Naturally Naughty - Leslie Kelly [83]
She stepped closer, laying her hand flat on his bare chest and giving him a limpid look. “Wanna place a bet on how fast I can get into your pants and get them back?”
He shook his head. “I think we’ve already proved you hold the world’s record on getting into my pants, Kate.”
“Ditto,” she admitted, trailing her hand across his bare chest to his stomach. “So does that make us both cheap and easy?”
“Only with each other.” He swallowed a groan as her hand moved lower, brushing across the front of his pants.
“Fair enough.”
Jack liked the humor on her face and the sparkle in her eyes. He liked seeing Kate happy. He’d seen her that way much more often lately. The angry, mistrustful woman who’d come back to Pleasantville for revenge had been erased.
He hoped he’d had something to do with that. Because there was no question in his mind Kate had changed him. For the better. He doubted she’d believe it, he had trouble believing it himself, but he was falling in love with her. Falling hard and fast.
He’d started the slide the first time he’d laid eyes on her across Magnolia Avenue. Making love to her that same day had strengthened the feeling. Every day they’d spent together since then had been better than the one before.
“Come on,” he said, tugging her by the hand. “Let’s go down to the lake.”
Though she wore an obviously expensive dress, Kate didn’t hesitate. They walked hand in hand down to the edge of the lake, moving across the cool sand until they reached the shore. The warm water, lit by the bright, star-filled sky, lapped at their bare feet in a gentle rhythm. Not caring about his pants, he pulled her in deeper, until they stood almost knee deep. He tugged her close, sliding his arms around her waist. She came into them easily, curling against his chest, tucking her head beneath his chin.
“I used to come up here to swim late at night,” he said as he gently slid his fingers into her hair.
“It’s warm enough,” she replied. “But I don’t really want to swim.”
“Me neither. I’d rather stay just like this.”
With Kate wrapped securely in his arms.
That seemed to be exactly what she wanted, too.
THE NEXT DAY, before Armand left to go back to Chicago, Kate asked him if he’d had a good time at the party after they’d left. He’d simply smiled and said, “It was a night that won’t be forgotten for a long time.”
Thanking him for the panties, she’d admitted she felt the same way.
The night before had been magic. Not only the party, not just the frantic sex in the back of her car. But standing there, wrapped in Jack’s arms as they stood in the moonlight, simply enjoying each other’s closeness. They’d exchanged long, languorous kisses, sweet, delicate touches. They hadn’t talked much, nor had they made love again. Somehow, though, the night felt like the most intimate one they’d shared.
At some point Kate had even been able to admit the truth to herself. Not only did she no longer distrust Jack, she was falling in love with him.
Not intentionally, probably not wisely, but there it was. She loved the son of the man who’d broken her mother’s heart.
“Maybe it’s fate,” she told herself. “Maybe we can have the happy ending in this generation.”
She told herself not to hope too much. After all, she’d gone through most of her adult life not believing she could ever trust someone enough to experience real love. Somehow, though, he’d worked past her defenses and captured her heart. She was simply unable to help it.
Cassie called Monday morning, and, to Kate’s complete surprise, didn’t even scold her for not picking her up from the airport. She did act very strange, though. Something had obviously happened between her and the sheriff after he’d picked her up, but Kate wasn’t about to pry. After all, Cassie didn’t question her about being caught having sex up at the lake with Jack. Kate had to figure it was because Tag hadn’t told her. Cassie would never have let something that juicy go without comment if she knew. She’d instead been much more interested in hearing all about the Bunko party and the mayor’s reception, seeming