No, it would give him too much power over her. She’d never let a man have that kind of ultimate control over her again.
If there was one thing she’d learned from the past four years, it was that she was responsible for her own happiness. She couldn’t put her happiness in someone else’s hands. And she couldn’t love Robert with all her heart if she didn’t love herself first.
Could she love herself enough to be the woman he deserved?
Jessie considered the sermon at church last Sunday about grace. Grace made up for her weaknesses. Instinctively, she knew that if she and Robert could take a chance on one another again, his love would be enough to fill all the empty places inside her. And she would love him with her whole heart again.
“You’re right.” Jessie held Debbie’s gaze. “And if I’m lucky enough to get a second chance with Robert, I promise he will be my priority for the rest of my life.”
Jessie stood and gathered up her sketch pad and pencils. “If you’ll excuse me, I have an appointment I need to get ready for.”
Chapter 27
Robert’s truck finally came to a stop. “Any idea where we are?”
Jessie reached up to lift the blindfold he’d put on her at the ranch. Although she trusted him, it had been difficult to let him blindfold her. His eagerness over the surprise he had for her was the only reason she’d given in.
She’d struggled to breathe the entire time he stood close, tying on the bandanna. It had been all she could do to not reach up and touch the spot on her neck where his fingers had momentarily lingered after he’d finished tying the bandanna.
“No, don’t take it off yet. Guess first.” Robert pulled her hand away from her face and continued to hold it, sending warmth radiating up her arm.
“I have no idea. I thought I knew until a couple turns ago. I have a feeling that wherever we are, you didn’t take the direct route to get here.”
“Nope.” He laughed. “I couldn’t make it too easy.” He reached over and took the blindfold off, his fingers once again brushing her neck.
Jessie’s brow furrowed when she spotted the brick wall with a door in front of them. “Where are we?” She pivoted in her seat and looked out the back window. Her eyebrows lifted when she spotted the football field. “Your big surprise is the high school?”
Robert got out and hurried around to open her door. “My surprise is a certain room in the high school.”
“Okay...” Jessie let the word draw out as she slid down from the truck, letting Robert know she thought he was crazy.
He waved a hand at the door in front of them. “Don’t tell me you don’t know what’s on the other side of that door.”
Jessie looked around again. Her stomach dipped, then leapt to her throat when she realized what door that was. “The ceramics lab?”
“Bingo,” he said, but he shook his head. “I’m disappointed it took you so long to figure out, though. You threw pots almost every day during our senior year while you waited for me to finish football or baseball practice.”
Jessie leaned toward him and shook a finger in his face. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. You practiced every day while you waited for me to finish throwing my pots.”
Robert laughed, but didn’t contradict her. “I suppose you’re right, since I usually had to wait for you to clean up before we could leave.”
He grabbed her hand and tugged her closer, wrapping his other arm around her.
Jessie sucked in a sharp breath. His presence took her breath away every time he got close. The way his tangy, yet woodsy scent enveloped her made her feel like she’d come home. And when he touched her... She felt powerless to break the spell he had over her.
His eyes clouded with worry and he watched her face, as though he feared she might feel threatened by his actions. His gorgeous brown eyes held her mesmerized, and she felt herself relax into him.
He tightened his hold the slightest bit, and his eyes dipped to her mouth.
Was he thinking about all the kisses they’d shared outside this door? Or was he thinking about creating new memories?
She couldn’t go there with Robert. With the hormones raging through her lately, one kiss wouldn’t be enough. And she shouldn’t be kissing other men while she was still married to Patrick. Besides, until she knew exactly what his relationship with Debbie Wheeler was, she didn’t dare take a chance.
“Don’t, please.” Her plea came out breathy and not very convincing, but it was all she could muster when she wanted so badly for him to kiss her.
Robert released her and shook his head. “Sorry.”
He probably thought she didn’t want him to kiss her, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. He pulled a key from his pocket and turned toward the door.
