Chapter Seventeen
“Miss Ridley, we got to play in the sprinklers. There was so much water it made mud!”
“RiRi, I saw a worm!”
“And now we’re going to set up a tent in the backyard!”
Ridley gave up trying to keep track of who said what as each boy tried to talk the loudest. It was amazing how lovely the chaotic sounds of a family could be.
She’d spent the morning with Katie and the kids. The second official day of summer camp had been a resounding success. Chris and Jase had been joined by the Mason boys, Hunter and Matthew, to learn about the life cycle of a plant. Jase had been fascinated by the tiny seeds she’d shown them and they’d each received their own seeds, a small pot, and a packet of soil to practice with.
Afterward, they’d gone to Katie’s house for water play in the Masons’ backyard while she’d returned to Jackson’s house to work on her first column. It was going to be a do-it-yourself guide to planting tomatoes.
“Okay, everybody upstairs! You need to change clothes.”
Jackson came up behind them and thumped them each soundly on their behinds before hauling them up in his arms for kisses. She had never known a man could be so tender with children and be so comfortable interacting with them. He seemed his happiest with the boys.
After their intense lovemaking last night, something seemed to have changed between them, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was. Other than the fact that he had given her the deepest, most arousing kiss before leaving for work this morning. She’d found herself staring off into space and daydreaming about him all day.
Just then he looked up and caught her. Heat curled through her when he raised an eyebrow. She whipped around and busied herself with the containers of food she’d been packing.
“Why don’t you guys wash your hands before dinner? I thought we’d have a picnic outside.”
“Actually, I told the boys they could have dinner with the Masons. They’re setting up a tent in the backyard to pretend like they’re camping. I just brought them home so they could change out of their wet clothes. I didn’t know you had something planned.” He looked sheepish when he noticed the small wicker basket she’d lined with towels.
“I guess that means it’ll just be me and you.” She glanced in his direction and was shocked at the raw, carnal desire in his eyes.
“Yes. Just the two of us,” he replied.
She shivered and tore her eyes from his. Her hands were shaking as she resumed folding napkins to place in the basket with the food.
“I’ll go set up outside. We can eat whenever you’re ready.”
God, I hope my voice doesn’t really sound that squeaky and breathless.
She didn’t dare risk another glance in Jackson’s direction as she scooped up the basket and rushed out the back door. She just prayed she could make it through dinner without climbing in his lap and begging him to make love to her again.
Once she was outside, she spent an unnecessarily long time locating the perfect spot to spread out the blanket. Finding a picturesque nook under a shady elm tree, she began to prepare a cozy nest for them to dine in. She spread the blanket and then made quick work of setting out the various dishes she’d prepared. She heard Jackson walk up behind her but she didn’t turn around.
“Did you get the boys settled?” She hated the breathy tone of her voice but was powerless to control it. Trying to keep her hands steady, she continued setting up their picnic, keeping her eyes averted as Jackson sat down beside her, so close her thigh brushed his.
“Yeah, they’re really excited. You were right about Katie. And since it’s just us, I figured we could have this.” He held up a bottle of champagne.
His long, tapered fingers were graceful as he reached over her for the plastic cups she’d brought. He handed her a cup and then poured a little for each of them. He touched his cup to hers, his eyes capturing hers in a heated stare.
“Cheers.” He took a healthy sip. “You should try it. It’s good.” He dipped a finger into the bubbly liquid and dotted it on her lower lip. She licked her lips reflexively. His eyes darkened. Then he leaned over and licked her bottom lip, too.
“See? Delicious.”
Ridley sat stunned as Jackson began putting food on his plate, seemingly oblivious to her reaction. She tried to speak but found her mouth was glued together and she just watched mutely as Jackson filled first his plate and then hers.
“Eat. You’ll need your energy later.”
Ridley gulped and stuffed half her sandwich in her mouth. She made quick work of everything on her plate until it was empty save for a lone, squashed grape.
Jackson laughed. “Relax. No need to rush. We’ve got more than enough time.”
“It’s hard to relax when you’re looking at me like that.”
He was doing it again. He’d finished his food and set his plate aside. Now he was just leaning back on the blanket staring at her. No, not staring, devouring her with his eyes. It was positively indecent the way his eyes lingered over her breasts and hips.
“Are you finished?” he asked silkily. He sat up and moved closer. “Do you want some more champagne?”
Ridley trembled as he moved so he was sitting behind her. She was now in the cradle of his legs. “Jackson? What are you—oh.”
He slid his hand up to her right ear, stroking the downy wisps of hair that trailed loose from her ponytail. She gasped as his hand slid down to stroke the sensitive skin on her neck.
The first kiss against the shell of her ear made her sigh. The second kiss made her melt. He pulled her back until she rested against his chest. Then he touched her chin, turning her face toward his.
“I’ve been waiting to do this all day.”
The first touch of his lips to hers was soft, tentative. She didn’t even close her eyes as he sweetly tasted her mouth. She didn’t want to break the spell, for surely this was magic, the slow swell of desire that was creeping up her thighs and floating in her belly. Jackson slowly pushed her back on the blanket and trailed his hand down her arm in slow circles.
Her eyes fluttered closed as he took her mouth more forcefully this time, his hand coming up to cup her breast. He stroked her through the thin cotton before bending his head and gently biting her through the fabric.
Ridley couldn’t breathe. She pulled at Jackson’s shirt, wanting to feel his skin next to hers. That was what she needed, the delicious feeling of being skin to skin. His hand moved slowly beneath her skirt, trailing along the sensitive skin of her thighs. When his hand finally got to the edge of her panties, she almost cried out in relief.
Suddenly his hand stilled.