by Lisa Dyson
He cupped her face in his large, warm hand. His touch was as stimulating as anything she’d felt in a long time. Maybe ever. She covered his hand with hers, not wanting him to stop touching her.
She placed her other hand on his muscular thigh, and she felt and heard his moan. She withdrew her hand, but he retrieved it, placing it where it had been.
His mouth trailed from her lips to her cheek to her ear and down the sensitive column of her neck to her collarbone. He cupped her breast through her shirt, his hand warm and stimulating. He rubbed her tightened nipple with his thumb. His mouth replaced his thumb as he took her sensitive nipple between his teeth.
This time she was the one who moaned. She felt his chuckle rumble through her body, and her insides heated to a boil.
“I need to say something,” Jack gasped before his mouth captured hers again.
Between kisses, she managed, “Say whatever you want.” She struggled for breath. “Just please don’t let it be ‘monkey lips.’”
* * *
JACK GRINNED AND RECOVERED his senses. “You said it first.” He kissed her again, more as a punctuation mark to his sentence than a continuation of their scalding make-out session. “I was going to say maybe we should move this somewhere more private.”
Allie pulled back. “Oh.”
Jack immediately backpedaled after her reaction to his suggestion. “Or not.” He stood, reached for her hand and helped her up, too. Then he took Harvey’s leash from her and put his other arm around her waist. “You know how much I want you, but you’re the boss.” As much as he ached for her, he knew in the end he’d only hurt her. He couldn’t give her the future she deserved.
They began walking back to her parents’ house, not saying anything more about what had just happened. By the time they returned, everyone who wasn’t spending the night had left. Allie took Harvey upstairs, and Jack headed to the kitchen, where he heard Allie’s parents talking.
“Can I do anything to help?” he asked when he saw they were cleaning up.
Bart answered, “I think we’re about done. But thanks for all your help setting up this afternoon.”
Eleanor chimed in over her shoulder while drying a platter in front of the sink. “Yes, thank you. It’s nice to have so many young, strong men around to help with the heavy lifting.”
“I enjoyed it,” Jack said. “It’s nice to see all of your family together like this. I don’t have much family nearby.”
Eleanor inquired about his family while she wiped down the counters and then asked, “Can I get you anything? Something to drink? There are leftovers in the fridge.” Bart headed out to the garage with a trash bag.
“No, thanks.” Jack patted his stomach. “I’m stuffed. Everything was delicious. Thanks for including me.”
“I’m glad you could come,” Eleanor said. “You’re welcome here anytime.” When Bart came back inside, Allie’s parents excused themselves to go to bed. Jack hadn’t realized how late it had gotten.
Emily and Scott had disappeared before Jack and Allie came in from their walk, probably getting settled in the room across the hall from Allie’s. Jack had been relegated to the smallest bedroom, the one Allie’s mom used for sewing.
The room was furnished with a daybed, and upon seeing it earlier that day, he’d assumed it wouldn’t be a very comfortable night’s sleep. A twin bed was definitely better than nothing, but he preferred to sleep without his feet hanging off the end. Or, in this case, off the side, since the daybed had a high wicker railing around three sides.
Jack turned off the kitchen light as he left and went up the stairs to his room. The light was on in Allie’s room, and he hesitated at her door. He wanted to say good-night, but would he be able to keep his hands and mouth off her?
Better not chance it. He walked down the hall to his room. He grabbed his shaving kit and took it into the bathroom with him so he could brush his teeth.
By the time he was finished, the light in Allie’s room was off. Was she asleep yet? He pictured her in bed, a slight smile on her face, her hair dark and silky against the cool sheets. What did she wear to bed? He decided she wore nothing at all.
“Keep walking,” he mumbled to himself and headed toward his assigned bedroom.
He’d been right about the bed. He was too tall, or the bed was too short. Maybe both. Eleanor had told him that was where little Sophie slept when she spent the night with them.
Perfect size for a three-year-old princess, not so much for him.
He tossed and turned until he found a comfortable position on his side, in a modified fetal position.
As he was close to drifting off to sleep with thoughts of Allie running through his head, quiet footsteps in the hallway brought him back to consciousness.
The footsteps stopped, and for a time he didn’t hear anything else. Then there was a soft rap on his door.
He got out of bed. Was Allie here to continue what they’d started outside?
He pulled his khaki shorts on and opened the bedroom door.
Allie.
She was sexier in her oversized T-shirt than most women were in provocative lingerie. Even in the dark he could see that her face was scrubbed clean, but her cheeks were pink. She wet her lips with her tongue, and his body jumped to life.
“Hi,” he whispered, trying hard not to look at her long, bare legs showing from beneath the shirt.
She shook her head and put her finger to her lips. Then she took his hand in her smaller, warmer one and pulled him behind her.
“Wait,” he whispered.
She stopped suddenly, and by the light of the nightlight in the hallway, he saw that alarm shone in her face.
He took a step back to the door and closed it quietly so no one would suspect he wasn’t sleeping in his own bed. Understanding dawned, and Allie smiled. An angelic smile—hopefully an anticipatory one, too. He smiled back and held out his hand, all the while knowing he should stop and turn around immediately. She took his hand, leading him down the hall to her bedroom. They entered and she shut the door.
