Kisses From Jack(10)

He had to talk to her. Not just because they had just saved someone's life together, but because he couldn't stop looking at her. If Jack had a type, she wasn't it. He usually went for the long, leggy blondes or even a spicy redhead, but never a curvy girl with no makeup on. Yet, he didn't think he had ever met anyone so naturally attractive.

“That was amazing,” Jack said, coming up to her. His voice sounded far too high to his own ears. She spun around to face him, her eyes going to his.

“Oh, um, thanks. I didn't even really have time to think about it to be honest. I just reacted,” she replied, a blush touching her already flushed cheeks. Jack's heart pounded in his chest and he felt blood rushing elsewhere as well. She was beautiful and sexy.

Jack ran a hand through his hair, feeling nervous. He hadn't felt nervous talking to a girl since high school, but somehow she was making his palms sweat. “Well, I think you saved his life. Not a bad thing to tell the folks at home about your vacation. You did really well.”

“Thank you,” she replied with gentle smile. “You helped—you kept his girlfriend from completely freaking out.”

Jack grinned. “I think it was his wife. She had a big diamond on her finger,” he said, rubbing the spot on his arm where Jenna had most likely left a bruise. He wished he had something clever and charming to say that would sweep her off her feet. Instead he just held out his hand and said the next logical thing he could think of. “I'm Jack, by the way. Jack Saunders.”

He waited for the inevitable light-bulb to go off in her eyes as she recognized his name. He had seen it enough times to recognize the exact moment when either awe or greed took over.

“Emma.” She took his hand firmly in hers and shook. Her tiny hands were strong. “Emma LaRue.”

“Emma,” he repeated, watching her carefully. The look hadn't come yet. He held onto her hand, waiting for the other shoe to drop. People always recognized him. Always. “Well, it is very nice to meet you, Emma. Are you staying at the resort here?”

She held up her opposite hand to display a pink bracelet. “Yup. How about you?”

“No, I am staying at a house down a little further on the beach," he said, jerking his head back in the direction he had come from. She still hadn't recognized him.

“Oh, that must be nice. The houses I saw on the way in looked very nice,” she replied, obviously blushing slightly at her overuse of nice. He wondered for a moment if he was having the same effect on the beautiful girl as she was having on him.

Let go of her hand... let go of her hand... Let go or she'll think you're nuts... Jack thought to himself, forcing his hand to release hers. He immediately missed her touch.

“I'm actually trying to escape it right now,” he said, desperate to keep the conversation going. Brandy popped back into his head and he felt his eye twitch.

“It can't be that bad,” Emma said with a smile. God, she was beautiful with that smile.

“I came with someone,” he explained. “And I thought we were going to have a good time, but it has been miserable. I couldn't stay in the house with her a second longer." The words just tumbled out with thinking. If he had been thinking, he would have said something debonaire and sexy, not how awful his ex was. Way to impress a girl, Jack, he thought to himself.

“Girlfriend?” she asked with just enough disappointment to make his heart soar with hope. Maybe he hadn't completely ruined his shot with her.

“Secretary. I thought maybe the cliche would work, but it is no fun out of the office," he answered honestly. He couldn't have lied to her if he tried. Something about the way she looked at him with those green eyes completely made his brain go haywire in the best way possible.

“So you just left her?” She frowned slightly and Jack's heart stalled.

“She's out admiring the pool boy. And still hungover from last night,” he answered feeling the anger of the morning flash up again. “It hasn't been the best vacation of my life," he said. "This conversation has been the most civil one I've had all day.”

She frowned, her green eyes full of concern he didn't deserve. “That is no vacation. Vacations are supposed to be fun. You know, maybe even save a life or something.” She laughed, banishing her frown and his.

He stared at her smile, taking in her natural beauty and optimism. Just being around her positive energy was making him feel better. Plus, she still hadn't recognized him. It was thoroughly possible that she was just a very good actress, but something in her demeanor told him that she legitimately just thought he was a normal guy.

“You want a drink?” she asked, a pretty blush heating her cheeks.