"I think you're kidding me, Jack Donovan." As she sat opposite him, her hazel eyes sparkled with a mischievousness he found endearing. She'd always been so serious. He'd wanted to be the one to bring a smile to her face--the one to bring a little sunshine into her life.
"Do you remember bringing us ice cream one morning? I have a feeling it had choc chips in it too." He was lying now, but it was worth it to see the sparkle again.
"Jack! I wouldn't have a clue what morning you're talking about, and I don't think you do either." She laughed, showing her even white teeth, the fine arch of her throat, as she put her head back.
"I love to hear you laugh," he blurted, feeling a fool at her stunned expression. "I'm sorry." He tried to make amends, but her eyes had gone wary again. "I shouldn't have said that. Damn! Yes I should. I have to tell you, Tess, I like many things about you, your laugh being just one."
Abruptly she stood, and he cursed beneath his breath. "Jack Donovan, I think you're just trying to wind me up." It was that scold again. She turned the tap on, filled the sink with hot water and squirted some detergent into it.
"All I'm doing, Tess Barrett, is being truthful. One thing you'll find out about me is I'm blunt, and as honest as a high court judge." Jack stood, moving to her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and felt a quiver run through her. His body shook with the restraint he was putting on it.
"Don't," she whispered, turning the tap off. As his fingers pressed onto her shoulders she hunched them slightly.
"Don't what? Don't warn you I'm to be trusted? Don't touch you? Turn around, Tess," he ordered softly. "I want you to look at me while I tell you something."
She didn't obey, and with gentleness, belying the flare of something animalistic roaring through him, Jack turned her and moved his hands down until they rested lightly on her waist.
"I fancied you like crazy when I was a raw twenty year old, Tess," he divulged.
"No!" Her mouth parted. He almost groaned with his need to smother it with his own when her pink tongue darted out to moisten her lips.
"Why do you deny it? You must have seen how I looked at you. Des knew. The old bastard took delight in taunting me."
)
