Off Limits

I nod slowly. Does he think that explains anything?

‘So...?’

‘I was at a loose end.’

‘Oh.’ My heart thumps painfully. ‘Right.’

What was I expecting? Flowery declarations of love?

‘You were my plan,’ he says gently, his fingers running over my back. ‘I wanted to see you. And you were here.’

‘So you came here?’ I murmur, crossing over into unnecessary repetition and not caring.

Because my heart is floating away from my body, thumping high in the sky over us.

‘Pretty much.’

His smile makes my stomach flip and flop and twist and turn.

‘Well, I’m not so sure I want to be here now.’

His laugh undoes the last stitch of my sanity. I want to strip my clothes off and cry out, Take me now!

‘My evil plan.’ He grins. ‘How’s your week been?’

Is this really happening? Is Jack Grant at my parents’ wedding anniversary party, dancing with me, stroking my back, asking me about my week, telling me he’s missed me? Or am I somehow dreaming this up? It doesn’t make sense.

‘Busy. Yours?’

Wow. I sound normal. Good job, me!

‘Perfect.’ He winks—so sexy. ‘New Zealand is stunning; the winery is incredible.’

My sigh is wistful. ‘I’ll bet.’

He chuckles. ‘You’ll see it for yourself next time you’re over.’

‘Yeah...’

I try not to get too swept up in fantasies that involve Jack and me skipping down the rows of grapes, holding hands, laughing into the sunset. Fantasies are nice, but they’re not real life.

‘Jack Grant?’

I feel his sigh but he hides it well, turning to look at the man who’s come to address us. I recognise him, but can’t think of his name in that moment.

‘Adam.’ Jack nods, not relinquishing his grip around my waist. ‘How’s it going?’

‘Jesus, I haven’t seen you in years. I’ve kept up with you, of course. Amazing career. Got a moment? I’d love to talk to you about a project I’m in the middle of.’

‘Actually...’ Jack says, and my heart leaps.

But we’re attracting attention, and I’m not sure either of us is ready to deal with that yet.

I clear my throat and step backwards. ‘It’s fine.’ I wince inwardly when I hear the ice-cold tone that bleats from my lips. I soften it with effort, stretching my lips into a smile. ‘I want to go check on my grandma, anyway.’

‘Ah, she’s here?’ Jack’s eyes glint with shared knowledge. My gut somersaults. ‘I look forward to meeting her.’

His gaze holds mine for a moment too long and the universe vibrates differently—just for us.