Captured Heart (A Garrett's Point Novel) (12 page)

Emma reached between them to massage him. He was so large, it almost frightened Emma.

Taking her action as acceptance, Jack carried her to the bed. Laying her gently down, he asked her one more time, “Emma, are you sure? I don’t want any regrets in the morning?”

Sensibility warred with need. She knew they had said this was a bad idea, but her heart disagreed. She needed him as much as she did air to breathe right now. She couldn’t deny that.

“No regrets, Jack. No matter what.” They both needed each other desperately. Maybe it would be a one- night stand, but for her it what so much more. She just wasn’t willing to admit that.

He slipped her wet panties off and his boxers followed. Slowly he climbed up the bed to her.

“Now where were we?” He grinned as his head lowered to hers.

Chapter Eleven

A fly was tickling her nose. Emma swatted at the annoyance not wanting to open her eyes just yet. Half-awake she felt something heavy across her midriff.
Tucker needed to lose some weight
was the first thought Emma had. She went to turn over, and an iron vice pulled her up against a rock hard body.

“Good Morning.” Prickly morning stubble grazed her neck.

Her eyes flew open in shock until realization dawned. Memories flooded her mind as she replayed the events of last night in her bed with Jack. She couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face. He’d been amazing. She blushed just thinking of the way he’d made sweet passionate love to her. The things he did to her body. If she were Catholic, she’d need to go to confession.

“Good Morning.” She turned to face him. His smile deepened. His hair was sticking up as if he’d had a restless night. Dark stubble covered his face, making him even sexier to Emma. His chest hair trailed down past the sheet covering him at his hips, making Emma want to follow the trail further.

A scratching sound came from the other side of the closed door. Emma sat straight up, panic filled her. Was it Olivia? She couldn’t find them in here together. The scratching sounded again. Reason set in. Tucker. They’d left him in the hall. Glancing over at the nightstand, she saw it was just after six.

“You’ve got get out of here before Olivia comes in.” She threw the cover back and was about to stand when Jack grasped her hand.

“No regrets, rights?” He wasn’t leaving this room without them at least acknowledging what went down last night.

Blushing again, she turned to him. “No regrets.” She clasped his hand squeezing gently for emphasis.

“Now get out of here before I am mortified in front of a seven-year-old and have to explain why her Uncle Jack is naked in my bed.”

She wrapped herself in her robe. I’m going to let Tucker out, make some coffee and then hop in the shower.

“I’d be happy to help you wash up.” Jack offered semi-jokingly.

“Get out of here.” She picked up a pillow and tossed it at him as she opened the door, peeked out looking at Olivia’s bedroom door and gave Jack the thumbs up, signaling that the coast was clear.

Last night had been amazing. Hell, that didn’t even begin to describe the passionate woman he’d held in his arms and made love to her throughout the night.

All of the pent-up grief and emotion spilled over into their lovemaking, both seeking and giving comfort. The strange thing was he thought it would be a one-time, get it out of your system kind of thing, but this morning seeing her in her fluffy white robe, he still wanted her.

If he was honest, he wanted her more now than he had before. This was not a good thing. Definitely not a good thing. Muddied the water where Emma was concerned. Scratching his head, he convinced himself that both he and Emma would figure out a way to make this work.

Both of them were unattached. Both shared a mutual attraction. Both loved Olivia. This could turn out to be a win-win. Feeling more positive and determined, he headed to his room to shower.

Emma let Tucker out and set about brewing coffee. A silly grin adorned her glowing face. She felt better than she’d felt in a long time. The ache was there, of course, but Jack had filled a void she hadn’t realized existed.

After their first coupling that had been fast and furious with need, they’d made love several times throughout the night. Each time Jack had been so tender, attentive to every inch of her body. She’d felt things she never dreamed of. Just remembering the things he’d done made her skin tingle.

Lord, she needed to get a grip or she’d be jumping him on the breakfast counter. Hmm, now there was an idea. Laughing, she scolded herself.
Who are you? You don’t act this way? She questioned herself. You’ve never had anyone make you feel this way before. Enjoy it. Stop analyzing it. Go with it. The question was where was it going? That remained to be seen.
She didn’t have the answer to that question.

She headed upstairs to shower and check in on Olivia. She planned on them having a girl’s day out. She knew Jack had work to do, and Olivia needed an Easter dress. It was a nice sunny day, perfect for walking the shops on Main.

She showered, got Olivia up and dressed and they headed downstairs where they found Jack pouring a cup of coffee. Turning, he greeted them with a warm smile.

“Well, good morning, princess.” “You look very pretty.” Olivia had on a pretty red and white dress with matching shoes. “Do we have big plans today?” Jack inquired. His gaze moved over to Emma, the warmth in his gaze shifting to one of desire.

She smiled back with arched eyebrows, eyes glinting. “Olivia and I are going to have a girl’s day out on the town.” Emma said excitedly. “We need new Easter dresses, don’t we, Liv?”

Olivia squealed excitedly. “Yes, and then we are getting our nails done, and if we have time, I get to pick out a book at the book store.” She clasped her little hands together eager to be on her way.

“I know you said you have a lot of work to do, so I figured this would give you some peace and quiet in the house, while we went out and about.” Emma explained.

“We should be back this afternoon. Olivia has dance class this evening.”

“Are you finished with your breakfast, Liv?” Emma questioned. “Yes, Ma’am.” the little girl replied.

