Tempted by Love: Jack Jock Steele (The Steeles at Silver Island Book 1)

by Melissa Foster

  “Aw, Daph. I hate that.” He reached over and touched her hand. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay. It made me stronger. Once I figured out what was causing those reactions, I took steps to learn how to take the power away from them so they didn’t impact me so strongly. I have some ideas that might help if you really want to try to deal with your triggers, but I’m not sure if they’ll work.”

  “I’ll try anything. I’d stand on my head and spit wooden nickels if it would help me figure this out.”

  “I’m not sure that would help,” she teased to lighten the mood. “But I have a few thoughts. Now that I know what causes your anxiety, I can intervene in a gentler way and try to dissuade Hadley from clinging to you from the get-go. I can teach her how to be more like she was tonight.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t want to do anything that will make her feel like she’s not wanted or she’s doing something wrong, because she’s not.”

  “Neither do I. I just meant that tonight she seemed happy that you touched her head and walked with us, and I can try to build on that. I think she clings to you because she’s afraid you’re going to run away.”

  “Smart girl.” He stroked Hadley’s back, and Daphne’s heart squeezed at his effort. “I appreciate that you’re willing to try to work with Hadley, but instead of trying to alter her behavior, let’s try to change mine. This is my issue, not hers.”

  “Okay, well, I do have one idea. When Hadley was a baby, I used the Ferber method to get her to sleep through the night. I basically taught her to self-soothe by letting her cry for a little longer in between the times I’d go in and comfort her.”

  “Levi did that with Joey. He said it was hell.”

  “Oh, it is. It was excruciating listening to her cry. But I think the idea of easing into something you’re not comfortable with could work for you.”

  “Small doses of leg clinging?” he asked with a smile.

  She liked his smile even more now that she knew his past. It was less mysterious and more vulnerable, which endeared him to her.

  “Something like that,” she said. “You got through tonight by just putting your hand on her head and accepting her shells. That’s what she wants, to connect with you on some level. I’m just suggesting more of the same, little alterations in your reactions. Taking a few seconds to breathe deeply and think about not walking away, but how to work around what she wants by doing something you can handle. If you think it’s doable.”

  “I cried in front of you tonight,” he said. “I don’t know what kind of spell you cast on me, but I think it’s safe to say there’s nothing I won’t try to do for you and Hadley.”

  He couldn’t possibly know how much his words meant to her. She wasn’t sure how to react to such a declaration, so she went for humor to lighten the mood. “I slipped a witch’s brew into your dinner last night.”

  “That’s not all you slipped into me. I’m pretty sure you had Viagra on your tongue when we were kissing.”

  She felt her cheeks flame. “You’re not allowed to make me blush tonight, remember?”

  “I’ve never been good at sticking to the rules.” He brushed his fingers over her hand, sending tingles skittering through her.

  She rubbed Hadley’s back, futilely trying to stifle a grin. She wanted to talk longer, to get knee-deep in sexy banter, to feel the butterflies he stirred all night long. But it was getting late, and she needed time to think about everything he’d shared, so she said, “I should probably get Hadley to bed.”

  “Right, of course. Thank you for giving me the chance to talk with you tonight.” He helped her to her feet and began gathering their things.

  As they walked up the beach, he kept one hand on her lower back. She liked that he wasn’t keeping his distance or acting awkward. Hadley was sleeping, but still it meant he was making an effort.

  When they turned up the path, he said, “So, how do we do this?”

  “Good question. Baby steps, I think.” She knew all about baby steps. She’d taken enough of them during her separation and divorce to appreciate how much effort they took. But something else was nagging at her. “Jock, you lost a child. Are you sure you want to do this? There are plenty of women out there without children who I’m sure would give their eyeteeth to go out with you.”

  “Seriously? After everything I just said, you think I want to find someone else?”

  “I’m just being cautious, making sure you know all your options.”

