“Did you miss me?”
She swallowed hard and delivered the truth. “More than you would believe.”
Jack smiled. “I can believe a lot of things. Like I believe that if I’d waited to ask you to marry me, maybe you’d have said yes. But no, I had to jump in, both feet, and have you turn me down.”
“You scared me, Jack.”
“Why?”
Why? Good question, one she’d been considering night and day since he left. “I was afraid of loving you. Of what would become of us if I allowed myself to depend on you. I’ve been doing this alone for a lot of years, and I’d love to share the burden, but I didn’t think that was fair to you.”
Jack opened his mouth to say something, but she halted him with a hand.
“Wait, I’m not done. Sometimes, when you love someone, you need to do what’s best for them. Doing what’s best isn’t always the easiest thing. I thought you’d have a better shot at all the things you want in your life if you didn’t have Danny and me dragging you down.”
When Jessie looked, she saw Jack staring at her with his mouth dropped open. “You said no because you love me?”
A tear ran down her cheek. “I said no because Danny and I both love you. Having you walk out of our life one day when you want to pursue your dreams would hurt more than saying good-bye now. At least, that’s what I thought last week.”
Jack stood, knelt down in front of her, and grasped her hands. “Do you feel the same thing this week?”
“No. This week I was miserable, desperately wishing you wouldn’t take my rejection and you’d come back.”
Jack lifted his hands to her face and rubbed away the tears with his thumbs. Leaning forward, he brought his lips to hers.
She cried against his lips and crushed him closer. Jack was there, kissing her, mending the pain in her chest that had settled there like a rock.
He leaned her back and covered her with his weight. His lips moved over hers; his hands kneaded her hair. When he pulled away, Jessie’s breath was shallow and uneven.
“I came back, Jessie. I’m not going anywhere.”
Jessie pulled him down and kissed him hard.
His hands left her hair and ran down her waist. She wanted him, loved him more than she could express. If he were to ask her to marry him all over again, she’d jump at the opportunity of being Mrs. Jack Moore. There was more to life than money. The caring, thoughtful, and honest man in her arms meant more than any amount of money could.
“Make love to me, Jack,” she told him between kisses.
His heated eyes stared down at her. The weight in his jeans spoke of his desire. “What about your sister and Danny?”
Monica wouldn’t rush home. “They’ll be gone long enough for make-up sex.”
“Make-up loving,” Jack corrected her.
Jessie laughed for the first time in a week.
Lifting her in his arms, Jack walked her to her bedroom and kicked the door shut. Jessie picked at the buttons of his shirt as he set her down on the bed.
The expanse of his chest was open to her view. Strong, powerful. “You’re beautiful,” she told him.
“Don’t go telling my friends that. Texan cowboys are handsome, rugged, but never beautiful.”
Jessie stripped his shirt completely away and tossed it to the floor. Jack was working on her apron and then her jeans. “You’re handsome and rugged, too. But so beautiful.” She ran her hands down his hips and tugged at the opening of his pants.
When she managed to spring his erection, he said, “You better not call him beautiful.”
Running her hand down his shaft and back up again, she was thrilled when Jack hummed his pleasure. “This is rugged and hot.”
“Vixen,” he said in a hoarse voice.
Jack wiggled out of his clothes and Jessie pulled her sweater from her body. Within seconds, they were both naked and he was crawling back over her body, covering her with his heat. She’d never tire of him holding her down and showering her body with his lips and hands.
Jack nibbled her chin and neck and followed a fiery path of kisses and licks until he rounded over her breast. “This is beautiful,” he said before teasing her into a hard pebble and sucking her into the cavern of his mouth. Jack nibbled, the bite playful but hard enough to shoot fire between her legs. He moved to her other breast. “And this is beautiful.” He repeated the attention to the second.
Her returned to her mouth and ravished her with his tongue.
She squirmed, wanting him inside her. They rolled over each other, fighting for dominance. Their harsh breathing was the only sound in the room.
