Moonlight Cove (18 page)

She seemed stunned that he’d remembered that. He grinned at her reaction.

“There’s not a lot that you did or said that I can’t remember,” he told her.

“How was I so oblivious to your feelings for all those years?” she asked, shaking her head. “I must have been so careless with you. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I wasn’t about to say anything about how I felt back then. I knew you had a lot of things to do, and even more things to figure out, before you’d be ready for me. I was just terrified all that thinking and doing would happen while I was off getting my own degrees.”

“Then I guess it’s a good thing I took my time growing up,” she said, a smile playing on her lips. She looked
up from her soup and captured his gaze. “I have it all together now, Will. At least I think I do.”

“Meaning what?”

She kept her gaze steady. “I want you to make love to me tonight,” she said softly. “It’s not just about the sex and getting it out of the way. I want to take this next step. I think we need to. I mean, it would be crazy if we fell in love and then found out we were totally incompatible in bed, right?”

Will laughed. “So this would be a purely practical test?”

“Something like that.” She kept her gaze on his. “Please.”

Will had about a thousand reservations, but he also had the same driving need to hold her in his arms that he’d lived with for years. He didn’t think he could deny it yet again, not with her looking at him the way she was.

“You’re sure, Jess? Really sure? I don’t want this to be nothing more than an experiment to you.”

“It won’t be,” she assured him, her expression solemn. “And I am a hundred percent sure.”

“You do know that after this, there is no way in hell I will ever let you go,” he warned.

“I kind of figured that,” she said, looking surprisingly content with that.

He reached across the table and touched a finger to her lips. “I’m not kidding, Jess. This is it for me. There won’t be any turning back. I’ll still give you all the time you need, but you will be mine.”

For just an instant, she looked a little shaken by the vehemence of his claim, but then she sighed. “Okay, then.” She held out her hand. “I’m ready. More than
ready, in fact. Lately this is all I’ve been able to think about, you and me together. What it would be like.”

Will ignored her hand. He stood slowly and scooped her into his arms, then headed for his room, grateful that he’d had the foresight to straighten the bed and toss his dirty clothes into the closet earlier. He’d left a low light glowing on his dresser.

Jess curled against his chest as if they’d done this a thousand times. He felt her smile against the curve of his neck when she saw the king-size bed.

“I should have known,” she murmured.

“I was planning ahead,” he told her. “But just so you know, this bed is awfully big and lonely when there’s no one to share it.”

Tonight, though, he intended to make use of every square inch of it.

On some level Jess had known when she came over to Will’s tonight that there was a chance they would wind up here, in his bed. Of course, he’d been so adamantly opposed to it in the past she hadn’t been certain she could persuade him it was time. The man had an astonishing ability to resist temptation.

He stripped back the covers, settled her gently onto soft-as-silk cream-colored sheets, then lowered himself beside her, his face level with hers. His fingers skimmed her cheek as he moved a wayward curl off her face.

“Have I mentioned how beautiful you are?” he asked, a breathless quality to his voice.

She smiled. “Actually you haven’t.”

“Then let me rectify that at once,” he said with a grin. “You have the most amazingly expressive face, eyes as
blue as the bay on a summer day, and hair that’s been lit by the sun.”

“Not bad for a guy who writes terrible poetry,” she murmured.

He blinked at that. “Poetry?”

“It came with the flowers.”

He laughed. “Ah, the sappy, romantic poem Bree insisted was necessary. She messed it up, huh? Some writer she is.”

“She tried, but believe me, this was proof positive she should concentrate on writing plays. She is no Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Still, it was sweet that you let her try.”

“Anything to put a smile on your face.”

A tremor washed through her, along with a hunger that was startling in its intensity. “Um, Will, are we going to get on with this anytime soon? I’m getting a little anxious here.”

He laughed. “I was taking my time, wooing you.”

“I don’t need wooing right now,” she assured him. “I need your lips on mine, your body.”

