“You’re welcome.”
She’d had an amazing day. The best. Playing in water, cloud watching, a picnic, and then he’d taken her to a Japanese hibachi grill for a late sushi dinner, something else she’d never tried. The day had been filled with laughter, adventure, and light-heartedness.
“Will I see you tomorrow?” she asked.
“Do you want to see me tomorrow?”
He had to know she did. How could she not when their day had been so carefree? Making her feel as if she’d traveled back in time to play with him as part of his childhood?
What she was feeling for him was very grown up.
Very adult.
“Then you’ll see me.” He winked, much as he had on the nights he’d gone back to his tent, then left.
* * *
An hour later, as Taylor lay in bed, she stared at her ceiling in the darkness of her room, restless, mind racing, heart full.
Sleep wouldn’t come.
No matter how long she lay there, she knew it was useless to keep trying.
Because she burned inside.
Burned that she’d not invited Jack inside the apartment. Burned with regret that she’d not invited Jack into her bed.
She wanted him.
Maybe she’d always want him.
He was that kind of man. Strong and virile, yet gentle and patient in a way that made her feel feminine and safe.
Safe.
Sweet, free-spirited Jack.
Inhaling sharply, she fluffed her pillow and rolled over. Calling him safe seemed hypocritical because it was the danger posed by him that had held her back when she’d first moved to Warrenville. That and not wanting him to feel obligated to continue being interested in her. More than anything, she realized she’d been afraid to risk falling in love with Jack.
Jack. Jack. Jack.
She couldn’t let herself love him, but she couldn’t help but want him.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“DID I WAKE YOU?” Jack asked, glancing at his fitness watch to make sure
it wasn’t earlier than he’d thought.
“Hmm, maybe,” came Taylor’s response. Sleep had her voice low and raspy over the phone line. Had him envisioning what she must look like and how he’d rather have wakened her.
“I’d ask if you had a late night, but I know what time I dropped you off,” he mused.
“Needed my...” she yawned “...beauty sleep.”
“Is that how you always look so amazing? Sleep?”
“Listen to you, Mr. Flatterer.”