Home Tears

Jonah noticed where she was looking. “We keep stuff here. Blankets, dry clothes, whatever we need if we don’t feel like swimming all the way back to the opening. Brought ‘em in with bags to keep everything dry.”

Dani grinned at him, water streaming down her face. “That pearl must mean something.”

Jonah’s hand slipped to her hip, and he pressed her closer. She felt him fully and heard his response, as his mouth bent just beside her ear, “These pearls will bring a lot to Craigstown and Falls River. That’s what this means.”

“Hmm mmm?”

“And what about right now?”

Jonah dipped and tugged her under the water. Delight coursed through her, buzzing her blood. She clasped tighter to him. And before she knew what was going on, he kicked off with a burst of speed. He was swimming back, leaving Trenton behind, and then they broke the surface again. They were back at the entrance. He trapped her against the edge, his arms braced on both sides of her. Leaning forward, he nipped at the side of her mouth, then trailing kisses along her chin to her ear. One of his hands curled around her hip, and he pressed against her. “Remember when you called me ‘God’ before?”

She didn’t, but she was going with this. She wanted to know where he was going to take her. “Hmm mmm?” She tipped her head and Jonah’s searching lips found her neck, sending new shivers of lust ricocheting throughout her body.

“I’m going to make you call me that again.”

And once they got back to her cabin, he did just that.

Jonah spent the night that night, but Dani remained awake. Once she saw the clock said it was three in the morning, she slipped from the bed. Wrapping a blanket around herself, she went to the porch. A bonfire was still burning at the Smith’s home across the lake and after she propped open the door, laughter greeted her. A faint smile graced her features. It felt good to hear that sound. Sinking back in her chair, she closed her eyes. She was content to sit there and listen to their family’s happiness.

It felt less lonely somehow.

“Hey.” Jonah yawned and padded to the lounger beside her. He reached for the bottom end of her blanket and tugged it over his lap. “Did you have a nightmare?”

“No.” Dani moved in her seat to turn his way. She rested her head against the back of her seat and watched him in the moonlight. It filtered over him, accentuating his chiseled cheekbones and soft bedroom eyes. “I have come to the conclusion that my life is a mess.”

Jonah grinned. “How’s that?”

“I’m sleeping with you. My ex-fiancé is in town. My childhood boyfriend is jealous, and he’s engaged to my sister.”

Jonah snorted. “That’s not a mess. That just sounds like a small-town soap fest. It’s something Aiden would love to hear. You’d make her day if she got ahold of your drama. She’d sit for hours and help you fix everything, and in the end, you and I would be married in my sister’s fantasy.”

“I’ve never done the friendship thing.”

“What do you mean?”

“Isn’t that what someone’s supposed to share with their friends? All their problems?”

“I guess.” Jonah shrugged. “I talk to Trenton sometimes about issues, but they’re usually about work. Hawk’s not exactly the ‘emotional-sharing’ type. He likes sex. He thinks that’s his entire reason for being on this Earth.”

“He sounds stellar.”

“Hawk has good qualities. If I ever need anything, he’ll drop everything to help.”

“Even a threesome?”

Jonah barked a laugh. “Aiden called me tonight. She wanted me to remind you that they have their Friday Night Poker Showdown this week. I’m supposed to drive you. I think Aiden wants you to get drunk.”

“That might be a possibility.”

“Oh, and to warn you, Jake was invited. That means Julia will be there. I guess it’ll be pretty big because some of her new friends were invited, too. Aiden doesn’t even know who all is coming, but she’s planning for thirty.”

“How many play poker?”

“Eight tables are set up. Everyone watches until the winning table faces-off against each other. It takes all night, so plan on sleeping it off the next day. Most people just go to drink, laugh, and lose some money.” Jonah ran a hand over his face, yawning. “It’s pretty fun. Aiden and Kate wore these ridiculous hats last year. They pretended they were the next generation of Red Hats. They wore red and purple all night. Even their poker tables had to have a red or purple tablecloth.”

Dani could imagine it.

Jonah tugged at the end of the blanket. “Not to change the subject, but to change the subject.” He leaned closer, his eyes darkening. His voice dropped low. “Are you naked under there?”

Her heart spiked, and she felt a coy smile tug at her lips. “Maybe.”

Jonah stood and moved to her. Sliding his hands underneath the blanket, he made an approving sound as he felt silky skin underneath his fingertips. He lifted her legs to wrap around him, and he stood between them. Her body grew warm. Her blood started to buzz, and she felt a tingle spreading right where his hands were moving. They went under her thighs, and he pulled her tight against him.

He bent, kissing the corner of her mouth.

Dani was beginning to ache for him, and she couldn’t help but ask out loud, “How do we fit?” She wasn’t talking about their bodies. She knew exactly how they fit, like perfection.