She sighed with pleasure as he covered her mouth with his, then slipped a hand under her shirt to find her breasts and tease the nipples into sensitive little buds.

“Better,” she murmured against his lips, then moaned as his hands went roving over hips and thighs before sliding down the zipper of her jeans and dipping inside. “Oh, sweet heaven!”

He took such care of her, amazingly attentive care, making her body hum like the strings of a well-loved guitar.

“I had no idea,” she whispered against his neck, bucking as he finally touched the most intimate core of her,
his fingers wickedly talented. It might be true that she wasn’t a virgin, but she’d never been treated with such tenderness.

She started to reach for him, but he held her hands away from him. “This is all about you,” he told her, continuing to find ways to pleasure her until she gasped and lost control, clinging to his shoulders as she rode out the remarkable sensations.

He was smiling when she finally caught her breath and opened her eyes.

“Now let’s see what happens when we take this ride together,” he teased, pulling his sweater over his head and leaving it to her to loosen his belt and slowly lower the zipper of his pants.

He kicked off his shoes and then his pants, then gently pulled her under him. His eyes held hers as he entered her, taking her someplace she’d never gone before with someone she’d never dreamed capable of magic.

It was yet one more thing about which Will had been right, one more instance in which he’d known her better than she knew herself. This night had made her his.

Morning came much too early for Will. If he’d had his way, he wouldn’t have left this bed for a week, maybe a month, though given the near-empty state of his bachelor refrigerator, he doubted either he or Jess would have lasted that long.

He rolled over and contented himself with studying the woman next to him. She slept on her back with her arms thrown wide, the covers down to her waist. Resisting the desire to touch her, to awaken her and take her yet again with sunlight just starting to spill into the bedroom, was tougher than anything he’d ever done.

Instead, though, he dropped a light kiss on her brow, then slipped out of bed and took a shower. He’d dressed and started a pot of decaf in the kitchen before he heard her stirring.

He poured them each a cup, then carried them into the bedroom.

“I wondered where you’d gone,” she said sleepily, then spotted the cups. “Is that coffee?” She wiggled her fingers. “Gimme, please.”

Will laughed. “Nice to know where your morning priorities are. I made decaf especially for you, but if you want breakfast, I’m afraid we’ll have to go to Sally’s.”

Jess studied him over the rim of her cup. “Why did that sound like some kind of challenge?”

Will shrugged. “It probably was. I guess I’m wondering how much you’re willing to let people figure out about us. Are you ready to stir up all that speculation?”

She frowned at him. “You say that as if it’s some kind of flaw to worry about it. Are you really prepared to face all the gossip?”

“It won’t bother me,” he insisted.

“But what do we tell people?”

“I don’t think we have to tell them anything,” he said. “They’ll draw their own conclusions from seeing us together. We don’t have to confirm or deny.”

“I guess it’s not really everyone else I’m worried about,” she confessed, looking thoughtful. “It’s my family, plus Jake and Mack. None of them know how to keep their opinions to themselves, and they’ve already been pretty vocal with their doubts about the two of us as a couple. At least some of them have been.”

“So, you don’t want to go to Sally’s,” he concluded,
trying to keep his expression blank, even as his heart took a dive. “Fine. It’s up to you.”

Jess reached for his hand. “Please don’t look like that. I’m not ashamed of what happened here last night. I hope it’s the start of something, Will, I really do. But until we’re sure, maybe it would be best…”

“To keep it a secret,” he said. “I get it.”

And he did. That didn’t mean it didn’t hurt like hell, though.

W
ill didn’t know why he’d been so surprised by Jess’s reticence to go with him to Sally’s. Even though she’d initiated what had happened between them the night before, it was evident that she still had serious reservations about them as a couple. He probably should have slept on the stupid sofa, after all. He didn’t want just one incredible night with her in his bed. He wanted a whole future. He’d made that clear enough, and still she’d taken off.

“You look grim,” Connor said when he settled into a booth opposite Will at Sally’s. “Problems?”

