“And did she go for that?”
Her smile grew as she nodded. “I can’t wait. I’m going to head over there after lunch and take a look.”
There was a small spot of chocolate on her lip.
It wasn’t particularly big, but he couldn’t seem to focus on anything else. No doubt if he told her, she’d grab a napkin and wipe it away, but…
Mallory continued to talk about the odds and ends she found while shopping and Jake made sure he at least looked like he was paying attention. Unfortunately, his mind went in a whole different direction.
Why can’t we be together?
It wasn’t as if there was that big of an age-gap, now that he thought of it. And their families had known each other forever so…it shouldn’t be a big deal on that front either.
You’re leaving for college at the end of the summer.
Well, so was Mallory. She didn’t live here in Magnolia Sound and they normally only saw each other during the summer so…who’s to say that she wouldn’t want this to just be a summer fling?
She’s way more innocent than the girls you date.
Okay, that was a big one. Jake had kissed and dated plenty of girls ever since he first kissed Sheila Jennings back in the sixth grade and he’d been proud to brag about all of them. The older he got, the more the local girls knew he wasn’t a long-term relationship kind of guy. It was something he made sure they all knew from the get-go. He wasn’t looking for anything serious and liked to keep things simple.
Nothing about Mallory was simple.
Especially the feelings he was starting to have toward her.
It was more than physical – although his fingers were constantly twitching with the need to touch Mallory whenever she was near. He genuinely liked Mallory and this was the first time in all the years they’d known each other that they were spending this much time together. She was smart and funny and seemed to find joy in the most mundane things.
And he wanted to know more.
Was growing desperate to know more.
Although she was currently talking about the painting she found for the wall, Jake interrupted. “Can I ask you something?”
She nodded.
“How long are you staying with Zeke this summer?”
Mallory stared at him as if she didn’t quite understand the question. “Um…until the first week of August. How come?”
“Are you going right back to school when you leave?”
“No, I’m going to spend a week with my mom and Sam back home before heading back to Plattsburgh.” She paused. “And you’re going to Colorado, right?”
He nodded. “My mom has family there and when I finally decided to do this – to go to school and get a degree – the University of Colorado in Boulder was one of my choices.” He looked away, feeling a little embarrassed. “I was grateful I got in.”
Her hand on his arm startled him. “I think it’s amazing that you’re doing it,” she said, and her sincerity touched him. “Some people would think there’s a time limit on when you can go to school, but I think as long as the desire is there and you have the will to make it happen, nothing should hold you back.”
Maybe he was wrong, but her words didn’t strike him as only having to do with school.
Shifting a little closer to her, he asked, “You think so?”
“I do,” she said earnestly. “I really do.” With her hand still on his arm, she continued. “And to be going so far away from home is going to be a little intimidating too, I’m sure.” Then she blushed and took a step back. “Or maybe that’s just for me. Sam didn’t have a problem with it, but…I don’t know…it took me a while to adjust.”
Jake didn’t let her move too far before he followed. Reaching out, he cupped her cheek and used the pad of his thumb to wipe that little spot of chocolate away. Mallory’s eyes went wide and he heard her soft gasp.
Too late, he realized. He couldn’t stop what was about to happen even if his life depended on it. Slowly, he lowered his mouth to hers. The instant their lips touched, she melted against him and it felt better than he remembered. His arms wrapped around her even as hers came up and did the same. It was slow and sweet and a little lazy – the kind of kiss that asked questions and had your heart beating a little faster.
And as he pulled Mallory closer, he knew hers was beating just as fast and hard as his.
Good to know.
He wanted to keep kissing her. He wanted to explain why. But she was so soft and smelled so good and tasted even better that he had to simply indulge for a little while longer. Together they moved to the sofa and his brain instantly remembered the feel of her body in her tiny bikini, but right now, this was better.
The kiss went on and on and on and when Mallory’s hands raked up into his hair, he finally allowed himself to let it go deeper. His tongue traced her lower lip before she opened fully for him and then he simply sank into it. Shifting his body until he was practically covering her, his need for her ratcheted up another notch.
Her long, slim fingers gripped his hair a little tighter right before she broke the kiss and panted his name.
Swallowing hard, Jake looked down at her and gave her a lopsided grin. “Hi.”
Her smile completely transformed her face from beautiful to damn-near stunning. “Hi.”
“So uh…here’s the thing,” he began softly. “I have no idea if this is a good idea or not, but I think…I think I’d really like to see if it is.”
“It will be.” The words were spoken softly but with a confidence he wished he possessed. And before he could question it, before he could say another word, Mallory guided his lips back to hers.
And all was right with his world.
7
“I can’t believe you’re dating Jake.”
Two weeks later, Mallory was having lunch with her cousins Parker and Peyton, who were both staring at her with wide-eyed fascination. They were younger than her, but they had always been close. Peyton was eighteen and Parker was sixteen and they were more than cousins to her. If they had all lived closer together, they’d probably be more like sisters.
A slow smile spread across Mallory’s face. “Well, believe it,” she said happily. “I never thought it would happen and it’s even better than I ever imagined.”
“I don’t see how,” Peyton said. “You guys are kind of sneaking around and not telling anyone about it.”
“I told you,” Mallory reasoned.
“Yeah, well…we’re safe,” Parker chimed in. “Does your mom know? Does Pops? Sam?”
Fidgeting slightly in her chair, Mallory explained. “Mom left a week ago and there was so much going on and it was all so new that I didn’t think it was necessary to talk to her about it.”
“And since then? Have you talked to her?” Peyton asked.
Almost daily…
Reaching for her drink, she shrugged, “A couple of times. But it never came up.”
“Probably because you didn’t bring it up,” Peyton commented. “And what about Pops? With Jake doing all that work around the house, I’m sure he’s noticed that there’s something going on between the two of you.”