He had a feeling he knew what she wanted to say. They’d never talked about the past. He’d been hoping not to bring that up until she was so in lust and in love with him she wouldn’t care what he said. Thinking about his inadequacies and her betrayal hurt all over again.
“Fuck, Ann. Just say it.”
She scowled. “It’s too soon. You just blew back into town. For all I know you could be playing me.”
“Are you serious?” He gaped. “Playing you? For what? Why?”
She bit her lower lip and looked away. “You’re a guy aren’t you? That’s what guys do.”
She couldn’t mean him and high school. She’d started that. Had someone hurt her since then? She was right. He didn’t know her as well as he might wish. “Ann, I’d never do that. I am what you see. I know it’s been years, but I’m here now, and I plan to stay.”Go slow, dumb ass. Don’t scare her off.Take your time.“Look, I’m sorry if I pushed, okay? I feel like I know you since we had something deep between us before, but you’re right. That was a long time ago. We’re lovers now, and I don’t want that to end. We’ll take it slow, however slow you want. Okay?”
She didn’t look as happy as he’d thought she might. “Okay.” She pasted a smile on her face. “Thanks. I appreciate you hearing me out.”
“I’ll always listen. One thing I’ve been told I do well.”
“That’s not the only thing.” She sighed. “You really worked me hard this weekend.”
He had to chuckle at her woebegone tone. “But it was worth it, wasn’t it?”
She glanced up at him and gave a true smile. “Yeah.”
Ann finished the walk with him feeling better about things. Getting that pressing relationship off her back had made a world of difference. She didn’t feel so guilty about liking the new him and still loathing the old Jack. Some meaningless sex didn’t commit his feelings or hers.
But back at home and in bed, she had to raise the bullshit flag. No matter how she prettied it up or tried to pretend one of them wouldn’t be hurt at the end of it all, she knew she’d have a hard time separating herself from Jack when it ended.
He’d burrowed himself under her skin, despite how hard she’d tried not to let him. Those dimples, his big blue eyes, his easy charm.
Why couldn’t he have been a complete ass while shopping? Or after she’d slowed things down tonight? He could have had a mantrum, as Maya liked to call them. Getting all pissy and demanding rights because he’d given her a few orgasms.
Orgasm—a bland word for the incredible joy and selflessness he’d demonstrated while giving her pleasure.
She shivered just thinking about how he used his mouth, his hands, his amazing tongue…
Too exhausted to do more than fall into a restless night dreaming about him, she woke the next morning and knew it would be a long day.
It was.
Andrew and Jane picked fights with the other kids. Her headache brewed, and the teacher’s lounge had run out of her favorite creamer, forcing her to drink her coffee black. Totally gross. Then she’d returned to a super clean house, reminding her of how sweet and funny Jack had been with his cleanliness issues. Such a nice guy on the one hand, and a kinky lover on the other. She found it difficult to reconcile him with the boy who’d treated her so shabbily long ago. Because he’d started out like this nice Jack, the loving, kind-hearted soul who put her needs first and treated her like gold.
And then he’d disappeared, replaced by an asshole who’d broken her heart. Was that asshole still lurking down there somewhere?
She’d grown up a lot since then, but she’d never been able to understand why he’d dumped her like that. The time had come to talk to him about it, yet she was loath to break their fragile peace. Especially after last night’s talk.
The school day ended, and she went home with a heavy heart. Happy, sad, and every conflicted feeling in between. Jack called and, as usual, her heart raced.
She answered her cell and fell into her couch, letting it swallow her up. “Hello?” She sighed.
“Bad day?” he asked.
“That obvious?”
“I know your sighs, and that one usually involves a headache, a problem or someone stealing your chocolate.”
She smiled despite herself. “Perceptive.”
“Tell me all about it.”
I think I might be falling for you, and I’m afraid.“I ran out of creamer. My kids were monsters. And— Hold on, another call.” She didn’t recognize the number, but it was a local area code.