* * *
ALLIE FLIPPED THE switch to turn on the overhead light in her bedroom.
“Jeez!” Jack squinted and covered his eyes.
“Sorry. I should’ve warned you first.”
“I don’t mind the light on. In fact, I prefer it to see what I’m doing. But, yeah, warn a guy first.” He was still squinting, his hands shielding his eyes.
He was also shirtless.
When she’d realized she needed him, she hadn’t thought about what he might or might not have on. His physique was exactly as she’d pictured it after running her hands over his chest and biceps earlier. His shorts weren’t buttoned at the waist, and they hung low enough for her imagination to run amok.
“I’m sorry if I woke you.” Her voice sounded unsteady to her own ears. “This couldn’t wait until morning.”
He grinned and took a step forward, reaching out to her. She suddenly realized he’d misunderstood why she’d brought him in here. “No, no! That’s not—”
But he was still coming toward her.
She spun around and pointed to Harvey’s crate. “It’s Harvey. I’m worried about him.”
Jack stopped and looked at the dog. “Why? What is it?”
“There’s something wrong around his stitches.” She opened the crate door and got Harvey to roll onto his back. She pointed to his incision. “It wasn’t this red earlier today. Do you think it’s infected?”
Jack got down on his knees and looked closely. “I think it’s red because he’s probably been licking it. I don’t see any other sign of infection, although I’m not a vet.” He stood up. “Did the doctor give you a collar for him in case he did this?”
Allie had completely forgotten that the clinic had given her a bag of items for Harvey. “He’s done so well, I haven’t needed to go through all the stuff they gave me. Let me check.” She had the bag in the corner of the room. She dumped brochures, gauze pads and various o
ther things like coupons and free treat samples onto the bed. “Here it is.” She picked it up and turned it over. “Do you know how to put it on?”
“I’m sure it’s fairly simple.” He removed the outer crinkly plastic. The collar wasn’t very big, obviously made for a dog Harvey’s size.
“Here you go, boy.” He spoke gently to Harvey, and Allie was amazed the dog allowed him to put on the collar without a fuss.
Jack stood up again when Harvey’s crate was shut. The dog went in circles for a couple of minutes, knocking the collar against the metal sides a few times. He finally gave in and curled up as best he could, but didn’t look happy.
“That should stop him for tonight, and we can check his incision again in the morning.”
Allie nodded. “Thank you. I’m so glad you were here.” She reached out to give him a hug, but he caught her by the upper arms.
“Don’t start anything you can’t finish...buddy.” His words were gentle, but his eyes meant business.
She blinked. “I’m not trying to be a tease.”
“I’m not saying you are.” He released her arms. “But if you have as little on underneath that T-shirt as I’m imagining you do, then you need to keep your distance. Or I can’t guarantee what’ll happen.”
“Oh.” She looked down at herself. Her nipples strained against the worn material of her favorite sleeping shirt. She crossed her arms over her chest. “I never meant—”
He kissed his finger and put it to her lips. “I know. Good night.”
Before she could find her voice, he was gone.
* * *
EARLY THE NEXT MORNING, the light streaming through the window woke Jack. He pulled the sheet over his head, but there was no chance he’d be able to get back to sleep. He’d barely slept after he came back from Allie’s room anyway. Between the too-small bed and thoughts of what could have been with her, he’d gotten twisted in the sheets more times than he could count.
He got cleaned up before anyone else was awake. Once he was freshly shaved and showered, he packed up his things and straightened his bed. He and Allie had decided to leave after breakfast.
He made his way down the hall with his duffel bag, noticing Allie’s bedroom door was open and Harvey wasn’t in his crate. He smelled fresh coffee as he went downstairs. What a great idea. Caffeine.
Allie and Harvey were coming in the front door when Jack reached the bottom of the staircase.
“Good morning,” he greeted her.
“Hey.” She didn’t look at him. Something wasn’t right.
“Everything okay? How’s our boy’s incision?” He wasn’t wearing the collar, although the dog didn’t need it when he went for a walk.
Allie focused on Harvey, petting his head as she answered. “He’s fine. I think you were right. It looks a little better this morning since he couldn’t lick it through the night with the collar on.”
There was more she wasn’t saying. “And?” he prodded.
“And what?”
“What’s up?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
“I doubt it.”
She began to walk past him, Harvey on his leash, and he stopped her. “Did I do something?” he asked.
“What? No.” Her shoulders sagged. “If you must know, come with me and I’ll tell you what’s wrong.”
He followed her upstairs to her room, and she shut the door. Instead of putting Harvey into his crate, she gave him the freedom to roam the bedroom. Her suitcase was packed and standing next to a bag of Harvey’s things. She’d already stripped the bed, and the comforter was neatly folded. She was apparently ready to make her escape.
He sat in one of the two hard-backed chairs in the room and waited for her to speak.
She perched on the bed facing him, taking a couple of deep breaths before speaking. “Like I told you before, I’m a little stressed over talking to my mom about my adoption. I’m more convinced than ever that she’s hiding something.” She went on to explain that her mother had always avoided the subject and that her dad even did it when she talked to him yesterday.
