattering of hair. He moved back against the couch, and she went with him, gripping the bulge in his pants. He had her shirt and bra off in no time, stroking both breasts as their breath deepened in the balmy night.

Jack pulled back, resting his head on the couch with a sigh. “I’m going to have to go downstairs for a raincoat, aren’t I?”

A giggle escaped Sara. “Not unless you want to. I’ve kept my patch on, in case you changed your mind.”

A smile rose to his face, but it fell quickly, and he stared at her with an expression that went straight to her. “I never stopped wanting you. Ever.”

“Neither did I.”

They hurried out of the rest of their clothes, tossing them into a corner of the deck. The soft waves tumbled against the beach as they came together again. Sara pressed him down on the couch, folding over him as she kissed across his chest, then down his abdomen, moving her tongue in circles as he ran his hands through the strands of her hair.

Moving lower, she enveloped him, drawing him in and out as he lifted his knees up on each side of her. His deep breaths became pants, until he quickly withdrew, scuttling backward. “Oh, no. That’s not how this is going to end. Not tonight.”

Moving toward her again, Jack pushed her onto her back. He kissed one breast, then the other, slowly drawing his tongue in ever decreasing circles. Inexorably, he moved lower, and Sara threw an arm over her eyes, opening wider and relaxing, knowing she was completely loved and accepted.

When he finally climbed back up her body and settled between her legs, she pressed both hands against his chest. “No. I want to be on top.”

A lazy smile spread across his face. “Your wish is my command.” He moved onto his back, his trim body pale in the ghostly light and very ready for action.

Sara straddled him, guiding him inside her. She looked down, and her body was as fully visible as his. There was no trace of self-consciousness with Jack. There was no need for it. Not when he stared at her, his eyes half-lidded and ravenous. Not even when he slowly ran his broad hand over her stomach, her body clear in the moonlight. With a broad smile, Sara tipped her head back and closed her eyes, losing herself completely as they moved together.

* * *

The next morning, Sara awoke slowly. Slow, deep breathing came from the other side of the bed, and she broke into a satisfied smile. Our clothes are still all over the deck. Her chest shook with silent laughter as she turned her head. Jack lay on his back, his long eyelashes framing his face, and her heart filled. The situation with Wayne was far from resolved, but she couldn’t remember the last time she had woken this contented.

Happy.

As if the earth was back on its axis. She studied him as he slept. The small scar on his neck was still visible just below the trimmed edge of his beard. She reached out and stroked it.

Jack opened his eyes and turned to her with a smile. “Good morning, darlin’. I love waking up next to you.”

“That’s what I like about you. You’re easy to please.” She gave him a quick kiss. “What’s this scar from?”

He ran a finger over it absently. “Oh, I got it when I was ten. My brother pushed me out of a tree.”

Sara bolted onto one elbow. “That’s terrible!”

Jack laughed, a rich deep sound. “Nah, I deserved it. I tried to push him out first, but forgot he was bigger than me.”

Sara joined his laughter and snuggled closer.

“I’ll have to take you to Texas with me sometime.”

She poked his chest. “The Powell clan sounds pretty daunting to someone with only one sister.”

“Nah, we’re pretty laid back. Most of us, anyway.”

“Well, I was thinking about something else right at the moment.” She shifted her hips against him, but he didn’t need any encouragement in that direction. Yes, the world was definitely back on its axis.

They drove separately to work, and Sara headed straight for Hibiscus while Jack unlocked the gear room. She was waking up the computer when he popped his head in the door. “Ok, so when can I get that haircut, since apparently I look like a vagabond?”

Sara came around the counter, grabbed his hand, and led him toward her station. “No time like the present.”

“Wait. I’ve got to get the boat ready.”

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