Sammy and Emily might be young, but if they were meant to be together, they should realize it much earlier than it had taken him to realize Nora was there all along.
He flipped theClosedsign on the cabin and made his way to the ice cream parlor.
The only person who saw him jogging there was Mrs. Francis, and Jack was pretty damn sure his secrets … all of them … were safe with the oldest woman in Half Moon Key.
* * *
From the massive window,Jack watched as Nora flipped a page from her novel. She chewed on her lower lip, and he thought he could guess which part of the book she was reading. That wasn’t why he was studying her carefully, though.
He was watching her because she was, without a doubt, the loveliest woman that had ever lived. How he had been able to ignore his attraction was a true testament to the number his family had done on him.
In the ice cream parlor, Nora flipped yet another page while her free hand went to the cash register. She did something without paying much attention, but it was only when the book fell to the ground that she rolled her eyes and bent down to pick up her fallen novel that he made his move.
While she was ducked behind the counter, Jack made his entry into the storefront, intent on surprising her. When Nora stood, she gasped, seeing him. Her eyes closed, and her hands went to her throat, causing the book to fall again.
“Jack!” she cried, blushing deep.
“Nora,” he said in return, quickly walking around the counter to grab the book off the ground. He placed it by the cash register before turning to face her. His hands found her waist, and he stepped closer to her. She tilted her head back to look into his eyes. “How are you?”
“Fine,” she sighed happily. “You?”
“I’m dead tired. I was up all night, completely distracted.”
She giggled. “Oh, I’m sorry about that. Only, I am really not sorry. I had a good time.”
He grinned as he leaned down and kissed her softly. “Good, I’m glad. I had a fun evening too. When can we hang out? Tonight? Now?”
She giggled again, and he would love nothing more to keep her laughing. It was quickly becoming one of his favorite sounds in the world. “What do you want to do again? The dinner date or what came after?”
He laughed softly. “All of it. One doesn’t happen without the other. Do you have plans tonight?”
She nodded. “You know I do,” she answered. “We have the next event for the scavenger hunt this evening.”
His face fell, but only for a moment. “Hey! We’re on the same team. That means that your plans are with me.”
Nora stretched up onto her toes to kiss him. It wasn’t the first time she initiated a touch between them, but it was the first time since those two orgasms he had given her. She was becoming more sure of herself, at least where their relationship was concerned. He loved that. It made him feel like the king of the world.
Or at least the king of Nora’s heart, and that was way better.
“How about we make a whole night out of it,” he suggested. “We can do dinner at my place before we head over to the beach for the scavenger hunt.”
“And after?” she whispered, her eyes alight with all of the carnal pleasures he had awakened in her.
“And after?” he repeated with a low chuckle. “What would you like to do after?”
“I would like to go back to your place again for a repeat of last night.”
“What kind of man would I be if I didn’t comply with your wishes, Nora?” He kissed her, but this time, instead of being a sweet and totally acceptable kiss for an ice cream parlor, it turned hot enough to melt Nora’s wares.
Jack walked them back until they were in the storage room amongst the boxes of cones and napkins. He pressed her against the wall, cupping her ass in his hands, and he lifted her off the ground. As quick a study as ever, Nora wrapped her legs around his waist, lining them up in the best way possible.
“Nora,” he said against her mouth. “I shouldn’t be here. Anyone could just walk in. What would it look like?”
She giggled and moved against him. “I don’t know, Jack. What do you think it would like?”
He joined in with her laughter between sips of her mouth. “It would look like I was taking advantage of one of Half Moon Key’s favorite daughters.”
“Right,” she snorted. “There isn’t a chance in hell that’s true. I’m pretty sure everyone in town knows how I’ve felt about you. They would probably throw us a parade.”