Page 76 of The Money Shot
As the door slammed shut behind them, the silence returned. Jack turned to me, his expression a mixture of disbelief and amusement. “What just happened?” he asked.
I let out a shaky laugh, still trying to process the chaos. “I don’t have a clue,” I admitted. Then, meeting his eyes, I added, “But I’m glad you’re here.”
Jack sighed and shook his head, the corners of his lips twitching like he wasn’t sure if he wanted to laugh or yell. “They sure know how to kill the mood,” he muttered.
That sounded like a challenge.
I grabbed his hand and started tugging him toward the bedroom. Jack didn’t resist, though I caught a flash of surprise in his eyes. I felt bold—no, more than bold, unstoppable. My heart was hammering so hard I half-expected it to burst out of my chest like some lovesick cartoon character.
Once we reached the bedroom, I turned to face him, and the way Jack was looking at me made my legs feel like jelly. Ibarely managed to kick the door shut behind us before pulling him down into a kiss. This wasn’t like our previous kisses—it was fiery, desperate, all-consuming. Every nerve in my body was on fire.
Then Jack broke the kiss, leaning back just enough that his forehead rested against mine. He was smiling, but there was something playful in his expression, something mischievous. “Hold on,” he said, his voice low and teasing. “I have a surprise.”
A surprise? Now? My brain was still stuck in the kiss, so the word barely registered. I blinked up at him, feeling lightheaded. “What kind of surprise?”
“Sit down,” he said. “You’re going to fall over when you hear this.”
I groaned but plopped down on the edge of the bed, letting out a dramatic sigh. “You know, you have a real knack for suspense.”
“You’re going to thank me for this one,” Jack said, pacing a couple of steps before stopping in front of me. His grin widened. “Remember that crazy woman I’ve been working with? Evelyn Van Alen?”
I wrinkled my nose. “The one you hate?”
“Oh, I do hate her,” Jack said with a laugh. “But after you hear this, you’ll be crowing her name to the heavens.”
“Now you’re just stalling,” I said, crossing my arms. “Spit it out already.”
He dragged it out even more, of course, a wicked glint in his eyes as he dropped little hints. “Picture it, Liam. Blue skies, white sandy beaches…”
I squinted at him. “A beach? What are you talking about?”
He leaned in, grinning ear to ear. “Evelyn is sending me to St. Kitts to work on her stupid med-spa. We’re going on a vacation to paradise!”
My brain short-circuited for a second. We’re? He couldn’t mean—no, of course not. I must have misheard him. My stomach twisted as doubt sank its claws in. “You’re going to St. Kitts?” I asked, my voice quieter.
His smile faltered, and his brows pulled together. “We’re going to St. Kitts, Liam. You and me. Together.”
I tried to force a smile, but it felt weak, hollow. “That’s… amazing, Jack. You deserve a little fun in the sun.”
Jack tilted his head, studying me. “Okay, wait a minute.” He crouched in front of me, his hands resting on my knees. “Why aren’t you jumping up and down with excitement?”
I hesitated, my chest tightening. “I’m happy for you, really. It’s just… I mean, you’re going to love it, and—”
Jack’s eyes narrowed, and an amused look settled on his face. “Oh, Liam.” He shook his head, smirking as he rose to his feet and pulled me up along with him. “You’re coming too.”
“Me?” I stammered. “Are you serious?”
Instead of answering, Jack kissed me again. His hands slid up my back, and I let myself fall into him completely. Then, just as the kiss started heating up, Jack stepped back, putting a teasing couple of feet between us.
“You wanna know something? I love your new tan,” he breathed. “Are you tan, um, everywhere?”
A rush of heat flooded my cheeks. I bit my lip, trying to muster up a confident wink. “There’s only one way to find out.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Jack
The plane’s intercom crackled as the flight attendant announced our descent into St. Kitts. I adjusted my seatbelt and glanced at Liam beside me. He was practically vibrating with excitement, leaning toward the window as if he could will the island to appear faster.