Jessie wrapped a leg around him, teasing him at her entrance. He buckled forward, giving her only a taste of him inside her.
“Please,” she begged. “Fast now, slow later. I need you.”
He rolled them onto their sides and lifted her leg over his hip. Without warning, he entered her and knocked the oxygen from her lungs. “Yes,” she hissed.
“Get used to me, Jessie. Us Texans are hard to drive away.”
No, instead he drove into her with his body. He slid past her most sensitive spot, the smooth and rough friction of him setting the perfect pace.
Grasping his hips, Jessie helped their canter.
There was nothing slow and melting with their mating. More of a volcano ready to explode. Earthquake quivers and tremors gave a warning until all the feeling and nerves rushed together at the same time.
Finally, her hands clutched his body and her eyes rolled into the back of her head as she trembled and found her toe-curling release. His rode on her heels as the warmth of his orgasm filled her.
Jessie buried her head in his arm, happier than any woman should be.
After, Jack listened as Jessie’s breathing eased. He wanted to stay exactly where he was.
Forever.
But he wouldn’t make the same mistake twice. He would ask her to marry him once he had a ring and the ability to do it right. She loved him. He heard her say it and, more, he felt it. There had to be a way to tell her the truth about his wealth that wouldn’t anger her. For that, he needed a woman’s advice. First chance he got, he would call Katie and solicit hers.
Right now Jack wanted to lie in Jessie’s arms and forget about all their recent troubles.
The sound of a door opening and Danny’s voice calling out ditched his plans.
He stiffened and reached for a blanket and Jessie laughed. “Reality comes crashing in,” she said.
Jack kissed her nose and forced his body to slip from hers. It was then he noticed that he hadn’t used a condom. He glanced at Jessie to see if she had noticed. If she did, she said nothing.
No matter, I’m marrying this woman if it’s the last thing I do. He quickly put his boxers on and tossed Jessie her clothes with a wink.
“Jessie?” Monica called.
“Hold on,” Jessie laughed. “I’ll, ah, be right out.”
Monica laughed.
Sisters.
Chapter Fifteen
They ate the stew she’d made and laughed at Danny shaking the gifts under the tree.
“This one has to be clothes,” he scowled as he spoke.
“Why do you say that?” Jack asked.
“Cuz there isn’t any sound inside the box and it’s not very heavy.” Danny tossed the box under the tree and picked up one of the packages Jack had brought.
“Soundless and light, yep, must be clothes,” Jack agreed.
“This,” he squealed, lifting the beautiful package above his head, “is a toy. It’s not heavy, but there are plastic pieces jiggling around in there.”
Jessie grasped Jack’s hand across the table and smiled at Monica.
“How do you know it’s plastic?”
Danny closed his eyes, taking the shaking of the presents to the next level. “I’m five. All my toys are plastic.”
Jack squeezed her hand as he spoke to her son. “So, Danny, what do you really, really want for Chri
stmas?”
“I want a bike.”
Jessie saw that coming. It was all he’d asked for. The one she had hidden in a box in her bedroom needed some serious assembly for Santa to manage after Danny went to sleep.
“But you know what would be even better than a bike?” he asked.
Oh no. She didn’t know there was anything else he wanted. His letter to Santa, the one he wrote the day after Thanksgiving, said a bike. A red bike that was twice the size of the one he had now.
“What’s that, buddy?” Jessie queried.
“I want a house where we have a driveway and a place so I can ride my bike. Then Auntie Monica can have her own room so she doesn’t need to sleep out here. And Mom can park her new car in a garage.” Danny bounced to his feet. “Did you see the new car?” he asked Jack.
“No.” Jack slid a smile Jessie’s way.
“My goodness, in all the excitement around here I completely forgot to tell you what happened.”
Jack’s thumb stroked hers as he waited patiently for her explanation.
“After you left, the dealership called. There was some kind of fire in their garage that destroyed my car.”
