“Sounds good. I’ll have that too,” Ciara replied.
Rand answered, “I’ll send someone out for your drink orders while I go and fetch the car. I need to speak with the manager for a moment and then I’ll wait for all of you at the entrance. Give me a few minutes.”
Excusing himself, Rand left everyone at the table.
While Ciara spoke with Emma and Nick, Jack said quietly, “Tell me about yourself, Janelle.”
“I’m an Air Force Pilot,” she answered, giving him a rueful grin.
Jack blinked. “I’ve got to say I’m impressed. How long have you been in the Air Force?”
“About ten years. I enlisted directly after high school, and ended up in the academy, since my grades were good.”
They all talked for a few more minutes, waiting for their drinks, finishing them quickly and heading back through the restaurant to the exit, where Rand would soon arrive.
Fifteen minutes later, Rand was pulling up to the restaurant entrance.
“You guys must have slugged down your drinks,” Rand said as Nick slid open the back door for Janelle and Emma and stepped inside behind them.
Jack opened the front door for Ciara and then sat in the seat behind her with Janelle, facing Nick and Emma.
“How were you planning on getting around while you’re here?” Rand asked Ciara before slipping on some sunglasses.
“I had cabs lined up for the weekend. But we’re picking up a rental on Monday,” Ciara answered. “I wish we would have thought about renting a car sooner. By the time we talked about transportation, there wasn’t anything available for this weekend.”
“This is the end of the busiest tourist season,” Rand answered. “But Bali is getting more and more visitors from the U.S.”
“Here’s what it says online about the place we’re going,” Jack said, looking at his phone. “Showcasing unparalleled views from 14 meters above the Indian Ocean, Rock Bar is accessible via AYANA’s dramatic cliff side inclinator.”
“Hmm. Interesting. The place has a beautiful sunset view and rolling waves,” Rand answered. “What else does it say?”
Jack continued, “Perched atop distinctive rock formations along Jimbaran’s pristine sunset coast, Rock Bar Bali is widely respected as one of the globe’s most popular sunset, cocktail and entertainment venues. Featuring a glamorous sunset vibe, and a seductive after-dark ambiance, listen to premier international DJs as they heighten your experience from a custom DJ booth carved directly into the cliff face.”
“I read somewhere that eventually they’ll be able to host over 800 guests,” Janelle said.
“Yes, soon,” Rand murmured. “I noticed there was some construction going on further down the coast last time I was there.”
Another twenty minutes later, they arrived on the scene.
As they approached the structure, Rand muttered, “I’ll warn you. The parking’s not great – especially on a Saturday. Can I drop you guys off?”
“That’s alright,” Ciara answered. “It’s a beautiful night and most of us are wearing comfortable shoes. I don’t mind walking. What about you, Em?”
“That’s fine with me, too, even wearing high heels,” Emma replied. “I’m enjoying the change. It’s so warm and tropical. They were predicting early snow this weekend in Wisconsin.”
As Rand drove closer to the nightspot, he was lucky enough to be able to find a parking place vacated by a departing cab. ‘
“That wasn’t so bad,” Ciara said softly.
Soon, they were walking across the grounds towards the bar and being led to some empty seats on a faraway platform, which would give them a little privacy while enjoying the spectacular sunset. Rand had slipped some cash to one of the men standing behind the bar.
“The guests get first dibs, but I know the owner,” Rand said, smiling at Ciara.
As they were seated, Janelle growled, “That’s right, Rand, we want to pay you back for our dinners.”
Rand grimaced. “Tell you what, Janelle, since I’ve got the funds, can’t you just forget it for now? You’re going to need a lot of cash while you’re here. You can pay me back before you leave if you insist, but better yet, how about paying me back with a favor if I would ever need it?”
“What kind of favor?” Ciara asked suspiciously.
Rand waggled his brows, grinning widely at Ciara. “Well, I have a feeling that the favor I’d want from you would probably be a lot different from the favor I’d expect from Janelle or Emma.”
Everyone laughed as Ciara clamped her hands over her mouth, suddenly realizing how suggestive she’d been.
Still laughing, Jack shook his head, rolling his eyes. “Just let him take care of it, ladies. He’s said the same damn thing to me and Nick each time we’ve come to visit, but he never lets us pay for anything when we’re here.”
“Sometimes, he actually lets us pay for drinks,” Nick murmured. “Hopefully tonight?”
“Alright, already,” Rand growled. “Pay for the damned drinks.”
Nick grinned as the waitress appeared.
They settled in, and kept the conversation going for several minutes, until the sun fell low on the edge of the horizon, prisms of golden light streaming across the rolling ocean waves, casting a fiery haze while enhancing the magic of the night.
“No one seems to be dancing much tonight,” Nick observed.
“A lot of people will later,” Rand said. “It’s only the beginning of the evening.”
Eventually, Rand held out a hand to Ciara. “How about a walk?”
“I’d like that,” Ciara answered, standing and resting her hand within his.
As Ciara and Rand walked away, Nick turned to Emma. “How about it? Would you like to see the beach?”
Emma definitely looked taken aback.
