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Jack had been annoyed with himself when he realized he was heading home on the weekends just to see her and he’d made an effort to stay away, knowing she was still too young for him. Not in terms of years—- she was only five years his junior—but in terms of where they were in life. She was still getting her education while he was out on his own, taking trips to Europe for his job as V.P. of Global Properties for the family resort business.
He’d succeeded in putting distance between them right up until her junior year when she’d pitched in to handle the p.r. for a charity golf tournament at one of his father’s resorts when the promotions director had been sick. He’d been drafted by the family to help her since he’d been in town. And seeing her in that light—professional and capable—had forced him to stop seeing her as a kid. Still, he wouldn’t have acted on the attraction if she hadn’t come to him out on the golf course when he’d been picking up the flag sticks that night with his brother Ryan.
Ryan had read the signals and left them alone, but not before daring Jack to make a move on her.
Alicia had him out-maneuvered even then, making a no-holds-barred play for him on the 9thhole. And she’d been as assertive on a personal level as she’d always been on the playing field. But he had gotten lost in thought remembering their shared past, forgetting she was still waiting for an answer to her question.
“The party was--” He shrugged. “I don’t know. Food was good.” He pulled a six pack of drinks from the bag and a few snacks, refocusing on the here and now. “But it can’t compare to grape soda and chocolate Pop-Tarts.”
“Perfect.” She snagged the box from him and opened it while he retrieved a glass and poured her drink over ice.
Then, he filled a second glass for himself.
“So… cheers to our northern voyage?” He kept her glass hostage while she thought about it.
“You’re impossible.” She chewed her pastry and narrowed her gaze. “You know I can’t eat this without something to wash it down.”
“Guess you’d better hurry up and see we’re going to make this trip together.”
Still, she left him hanging.
“We ought to sketch out some ground rules,” she said finally, setting her snack back on the foil package.
“You think that’s necessary?” He didn’t like the sound of “rules” when it came to her. He’d imposed a list as long as his arm where she was concerned in the past and look how that had turned out. “This isn’t some bogus game my brother dreamt up on the spot.”
“First,” she held up a finger “no kissing. We already agreed on that one.”
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. She was going with him, right? He’d have to find more imaginative ways to make her remember how good they could be together.
He nodded.
“Second.” Her middle finger joined the pointer. “Separate beds.”
“What kind of guy do you think I am?”
“It doesn’t hurt to spell out our expectations.”
“You’re just scared you’ll jump me again if we end up between the sheets.” Begrudgingly, he handed her the soda, hoping the list was almost done. “I’m afraid to hear the rest of the rules.”
“There’s just one more.” She set the drink on the table between them. “I really debated on this last item. Should rule number three be that I insist you wear a shirt all the time?”
He couldn’t have held back his grin if his life depended on it. He’d definitely spend this trip half dressed.
“What’s the alternative?”
“That you occasionally let me steer the ship.” Folding her arms, she put them on the table. For all intents and purposes it looked like she was staring him down.
“I already told you I’m glad to have another hand on board.” He knew she couldn’t read all the controls on the helm, but she’d been on enough boats to spot him if he wanted a rest.
“You have a hard time giving up control,” she reminded him. Absently, she spun the grape soda on the table, almost as if to remind him she could walk away from this deal at any moment. “I’d like some assurance that I can weigh in on the captain’s decisions.”
“You want to second guess me.”
“They’re good rules, Jack.” She picked up her glass and tipped it in his direction. “What do you say?”
“I say cheers.” He clinked his drink to hers before she could change her mind. “Bon voyage.”
Taking a sip, she eyed him warily over the rim.
