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I chuckled at the memory of the woman’s face as I watched the last few passengers stuff overly full luggage into the compartments. The more they worked the luggage into the limited space, the more the plane started to suffocate me. Suddenly, all I wanted to do was grab my duffle bag and go. The trip no longer appealed to me and I knew the reason.
“Damnit,” I cursed under my breath as I gifted my aunt her wish and stood just as the flight attendant moved to lock the door.
The following Saturday, after my failed first attempt at dating, I was sitting on the newly delivered cement picnic bench just outside the main building as my father conducted his final meeting with the crew. I wasn’t needed, and it suited me just fine. I’d decided to bring my lunch outside, though it was still hot as hell. I’d been in the freezing air conditioning most of the day and could feel my skin thawing out. I was lost in my own thoughts, staring out into the distance when awareness and his scent hit me.
“Mmmm, that looks good.”
Cajun.
I looked up with a smile just as my wrist was gripped by Jack’s hand. He brought the apple I was just about to devour to his mouth and took a large bite out of it, closing his eyes with a moan. Before I could audibly protest, he wiped peanut butter off the corner of my lip and sucked it off his finger.
“It’s the perfect combination, don’t you think?”
My senses reeling, I nodded in agreement before it occurred to me to be offended.
Jack, still holding my wrist, took another bite of my apple and smiled around it. I smiled back, unable to fight the urge.
We stared at each other for a brief moment before he spoke up. “Did you miss me?”
“No,” I lied, holding out the apple for him to take, which he pushed toward me. I’d done nothing but think about him, knowing I’d screwed up. In front of me now, he was like a breath of fresh air while he stole mine at the same time. It had only been a week since I’d seen him, but my memory of him hadn’t done him justice. Not only was he beautiful to look at, his easy smile and the crinkle around his eyes somehow put me at ease.
“What’s new with you, Rose?” Jack said, looking at my parted lips with amusement. Today he looked dead sexy in a light green cotton t-shirt that outlined the taut muscles in his chest and arms. His eyes sparkled with more blue than gray and glittered with sexy mischief.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve got a little time in between jobs so I thought I’d lend a hand until the center opens. That okay with you?” He gripped my wrist again, taking another large bite of my apple, and I pulled away, digging a spare out of the small cooler next to me then thrust the one he’d almost devoured toward him.
“No thanks, I’m not hungry,” he said with a seriousness that had me chuckling with an eye roll. He was fun when he was playful.
“I have to admit something,” Jack said as he took a seat next to me on the top of the cement table and leaned in.
“Oh yeah, what’s that?” I asked, curious and elated that he was sitting next to me, in front of me again. My heart began to pick up its pace.
“I’ve done nothing but think about you since I left,” he said, making me pause mid-bite. I took my mouth away from our shared apple with a sigh.
“Jack, about the way I acted,” I began apologetically.
“I acted like a total ass,” he said, matching my tone. “I have to admit,” he continued, grinning at me devilishly, “getting shot down before I even had a chance to plead my case—” he shook his head with humor “—is not something I’m used to. I didn’t quite know what to make of it. It’s still no excuse, so I’m going to have to beg your forgiveness.” He leaned in and gripped the side of my head, rubbing his thumb along my top lip. “You knocked the wind out of me.”
“Jack…”
“Hear me out,” he murmured as his eyes implored mine. “I’m not the kind of guy that can’t take no for an answer, but I can’t help but want to try again. And, well
, if you shoot me down again, at least I can say I went down with my second wind.”
He leaned in close, his breath hitting my skin. Everything in me peaked, and for the first time since we met, my fear dissipated and thoughts of only him surrounded me in a cloud. I breathed in deeply, both in relief that he was there and in the fact that he wanted to try again. At that moment, I knew that I wanted him, and I wanted him to have me the way he wanted.
“And my dad?”
“It’s not like we don’t like each other. Hell, for all I know, I’m just being paranoid. Either way, we don’t have to say a word to anyone, for now.”
“I don’t know what I’m capable of,” I said honestly as he captured me with his soothing hands and soft eyes. “I swear. I don’t know if I’m capable of anything at all.”
“Then I guess we’ll see,” he said as he leaned in and brushed his lips on my cheek. “You’re shaking,” he whispered, running his hands through my hair. “I don’t want you afraid of me.”
“I’m not afraid of you.” I leaned into him, completely intoxicated, my picnic forgotten.
“Maybe you should be,” he whispered an inch from my lips, “because the first time I kiss you, I’m bringing everything I’ve got.”
