Until We Touch (Fool's Gold #15)(66)
Their eyes locked in that moment of perfect pleasure, and for the first time in her life, she saw down to her lover’s soul.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE DRIVE FROM San Francisco to Fool’s Gold took about three hours. Larissa was content to sit quietly in the rental car while Jack drove. The miles passed quickly. Too quickly, she thought. She wasn’t ready to return to the real world.
The past twenty-four hours had been amazing. The previous night, after they’d made love, they’d dressed and gone downstairs for dinner. Later, they’d filled the huge bathtub and had touched each other with the thrill that comes with exploration. They’d made love with the water sloshing onto the floor.
She’d slept in Jack’s arms. Larissa turned to look out the window so he wouldn’t see her smile as she explored that nearly unbelievable thought. She’d awakened to find him holding her tight—as if he never wanted to let go.
The concept might be wishful thinking on her part, but she was going to go with it for now.
She glanced back at him. “Thank you for all that.”
“You’re welcome. I had a good time.” He glanced at her and smiled before returning his attention to the road.
She sighed with contentment. “This could make your massages really interesting.”
He laughed. “You’re right. I’m going to have even more trouble not getting a hard-on.”
She thought about the massage table. “Oh, I think we could use that to our advantage.”
“Intriguing. I look forward to what you have in mind.”
* * *
JACK WALKED INTO his house to find Percy on the living room floor playing with what looked like a dozen small dogs. They were tumbling together in a mass of dogs and teen. When Percy saw him, he sat up and grinned.
“We’ve got dogs.”
“I see that.”
Jack put the garment bag he’d purchased in San Francisco over the stair railing. Now that they weren’t moving, he could see there were five. All small with big ears. Some looked more like Chihuahuas and others favored their dachshund blood.
“The guy who dropped them off said these ones were healthy. Probably all under three years old. They should be easy to adopt.”
“Good. I don’t want five dogs.”
Jack started toward the living room. All the chiweenies rushed toward him and began sniffing his shoes and jeans, jumping in front of him and yipping. He bent down to offer pats. One of the little girls flipped onto her back and offered her tummy for a quick rub.
“At least they’re socialized,” he said. “That’s something.”
He sat on the floor across from Percy and picked up a knotted rope toy. Two of the dogs dived for it and started a game of tug-of-war. The little girl climbed into his lap while the remaining two walked over to harass Percy.
“When did they get here?” Jack asked.
“A couple of hours ago. They’re fun.”
“Yeah, but are they housebroken?”
Percy looked blank.
Jack sighed. “Have you taken them outside?”
“No. But we should do that right now.” The teen scrambled to his feet. “I did give them water.”
Water without access to a bathroom could be a bad combination, Jack thought as he stood. Together they herded the dogs out the back.
The five of them ran onto the grass and started chasing each other.
“Keep watch,” Jack instructed. “I want to make sure everyone goes.”
When they were all back inside, Percy showed him the food that had been delivered along with a couple of big dog beds.
“The guy says they’re used to sleeping together in a pack. So we should keep them in the same room.”
“How about your room?” Jack asked.
Percy laughed. “Works for me. I like the little guys.”
The dogs played for another hour or so, then as a group headed for the beds. They went around and around, moving from one bed to the other until they’d found where they wanted to be and flopped down. Seconds later, they were out.
“You’re right about the schedule,” Jack told the teen. “For walking and everything else.” He glanced around at his house. “I don’t think we should be leaving five active dogs home alone.” Another complication, compliments of Larissa. Yet he wasn’t the least bit upset. How could he be after yesterday?
There would be hell to pay later for all that. He was sure of it. But whatever the price, his twenty-four hours with her had been worth it. He’d enjoyed every second of his time with her. The sex had been incredible, but it had been more than that. It had been about connecting with her in a way they hadn’t before. About being with her.
For a second he allowed himself to wonder what if. What if he could be like everyone else? What if he was willing to believe? Foolish questions. Because he wasn’t. He’d lost Lucas and on the heels of that, his parents had gone away. They’d told him he would be fine, but that had been about them assuaging their own consciences. They hadn’t wanted to know their only living son needed them. Their need to escape the pain of what they’d been through had been stronger than their love for him. He got that. He even understood the logic. But he couldn’t forgive and he sure as hell couldn’t forget.
He’d vowed never to care that deeply again, and he hadn’t. With Taryn, he’d liked her a lot, but there hadn’t been love. Not beyond friendship. When she’d turned up pregnant, he’d known he was going to have to suck it up and give his heart to their baby. He’d been willing to take the risk. But then she’d miscarried and the moment had been lost.