Page 12 of Cross Point
Trinity wanted to laugh at the resigned look that settled across his face before he turned back to pay for their ice cream. Addie’s sharp eyes met hers across the room. If she were made of weaker stuff, she might have squirmed under the intense scrutiny. Instead, she simply met the mayor’s gaze and smiled.
“Well, now, who do we have here?” Without hesitation, Addie walked over and held her hand out. “Hello. I’m Adeline Carrington.”
Trinity approved of the woman’s firm grip as she shook her hand. “Katrina Cross.”
“Welcome to Crescent Island, Katrina.”
Whether the mayor knew enough of the locals to distinguish Trinity was a visitor or if it was simply a guess, it was on the mark. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“Please, don’t you start that, too. Call me Addie.”
“But you never changed my diapers,” Trinity quipped.
Addie threw her head back as she roared with laughter, and Jackson’s lips twitched with amusement as he took a seat across the table from Trinity.
“So, what brings you to our island, Katrina?” Addie asked sweetly, her gaze bouncing between them. “Are you staying long? I must say, you two make a striking couple.”
“Addie…” Jackson said in warning.
“Okay, okay, I’ll behave. I just stopped by to coerce my niece into having dinner with me. My men are bowling tonight, so I need to find something else to do to say I’m busy.” She held up one perfectly manicured hand. “If I break another damn nail like the last time they dragged me to the bowling alley, one of them will die.”
Elodie chuckled as she continued cleaning the counter. “Auntie, I don’t think you should be casually speaking about murder in front of our good lieutenant.”
“It would be justified.”
“You’re a menace, Addie,” Jackson muttered.
“Why, thank you, Lieutenant Stone.” She patted his shoulder. “Okay, I will stop interrupting your date. It’s so rare to see you out and about with a companion that I had to witness it with my own eyes, though.”
“It’s not a date,” Jackson protested automatically, but even he didn’t sound very convinced by his own words.
“Sure, it’s not,” Addie said placatingly. Then, she turned to whisper loudly to Trinity. “Don’t mind him. The poor boy never dates, so he’s forgotten how it’s done.”
Trinity flashed her a grin. “I really like you, Addie.”
“Jackson, it’s nice to see you with such a charming young woman. Don’t mess it up. Katrina, it was lovely meeting you, and I hope to see you around town. We have a lot to offer, and I’m sure you will enjoy yourself while you are here. Now, I’ll leave you two alone to enjoy your ice cream. Elodie, I’m in the mood for a margarita. How about La Cocina? I know your boyfriends are working tonight, so I won’t take no for an answer.”
“I’m always up for margaritas,” Elodie told her aunt. “But I still need to clean up and finish closing.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll head over there now, and you can join me when you are done.” She gave them all a cheerful wave, then left the shop, taking her whirlwind of energy with her.
Trinity leaned forward and whispered, “Who was that masked woman?”
He grunted in amusement, then shoved a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth.
“I’ll be in the back if you need me,” Elodie called out before disappearing into the back of the shop.
“You probably have questions,” Jackson said once he and Trinity were alone.
“Questions?” Trinity asked as she studied the chocolate treat in front of her. There were chocolate-covered nuts, caramel ribbons, and tiny pieces of chocolate cookies mixed into the rich, chocolate bourbon ice cream. There was so much good stuff packed into that one little cup that she wasn’t sure where to start.
“I’m not sure what you’ve heard about the island, but Addie mentioned her men and Elodie’s boyfriends earlier—”
“Oh, you mean the poly thing? Yeah, I heard about that.”
Lifting her spoon, she took her first taste of the ice cream. Moaning, she closed her eyes as the sugary treat sang on her tongue. The bourbon mixed with the chocolate almost made it taste like a frozen malt, and the salted caramel ribbon was the perfect compliment.
Jackson froze with his own spoon halfway to his lips at the sound of her moan. Son of a bitch, that was the sound he imagined she’d make in bed. His cock surged to life, pressing against the zipper of his jeans so he had to shift in his seat or else suffer permanent damage. When her eyes opened again, he could see they were dazed with the pleasure of the chocolate delicacy. He felt a surge of lust shoot through him like a jolt of electricity.