  “Daphne, I’ve had years of options, and not one of them has turned me inside out the way you do. Not one. Do you know that when I went traveling after Harvey died, I tried to forget you? But I could no sooner forget you than I could have walked away from Hadley tonight. I want to do this more than you could ever know. I told you I want a full life, and I meant it. I want a family of my own one day—three, four kids. I want to hold my friends’ babies and children and be fun Uncle Jock, the guy who will get down on the floor and play with them, or toss a football, or have a freaking tea party. I would not be walking beside you if I didn’t want all of those things.”

  Her heart beat faster. “Okay. I just wanted to make sure. Then you need to know that you can talk to me about Kayla, Liam, or Archer anytime. They’re all a part of you, and I don’t want you to feel like this was a one-time conversation.”

  “I appreciate that.” He pulled her a little closer as they walked up the dune. “Now, how about we talk about those baby steps?”

  “I was thinking, we’re going down to the beach tomorrow. If you want to try to spend some time around Hadley, you’re welcome to join us, or even just come by and say hi. Ease into it, like you did tonight. Or not. No pressure. Whatever you want.”

  “You make me want a lot of things, Daphne.”

  “Stop,” she said, bumping against his side.

  “I wasn’t trying to make you blush. That was just an added benefit.”

  Boy, she really liked him. When they reached the top of the path, he moved her flip-flops so she could slip her feet into them, and he carried Hadley’s boots. Like the apology gifts, and the beach toys, those small, thoughtful things were the ones that proved what Tegan had said about him. Beneath the pain and the triggers was a man worth being patient for.

  He dropped the towel on his patio and as they headed for the office, he said, “Will you be wearing a bikini to the beach?”

  “No. Will you be wearing a Speedo?”

  “If you’ll wear a bikini, I’ll wear a thong.”

  She laughed. “There will be no thongs around my little girl, thank you very much.”

  As they climbed the porch steps, he said, “Please tell me the door is locked.”

  “It is.” She shifted Hadley and pulled the keys out of her pocket.

  He took them from her and unlocked the door. As he followed her through the office and up the interior steps with that protective hand still warming her back again, he said, “Why won’t you wear a bikini?”

  “Because I’m not Kendall Jenner.”

  “Thank God for small favors. You’ve got a better body than she ever will.”

  “Not according to my ex,” she said as Jock opened her apartment door.

  He set the beach toys in the foyer, remaining on the landing with her. She hoped they could sneak a good-night kiss without waking Hadley.

  “We’ve already established that your ex is an idiot.” He put a hand on her hip, squeezing just enough to send even more awareness gusting through her, and said, “If you wear a bikini, I’ll come to the beach tomorrow.”

  “Jock, trust me, that’s not something you want to see.”

  He gazed into her eyes with a hunger that made her breath catch. “Babe, believe me when I say you are gorgeous, and I would very much like to see more of you.”

  “I don’t even own a bikini,” she confessed.

  “That’s a damn shame and something we definitely need to rectify. But you in a bathing suit is enough to get me to go anywhere.” He
ran his hand down Hadley’s back and said, “That and trying to make things right for this little one, of course.”

  The sincerity in his voice was everything. Neither one said a word as they gazed at each other, the air between them pulsing with heat. Daphne was getting more nervous by the second, and Jock looked like he was, too. His brows knitted, and he took her hand and placed her keys in it, but he didn’t let it go.

  “I want to kiss you good night. Is that inappropriate if you’re holding your daughter and she’s sleeping?”

  “Just don’t wake her,” she said breathlessly, leaning forward to meet him in a long, slow kiss that turned her tingles to full-on fireworks.

  When their lips parted, he stayed close, brushing his lips over hers, light as a feather, and said, “See you tomorrow.” He took a step away and stopped. “You have to lock the office door. You need a better system.”

  “Shoot. I’ll get it after I put her down. You can go.”

