“Can we go talk in the car? Where we can have some privacy?”
“Yes. Good idea.” Jack was sick of being here. He just wanted to be alone with her.
Lexi didn’t waste any time when they got back to his car. “Do you remember that moment out in front of Sheen, when you said that you didn’t want to talk about any man who didn’t have the sense to treat me well? I don’t think you know how much that meant to me. To have my feelings validated like that.”
“It wasn’t some big act of heroism, Lexi. I was being a decent guy. You should expect everyone to treat you that way.”
“But they don’t. My parents blame me for my divorce. I know they do.” She looked down at her lap, seeming ashamed. How he hated seeing that look on her face. “They don’t actually say it. They tell me that it’s all for the best, but I know they don’t really believe that. Deep down, they think I didn’t try hard enough to be a good wife. That I should have done more to make Roger want to hold on to me. And maybe those things are true, but I also feel like if you love someone, you should want to be with them. And if you don’t, then it’s time to let them go.”
Everything Lexi was saying was a big part of what he liked about her so much. She had a huge heart, but it seemed as though she’d been taught not to trust it. Jack liked seeing her work these things out for herself. He liked seeing her come into her own.
His phone rang. He didn’t want to answer it, but there was too much going on with the Soiree on the Bay construction for him to ignore it. “Dammit. It’s Rich, my business partner. I need to see what he needs.”
“Yes. Of course.”
Jack accepted the call. “What’s up?”
“We’re short a foreman out on Appaloosa for the night shift. Larry’s wife went into labor,” Rich said. “I know you’re at a function, but is there any way you can come out here? There are a whole lot of guys standing around right now, and I can’t do it all on my own.”
Jack looked at Lexi. He didn’t want to end their night, but duty was calling, and perhaps this was for the best. “Send the helicopter for me, okay?”
“Your house?”
Jack’s property on the outskirts of Royal was over twenty acres, most of it nothing but open ranch land. “Yes. I’ll be there in forty-five minutes.”
“Got it.”
He ended the call and placed his phone in the cupholder. “Lexi, I’m sorry, but I have to go back to Appaloosa. There are problems. And maybe tonight didn’t quite turn into what either of us were hoping for.”
Lexi nodded slowly. “Of course. Whatever you need to do.”
Jack wasn’t sure of much, but he was sure of one thing as he peered down into her flawless face—he couldn’t deny how much he wanted her. But he felt like Royal, her family and his crazy schedule were smothering them. There were too many prying eyes, too many outside forces getting in the way.
“Come away with me.”
“What? When?” Her voice was full of surprise, but the look on her face was one of utter delight.
He reached for her hand, then leaned down to place a soft kiss on her cheek. It took every bit of self-control he had to not take it further, to pick up where they’d left things at her house. “I like you, Lexi, but I feel like everything and everyone in Royal is sabotaging us. Let’s go away for a night next weekend. I have a function I have to attend in Houston. I’m being recognized by the children’s hospital foundation for an expansion I did for them last year. The Soiree on the Bay project is going to be hell for the next few weeks, but I’ve had this event on the books for months.” He smiled down at her. “I promise I’ll make it fun. I think you need to be able to let your hair down. And I know I could use a chance to breathe.”
“Houston is where I lived for years. I’m bound to run into someone I know. I’m not sure it’ll be much of an escape for me.”
He hadn’t thought that part through, but he was determined to make this work. “I already have a suite booked at the new hotel downtown. We’ll go to my event, but we won’t stay long. We can get to know each other on a whole new level.” He drifted closer to her and kissed her cheek again, then he brushed his lips across her ear and finally, her graceful neck. Jack closed his eyes, praying for strength as her sweet smell filled his lungs. He wanted to make love to her right here and now. But she was upset, so was he, and work was calling. The time wasn’t right.
“I would love to go away with you. I want you, Jack.”
He grinned. The unhappiness of the earlier exchange with her dad was quickly fading. He and Lexi didn’t need the rest of the world to get in the way of what was growing between them. They only needed time. Alone. “Good. Because I want you, too.” He cleared his throat, distracted by her sweet smell and the display of her luscious cleavage before him. He didn’t like to wait, but he would for her. “So you’ll accompany me next weekend?”
“Yes.” She nodded eagerly. “A million times yes.”
“Perfect.” He pressed the ignition button and the engine roared to life.
“What do I wear for this event?”
“You could wear that dress again if you want. You look unbelievable in it. Every guy in the place will be insanely jealous.”
“Jack, you’re hilarious. I’m not wearing the same dress.”
“Why not?”
