Midnight Jasmine (Devil's Hornets MC Book 1) by Kathryn Thomas Page A

day.” She finished her glass of wine at the end of her confession, and he wondered how difficult that was for her to get out as he poured her more of the beverage that she seemed to be enjoying so much.
     
    “Is it my turn?” He didn’t really know what to say, but knowing this was a woman who appreciated the truth straight out, he was going to give it to her once he figured out how to say it without sounding like he was a complete asshole.
     
    “I guess it is.” She smiled, and he had to give it to her; she looked like a person he could confide in as she watched him and seemed to be assessing him. “Let me guess. You are a guy who is more of a one night wonder than a person who sticks around? Please know that whatever you say, I will be okay with, I’m very open minded.”
     
    “I wouldn’t say that I’m a one night wonder, but I’m not the guy who sends flowers, texts you first thing in the morning to say hello, or ends his day with a recap of how his life is going for another person. There have been women I know who I’ve spent time with here and there, just nothing permanent.”
     
    “So you’re more of a ‘friends with benefits’ person?”
     
    “This has got to be one the oddest conversations I’ve ever had with a woman.” He watched her smile at his comment and was again amazed at this woman who’d been hidden away in her little flower shop and was a pleasure to converse with.
     
    “Is that because there’s not a lot of conversation between you and your partners or because this topic hasn’t ever come up?” She continued to watch him like she was enjoying him searching for words.
     
    “Both, and that was two questions.”
     
    She laughed, and he felt that tinkling sound travel throughout his body creating a desire that felt like a need deep in his belly. This woman was delicious. Her body, her mind, and her very soul made him want to claim her, but the rational part of him was trying to keep him on track and let him know that this woman wasn’t for him. It didn’t matter how much he wanted it to be true.
     
    “You’re right. I think that means the next two are on you.”
     
    The hum of the cell phone that was on the table alerted him to the incoming call. He picked up the phone and talked to the server about when he wanted his meal to begin. The only answer he could give was “Now” because just thinking about this meal getting finished so he could get started on his second meal was making it hard to figure out the questions he’d wanted to ask.
     
    “That was the waiter?” She asked when he disconnected the call.
     
    “Yup, and he is bringing the meal out now, but back to you. You said your mother is in Florida, do you have other relatives up here?” He admitted that his question was tame, but he was working up to better things, and it was important to know if she had some type of network in place for support. It was hard in this town when you were alone.
     
    “I have a few aunts and uncles that aren’t related by blood but are more like family than some of the biological families I’ve seen.”
     
    “Good.” He took a sip and watched her until a pink blush stole across her face. Jack must not be the only one who could read faces because she looked like she could hear him cataloging what parts of her body he wanted to uncover first and taste again. She couldn’t be as sweet as he remembered, but he wanted to find out.
     
    “My father was a drug dealer who liked to take his daughter to work with him. He was ruthless, so I’m not sure if he used me to soften people up or make people afraid because he would bring a child into such a crazy situation.”
     
    “So you were there with him while he did deals?” He couldn’t believe that a man would do that to his child, but he’d seen much worse with his clientele. Now he felt better about not telling her about his occupation, because the angry vibe he got from her when she talked about her father didn’t make