Seduce Me by Jill Shalvis

kids, Jack.”
    â€œWhich booth?” he asked. “Because you’re not telling me something, I can tell.”
    â€œWell, it’s a simple one, really. Very easy to run. You’ll have no problem with it at all. And the children just love it—”
    â€œWhich booth, Heather?”
    His sister rolled her eyes. “The dunking booth.”
    Jack raised his eyebrows at Sam. “See?”
    â€œI don’t have a problem with a dunking booth,” Sam said. “I like water.”
    Both women grinned and turned to face Jack, but it was Sam’s promising smile that grabbed him, and he groaned because he knew.
    He was a goner.

5
    T HEY MADE a late-night stop at McDonald’s for sodas—both aware they were just trying to make the evening last—and Sam couldn’t get over how much she laughed as they sat at that little table in the empty fast-food place. In fact, she couldn’t believe the entire evening—everything about it and her date had made her smile.
    But the smile faded as they walked back to the SUV. The night was quickly coming to an end, and now she needed an answer to the eternal question.
    To kiss or not to kiss.
    Actually, the question was moot now, wasn’t it? She’d already gone that far, with an ease that shocked her. Tonight had been so much more than she’d bargained for, and she felt the need to retreat and think.
    So as they got into his car and drove toward the café, she made the decision not to tell Jack she lived above it, mostly because she wouldn’t be able to resist him if he asked to come in.
    On the highway, Jack reached out and took her hand. His expression sent little shivers of pleasure down her spine. She knew he wanted more than a kiss.
    And so did she.
    But wanting more and getting it were two separate things. Nope, she needed to sleep on this one, which meant neither of them were going to get what they wanted, not tonight.
    Â 
    T HE MOON hung above the waves, making the frothing white water glow as they pulled into the café’s parking lot.
    Jack had felt Sam’s retreat, and he turned to her. “You okay?”
    She smiled at him, though it didn’t quite make it to her eyes. “Sure.”
    â€œSam.”
    â€œI’m just thinking.” She put her hand on his arm, making him feel better. “I get quiet when I think. Thanks for tonight. It was nice.”
    â€œYeah, it was.” He turned off the engine and walked around to her side of the SUV.
    â€œâ€™Night,” she said, poised for flight.
    â€œAt least let me walk you to your car.”
    â€œThat’s okay, I’m going to go inside for a minute. I’ve got stuff to do.”
    Nodding, he studied her face by moonlight, orwhat he could see of it since she wouldn’t look directly at him, and wondered what had happened to scare her off. “You work late out here a lot?”
    â€œSometimes.” Again she looked a little distant, as if in her mind she were already inside the café working. “I’ll be safe, don’t worry.” With another flash of a half smile, she turned away.
    He snagged her wrist in a light hold, ran his thumb over her pulse. “Sam—”
    â€œI’ve got to go, Jack.” But in a surprising move, considering she’d already dismissed him, she leaned into him and gave him a quick kiss.
    The press of her soft mouth on his was welcome, but all too quickly she pulled away and walked off into the night.
    Despite her sudden silence, and how quickly she appeared to want to get rid of him, he stood there for a moment watching her.
    She didn’t go into the café.
    She didn’t get into her car.
    But she did disappear over the bluff beside the café.
    Curious, he followed her, and stopped dead at the top of the rise. Her high-heeled sandals lay discarded at his feet. Lifting his head, his eyes searched the night. There she was, silhouetted at the