He kicked off his shoes and then his pants, then gently pulled her under him. His eyes held hers as he entered her, taking her someplace she’d never gone before with someone she’d never dreamed capable of magic.
It was yet one more thing about which Will had been right, one more instance in which he’d known her better than she knew herself. This night had made her his.
Morning came much too early for Will. If he’d had his way, he wouldn’t have left this bed for a week, maybe a month, though given the near-empty state of his bachelor refrigerator, he doubted either he or Jess would have lasted that long.
He rolled over and contented himself with studying the woman next to him. She slept on her back with her arms thrown wide, the covers down to her waist. Resisting the desire to touch her, to awaken her and take her yet again with sunlight just starting to spill into the bedroom, was tougher than anything he’d ever done.
Instead, though, he dropped a light kiss on her brow, then slipped out of bed and took a shower. He’d dressed and started a pot of decaf in the kitchen before he heard her stirring.
He poured them each a cup, then carried them into the bedroom.
“I wondered where you’d gone,” she said sleepily, then spotted the cups. “Is that coffee?” She wiggled her fingers. “Gimme, please.”
Will laughed. “Nice to know where your morning priorities are. I made decaf especially for you, but if you want breakfast, I’m afraid we’ll have to go to Sally’s.”
Jess studied him over the rim of her cup. “Why did that sound like some kind of challenge?”
Will shrugged. “It probably was. I guess I’m wondering how much you’re willing to let people figure out about us. Are you ready to stir up all that speculation?”
She frowned at him. “You say that as if it’s some kind of flaw to worry about it. Are you really prepared to face all the gossip?”
“It won’t bother me,” he insisted.
“But what do we tell people?”
“I don’t think we have to tell them anything,” he said. “They’ll draw their own conclusions from seeing us together. We don’t have to confirm or deny.”
“I guess it’s not really everyone else I’m worried about,” she confessed, looking thoughtful. “It’s my family, plus Jake and Mack. None of them know how to keep their opinions to themselves, and they’ve already been pretty vocal with their doubts about the two of us as a couple. At least some of them have been.”
“So, you don’t want to go to Sally’s,” he concluded, trying to keep his expression blank, even as his heart took a dive. “Fine. It’s up to you.”
Jess reached for his hand. “Please don’t look like that. I’m not ashamed of what happened here last night. I hope it’s the start of something, Will, I really do. But until we’re sure, maybe it would be best…”
“To keep it a secret,” he said. “I get it.”
And he did. That didn’t mean it didn’t hurt like hell, though.
17
Will didn’t know why he’d been so surprised by Jess’s reticence to go with him to Sally’s. Even though she’d initiated what had happened between them the night before, it was evident that she still had serious reservations about them as a couple. He probably should have slept on the stupid sofa, after all. He didn’t want just one incredible night with her in his bed. He wanted a whole future. He’d made that clear enough, and still she’d taken off.
“You look grim,” Connor said when he settled into a booth opposite Will at Sally’s. “Problems?”
“Nothing I want to talk about,” Will said. Of all the people in town who might turn up here this morning, why did it have to be Jess’s brother? No way was he discussing this with Connor.
Connor leveled a knowing look at him. “What’s my sister done now?”
“Who said this has anything to do with Jess?” Will replied testily.
“According to Gram, Jess was headed to your place last night to surprise you with a meal. Since I tried to call her at home off and on all evening to see if she’d gotten home okay, and never got an answer, I’m guessing she stayed with you.”
Will groaned. “Is nothing a secret in this town?” No wonder Jess hadn’t wanted to show up here with him this morning and give the town more fodder to chew on.
Connor laughed at his apparent frustration. “Not in my family, that’s for sure.” His expression turned sympathetic. “You two have a fight?”
“No.”
“Don’t tell me last night was a disaster,” Connor said, looking shaken. “You know…”
“I know,” Will said, then added indignantly, “and it wasn’t a disaster. Far from it. And that is absolutely the last thing I will ever say about that.”
“Fair enough,” Connor agreed. “I’m not all that anxious to be privy to my sister’s sex life, to tell you the truth.”
“Then why the devil would you ask?”
Connor shrugged. “Felt I had to. So, if everything was okay in that department, why do you look as if you’ve lost your best friend?”
“I can’t control how I look or your interpretation of it,” Will said, losing patience with the whole uncomfortable conversation. “Can we please drop this?”
The plea obviously fell on deaf ears.
“Let me guess,” Connor began. “The two of you spent the night together, and Jess bailed on you first thing this morning.”
Will avoided his gaze. “I really do not want to discuss this with you, Connor. How many ways do I have to say that before you get it?”
“Who better to talk to?” Connor said, not the least bit put off. “Nobody understands Jess the way I do. That’s her pattern, pal. She dips a toe in the pool, then scampers away before she risks drowning.”
“Nice metaphor,” Will said. He’d pretty much
