Hometown Love (Love on the North Shore #2)(41)

Inside, she found everything from classic black-and-white movies to recent action films. “It’s weird to see a DVD with Mia’s picture on it.” She paused when she found her new friend’s face staring back up at her.

Mack flipped the page. “Still can’t get my head around Sean being with a movie star. Every time I think about it, I’m afraid I’ve stepped into the Twilight Zone.”

Jessie attempted to hold back her laugh but failed. “She’s nothing like you’d think. You’ll meet her at Mrs. O’Brien’s wedding. Sean told me she’ll be back for that.” Jessie grabbed the first movie that appealed to her before Mack turned the page again. “I still need to send in my RSVP card for the wedding. I just need to find it first.”

Mack accepted the DVD Jessie held out and stood. “We can use mine. Like Grace announced tonight, you are my girlfriend. No reason for us both to send in a reply card.”

His words lacked any romantic finesse yet they answered the questions she’d agonized over all week. In fact, she hadn’t realized how much she wanted clarification on their relationship until Grace’s announcement that night. “Works for me. Do you want me to pick up a gift?”


Returning to the couch, he sat and then repositioned her so her legs draped over his thighs. “Sounds good.” He leaned over and kissed her as the movie’s soundtrack started.

After a minute or so, the music was replaced by a male voice indicating the movie had started. Even with the movie underway, neither of them made an effort to move. Instead, Jessie let herself get carried away by the maelstrom of desire building inside. Bolstered by his view that this thing between them was a real relationship with potential and not just a few make-out sessions, she changed her position, straddling his lap with a leg on either side of his.

Jessie’s new position increased their intimate contact. Now, not only could she feel the hard muscles in his thighs, but she also felt his heartbeat quicken as their kiss continued, and his arousal grew against her.

Acting on pure emotion, she rubbed up against him, eliciting a groan from him. Empowered by his reaction, she did it again. This time, pleasure radiated through her. Still basking in the bliss her movements caused, she didn’t realize until he’d undone her bra that his hands had disappeared under her shirt. Once he freed her from the bra, he captured her breasts, massaging them and learning all he could about them through touch alone.

Ruled by instinct, she let her hands slip under his shirt and roam up his abdomen to his chest. For a moment, he pulled away from her mouth and she feared she’d done something wrong. Before she could ask, he pulled her shirt and then his off, and then kissed her again with a hunger she felt to her toes.

Tearing his mouth away again, he seared a path of heat down her neck with his lips. Then, without any warning, he changed their position, and she found herself stretched out beneath him. He took his time letting his gaze roam across her face and down to her breasts. Under his intense gaze, her nipples hardened and she wanted nothing more than for him to touch them.

Once he finished his visual inspection, he once again met her eyes and gave her a smile that sent excitement pulsing through her. “I think this is a perfect way to spend a Friday night.” He whispered the last of his sentence inches from her lips then kissed her again.

She couldn’t agree more. Soon, her brain shut off as her senses took over. As he kissed her mouth, then her neck, and finally her breasts, she returned each of his caresses, loving the feel of his skin against hers. In the background, the movie played, but neither halted their current activity to watch it or turn it off. By that point, heat and desire consumed Jessie’s whole body, and she barely registered the noise or anything else for that matter. Instead, only Mack existed.

The second he started with the zipper, though, her emotion-induced haze disappeared and a flashing warning sign took its place. For a moment, fear paralyzed her, but then she pushed his shoulders until he released her nipple and looked up at her.

“What’s the matter?” His voice came out ragged, but she heard the concern and confusion.

Jessie sat up and used her arms to cover her breasts. Part of her knew the action was ridiculous. He’d just been sucking on her nipples. Still, the need to cover up demanded she do something.

“Jessie?” he asked again with more concern.

Tell him the truth. Don’t just go with it. If he doesn’t like it, better to know now. “I’m not ready for that.” She moved away from him as she waited for a response. “I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong idea tonight.” She looked around for her bra and shirt. Spotting both near his, she reached for them, but Mack’s fingers closed gently around her wrist before she could pick them up.

He picked up her clothes and handed them to her. Did that mean he wanted her to leave? “Mack, I-—”

“It’s okay. Yeah, I thought you wanted more, but I understand. We both got a little carried away just now.” He pulled his own shirt on. When he spoke again his voice remained tender and full of understanding. “Why don’t we get comfortable and re-start the movie?”



Jessie slumped back, not much, but enough that he noticed the motion. The movement made him consider her response minutes before, as well as the one the first night they’d kissed. As she clipped her bra back on, his sister’s comment about Jessie not having much experience with men popped up. Was that why she’d gotten so unsettled tonight? Was it possible she’d never had sex? How could that be? Jessie was Erin’s age. He didn’t think any woman reached their age as a virgin. Then again, it would explain her unease.