“Nothing I want to talk about,” Will said. Of all the people in town who might turn up here this morning, why did it have to be Jess’s brother? No way was he discussing this with Connor.

Connor leveled a knowing look at him. “What’s my sister done now?”

“Who said this has anything to do with Jess?” Will replied testily.

“According to Gram, Jess was headed to your place last night to surprise you with a meal. Since I tried to
call her at home off and on all evening to see if she’d gotten home okay, and never got an answer, I’m guessing she stayed with you.”

Will groaned. “Is nothing a secret in this town?” No wonder Jess hadn’t wanted to show up here with him this morning and give the town more fodder to chew on.

Connor laughed at his apparent frustration. “Not in my family, that’s for sure.” His expression turned sympathetic. “You two have a fight?”

“No.”

“Don’t tell me last night was a disaster,” Connor said, looking shaken. “You know…”

“I know,” Will said, then added indignantly, “and it wasn’t a disaster. Far from it. And that is absolutely the last thing I will ever say about that.”

“Fair enough,” Connor agreed. “I’m not all that anxious to be privy to my sister’s sex life, to tell you the truth.”

“Then why the devil would you ask?”

Connor shrugged. “Felt I had to. So, if everything was okay in that department, why do you look as if you’ve lost your best friend?”

“I can’t control how I look or your interpretation of it,” Will said, losing patience with the whole uncomfortable conversation. “Can we please drop this?”

The plea obviously fell on deaf ears.

“Let me guess,” Connor began. “The two of you spent the night together, and Jess bailed on you first thing this morning.”

Will avoided his gaze. “I really do not want to discuss this with you, Connor. How many ways do I have to say that before you get it?”

“Who better to talk to?” Connor said, not the least bit put off. “Nobody understands Jess the way I do. That’s her pattern, pal. She dips a toe in the pool, then scampers away before she risks drowning.”

“Nice metaphor,” Will said. He’d pretty much figured out the same thing. “Any thoughts on what I should do to fix this?”

“Be patient with her. Keep coming at her. Let her know you’re not going anywhere. You’ll have to keep doing that till she believes you. Given her history, she’s going to be a tough sell.”

Will nodded. “Yeah, leaving seems to be a real theme with her. And, to be honest, I get exactly where it’s coming from. I’m just not sure there’s enough time or patience to convince her I’m not going to abandon her.”

“I hope you’re wrong about that,” Connor said. “I want Jess to be happy. You’re my friend. I want you to be happy, too. I’ll admit I was skeptical when I first figured out you were interested in her in that way, but I figure if anybody can work with Jess’s issues, it would be you. You have all sorts of insights most of us poor mortal males can’t begin to figure out.”

“Only if she’ll let me in,” Will said, allowing his discouragement to show. “I don’t know, Connor. Maybe I’m out of my depth here, after all.”

Connor frowned at him. “If you’re willing to give up after one night—”

“It’s not one night. I’ve been in love with her for years.”

“But you’ve only taken her to bed for the first time last night, unless I miss my guess. Come on. You have to know this is just starting. It’ll only end if you walk away.”

Will sighed. “And if I do that, I’ll only be proving her point,” he concluded.

“Looks that way to me,” Connor said. “Send her flowers.”

“Did that.” And it had bought him a night with Jess in his bed. He supposed there was a message there. “But I get what you’re saying.”

“Then you’re still in?”

Will grinned, resigned. “Of course. Your job here is done.”

Connor chuckled. “What kind of fee do you usually charge for this advice? Should I send you a bill?”

“I’ll buy your breakfast,” Will said. “If the advice pays off, maybe there will be champagne down the road.”

Connor nodded. “I can live with that.”

After he’d gone, Will glanced at his watch. He had less than an hour before his first patient of the day. That was just enough time to run down to Ethel’s Emporium. Most women, under these circumstances, could be wooed with fancy chocolates. He happened to know that Jess’s sweet tooth could be satisfied with old-fashioned penny candy, the kind she’d been denied as a kid for fear it would contribute to her hyperactivity. As a result, she’d craved it even more, sneaking off to Ethel’s the second she received her allowance.

