Audra gave him a skeptical look. “Don’t worry. I’m not a self-conscious adolescent anymore.”
“You don’t look like one either.” Jack leaned in slowly, claiming her mouth with his own.
The taste of her sweetness today was as intoxicating as the first time he’d kissed her. Her lips were soft and supple beneath his, making him forget everything except her scent, her feel, her warmth. He slid his tongue across her lips and she opened for him, welcoming him closer to her. Jack followed her without hesitation.
Audra’s head was spinning. She uncrossed her legs and fell back onto the blanket, clutching onto Jack for dear life. He swept his tongue into her mouth and Audra moaned at the intimacy. Fireworks went off behind her lowered eyelids. And this was just a kiss, warm and wet and deep, but still just a kiss. She’d been kissed before. It had never felt like this, though. She pressed her fingertips into his muscled shoulders as her world spun away from her.
Audra trembled as Jack’s hands moved over her body. His palm caressed her left breast through the thin cotton of her T-shirt. He molded her fullness and stroked her tip until her nipple tightened with need. Audra arched her back, pressing her breast tighter into his hand. The feel of his fingers tracing her, learning her, drew her deeper under his spell. She forgot where she was. She forgot what she’d been doing. All she knew was here and now, and a hunger that moved her body restlessly beneath his. Heat built inside her. She scored her fingertips down his tapered back, pulling him closer to her. Kissing him harder. Drawing his tongue deeper into her mouth.
She sighed as Jack freed her lips to taste her neck. His hand slid to her waist. There was a tug at the waistband of her shorts, then his hand slipped inside to smooth over her hips. She pressed her head back, gasping for air. Jack licked her collarbone and palmed her derriere. The cornucopia of sensations kept her off balance. An ache was growing between her thighs. Her bare legs shifted beside his.
She needed to touch him, needed him to feel what she was feeling. She slipped her hands under Jack’s shirt. The heat from his skin scorched her palms. She traced the taut, smooth muscles of his back and drew him closer, wanting more of his touch. Wanting to ease her ache.
Jack kissed her again. Audra opened her mouth, deepening their bond, drinking him hungrily. Jack’s hand caressed its way to her lower abdomen. He slid his fingers between her thighs, separating her folds and pressing one finger against her. Audra’s body shivered. In shock or in need? Both.
Audra tore her mouth free. She grabbed hold of Jack’s wrist, stopping his movements. Embarrassed, she bit her lip, squeezing her eyes shut. Her hips wanted to rock against the pad of his finger. Her thighs shook with the strain to resist him, to resist herself. Her body wanted him there so badly, and in so many ways. But . . .
“I can’t.” Audra met Jack’s heated gaze.
Jack’s chest heaved in a deep sigh. He released her, rolling away to sit with his back to her.
Heaven knew he’d stoked a fire in her body that only his touch could feed. But neither her hea
rt nor her mind was ready for this.
Audra laid her forearm across her eyes. “We’ve only known each other six days. I’m leaving in three weeks.”
“It’s a bad idea for both of us.” Jack’s voice was tight.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
Her body hummed and her knees shook. Would she be able to stand? “As much as I’m tempted, I’ve never had a casual relationship.”
“I understand.”
Audra didn’t remember helping Jack repack the cooler. She didn’t recall leaving the waterfall or walking down the hill through the woods. Her mind didn’t clear until they arrived at her cabin. The gravel path crunched beneath her sneakers. She didn’t remember putting those on again, either.
Jack climbed her porch beside her. “Did you eat the fish you caught Monday?”
She could still feel his hand between her thighs and he wanted to talk about fish? “Yes. It was delicious.”
“I was thinking of cooking mine for dinner tonight. Will you join me?” His quiet question caused the muscles at the tops of her thighs to pulse again.
Should she? “I don’t know if it’s a good idea for us to spend more time together.”
“I’m not suggesting we take our clothes off.” Jack’s onyx eyes probed hers. “But I was serious when I said you’re changing me, and for the better. I haven’t laughed or even smiled much since . . . in a very long time. I’d like to get to know you.”
Either he was telling the truth or that was the best pickup line she’d heard in her thirty-one years of life.
She was playing with fire. Twice he’d shown her that with a look, a touch, or a taste, he could make her forget her best intentions.
But the fact was she wanted to get to know him better, too. “All right.”
Jack’s smile was her reward. “I’ll see you at seven.” He turned to leave.
“Should I bring anything?” Her question stopped him.