“I’m sure.” I push him back before the needy female side gets the best of me. “Just go home and get some rest. I’ll bring you some coffee in the morning.”
“You sure?” Jake’s eyes look even sadder than Louie’s.
“I promise.” Ugh! What am I doing? The words coming out of my mouth have a rotten taste. Just tell him the truth. But I can’t. I don’t want to lose him. Things are so perfect. He’s the socks that keep my feet warm. The elastic around my wrist I always wear to pull my hair up after a long day of stress. The pair of jeans that fit just right. Jake is everything. I’d even put him in front of those trashy novels Eric Loveland writes. It’s just that I can’t lose him from being a stupid idiot by telling him about something that doesn’t really matter. I need a paycheck this month. I can’t keep donating the money from our dates just because I’m in love with him. And I can’t take the money from our dates because I love him. Ugh! How much longer will this work?
“Can I at least get a goodbye kiss?” He leans in so close I’m not sure it’s a question.
I don’t hesitate to react. I’m not doing anything wrong. I just don’t want to lose him, or his trust. I sink my lips against him and melt into the length of his tall body.
He’s holding back.
I can’t stand that he’s hurt by me canceling our plans. I bite down on his lower lip. He doesn’t give his usual reaction. What’s wrong with him?
I pull away and wipe at his mouth. “You’re covered in lip gloss.”
“Keeps me honest.” He shrugs.
Nice. Maybe he should rip my heart out with his bare hands.
“Nik, you are the hardest woman to figure out.” He opens the door to the driver’s side of his truck. “There isn’t a needy bone in your body.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I laugh.
“It means I want you to need me. I want you to beg this buckaroo to come with you tonight, but you won’t do it.” Jake lifts the ball cap from his head and runs his fingers through his dark brown hair. “It doesn’t even bother you that I’m gone all the time.”
“Jake, it bothers me,” I say before he shuts the door. His words remind me that I’m being too Nikki. Ms. Independent. I could lose him if I forget to remind him of how much I really like being with him. I’m screwing this up.
He blows me a kiss with his lips, and then turns over the key. The diesel motor knocks so loud that I have to reach up and cover my ears.
Louie can’t take his eyes off me.
I’m heartbroken as the dog keeps staring at me even after Jake pulls out of the parking lot. If he only knew how much I need the money from this appointment he wouldn’t give me those sad eyes, and Jake wouldn’t make me feel so horrible. He’s never left looking this upset. I pull out my phone. I should tell him the truth. I’m not a liar. There’s no need to start now.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I'm a small town girl that loves to tell a good story! As well as eat anything in site. Food is basically AWESOME!
If you want to see what inspires me, please follow me on Facebook. facebook.com/jamiebrookthompson
Pretty Woman: Mia (The Billionaire Bachelor Series Book 2) Page 14