“Maybe if you’re honest with her, she’ll be honest with you.”
“What do you mean?”
“If you confess that we were pretending to be a couple, maybe she’ll reward you with the truth. I don’t know. Might be worth a shot.”
“What if she gets mad and shuts down? She might never tell me what I need to know.”
He considered it, remembering his talks with both her dad and Rachael about not hurting Allie. “I guess that’s a chance you’ll have to take.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
IT WAS NOW or never.
Nothing like having clichés running through your head when you were trying to figure out how to get your mother to finally tell you the truth about where you came from.
Allie was sure the butterflies in her stomach were reproducing at an alarming rate. She hadn’t even been able to eat breakfast.
“Hey, Mom,” Allie said when she walked into the kitchen to find her mother brewing a fresh pot of coffee.
“Good morning, dear,” she said over her shoulder. “Did you sleep well?”
“I did,” she lied. She’d been awake off and on all night, dreading this moment. “It was a nice party yesterday.”
“Everyone seemed to enjoy it.” Her mom put bread in the toaster oven and turned it on. “Can I get you something to eat? Or have you already eaten? I heard you up early.”
“I’m fine, Mom. Thanks. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Oh, I was already up. You know me.”
Yes, Allie knew her mother very well.
She took a deep breath to help herself focus. This was it. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Sure, what is it?” Her mother got a plate from the cupboard, not looking at Allie.
“It’s important, Mom. I need you to sit down and talk to me.” Allie’s heart beat loudly in her chest. She couldn’t back down now.
Her mother appeared curious as she took a seat at the kitchen table. Allie sat down across from her. “Okay, dear, what is it? Is this about Jack? It is, isn’t it? Are you finally going to settle down?”
“Mom, I’ve only known him a week.”
“I fell in love with your father in less time than that,” Mom said. “I’ve seen the way you two look at each other. In fact, I can’t remember the last time you went this long without being in a relationship. I’m glad Jack came along.”
Allie squirmed in her seat. “I’m happy you like him,” she said slowly, “but I have a confession to make.”
Her mother leaned in and whispered, “Are you pregnant?”
“Mom!”
“It’s okay, dear. These things happen. I’m sure Jack will marry you. Does he know?”
Allie rolled her eyes. She’d gone from a fake relationship to a shotgun wedding. Great. “I’m not pregnant, Mom. I’m trying to tell you that Jack and I aren’t a couple. We never have been.” Why did that confession make her feel a slight bit sad?
“Never?” Mom crossed her arms over her chest and sat back. “Then why would you tell me you were? You put on quite a show.” Her mother’s tone had turned judgmental.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t know what else to do.”
Mom’s eyebrows furrowed behind her glasses.
Allie filled her lungs and continued. “You’re always matchmaking. You think I need a man to be complete. I figured if I told you Jack and I were already together, then you’d give me a break.”
Mom frowned. “I’m sorry you feel that way, Allison. I only want you to be happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.”
Allie swallowed with difficulty. “I know and I love you for that.” She reached out a hand, and her mother slowly put hers into it. Allie squeezed and Mom squeezed back.
“You know I want the best for you,” her mother said. “And when you’re in a relationship, you seem to make better choices.”
That
stopped Allie cold. She pulled her hand back. “What do you mean?”
“You know, like when you were in college and you came home after your sophomore year to say you and what’s-his-name—Todd something—broke up and you were quitting college. Everything was fine while you were together.”
Allie resisted the urge to roll her eyes again. “I didn’t say I was quitting. I said I was going to take a year off because I was offered an internship in the marketing department of a cosmetics firm. After that, I finished my degree.”
Mom nodded, ignoring her toast when the toaster oven dinged. “True. But that coincided with you getting back together with Todd.”
“And that was a stupid decision on my part. We broke up originally because he cheated on me. I never should have taken him back when he came begging. Once a cheater, always a cheater.”
“Oh. I’m sorry you got hurt, dear. But—”
“I know, Mom. I know you want the best for me. It’s just that I’ve made some big mistakes when it comes to men, and right now I need a break from them. So maybe you could give me a break and not try to pair me up with anyone. At least for a little while?” She smiled at her mother, trying to soften her plea.
Mom nodded. “I can do that.” She started to get up from the table.
“Mom? I have something else I need to talk to you about.”
She turned toward Allie. “Of course. What is it? Money? I know starting a new business can be financially draining.”
“No, Mom, I don’t need money.” That was a definite lie, but not what she wanted to discuss right now. “I need to know about my adoption.” There. She’d begun the conversation and wouldn’t let up until she got all the answers she needed.
“What would you like me to tell you?”
Allie cleared her throat “What do you know about my biological parents?”
The color drained from her mother’s face. “I don’t know anything. I never met them.”
“Can you tell me their names?”
Mom hesitated. “Does it really matter?”
“Yes, it matters. I need answers.”
Mom had her arms crossed on the table, and she lowered her head to rest her forehead on them. Her words were muffled. “I knew this day would come. Even though most of your life you seemed uninterested in this information, I knew someday you’d want to find your biological parents.”