“It feels awesome. I’m happy to be home. Although it’s a little weird because various high school memories keep popping up.” I shot him a simpering smile.
He pointed at me. “You know, about that. I told your sister a while ago that I felt so bad for how I treated you both.”
“You were kind of a bully, that’s for sure.”
Tyler chuckled, and I recalled how he’d laughed the same way when I’d walk into science class junior year. It was a menacing, snarky sound, and a warning chill actually went up my spine. “I was a bully. And I feel bad about it. My apologies. Dinner’s on me.”
“Well, that’s very generous.” I looked to Vera, who tilted her head and smiled, as if to say,see, he’s changed!
“On to happier subjects. Where did you two meet? Boston?” Tyler motioned with his finger to me and Jack. Vera playfully smacked him on the arm.
“I told you, silly, he’s our tenant. They met the other day and they’ve been inseparable.”
Jack and I turned to each other. “Joined at the hip,” I said, my voice dripping with a mix of sarcasm and desire. I felt like hot shit, but my bravado and my smirk faded quickly when I stared into his eyes.
One glance was all it took to set me ablaze. Prior to this moment, I’d never quite bought into the romance novel trope that a man’s gaze could be so smoldering that it ignited a woman’s soul on fire.
Obviously, I had to rethink my stance on this, because every inch of me felt like I could spontaneously combust.
Jack’s eyes zeroed in on my lips, devouring them with a hunger akin to a famished man eyeing a plump, succulent drumstick. A teasing spark tugged at the corners of his mouth. It was an irresistible concoction of mischief and desire, and I was on board for literally anything he wanted right here in Lord of the Wings.
“Hey, you,” he murmured huskily. God, his lashes were long. I was both envious and turned on.
I couldn’t believe what we were about to do, right in front of my sister and Tyler and every patron of this fast-casual restaurant. Inhaling deeply, I braced myself for the impending collision of lips, knowing full well it was going to be amazing. OK, I also leaned in a few inches because I hadn’t been this excited about a kiss in years and I didn’t want him to think I was hesitating.
As our mouths met, time stood still, and my libido shot into overdrive like a racecar on steroids. In that moment, I couldn’t have cared less about Vera and Tyler, or the fact that we were in a smelly wing joint.
I was ready to throw caution to the wind and indulge in some serious tonsil hockey with this man.
We finally broke apart, breathing heavy like marathon runners at the finish line. I stole a quick glance at Vera, whose beaming expression made it clear she approved of our lip-locking.
“Jack’s even making her a bookcase,” she burbled. “How’s that going, anyway?”
“A new relationship. Sweet,” Tyler said, turning to Jack. “You go, bro. A bookcase. That’s serious.”
Have I mentioned that I hate people who use the word “bro”? I took a long gulp of my tea, hoping it would quench both my lust and my ire. Jack sure knew how to kiss.
Damn.
“I’m working on a drawing first, to make sure Maggie likes my idea.” Jack turned to me and grinned. “Then we’ll go buy wood.”
My heart went pitter-patter and I momentarily forgot why we were here.
I was definitely distracted by him and his wood. But no, we were on a mission. “What have you been up to since high school, Tyler?” I asked.
“Oh, a little of this, a little of that. I’m working for my old man.”
“I hear you’ve been elected to the city council.” I shifted away from the sexual force field of Jack’s body.
“Yep, just last month. Really looking forward to making the town better. Wahoo’s one of the top ten places in Florida where people are moving. That’s according to the census. Did you know that?”
Vera looked at him with adoring eyes.
“I guess that must mean a lot of development,” Jack said.
Tyler nodded. “We have to manage that growth, of course. But there’s a lot of open land in Wahoo, and I think the environment and growth can coexist.”
Ooh, I knew this guy was full of crap. “Like the Covington prop—”