“Really?” Jack asked, his smile never wavering.
“That’s what they told me. The dealership gave me my choice of a new car for my loss. Can you believe it?” Jack tilted his head to the side. Something in the way he stared at her made her pause.
Monica stood and cleared a few dishes from the table. “I’m still waiting for the dealer to call and say it was all a big mistake.”
“I don’t know, Monica. Dealerships hate to be sued,” Jack explained as he shifted his gaze to Monica.
“That’s what I told her.”
“I don’t buy it.”
“What did you get?” Jack asked, changing the subject.
“Mom got the coolest car ever. It has TVs in the backseat, and there’s a lady’s voice that gives us directions if we’re lost. It’s epic.” Danny grasped Jack’s hand. “C’mon, you need to see it.”
Jessie sent a sympathetic look Jack’s way as Danny forced him to stand.
“I’d love to see it.”
“I’ll get the keys.” Standing, Jessie found her purse by the door and started to dig in to find her keys.
“Tell you what, why don’t we go for ice cream,” Jack suggested. “Your mom can give me a ride in her new car.”
“Can we, Mom?”
“Sure, why not. You wanna go, Monica?” Jessie turned to her sister, who busied herself cleaning the dishes.
“You guys go. I’ll finish cleaning this mess.”
Outside, the sun had set and the wind was whipping around the chill in the air. The apartment complex had a carport, but only one designated spot per unit. Until the new car, Monica had parked her car under it.
Jessie used the remote to unlock the car. “I still can’t believe it’s mine. I kinda feel like I’ve won the lottery without even playing.”
Jack placed his arm around her and rested it on her shoulder as they walked. “Sometimes good things actually come to those who deserve them.”
At the car, Danny opened the back door and jumped inside. “Look, Jack. TV.”
“It plays DVDs,” Jessie told Jack as he ran a hand over the frame of the door Danny had opened.
Jack tickled Danny as he leaned over him to look inside. “Perfect for those long drives.”
“That’s what the dealer said. I never thought I’d have a car like this.”
“Is it safe?” Jack asked.
“The crash rating had a decent score. The gas mileage is great.”
Jack rounded the car and popped the hood. “Four cylinder?”
“Again, gas mileage.”
From over the hood, Jack said, “I think it’s a great pick.”
For the first time since she’d driven it home, Jessie felt as if she could enjoy it. Without Jack, everything had seemed a little grayer.
Jack released the hood. “Wanna take me for a spin?”
Danny was already in his seat with the seat belt on.
After ice cream, they drove around looking at Christmas lights until Danny started nodding off in the back.
Jack stared at her as they rounded the street that led to her apartment.
“It’s nice to see you with new things,” he said. “You smile a little brighter.”
Damn, she didn’t want him thinking she needed him to provide them for her. Together they’d figure out how to pay the bills and make things work. “It’s just a car, Jack. I’m smiling because I’m sharing it with you.”
“Danny seemed ready to ask Santa for a garage to park this in.”
“Danny doesn’t realize what he’s asking for when he says he wants a house for Christmas. I think he watched Miracle on 34th Street.”
“Kids dream a little bigger than adults do. I think it’s part of the innocence.”
She agreed. “Adults know that making dreams come true is hard work. Kids think all they have to do is wish on a falling star.”
Jessie pulled into her parking space and turned off the engine. “Well, what do you think?” she asked, stroking the steering wheel.
“I think it’s perfect.” He leaned over then and kissed her. Sweet and short, but so very nice. “I think you need to keep wishing on falling stars,” he whispered with a grin.
Jessie watched his gray eyes sparkle and couldn’t help but think they looked like stars.
“Come on,” he said after pulling away. “Let’s tuck Danny into bed. Then I can tuck you into bed.”
She wiggled out of the driver’s seat. Now, that sounded like a perfect plan.
Jack and Jessie spent the night making love. Making up for the time they’d lost. By morning, Jack was prepared to break away for a few hours. He needed a solid plan to execute how to explain his deception to Jessie. He twisted words in his head, trying to phrase things so she wouldn’t feel lied to.