  “No. I’ll wait here while you put her to bed. Is this the only door to your apartment? I saw stairs out back.”

  “Those lead to my bedroom balcony,” she said quietly. “There’s an entry door there, too, but the steps are so steep for Hadley. Although I could use it when she’s sleeping, I guess. Oh well. Let me put her down. I’ll be right back.” She hurried inside and put Hadley to bed. Her body was still humming as they made their way down the steps. All she could think about was another kiss.

  When they reached the office door, he drew her into his arms and said, “Put me out of my misery and tell me who that guy was in your apartment earlier tonight.”

  It felt like it had been days since he’d shown up at her door. She loved the flare of jealousy in his eyes. He’d kept it under wraps well. “That was my brother, Sean.”

  “Thank Christ. I know we’re not an item, and I have a long way to go before we can be, but for the first time in my life I was jealous, and I didn’t like the way it felt.”

  She giggled, and then he lowered his lips to hers, turning her giggles into white-hot desire.

  “Maybe you don’t need a better system after all. Saying good night to you twice has its benefits.” He touched his lips to hers in a tender kiss and said, “I’d better go before I get us both in trouble.”

  As she locked the door behind him, she knew it was too late. They were already in trouble.

  Chapter Ten

  THE SOUNDS OF children playing hung in the air. The salty bay breeze brought summery scents of sunscreen and happiness. Sandpipers danced along the water’s edge, and herring gulls slowly floated down to scavenge near the rocks. Hadley was playing with a castle they’d built in the sand. She pushed to her feet in her favorite pink bathing suit with a glittery fish on her belly and CUTEST CATCH written in yellow above it.

  “Dock!” Hadley hollered, and took off running down the beach.

  Daphne went after her, spotting Jock heading their way. Her daughter definitely had a built-in Jock Steele homing device. Daphne lifted Hadley into her arms and twirled her around, turning her aversion tactic into a game as she whispered, “Shh, let’s surprise him.”

  Hadley nodded, mimicking in her whisper, “Supwise.”

  Daphne had been a nervous wreck all morning, anxious to see if Jock would show up and about finally wearing the new black bathing suit Tegan and Chloe had convinced her to buy several weeks ago. It was racier than what she was used to, but her friends had said the high-cut bottom flattered her full hips and set off the dip of her waist, and the lace-up bodice showed just enough skin to draw the eye. That laced-up area started at her belly button. She had shorts on, but she still felt overly exposed, and despite what Jock had said, she worried that in the flesh, he might not find her size fourteen/sixteen, dimply, stretch-marked body beautiful.

  He was heading their way wearing only black bathing trunks. A towel was draped casually over one shoulder and a backpack hung from his hand. Daphne’s breath caught, as it had last night. He was beautiful, which might be a funny way to describe such a big, manly guy, but it fit him perfectly. He was the perfect mix of rugged and refined, and as he strode toward Daphne, he drew the eyes of nearly every woman on the beach. But his eyes were locked on her, and that made her feel good all over.

  A sexy smile lifted his lips. His gaze shifted to Hadley, and Daphne saw the slightest twitch in his jaw, making his smile a little rigid.

  “Supwise!” Hadley threw her arms up, startling Daphne, but she was quick to react.

  “Yay! Surprise, Jock. We’re at the beach, too,” Daphne said, hoping Jock would catch on and not think she’d lost her mind.

  “Today is my lucky day. I get to spend time with the most adorable girl on the beach and her gorgeous mama.” He leaned in and kissed Daphne’s cheek, whispering, “Thank you for intercepting her, but I am prepared to try.”

  Daphne’s heart fluttered at the determination in his voice.

  He tickled Hadley’s belly—Tickled. Hadley’s. Belly!—earning joyous giggles, and said, “Cutest catch is right.”

  “Down!” Hadley wriggled out of Daphne’s arms and grabbed Jock’s fingers, pulling him toward their blanket. “See my castle?”

