never thought of it that way before.'
'That's why I'm doing the talking, and you're doing the listening. And I'm not done yet.' Rich lined up another shot. 'For quite a while now, you've been dating women who were all wrong for you, whom you had no trouble keeping at arm's length. These women have been throwing themselves at you for so long that I'm thinking you've forgotten how to come on strong your-self, to make your intentions known. Now that you've found the right woman, you don't know how to open; yourself up to her.'
Jack was blown away by Rich's insight, and realized, in some ways, his friend knew him better than he understood himself. 'You're right.'
'Of course I'm right.' The teasing note to Rich's voice tempered his arrogant comment. 'The way I see things, you need to reassure her, Jack, so there's no second-guessing where you're coming from. Let her know how you feel, right up front. Get it out in the open and you can both deal with it in a straightforward, honest way.'
How could he have been so stupid? So blind? Everything Rich said made sense, and eased that worry he'd felt about not being able to give Kayla what she needed in her life. He'd just required a bit of friendly advice from Rich to give him a sense of purpose with Kayla again.
'When are you seeing her again?' Rich asked.
'Tomorrow night.' Setting a ball on his tee, Jack lined up his club, and eyed the one-hundred-and-sixty-yard flag stick, feeling calmer and more focused than he had in the past eighteen hours. 'I'm going to an art show with her.'
'Then there's your chance, buddy. After your date, tell her how you feel.'
Jack was going to do exactly that, because he wasn't about to give Kayla the opportunity to shut him out. He had to put his own emotions on his sleeve if he expected her to do the same, and he was willing to take that first life-changing step with her. For her.
Jack swung his club, made perfect contact with the golf ball, and sent it sailing beyond the one-hundred-and- sixty-yard flag stick as if it had wings of its own.
Rich whistled long and low at Jack's powerful shot. 'Looks like you're back in the game, buddy.'
Jack flashed him a confident grin. 'You better believe I am.'
Kayla had never worn anything so daring and blatantly sexy, but she couldn't deny that she loved the sensual, confident way her new dress-a vivid purple, off-the-shoulder design-made her feel. With Jillian's guidance, she'd also bought a pair of two-inch heels that didn't make her stumble when she walked. That extra boost of height made her legs look longer, and more slender.
She'd worn her hair up, donned lacy lingerie and smoke-hued stockings, and dabbed perfume in all the right places. Tonight, she needed all the self-assurance she could muster to seduce Jack, because she had no idea what tomorrow would hold.
She'd tried her best to prepare herself for the end of their physical relationship. Other than deliveries of the desserts, which Kayla didn't do herself, they had no reason to see one another on a steady basis. After this evening, she'd be left to pick up the pieces of her shredded emotions.
But at least she'd have great memories to fall back on. They'd shared not just sex, which had been great, but an emotional bond that had helped her begin to gain some insight to herself, her past, and maybe even her future. And she intended to start that future by not having any regrets with Jack after this evening.
She had no time to contemplate further, because he arrived at her house to pick her up for the art show. He looked gorgeous in a black suit with a white shirt and gray patterned tie. Appearing surprisingly relaxed, he gave her a lazy smile of appreciation when he saw her.
She wasn't quite sure what to expect after their emotional conversation two nights ago, but one thing she knew for certain-she was ready for tonight. And she was ready for Jack.
Just as Jack parked the car in the Seaside Gallery parking lot and shut down the engine, and before he had a chance to exit the vehicle, Kayla opened up her purse and withdrew a small gold foil box.
'I brought a surprise for you,' she said, and knew by the dark heat in his eyes that he had a good idea what she held in her hands.
He rested his arm across the seat behind her and fingered a tendril of blond hair skimming the side of her neck. The contact made her shiver. 'Dare I ask what's in that box you're holding?'
Just that quick, just that easily, her nipples puckered tight with need. Her candies were so unnecessary for her body to get primed and ready for him. No aphrodisiac would ever come close to duplicating the intense hunger that rippled through her at his knowing touch. Her desire for him was real, an all-encompassing combination of physical and emotional need.
Though she'd never be certain if the candies induced Jack's desire, she wasn't taking any chances with his libido tonight. It had been almost a week since they'd made love, and she ached for him in a way that transcended mere sex.
She wanted him desperately, needed him in a way she couldn't understand or explain. But she knew it had something to do with the emotions crowding her chest that told her she'd fallen much deeper than she'd intended and had given this man a piece of her heart in the process.
No one else had ever had the ability to make her nerve endings hum with such pleasure. No one had ever cared the way Jack did. But she'd seen his choice in women. And despite his protestations, she knew that was the kind of woman he wanted. After all, here she was, someone who looked nothing like his usual dates, and he hadn't tried to touch her in a week. So, if she had to return to her life before Jack, then she damn well was going to take advantage of everything tonight had to offer.
'I brought along a few Caramel Caresses, since you haven't tried them yet,' she said, and moved the chocolates closer to him, hoping the sight of the candies' sensual shape would entice him.
He groaned, low and rough and sexy as hell. 'You can't keep feeding me your candies,' he said playfully, and trailed a finger along her bare shoulder. 'You know what they do to me.'
'Yeah, I do,' she admitted out loud. That was the whole point of him eating them, she thought wryly.
Plucking a Caramel Caress from the box, she lifted it to his mouth and rolled the peaked tip against his bottom lip. 'Open up and say ahhh,' she teased.
He rolled his eyes, but did as she asked, and Kayla slid the chocolate into his mouth.
'I was expecting just a caramel filling, but there's something else…' His voice trailed off as he attempted to figure out what the added taste was.
'It's a layer of creamy praline,' she told him, and urged him to take another. 'Do you like it?'
'Like everything else you've made, it's fantastic.' He picked up a second piece of candy and bit it in half, then used his tongue to lick out the creamy, gooey center in a very provocative way.
She ate one of the candies herself, put the lid back on the box, and set it on the center console for later. She'd given Jack more than enough of the aphrodisiac to spur a liberal amount of lust. Now it was just a matter of waiting for the right opportunity to present itself, so they could enjoy its effects.
They entered the Seaside Gallery and were greeted by Audrey. With her was Louis, the new artist whose paintings were being showcased for the special event. The place was filled with guests milling about, taking in the artwork on the walls, discussing the diverse sculptures on glass-topped tables, and viewing the featured artist's seascapes and marine life paintings. Kayla wasn't an art person, but was fascinated by the vibrant colors of the ocean and sunsets depicted on canvas. Jack seemed to be also.
She checked on the dessert table to make sure that everything looked as it should, and smiled as she overheard compliments from the guests on the
'Champagne?' a young man asked as he held out a tray of drinks toward her and Jack.
'Umm, yes, please.' Kayla took a flute of the bubbly liquid for herself, and passed one to Jack, too.