There appeared to be lots of families scattered amidst the crowd, so many of the guests were beginning to depart once the sun had gone down. Music was echoing through the air as Nick and Emma made their way down the staircase, heading toward the beach, but turning in the opposite direction from Rand and Ciara.
Jack and Janelle sat alone at the table just listening to music and sipping their drinks.
* * *
Jack gave Janelle a side glance. She had such an amazing face, with high cheekbones and beautiful forest green eyes. It was what had drawn him toward her. Gracefully poised, she was probably about five-foot eight, but Jack still towered over her at six foot two.
She had a slim beautiful figure, with smaller breasts and a narrow waist. And then there were those legs…
She must have sensed his thoughts, because when she turned, there was a question in her eyes. “Is something wrong?”
“Not at all,” Jack answered, giving her a smile. “You’re just easy on my eyes.”
“The feeling is mutual.” She gave him what was obviously a mischievous smile. “You’re probably the prettiest man I’ve ever met.”
He blinked, and then snickered. “That’s telling me.”
Suddenly, the music went silent, and Jack had to ask, “How would you feel about dancing with me?”
She momentarily looked undecided, but much to his surprise, she stood and answered, “Alright.”
He closed the distance between them, and drew her into his arms, and with luxurious slowness, he pulled her intimately closer as slow music resounded through the air.
“How did you know they were shifting from hard rock to romance?” she asked.
“I made a wish upon that star right above.”
This time Janelle snickered, and Jack pulled her even closer, wanting to let her in on how much she was turning him on.
“You make me feel good,” he murmured, laying his face against hers.
“I’ve noticed,” she answered dryly.
This time he barked out a laugh. God, he loved the easy going way she had about her. She made him feel relaxed and under no pressure, and it was just plain nice to be the one making the moves for a change.
/>
“Are you dating anyone?” he asked suddenly.
“Not really,” she answered, as Jack spun her round, still holding her close. No fancy dance moves for Janelle, he decided.
Because all he wanted to do was hold her in his arms and feel her close.
He noticed she didn’t ask the same question of him. What did that mean, he wondered?
“I want to see you, again, when we’re back in the states,” he said softly.
Her mouth opened, and her rough exhalation caressed his cheek.
Gently, he laid his mouth over hers.
When their lips melded and his tongue slid into the welcoming depths of her mouth, her tongue greeted his, touching, darting and tasting the inside of his mouth.
Jack groaned, exhaling unsteadily and deepening the kiss.
Her eyes stayed closed, as if she didn’t want to think about what she was doing as her mouth seemed to respond hotly, hungrily to his.
His heart began hammering hard in his chest as his hands began wandering. And suddenly realizing he might have been taking it a little too far, he pulled away slightly, laying his forehead against hers.
Janelle’s kiss was drowning him beyond reason.
The feel of her in his arms, the scent and softness of her skin was making him crazy, and yes, Jack wanted Janelle like he’d never wanted a woman before. He’d never come onto a woman like this in the past, and it had him seriously questioning his sanity.
They’d only really met a few hours earlier.
But, somehow, he knew it wasn’t only sex that he wanted from this woman, because once they made love, he would never be able to let her go.
“What’s wrong?” she asked softly, still wrapped within his arms.
“You never answered me about seeing each other again once we’re back in the states.”
Janelle hesitated. “I’m not sure that would be such a great idea. My job is pretty intense. I spend a lot of time overseas, training and assisting with search and rescue.”
“In other words, your job is dangerous?” Jack asked grimly.
“Very,” she answered firmly. “I’ve avoided any serious entanglements because of it.”
Jack was puzzled. “Why?”
She scrunched her nose, heaving a sigh. “I don’t know you well enough to get into it. But I have some pretty good reasons.”
Jack wasn’t at all put off, if anything, he was more intrigued to discover what it was that was holding her back. “So here’s what I’m thinking. How about we keep in touch via email”
Her grin was wry. “I guess there’s nothing too threatening about that.”
“I don’t know. You don’t know very much about me.”
“More than you know,” she admitted. “You’re a good friend, and you keep the piece, and I have a feeling that you’re the anchor of your family, just as I was.”
She was right, of course. All the money he’d made a model and actor and child had gone to hold together his family. His father had been very ill and had died when he’d been young. But Jack was curious. How had she known?
“What makes you think that?”
“You’re like a watchdog for your friends. Nick is obviously raw from breaking up with his fiancé, but Rand seems to have some secrets too.” She stared into his eyes. “But so do you, Jack Wellman. There’s something deep and tragic in your past that you’re hiding.”
Jack was taken aback. How had she…?
He gazed into her eyes. “The only way you would have guessed something like that is because you’ve had something similar happen to you.”
She heaved a sigh before answering, “I have.”
He gazed at the of the beauty of the bright full moon before glancing at her lovely face. “How about sharing one more kiss? I think I see Rand and Ciara approaching.”
She smiled. “I’d like that.”
Jack pulled her into his arms, taking the kiss that he needed, and as their lips blended, sweet satisfaction rippled through him.
As Jack sunk into the spicy pleasure of her mouth, he could have gladly drowned. This woman held a power that he’d felt with no one else before, and he held back nothing, holding her as tightly as he possibly could, joining with her, totally absorbed by her.
