Free Her Forbidden Love (Indigo Island Book 2) by Kaira Rouda Page A

noticed her limping, he scooped her into his arms and carried her the rest of the way. They had climbed the steps to the large porch and were about to go inside when he pulled her to the side, into the shadows in the corner of the porch.
    “Hey, do you know what these are? I’ve been meaning to ask every year,” he yelled pointing to a long wooden plank suspended on two rocking horse bases.
    He’s such a kid, like Tade. Always asking questions, she thought, smiling. She was glad she knew the answer, too.
    “It’s a joggling board. Made in Charleston,” Dorsey yelled. “Like this.” She sat in the middle of the long, foot-and-a-half-wide board that was inserted into rocking chair rockers on either end. She started joggling by bouncing up and down, and then added a back and forth rock by kicking her legs. “Ta da,” she yelled and Jack joined her. Two yellow ducks swaying on the joggling board.
    “This is great,” he said, wrapping an arm around her waist. “It’d be great to—”
    “In Charleston, rumor was that there weren’t any virgins inside a house if it had a joggling board outside,” Dorsey said, surprising herself; she was suddenly glad the storm made it almost dark so Jack couldn’t see her blush.
    “I can understand that. Wow, look at the lightning over the ocean,” Jack said, mesmerized by the sharp white streaks of light. He pulled Dorsey closer, holding onto her waist as they joggled. She could feel his strong hands on her sides, felt the electricity of his touch to her core.
    Dorsey self-consciously pushed her wet hair away from her face and pulled the plastic hood off her head. She hadn’t seen her white Keds this muddy in a long time either, she thought with a smile. She hoped her stitches weren’t ruined. Her foot felt fine. She looked at Jack and wondered what they could do, should do.
    “I’m glad I got to share this storm with you,” Jack said. “If I was in the corporate office now, I’d probably be dealing with hundreds of freaked-out guests. Instead, I just had to hang the pool closed sign and find you.”
    Dorsey smiled. “Actually, I found you, and I’m glad,” she answered, leaning into his strong body.
    Jack took his arm from her back and stood up in front of her, pulling her to standing, hugging her tightly. “I didn’t know how lonely I was until I met you,” he said, his hair wet but sexy, eyes dark and shining. “Now look at me. I’m falling for a soaking wet, muddy shoed, strawberry-blonde, adventuresome girl who is acting like she isn’t afraid of storms and who knows how to joggle.”
    “I’m not afraid of the storm, not with you,” Dorsey said, her voice catching in her throat. Could this be happening to her? What about their employment contracts? What about Rebecca? Steve? “Jack, I was so lonely before I met you, too. When my last boyfriend, well my only real boyfriend, broke up with me, well, I haven’t been able to get past it.”
    Jack grabbed Dorsey’s wet hair and tilted her head up. He leaned forward, covering her lips with his, gently pressing, exploring. Dorsey opened her mouth, gasping, as his kiss moved to her neck and behind her ear. She felt faint, the kisses were making her dizzy. Jack held her tight as another lightning bolt lit up the sky, this one close to the gazebo.
    “I’m sorry he hurt you. I won’t,” Jack said, his voice low and needy.
    Dorsey looked into Jack’s darkened eyes, wanting to believe him, as the thunderclap shook her to the core. She couldn’t trust him, though. She knew what he didn’t. He wouldn’t want to be with her once he knew her secrets.
    “We better get inside,” Dorsey said, reluctantly breaking their embrace by pulling him into the lobby of the inn. Vacationers were everywhere, trapped inside by the storm. The bar was hopping, the library was packed, and Shane and Paula seemed beyond stressed by the volume of people in their lobby. Apples were disappearing faster than they could be counted.