He picked out a colorful metal sand pail, had Ethel fill it with a variety of the candy, dress it up with a big bow, then asked her if she could have it delivered to the inn. Ethel’s brows shot up.

“You and Jess?”

Will nodded. “Me and Jess,” he confirmed.

“Well, I’ll be.”

“Keep that to yourself, okay?”

She frowned at the request. “Best gossip I’ve had in weeks, and you want me to keep quiet about it?”

“I do.”

“Well, seeing that it’s you, I’ll do it,” she finally conceded. “You want to send a note with this?”

Will took out his card and scribbled on the back of it: “No crummy poem this time, just love.”

Of course Ethel read it. She laughed. “That’ll do.”

“I’m so glad you approve,” he said wryly.

“Somebody has to give you their blessing. I’m guessing there will be plenty of doubters.”

Will sighed. There certainly were, including the woman in question.

Jess sat in the inn’s kitchen, a mug of decaf in front of her along with a cheese danish she’d managed to reduce to a mound of crumbs. She was still annoyed with herself for letting Will down earlier. She’d almost chased after him and shown up at Sally’s, but at the last minute she’d spotted Connor’s car parked on the street right outside and chickened out. She’d been stewing over her cowardice ever since.

Gail walked in, shrugged off her winter coat and hung it on a peg, then caught sight of Jess. Her gaze narrowed.

“Don’t you look chipper,” she commented. “What’s wrong?”

“Not a thing,” Jess claimed.

Gail poured herself a cup of decaf, then grimaced when she took a sip. “If you’re going to make coffee in my kitchen, could you try not to ruin it? What if a guest got a taste of this?”

“There are no guests up and about yet,” Jess said. She waved toward the much larger espresso machine they used for the guests. “Your toy is untouched. Feel free to work your magic. And, by the way, if you hate my coffee so much, you don’t have to drink it.”

“I’m caffeine-deprived. I took a chance you’d slipped up and made the real thing,” Gail said.

Though she began bustling around the kitchen in preparation for pulling together the breakfast menu, she kept casting sideways glances in Jess’s direction. Eventually, with the espresso machine filled and sending out a tantalizing aroma, a mountain of eggs at the ready beside the stove, and bacon and sausage on the grill, she fixed herself a second cup of coffee and sat down across from Jess.

“Okay, I’m about to get slammed with breakfast orders, so make it quick,” Gail said. “What happened between you and Will last night to put that glum expression on your face? Did he send you back into the night without giving you what you went over there for?”

Jess scowled at her. “You have such a charming way with words.”

“I like to cut to the heart of things. It’s one of the qualities you appreciate in me,” Gail said, a grin tugging at her lips.

“This morning, not so much,” Jess declared.

“You’re wasting time, sweet pea. The bacon’s sizzling. I need to get back over there and give it my full attention. Talk.”

“Okay, here it is in a nutshell. Last night was great. This morning I blew it.”

“How so?”

“I wouldn’t go with him to Sally’s.”

Gail chuckled. “Who could blame you?”

“I’m fairly certain Will does. He looked so disappointed in me, Gail. I felt awful. I practically told him I was too ashamed of our relationship to let anyone find out about it. And do you know what’s worse? I drove over there, thinking I should just march right in there and make things right with him, but I got scared off because I spotted my brother’s car.”

This time Gail didn’t laugh or even smile. “I have to ask this,” she said solemnly. “Are you really that worried about what people, or more specifically your family, will think? Or is this just what you do? You start to get involved, get scared when the emotions are too much, and then dream up any excuse you can to run? Or to invite the other person to dump you?”

Jess hated the characterization, but she had to admit that Gail might be exactly right. Was that what she’d done this morning? Had she intentionally avoided Sally’s, knowing it would hurt Will’s feelings and, therefore, practically dare him to give up on her?

She moaned and buried her face in her arms. “I am such a mess when it comes to this kind of thing,” she muttered. “You’d think I was fifteen, not thirty. It’s pathetic.”

