Hometown Love (Love on the North Shore #2)(55)

He knew she loved both him and his daughter. Her actions had told him that a while ago. Still, his heart swelled at her admission. “You make me a happy guy. Do you know that?”

She flashed him a suggestive smile, one he’d never guess she was capable of, and leaned closer. “If you want, I could make you even happier.”

Her comment scorched his body from the inside out. Since they’d dressed earlier, he’d wanted nothing more than to strip them both naked and pleasure her until she fell asleep. But now, like before, he held back. Jessie not only wanted, but also needed control tonight. She hadn’t said that in words, but his gut told him that letting her control everything tonight was best for both her emotional state and their relationship as a whole. Besides, he’d enjoyed every second of their time together with her in control.


“Sounds good to me,” he answered and then waited, his body growing hard at the thought of making love again.

She didn’t keep him waiting long. Standing, she moved in front of the fireplace and pulled off her sweater then slid her leggings down. The flames from the fire danced across her skin, making it glow. Then she walked toward him and he took the opportunity to stare at her as his heart hammered away in his chest. When she reached him, she straddled his lap and sat.



His erection jumped against her through his jeans and power surged through her. When she’d arrived here tonight with her mind made up, anxiety had filled her—as had a million questions. Thanks to Mack’s love and willingness to relinquish control, none of that remained. Eager for the feel of his skin again, she pulled his t-shirt up. In silence, he took it from her and pulled it off. Jessie ran her hands across his chest. Under her fingertips, she felt his uneven breathing, and she let her hands linger for a few seconds. Then, she removed her hands and reached for the clasp between her breasts. She’d noticed earlier how he’d stared at them, and already her nipples tightened at the mere thought of him touching her again.

When her hands gripped the clasp, he swallowed, his eyes fixed on her fingers. With a simple flick, the bra opened, and she let the material slip away. Mack’s hands shot forward, his fingers caressing one breast while he held the other, and then lowered his mouth to it.

Pleasure flowed through her body as her passion grew. When she thought she’d burst into flames, she pushed on his chest. “Enough.”

His lips released her and his eyes met hers. Rather than use words, she slid from his lap, grabbed his hand, and tugged. Before she took another step, he lifted her, and she locked her legs around his waist.

Mack walked toward the stairs. “Damn, you’re sexy.” His mouth came down on hers only to break away a second later. “What the hell?” He looked down at the floor then kicked aside the pink building block he’d stepped on. “I thought we’d found all of those,” he said before his mouth came down on hers again and this time, he didn’t stop moving until they reached his bedroom and he lowered her to her feet.

Much like earlier, he allowed her to lead. “One of us is over-dressed,” she said.

His gaze swept over her and then he cocked an eyebrow. “I think it might be you.”

“I disagree.” She undid the button and zipper on his jeans. Then she pushed his jeans and boxer briefs down, leaving him naked from the knees up.

Mack freed his legs and then closed in on her. “You like taking my clothes off, don’t you?” He kissed a path down her neck to where her pulse beat, and words escaped her. Instead, she reveled in the heat building up inside her.

“I like when you do it,” he said.

She heard the hunger in his voice, and her need for him exploded. With a step back, she fell onto the bed, taking him down with her. Done with words for the moment, she used her body to convey her intentions, and he moved onto his back. Free from his weight, she grabbed a condom from the nightstand. It took her two tries, but she managed to open the package and roll it on him. Then, after one last passionate kiss, she showed him just how much she loved him.



***



She chopped the mushrooms for omelets and Mack took care of the onions while a fresh pot of coffee brewed. If an outsider viewed the scene, they’d think the two of them prepared breakfast together every morning. “Tomatoes?” he asked as he pushed the plate of chopped onions toward her.

“Let’s skip them.” She added the mushrooms and onions to the scrambled eggs in the bowl. She’d feared that things might be awkward this morning considering the previous night. However, just the opposite was true. Waking up with Mack and cooking breakfast just felt right, as if they did it every day.

Something she could imagine them doing every day.

“Fine with me. While you take care of that, I’ll get us coffee.”

Before he walked away, she touched his hand and kissed him. In return, he smiled and said, “Too bad you’re working this afternoon.”

As much as she loved spending time with Mack and his daughter, she figured it was a good thing she was scheduled to close the store. Since she and Mack had started their relationship she’d been taking time from Mack and Grace’s alone time. While Grace never showed any signs she resented it, guilt still bothered Jessie. “You and Grace will have fun without me. You two always do.”

Mack placed her coffee near the stove while she kept an eye on the omelets. “I know, but we’ll still miss you, and next weekend is going to be crazy with the party and everything.” He leaned against the counter and crossed his arms. “Especially with Bethany here.”