“Alright, then. I’ll clean up. You run and grab your jacket, and we will head out.”

Emma was bringing bowls around the counter to load in the dishwasher when she felt Jack lean into her. “Do you know how hard it is to keep my hands off you?” His arms wrapped around her from behind, his mouth nuzzling her ear.

“Funny, I was just thinking earlier how much I wanted your hands on me, right here on the breakfast bar.” She blatantly teased. She couldn’t believe she’d admitted that. She never talked about sex openly, but with Jack, it just felt natural. It was intimate verbal foreplay.

He bit down on her earlobe. Flashes of them making love in the kitchen flitted through his mind. He hardened instantly. “Woman, you verbally slay me. You make me want to back you up against this counter right now and show you just what you do to me.”

Spinning her around with coffee cups still clasped in her hands, he assaulted her senses and her mouth with a plundering kiss. If it hadn’t been for Olivia coming noisily down the stairs, things would have gotten out of control very quickly. They broke apart just as Olivia reentered the kitchen.

“I’m ready, Aunt Emma.” she skipped into the room. “Great! Let’s go have some fun.” Emma replied.

Olivia came around to Jack. “Bye, Uncle Jack. See you later.” and proceeded to give him a big hug. Jack kissed the top of her head. “Have fun, Liv.” and hugged her tightly.

The shopping spree started off at A Casual Frills where Olivia and Emma both tried on numerous dresses, Olivia prancing around in various outfits as if she were on a runway. She was adorable. It made Emma’s heart sing to see the little girl smile.

Thanking Jen for all her attention and help, they picked out two dresses, both in green and yellow with matching hats, shoes and handbags. “Thanks for your patience, Jen. Olivia had a blast trying on all those dresses. She is definitely a girly-girl.” Emma said laughingly.

“It was my pleasure, Emma. My heart hurts for her and you. I am so glad she had a little fun today.” Jen Baker responded.

Emma agreed. One day at a time was how they were going to take it, and this day was turning out to be a good one.

Next they headed over to a Good Look salon. Pam Wilcox greeted them. “What’ll it be today, ladies?”

“We want the full pampering treatment, Pam. Mani, Pedi, cut and blow-dry. The works.” Emma said happily. “Spoil us rotten.”

Pam smiled. “You got it. Let’s get your manicures and pedicures started first. Come on back. Jill and Mandy will take great care of you.”

They were standing in front of the numerous bottles of nail polish, trying to decide what color they wanted to paint their nails.

“My mom always picked pink. She liked pink.” Olivia said very seriously. Emma’s heart felt a tug. “You’re right, Olivia. She loved pink.” She squatted down to her eye level. “What do you think? Do you want to go with pink today or try something new?”

She watched various emotions cross Olivia’s face. Confusion, fear, uncertainty and then confidence settled across her innocent features. “I want purple. I like purple.”

Emma smiled. She was making a statement whether she realized it or not. She was a strong little person with determination. She was a survivor.

“Purple it is.” Smiling, Emma was reminded that it truly is the simple things that mean a lot.

“Your water’s ready.” Mandy called to them. “Come on, Liv. Let’s make happy feet and hands.”

Olivia giggled thinking of the penguin movie that she loved to watch. “Yeah, maybe we can dance like penguins.”

The day passed quickly. They grabbed a quick lunch at the diner and made their last stop at the book store. Emma loved the smell of books. Crazy, she knew, but still, she did. She could spend hours in here just looking through the shelves. Elliot Franklin, the book store owner, saw them come in.

“Hi, Emma. Well, hello, Olivia.” Elliot greeted. “What are you looking for today, anything in particular?” he questioned. “We have the latest release of the Hickory Tree House series over there, Olivia if you read those.”

Olivia looked up at Emma for permission to browse. “Go ahead, Liv. Look around. Pick one. We have about a half hour before we need to head home.”

“What about you, Emma? We have the new Sparks novel in as well as A. L. Jackson’s, Janice Baker’s and the new one you asked about Mandee Mae’s. You know where to look.”

“Thanks, Elliot.” She’d been looking forward to A. L. Jackson’s release. She was definitely picking that one up. She may just have to splurge and get a couple.

While she was reading the covers of the new releases, Laura Tant came in with her daughter, Amy. Amy and Olivia were friends at school and attended the same dance class. While the girls were chatting, Laura came over to Emma.

“How is Olivia holding up? We’ve been very concerned.” Laura stated. Laura was a third grade teacher at the elementary school where Emma worked.

“She’s a strong little girl. Children are so resilient. Of course she’s heartbroken, but she is holding up.” Emma told Laura.

“Since the girls are on Spring Break, I was wondering if you’d let Olivia spend the night with Amy. She could come home with us after dance class. We’d love to have her. It might take her mind off things and let the girls play together.”

“I think that’s a great idea, Laura. I’ll ask her and bring her things to dance class.”

They said their goodbyes. Choosing their books, Emma paid for their purchases and wished Elliot well.

“How would you like to spend the night with Amy tonight, Liv? Her mom said you could go home with them after dance class. Would you like to do that?” Emma questioned Olivia on the way home.

“Yes. Oh, please. Can I?” Smiling at her excitement, Emma said she could.

Returning home, Olivia ran into the house calling for Jack.

Jack. If Olivia was spending the night at a friend’s house, that meant that she and Jack would be alone all night. Pin pricks of excitement pimpled her flesh at the possibilities of what could happen.

Giddy herself, she followed Olivia in.

Chapter Twelve