“It kind of is,” Gail agreed, though her tone was gentle. “Maybe it’s time you started thinking seriously about making a change.”

“Ironically, the person best qualified to tell me how to do that is Will,” Jess said. “Wouldn’t that be the icing on the cake? Um, hey, Will, could you help me find a way to stop screwing up my life?”

Gail didn’t laugh. “I know you’re joking, but maybe that’s not such a terrible idea.”

Jess frowned. “I am not going to Will for counseling.
Wouldn’t that make it unethical for him to date me? It would sort of defeat the purpose, don’t you think?”

“Interesting that losing Will as a date is the first thing that occurred to you,” Gail noted. “But you need to do something before you keep making the same mistake over and over.”

“I know you’re right,” Jess conceded miserably. “I really do.”

Just then Ronnie stuck his head into the kitchen. “Is the girl talk over? There are people in the dining room wanting breakfast.”

Gail looked at Jess. “You going to be okay?”

“Of course,” she said, injecting a cheery note into her voice. “I’m going to be just fine.”

Apparently relieved by their responses, Ronnie stepped inside. “This came a few minutes ago. Maybe it will cheer you up,” he said, pulling a sand pail with a mountain of penny candy in it from behind his back. He handed it to Jess.

She started smiling even before she looked at the card. Only one person could have found such a perfect gift for her.

“Will?” Gail guessed.

Jess nodded, then laughed when she read the card.

“Seems like you didn’t blow it so badly this morning after all,” Gail commented. “Second chances don’t come along every day, sweet pea. Make the most of this one.”

Jess intended to do just that, even if she had to scramble out of her comfort zone to pull it off.

Thomas had managed to get through an entire twenty-four hours without speaking to Connie, but he had to
admit he hadn’t liked it. He’d turned it into some kind of test for himself, to see if maybe his feelings for her would cool down with even a tiny bit of distance between them. It had been an exercise in futility. She’d stayed front and center in his thoughts anyway.

He couldn’t pinpoint why she got to him the way she did. She was nothing like either of his wives. She was a strong, independent single mom, who was far from the sophisticated kind of women he’d been involved with in the past.

Even though he’d never had kids of his own, he’d been a close observer of the families of both of his brothers. Jeff seemed to have the whole parenting thing down to a calm, easygoing science. Mick’s children had been put through the wringer, but thanks in some measure to their grandmother, they’d grown into fine young people.

Bottom line, Thomas knew the kind of work it took to be a rock-solid parent, even if he’d never experienced it himself. He admired Connie’s dedication to raising her daughter on her own. Of course, she’d had Jake around to pitch in, but no question, she was the one responsible for the fine young woman Jenny had become.

Connie was a nurturer. Her home was a testament to that. It was the house in which she’d been raised, filled with the warm touches that made it a home. She’d probably never ordered takeout in her life, at least not beyond pizza. He even wondered about that since it had taken her a while the other day to come up with the phone number for the pizza shop in Chesapeake Shores. Thomas had the closest one to his place on speed dial.

“I hate to interrupt the daydreaming,” his secretary said when she stepped into his office. “Your brother’s
here. Should I send him in? You have a half hour before your next appointment.”

“Mick’s here?” he asked, surprised.

“He said he had something important to discuss with you.”

“Then send him in,” Thomas said, leaning back in his chair. Mick had only paid one other visit to his office, when he’d been looking for advice about Megan. That had been startling enough. Thomas could hardly wait to hear what had brought him by today.

Mick came in with a scowl etched into the deep lines on his face. Thomas sat up straighter.

“Is there a problem?” he asked at once. “Is anything wrong with Ma?”

Mick waved off the question. “Ma’s fine, though I think she’s intent on driving me to drink. She keeps making comments about looking for gentlemen callers.”

Thomas blinked. “Ma wants to start dating?”

“So she says,” Mick reported. “Frankly, I think she does it just to make my blood pressure rise.”