  Daphne’s first instinct was to try to save him from that connection, but he wanted to try, so she bit her tongue, hoping for the best.

  “You coming?” he asked as he shouldered his backpack, allowing Hadley to lead him by the fingers down the beach.

  I guess we’re really doing this.

  She caught up to them and watched with awe as Jock stood with his hands on his hips, listening to Hadley jabber about her castle being pointy and having rooms for her bird and her owl, which were not allowed on the beach because it was too sandy. Daphne noticed that Jock kept a little distance between them, his legs planted firmly in the sand. Hadley toddled over to him and he crossed his arms, his muscles flexing. He was making a valiant effort. If Daphne hadn’t been looking for hints of discomfort, she probably wouldn’t have noticed those things.

  “You make a castle?” Hadley looked hopefully up at him.

  “Sure,” he said evenly.

  Her fearless daughter picked up a bucket and ran toward the water. Daphne ran after her, but Jock was two steps ahead. He circled in front of Hadley and crouched in about eight inches of water, putting his hands up in front of him, fingers splayed, and said, “That’s far enough.”

  Daphne didn’t know if she should laugh or swoon. He might as well have said, I’m not going to touch you, but I’m not going to let you drown, either. He looked vulnerable and protective of her little girl. That protective instinct told her more than words ever could.

  Hadley crouched in front of Jock, filling her bucket with water. Jock’s unsure gaze moved to Daphne. His brows rose and a small shrug lifted his shoulders, and she knew she’d made the right decision by inviting him to join them.

  They built sandcastles, and Hadley decorated them with shells. When Jock’s cell phone rang in his backpack, he paced a few feet from them as he took the call. Hadley watched him like a hawk, serious faced, as if she were making sure he wasn’t going to leave. Jock looked as serious as she did. His eyes were trained on the sand as he wore a path in it. When he ended the call, he sat on the edge of the blanket, staring out at the water.

  Daphne sat next to him and said, “Is everything okay?”

  “Yeah. That was my sister, Jules. My grandmother’s birthday is coming up, and she’s been badgering me to go to her party.”

  “And you don’t want to?”

  He glanced at Hadley, pushing a plastic boat in the sand and making motor noises, and his lips curved up. He put his hand over Daphne’s and said, “Things with me and Archer aren’t good.”

  “Well, maybe you should make an effort there, too,” she said carefully.

  “Maybe one day I will.” He ran his hand up her arm and said, “Why don’t you take those shorts off?”

  Tim had always encouraged her to wear shorts over her bathing suit, but she didn’t wa
nt to tell Jock that. “I’m okay.”

  “Okay is not happy or comfortable. You’re gorgeous, Daph.” He glanced at Hadley, who was still preoccupied, and then he kissed Daphne’s shoulder and continued pressing tantalizing kisses along her neck, sending shivers of heat through her, and whispered, “Let me see more of you.”

  Her nipples pebbled, and she felt a tug low in her belly. He must have noticed, because his eyes turned dark as night, and he said, “Come on, babe. Take a baby step for me.”

  How could she say no given his efforts with Hadley? She stood up and shimmied out of her shorts. She was rewarded with the most lascivious look she’d ever seen.

  “Hot, Mama?” Hadley asked.

  “She sure is,” Jock said with a smirk.

  Now she was blushing all over. She grabbed the sunscreen to distract herself, and as she put it on, she said, “Happy?”

  “Very,” he said, his gaze moving languidly from her face all the way down to her toes, making her body sizzle and burn.

  She thought the sun was hot, but one of his spine-tingling leers was hotter than a thousand suns. How was she going to make it however long he stayed?

  The morning passed with sandcastles and gathering shells, with laughter and a few tears from Hadley that caused Jock to bristle. But he handled it well, shifting to the edge of the blanket, or getting up and walking off his discomfort. Daphne was surprised that Hadley didn’t cling to him. It was as if her little girl knew she needed to give him some breathing room.