Kisses From Jack (The Kisses 1.5)

Jack didn't even bother to respond. With a nod to a security guard, he pulled his arm from her grasp and started walking.

“Jack... this isn't funny,” she called after him. When he didn't turn, she screamed his name. “Jack!”

“Come with me, ma'am,” Jack heard the security guard say.

“Get your hands off of me,” she shrieked. “Do you know who I am? Jack!”

Jack kept walking. He didn't look back. Looking back would only give her hope.

“Jack! You're going to be sorry you did this to me!” Brandy screamed after him. He knew he wouldn't be. She was a parasite that he had willingly accepted for too long. His life was better without her in it.

He glanced at his watch. He was late. He picked up his pace, needing to get to Emma. He wanted to spend every moment he could with her before he had to say goodbye. Once this vacation was over, he had to go back to being a billionaire businessman again, and Emma deserved better than that. He wouldn't have time to take care of a cactus, let alone give Emma the time and adoration she deserved.

He didn't want to think about that, though. He just wanted to enjoy every moment that he could with her while they were here. This island brought them together. It was just the ray of hope he needed to get him through the next few months. Maybe once the transition period was over, he could find her and bring her out to New York.

The idea made him smile. Yes, once he had his business under control, he would find Emma again and make things work.

Kisses From Jack: Chapter 6

Emma stood out in the water, the waves lapping at the hem of her sundress. Jack's heart jumped to his throat. Her dark hair spilled down her back as she looked out toward the horizon. She was so beautiful and real it hurt.

“Sorry I'm late,” Jack said, stepping out into the water. She spun, her eyes bright and relief flooding her face.

“I was beginning to think you weren’t coming,” she said quietly. The hurt in her voice betrayed the smile on her face. His heart constricted. She thought he had left her.

“Sometimes I hate my job. Even on vacation, I don’t really get a day off. I apologize for making you wait,” he replied somberly. His eyes shone with honesty as he reached her spot in the water. The last thing he had wanted to do was hurt her. “What are you doing out here?”

“Chasing waves,” she explained. She smiled up at him, forgiveness in her eyes. “What would you like to do?”

He kissed her, not wanting to wait another second to touch her. Her kiss made his knees go weak and he knew he had made the right choice leaving Brandy. This was what a kiss should feel like.

“Walk with me?” he asked. His mind was still reeling from the encounter with Brandy. He wished he could tell Emma everything, to hear her tell him in that sweet voice that he did well, but he didn't want to burden her with that. Brandy was his past.

He took her hand and together they walked down the beach. It felt good just to be near her, the sand under their feet and the sunshine warm on their backs. Jack soaked in the way her hand felt in his, the way her soft step matched his, and even the way the breeze caught her long hair and made it dance.

After a short walk, they came to a series of tents strung along the beach where locals sold their wares. It was a simple marketplace, nothing compared to the tent stalls Jack had seen in Iraq or Dubai, but the concept was the same.

“A pretty necklace for a pretty lady?” An accented voice called out as they passed. Emma giggled and tucked her hair behind her ear. He loved that she took every compliment so seriously, as if she didn't believe in her own beauty.

He watched her, ready to buy anything she wanted, but she just browsed through the stalls. Finally, at the last stall she found a simple dolphin pendant. He knew it was for her the moment she picked it up, her face brightening as she held it.

“The lady has excellent taste,” the shopkeeper said, winking at Jack. “Put it on. See how it feels.”

Jack took the delicate necklace from her fingers and carefully placed it around her throat. He managed not to struggle with the clasp. It fit her perfectly.

“How much for the necklace?” he asked the shopkeeper, smiling at Emma.

“One hundred American dollars. But for you, I sell it at eighty-five dollars,” the salesman replied, his teeth bright.

“Eighty-five dollars? That is too much. Thank you though. It is beautiful,” Emma said quickly. She reached up to undo the clasp to return it to the jewelry tray.

Jack placed his hand on the back of her neck to stop her. She wanted this necklace but couldn't afford it. Eighty-five dollars was nothing, especially if it made her happy. He would have paid double that just to make her smile.

“No. The lady will have it,” Jack interjected, feeling pleased that he could do something nice for her.

“What are you doing? It isn’t worth that,” she hissed at him. He ignored her and fished money out of his wallet and handed it to the man. He was going to give her something beautiful.

“Thank you, sir. Enjoy the necklace, miss.” The shopkeeper smiled at Jack and hurried to put his money somewhere safe.