Hometown Love (Love on the North Shore #2)(65)

“I’m not saying you should stop seeing Mack. He’s a good guy from a good family, but children complicate relationships.”

Her father spoke from experience and she appreciated his concern. “Things are great between us, Dad.” She just hoped they stayed that way. “Maybe Mack and Grace can join us for dinner next week.”

Her father nodded. “I was going to suggest that myself.”

His words stayed with all night. About two years after her mother died while giving birth to her, her father had remarried a woman he’d met though a mutual friend. Whether he’d remarried because he loved Sheila or because he wanted a mother for her, Jessie didn’t know. She did know that Sheila never treated her like a real daughter. Not that she was ever cruel, but she never treated her the same way Maureen O’Brien treated Charlie. When Sheila and her dad divorced around her sixth birthday, Jessie had been sad but not heartbroken. And from what she remembered, her dad hadn’t been heartbroken either. Instead, he’d moved them out of their apartment and in with her grandparents. Then he’d gone on with life as if nothing had happened.

In her case, however, she already loved Grace like she would her own biological daughter. Her sticking point was Bethany. Her dad was correct; Bethany would always be in Mack’s life. Jessie could handle that. What she didn’t know was if she could handle Bethany always throwing herself at him. Mack claimed she’d never done it before, and that she was only doing it now because she’d recently become single. He reassured her that once Bethany landed another guy, she’d ignore him again. While Jessie agreed that Bethany could land any guy she wanted in record time, she believed her recent interest stemmed from more than being single again. In Jessie’s opinion, the woman had realized what she’d tossed out and now regretted it.

Whatever the case, Jessie didn’t plan on letting Bethany worm her way into Mack’s heart again. Both he and Grace deserved better than Bethany.





Chapter 14




“I thought you had tomorrow off?” Mack asked Jessie Friday night as they cuddled together on his bed. Earlier that night, Bethany had stopped by and took Grace back to her hotel in Salem for the night, leaving Jessie and Mack alone. Much like the previous week, they’d had little time together since the weekend before. The only day they’d managed to see each other for more than ten minutes had been Wednesday when she’d met him and Grace for dinner at The Jade Orient.

Jessie snuggled closer, absorbing the heat from Mack’s naked body. “I did, but then I promised Patti she could have the day off so she can attend the picnic with her husband and son.” She hated the idea of Bethany going with Mack and Grace, but she hated disappointing Patti, too. “I’ll be here for movie night with you and Grace tomorrow.”


Mack’s hand drifted upward and he cupped her breast, his fingers fondling her nipple. “People call in sick all the time. There must be someone who could cover for you tomorrow.” Pushing her onto her back, he replaced his fingers with his lips while he let his hand travel lower.

Her mind struggled to focus as his lips and tongue feasted, and his fingers teased between her legs. “People would notice if I called in sick and then showed up at the picnic.” She took a deep breath, her body hot everywhere. “You know that.” She tried reaching for him, but he pushed her hand away then went back to teasing her again.

He lifted his head and pinned her in place with his heated gaze. “I expect you by my side for the holiday concert in December.”

She could only nod once before his mouth came down on hers, his tongue mimicking the actions of his fingers until Jessie exploded. Then, as if satisfied with the accomplishment, he moved his hand away and slid inside.



Her pulse still pounded, but she no longer breathed heavily. Under her hand, Mack’s heart continued to race, but his breathing sounded normal once again. He certainly knew how to push her right over the edge. Granted, she’d only had sex with one other man, but it had never been like this even in the very beginning before things turned ugly and Jeremy showed his true self.

“You’re quiet. Everything okay?” Mack’s question invaded her thoughts.

“Perfect. You?”

“Never better. How could I not be? I’ve got a beautiful, naked woman in my bed. A guy doesn’t need much more than that to be happy.”

With no suitable reply, she propped herself up on her elbow and changed the subject. “This week, can you and Grace join my dad and me for dinner?”

“It’s time for the ‘Are you good enough for my daughter test’ huh?”

Jessie laughed. “The what?”

“Maybe he called it something different, but he wants to make sure I’m good enough for you. I already have my test prepared for when Grace starts dating,” Mack answered with a straight face, and she couldn’t tell if he was serious or not. “My test will involve a shovel and a shot gun.”

“You’re joking, right?”

“No. Any guy who dates Grace will know just what will happen to him if he ever hurts her. The same goes for anyone who tries to hurt you.”

Somehow, she had a feeling her father and grandfather would’ve reacted in a similar manner if they’d known how Jeremy had treated her. Maybe that was why she’d never shared much about their relationship with them or anyone else and why she’d not brought him around her family much. “Okay. Does that mean you’ll come?”