The more he pondered his approach, the more he knew she’d be angry. Hell, he would be if he were in her place.
He needed female advice.
Jack needed his kid sister.
Sliding behind Jessie as she assembled the makings for cookies, Jack placed a kiss on the side of her neck. “Sugar cookies?” he asked, holding her around the waist with one hand and dipping his finger into the sticky bowl for a stolen taste. He licked his finger and savored the flavor of the cookie dough.
“The best kind.”
“I don’t know about that. Chocolate chip cookies always sing to me.”
Jessie laughed and slapped his hand when he went in for a second taste. “Cookie cutters don’t work with chocolate chips, and you can’t frost them.”
“Yum, frosted chocolate chip cookies. I think you’re on to something.”
She giggled and picked up a spoon to stir the batter.
“I hate to say this.” Jack swiveled Jessie until they were face-to-face. “But I need to go and run some errands, check in at the hotel.”
“Do you have to work today?” She wiped her hands on a towel and set it aside.
“In a way.”
“What does that mean?” She smiled when she asked.
“I’ll explain later.” He avoided lying. Going to the hotel and working were on the agenda, just not exactly in the manner Jessie thought.
“We’ll save some of the frosting so you can make your own,” Jessie said.
Jack glanced at Danny, who was playing a board game with Monica in the living room, then leaned down to kiss Jessie.
Her lips slid over his in a soft caress. So warm. He couldn’t wait to slip a ring on her finger and claim her.
He ended their kiss and squeezed her before moving aside. “I’ll be back,” he promised.
“You better be,” she scolded lightheartedly.
He moved around the counter, waved a hand to the others. “I’ll see you later, Danny.”
“You’re leaving?” His head bounced up.
“Gotta r
un some errands.”
Danny scrambled to his feet and ran to hug him. There was something about a little boy tossing himself into Jack’s arms that made everything worthwhile. Jack kissed the top of his head. “Later, partner.”
“Later, Uncle Jack,” Danny mimicked.
Jack opened the door and shot a glance at Jessie. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her apron hung from her waist with copious amounts of flour on it. She was smiling, even before she looked up and caught him staring at her.
He did not want to mess this up.
Once outside, he turned on his cell phone and noticed a message waiting for him.
“Jack, dammit, where are you?” It was Katie. “Oh, never mind. Listen, Dad came home ticked that he missed you. He and Beth started talking, and between the two of them and my tight lip, they figured there is a woman involved. One you want to make permanent. I swear I didn’t say a thing. He’s on his way to you. We’re both coming. I’ll try to hold him back until you have things fixed with Jessie. You are fixing things with Jessie, right? Oh, and he said something about meeting with your contractor for the new project while he’s there. He’s been on the phone for the last hour barking orders. Anyway, consider yourself warned.”
Jack turned off his phone and jumped into his truck. With a little luck, he’d make it back to the hotel and manage to clean himself up before his father invaded.
Gaylord Morrison did everything the Texas way.
Big!
Large strides carried Jack through the lobby and to the elevators. Sam saw him from the reception desk and scrambled to catch up with him.
“Mr. Morrison…”
“Not now, Sam, I’m in a hurry.” Jack summoned the elevator to the lobby floor.
“Your father is on his way.”
“I know.” He pressed the button again, frustrated with its speed.
“The other executive suite in the hotel has a guest. Will your father be staying with you?”
The elevator light lit up.
Jack slid into the elevator. “I’ll take care of it, Sam. Don’t worry.”
Housekeeping had erased all evidence of the mess Jack had left before his short trip to Texas. Jack disrobed as he walked but made sure all his clothes were shoved into the closet like a good bachelor. Within twenty minutes, he was shoulder-to-heels Armani, his good Stetson securely on his head, his polished boots on his feet. Not a huge change from Jack Moore, he decided.
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