Rev (Jack 'Em Up #4) by Shauna Allen Page A

breath. “Didn’t think so.”
    “Why?” Stupid question. Jewel was a beautiful, single woman. Of course some guy would leave her roses. Probably flirt with her and ask her out and do all the normal things I couldn’t.
    “No reason. I just don’t like surprises.” Her voice trembled the tiniest bit. She probably thought she was hiding it well, but in my silence, I’d become attuned to other people’s subtleties.
    “Are you at home?”
    “Yes.”
    “Wait for me. I’m coming over.” I hung up before she could reply, totally shocked at my own words. I was never forceful or bossy, and I definitely never pushed people into things they didn’t want, but something unseen was propelling me on.
    I showered and dressed in jogging pants and a plain T-shirt then shoved my feet into my tennis shoes and hightailed it to Jewel’s. I made one pit stop on the way, but I still made it in under thirty.
    She opened the door and stared at me like she hadn’t really expected me to come. I perused her from head to toe. She was in short shorts, a tank top that matched her eyes, and bare feet with bright blue polish on her toes. Remembering myself, I thrust the bundle of lilies toward her.
    She glanced down then back up to me without taking them.
    “You said you don’t like surprises. When I give you flowers, you’ll know who they come from.”
    She finally accepted my offering. “Thank you. They’re beautiful. How did you know I loved lilies?”
    “I didn’t. They suit you. Plus, you don’t strike me as a rose kinda girl.”
    She flinched, but pulled herself together quickly. “Would you like to come in?”
    “I’ve got one better. Come for a ride with me?”
    Her hesitation was brief. “Sure,” she finally said. “Just a sec.” She spun away, leaving the door open.
    I watched her put the flowers in a vase with water then she grabbed her purse and slid on some flip-flops.
    “Your brother still here? I’m not keeping you from family time, am I?”
    She grinned. “No. He left this morning. Time to get back to the real world.”
    I didn’t ask about that as I led her to the Jeep. I rolled the windows down as I cruised toward the beach. Whenever I felt overwhelmed, nature seemed to ease my mind. I hoped it would do the same for her.
    She slipped on sunglasses and let the wind whip through her hair with a smile. I parked along the seawall and we began walking. I took her hand to help her step over the small stone wall that led to the sand and never let go. She didn’t seem to mind as we strolled along, the waves rushing to our left. Salt and children’s laughter tinged the air.
    At a high spot, Jewel tugged me to a stop and sat on the sand, her face to the sun. “This is nice. Thank you.”
    I leaned back on my hands and stared at her profile. How she’d stayed single all this time was totally beyond me.
    “You wanna talk about it?”
    She rolled her head to face me. “Not really.”
    I glanced toward the water. If anyone understood keeping shit to yourself, it was me. “If you ever change your mind, I’m here.”
    She leaned her head on my shoulder. “I appreciate it.”
    I let my cheek rest on the top of her head as we shared the moment. Nothing fancy. No eloquent words, no big overtures or revelations. Just two people enjoying the day for what it was. Fleeting.
    We sat there for a long time, until the sun started to sink behind the water, painting the sky a brilliant purple. She shifted and settled herself to lie in my lap. I sat up and threaded my fingers through her golden hair, letting the silky strands caress my skin.
    As the first star began to shine, she rolled to peer up at me.
    No words.
    Our eyes spoke for us.
    There was something here.
    Something new.
    Something exhilarating.
    Something I’d never experienced before.
    Something scary as hell.
    I wasn’t sure I was cut out for anything that she might need or want of me, but I found myself wanting to try. More than anything I’d ever wanted