Janelle seemed shocked when they finally pulled apart, and Jack loved the dazed look she had in her eyes as she held her fingers lightly over her mouth.
“You never answered me,” he murmured softly, as they settled back at the table.
“About what?” she asked, still looking confused.
“Can we keep in touch by email?”
She heaved a sigh, giving him a wry grin. “Alright. But I’m still not looking for a relationship.”
He smiled slyly. “We’ll see about that.”
She laughed softly, shaking her head with obvious frustration.
Chapter Seven
Rand made coffee and breakfast for everyone the following morning. Jack and Nick had already packed their bags and loaded them into the SUV since Rand would be taking them to the airport.
When they reached the airport a few hours later, Rand escorted Jack and Nick through their check-in and sat with them to wait until their flight began boarding, while explaining the details of their new jobs a little further.
“So, currently, I have a part time manager who handles the property acquisitions and showings. He’d still like to continue in a part-time capacity, but no way is he interested in working full time, because he’s got a full-time position with Jake Loughlin, the owner of the Dragonfly Pointe Inn. Jake uses Mike Merrill to search and scope out potential sites for new hotels across the country, so Mike travels a lot.”
“Alright,” Nick murmured. “I was going to ask you about living accommodations.”
Rand continued, “As a matter of fact, the office space in downtown Crystal Rock has just been remodeled. It’s an older building and we’ve been trying to keep the historical value intact, and it just so happens there are two apartments available upstairs. I figured I would offer the both of you living accommodations for free as one of the perks, as well as health insurance and retirement options.”
Nick was looking at Rand strangely.
“What?” Rand asked. “You’re looking at me like I have two heads.”
“He’s beginning to wonder if you do,” Jack answered, grinning. “One that plays at being a bad boy, womanizing jock, and the other with a head for business.”
“Exactly,” Nick murmured, seemingly dazed.
“I told my Dad I was interested in working with him when I was fifteen years old,” Rand growled. “And he wouldn’t have a thing to do with me. Jake Loughlin came along and showed me the ropes. I think half my determination to succeed in the same business my father was in had to do with me wanting to be able to throw it in is face one day.”
“I don’t blame you for being bitter,” Jack answered. He probably would have felt the same way himself.
“It’s like an obsession with me,” Rand answered. “I’ve come to hate my dad, even though I had a great life being raised by my grandparents.”
Rand shook his head, appearing distracted.
Jack understood that Rand sometimes went to a dark place, which overtook his thoughts, because Jack occasionally had the same problem himself.
“But enough of that,” Rand muttered.
“So. you’re sure about hiring both of us?” Jack asked. “I’ll put my notice in as soon as I return to work.”
“Damn right. The two of you can report to work during the week of December 12th. How does that sound? That’ll give you a few weeks to get moved from Virginia and into your apartments. We’ll pay your moving expenses as well. Since I won’t be there to show you the ropes, Mike can do it when he’s around. I doubt that either one of you will have problems though. It’s pretty laid back there in Crystal Rock. You’ll both need your realtor’s license, which shouldn’t be much trouble. The office can officially open to the public in January.”
&n
bsp; “What’s the name of our place of business again?” Nick asked with a grin.
“Northwest Realty and Property Management,” Rand answered.
Just then, Nick and Jack’s flight number echoed through the air.
The three of them stood from their seats, and Nick and Jack each held out a hand.
Rand snorted, giving Nick a quick hug with a slap on the back first, before doing the same for Jack.
“Thanks for everything, Rand,” Jack murmured as he and Nick headed toward the boarding line.
Nick halted, turning back to Rand. “I hope it works out for you and Ciara, Rand.”
Rand smiled wryly. “Me too, Nick.”
Jack boarded the plane behind Nick, looking back at Rand one last time. And what he saw surprised him, because there was intensity in Rand’s expression that scared him.
Chapter Eight
Jack was exhausted after spending twenty-one hours on a plane back to Richmond, so when the cab pulled up to his apartment building on Sunday afternoon, he planned on sleeping for as long as he could before returning to work on Monday and giving his notice.
His apartment was small, so it wouldn’t take him long to pack. He’d transfer what he didn’t want to take along with him now into storage. Eventually, he could rent a truck and have everything moved to Crystal Rock.
But when he started pulling his luggage from the backseat along with the help of the cabbie, he realized he had an unexpected visitor waiting for him on the steps of his apartment building.
After paying the cabbie, Jack gave his younger brother a hard stare. “Sam? What’s wrong?”
Sam stood, both hands stuffed in his jean’s pockets. “I’ve been having those nightmares again, ever since I got home from Iraq. And this time I saw something new.”
Jack asked, “Got anything going on?”
“Nah,” Sam answered. “Mom doesn’t even know I’m back.”
“Grab one of my bags and come along with me upstairs. We can talk.”
“You sure? I heard you just got back from a trip to Bali.”
“I told you,” Jack growled, heading toward the door leading into his apartment lobby. “I always have time for you when you need to talk.”
Jack's Blind Date Debacle (Hot Hunks Steamy Romance Book 8) Page 4