Eversea A Love Story

books and books about men and women betraying a world of emotions with just one glance. I used to chalk it up to artistic license, but this was really happening. I swallowed.
    “Did you mean it today when you said you were sorry you kissed me?” he asked, his eyes searching mine.
    Never . I was going to hang onto those memories forever. I managed to shake my head.
    “Did you mean it, just now, when you said it was careless ?” I responded, barely finding my voice.
    “Touché,” he said, his tone low. “I haven’t lied to you, Keri Ann. About anything. When I told you I had never felt this way before I meant it. When you walked out today, I ... it ... ” He bunched a fist up and planted it knuckles down in the center of his chest. “I shouldn’t have let you go. Or maybe I should have, for your sake. I ... shit, this is hard.”
    I waited. I was on that freaking tightrope again, except this time someone else was in control of it. I didn’t like it one bit. The hope warring with the hurt in my gut was making me nauseous.
    “I guess what I’m asking you, Keri Ann ... is ... knowing what you know, about Audrey, about the contract ... about me ... will you take a chance?”
    I wondered if he knew how amazing he looked wet. I mean, what with the sweaty Jack, the paddleboarding Jack, the swimming Jack, and now the rain-soaked Jack, I really wasn’t being given much in the way of strength to say no.
    I walked over to the blanket near where he was standing and sat down facing the fire. I hugged my knees to my chest. I needed my hot chocolate. Seeing it on the mantle next to him, I pointed at it.
    “Farmboy, fetch me that pitcher?” I was hoping the Princess Bride reference would help ease the tension a little.
    He paused a moment at my non-sequitur, and then the dimple appeared with his faint smile, and he handed it to me.
    “As you wish.”
    I smiled back and took it.
    “Thanks.”
    I took a sip, thankful it was still warm. I held it out to him, and he crouched down again next to me.
    “Taste?” I asked.
    He took it from my hand, but instead of taking a sip, he set it down on the floor out of reach. Then his hand cupped my face and turned me toward him, his eyes searching mine.
    “Say yes, Keri Ann.”
    I sighed and closed my eyes against the feel of his skin.
    “Yes.” It was the easiest thing I’d ever said.
    He shifted, dropping his knees to the floor in front of me. His other hand came up to cradle my face, his thumbs running over my jaw and cheekbones. I watched him under my lashes as his eyes roamed my face, and then his mouth descended to my forehead, each eyelid, one cheekbone, then the other, and finally, my mouth.
    I clutched his wrists for balance as his tongue lightly ran over the seam of my lips. I opened to him, and he groaned.
    “Mmmm, chocolate.” He took another taste. “And margaritas.” His tongue slid along mine again. “And Keri Ann. A heady mix.”
    It was for me . My heart pounded deep throbbing beats through my body. Still holding his arms, I came forward to my knees and we both raised up our bodies meeting from leg to chest. My hands worked of their own volition winding up his neck and into his wet hair, and I pulled his mouth more firmly down against mine.
    His lips were warm and soft next to the rough skin of his chin, and I drew closer to him like a magnet, needing to press my body, my skin, against his. But there were two layers of fabric between us, and I became aware of the cool press of his wet t-shirt.
    Letting go of his neck, I brought my hands down to slide under the hem of his shirt. He inhaled sharply as my warm hands made contact with his skin.
    “You need to take this off,” I managed. My voice sounded raspy to my own ears as I made to lift the fabric.
    He let go of me and reached behind his neck. Gathering a handful of shirt, he peeled it forward over his head.
    My breath left me as I came face to chest with his perfectly sculpted body. The firelight played across his skin and his flexed abdominal muscles as he leaned back on his haunches slightly to lay the shirt out by the fire.
    Without thinking, I brought the flat of my hand up to the center of his chest below his collarbone. His skin was cool to the touch and smooth.
    He stilled where he was, leaning slightly away from me on his knees and brought his eyes to mine.
    I very slowly ran my palm down over the ridges and planes of his chest, pausing for a moment when I noticed the hard beat of his heart.