Chapter 349

• Going back to the boat, Jake was disappointed to find the entire party following them, so they had no time alone. The boat ride back had been eye-opening, though, with Emma standing between his legs as he had perched on the edge of the side and her arms around his neck. She had been about an inch from his face the whole time talking about nothing specific, her eyes had kept moving to Jake’s mouth longingly, and he had to curb kissing her about a thousand times even though his hands were on her hips and she was pulled practically into his groin.
• One little inch forward and a tiny head tilt was all it would have taken. She was already mirroring his pose and screaming, “kiss me.” He didn’t know if she had any idea what signals she was giving him right now or if she was subtly telling him to go for it, she was drunk and feeling more carefree, and it confused him as to what to do. She was giggling, touching him, and if she had been any other girl, he would have high-fived himself as all the cues were there that he had scored. But this was her, and she was innocent in all ways sexual. She trusted him, and he didn’t want to kiss her in front of these people, anyway. If and when he did make a move, he wanted it private, so she could relax and decide without pressure if she wanted it. He didn’t want to ruin anything between them, and that kiss so long ago in the hotel had made him wary of trying too haphazardly.
• On the boat, he had left her to wander the deck with Leila and headed to the lounger. He would let her make the moves if that’s what she wanted. Let her relax. Let her come to him and play it by ear. It was the only way he could think of playing this where she was concerned, and that way, he couldn’t screw this all up by assuming it was what she wanted.