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The two of them cracked up laughing until she realized his breath was warm against her, and his face was so close she could see the gray flecks in his deep blue eyes. She almost lost her breath and softly muttered, “Sorry.”
“No. My fault.” He didn’t move, only inched himself up so she could breathe. Maybe. “Siobhan?”
“Mm hm?”
He didn’t say a word, just dipped a fraction closer until his lips covered hers.
Oh, damn. Her arms wrapped around him as she kissed him back. Something in the back of her head said this was all wrong, but another part knew it was very right.
In his time Jack had kissed many women, but kissing Siobhan today sent a bevy of feelings and emotions surging through him that he’d never felt from a simple, sweet kiss before in his life. When he found himself close enough to feel the race of her heartbeat against his, and her face so close he could feel her breathe, at that moment, she wasn’t anyone’s sister, she wasn’t too young, and she wasn’t off limits. Not even a hurricane could have stopped him from doing what he’d been avoiding for days.
Even now, back in the car and on the way home, his lips still tingled long after the loss of her touch. It had taken every bit of common sense and willpower to pull back. For the life of him, he couldn’t tell if she was shocked, scared, pleased, or as overwhelmed by the kiss as he’d been. Wide-eyed, she’d barely blinked, simply stared at him. Never had he known anyone who looked so darn enticing, just lying on the grass, leveling her gaze with his.
When he’d come up for air, she hadn’t said a word or tried to scramble away. He hadn’t a clue what to do or say, the only words he could find were, “We should get going.” Still looking at him, she merely nodded and sat up. He hadn’t dared reach for her to help her up for fear he’d wind up right back where he’d started, on the ground, up close and personal, wanting so much more than he should.
It had taken a short while for either of them to find their voice. They’d walked to the car in total silence. He’d considered apologizing, but didn’t want to. If he could, he’d do it again. A lot. As soon as he’d turned the radio on, she seemed to snap back to herself. A bright smile took over her face at some song he hadn’t recognized, and when she turned to him, grinning and bopping in her seat again, his heart soared and he smiled back.
Just like that, they seemed to be on an even keel. What he didn’t know was what to do next. Like it or not, she had four big brothers who he knew beyond any doubt were not going to cotton to his crushing on their sister.
Another song came on and she danced in her seat once again, singing at the top of her lungs. Singing so loud that the cars at the light beside them could probably hear her through the closed windows. Anyone else and he would have suggested they take a break before they caused a scene, but with Siobhan, he merely wanted to roll down the windows and shout to the world—this is my girl.
My girl. Was that what he wanted? Because if it wasn’t, he’d better walk—no, run—the other way. This was not someone to be toyed with—regardless of who her brothers were. Siobhan was the kind of woman who deserved a man ready and able to make a commitment. A word he’d never before considered. Could he be that man? What to do next, what to say, had been kicking around in his mind when the traffic ahead slowed.
“This is odd for a Saturday afternoon?”
“This is Houston. Traffic is a way of life.”
“I know, but not like this. We’re almost at a stop.” She stopped her dancing and sat up straighter in her seat, trying to see what was ahead.
“Probably construction. The city likes nothing better than tearing up the streets and making the drivers crazy.”
“I hope that’s it.”
Barely inching along, he glanced in her direction. Focused on the road ahead, it almost seemed as if kissing her was an ordinary, everyday thing. What a great idea. Kiss Siobhan every day.
“Oh, no.” Her gaze narrowed as the cars blended into a single lane to avoid the debris on the side of the road leading up to the police and fire trucks ahead. “It’s an accident. This many first responders can’t be a good sign.”
Two crumpled cars sat on the side of the road, one straight ahead with its front end missing, the other at an awkward angle with the trunk pretty much in the backseat. An ambulance’s back door was wide open and he could barely see two EMTs in their white shirts working over a gurney. He could only assume they were helping a victim.
“Someone’s been hurt.” Siobhan gnawed on her lower lip when the sound of a siren had them both looking up. Another ambulance was making its way through the bottleneck of cars. “Oh, no.”
He glanced around, looking for more victims when he noticed Siobhan bow her head. Her lips moved in silence. She was praying. Texas was the buckle of the bible belt. Finding someone who believed in the power of God was nothing unusual, and yet, seeing her living her faith, concerned for people she didn’t know, struck him harder than any blow her brothers could give.
Merged into the single lane, they drove past the frenzy of police and firemen as the first ambulance sped away, lights flashing and sirens blaring. He found himself raising his gaze to the sky and asking God to guide the hands of the rescuers and perform a miracle. How many years had it been since he remembered there even was a god?
Something inside Jack shifted at the sight of Siobhan praying. They picked up speed and left the accident behind them. The seriousness of what was going on between them came front and center. He wasn’t sure of much right now, but he was sure of one thing, he would guard her heart like his own. He did not want to lose Siobhan in his life—if she would have him. All he had to figure out was what to do now.
Chapter Eleven
Several photos from the park shoot the other day were strewn across Siobhan’s workroom. She was hoping to have enough to stop by and show Veronica that she’d taken her advice about diversity to heart, but nothing had struck her as just right on her computer screen. In hopes that something would pop, she’d gone ahead and printed the best. Studying them carefully, she frowned—no such luck.
At least she didn’t think so. Her normally critical eye and sharp instincts eluded her. The only thing she seemed to be able to fully focus on was that kiss. Jack Preston had kissed her. Not a Kyle’s kid sister peck on the cheek. A real, honest-to-goodness, toe curling, mouth on mouth kiss, and no matter how she tried to dive in to work the last few days, her mind kept revisiting the surreal moment.
Her lips still remembered the feel of his. She found herself resting her fingertips on her lips, the feel of his touch still lingered. If she closed her eyes, she could relive the moment over and over. And how stupid would that look? Wouldn’t she have a fun time explaining that to her family if any had walked in on her and noticed? Pleading the fifth wouldn’t cut it. Maybe she could claim she was coming down with something. Heaven knows, a fever would certainly be a more acceptable explanation for her behavior than confessing that the mere thought of Jack made her feel warm over.
Of course that left her with a new conundrum. Why hadn’t he called her? Was he embarrassed? Did he regret kissing her? She really hoped it wasn’t the latter, because she most definitely wanted him to do it again. Maybe she should call him? After all, this was the age of equality. A girl could call a boy. Except she didn’t have a clue what to say; Can we roll around on the grass and kiss some more didn’t seem quite right—though true.
“Those photos are lovely.” Grams stood in Siobhan’s doorway.
