spark, and more than anything, she wanted to close the distance, lean into his side, and accept his warmth and strength a little longer.
Just as quickly, she dismissed the idea.
What was she thinking? Soon, all of this would end and she’d be on her own again while Jack returned to his busy and important life.
Except this time she’d have something more—she’d have the money to finally start her own business.
That’s what she should be thinking about right now. Thoughts about empanada fillings and menu combinations, colors and textiles she might use to design her very own bakery.
Not Cinderella fantasies but real life possibilities.
Jack’s hand suddenly settled over hers, his thumb lightly skimming over it and sending a shiver through her. She couldn’t look at him, instead she closed her eyes, wanting this moment to last forever.
He seemed to understand, and for the next twenty minutes, they rode in silence, their hands joined together.
It was only when Rogers pulled the car into the driveway and got out to get the door, that Jack finally spoke. “Thanks for going with me tonight. I know it probably wasn’t easy, but you were perfect.”
“Perfect. High praise indeed. And you’re welcome. I actually had a great time.”
Rogers opened the door, and Jack released her hand and climbed out. He spoke to Rogers for a minute, something about the other officer taking Ollie outside before relieving Rogers for the night. Then Jack was back, helping her out.
The house was still when they got inside and made their way down the hall, the light from the kitchen offering enough of a glow for them to see. At the bottom step, she slipped her heels off, dangling them in her hand before taking the lead as they crept up the stairs. They stopped outside the kids’ room and peeked in.
A night-light was still on above Lily’s bed, a book resting on her chest as if she’d nodded off in the middle of a page. Daisy’s kids were also similarly asleep, although Paul stirred for a moment before flopping over to his belly.
Jack slipped inside and went to his daughter’s bed where he took the book from her chest and set it down. Then he leaned over, taking a moment to brush some hair from Lily’s face, before placing a kiss on her forehead. He paused, studying her, something that Daisy had done millions of times with her own kids, but seeing him repeat that familiar gesture brought a large lump in her throat.
This was a good man.
A warm, kind, generous man who loved his child. Who was there for his child, despite whatever pressing engagements he had. He was someone dependable, not to mention someone who made her insides melt whenever he looked at her.
Someone she could fall hard for.
Holy Mary, Mother of God…someone she was pretty much certain she had fallen for.
She watched him as he stared at his daughter, her heart hammering in her chest, before he flipped the light off and the room went to darkness. It took her a moment to make out his form coming toward her. He pulled the door closed behind him and turned to meet her gaze.
She couldn’t move.
“Are you okay?”
But she was unable to find words as she stared into eyes that she knew were bluer than the lake outside the window even though they were drawn in shadows now. He took another step toward her, and she stepped involuntarily back until she felt the wall behind her.
Her breathing was so loud now, and she worried that he could hear her heartbeat as it thrummed loudly in her chest. It was as if he saw something in her eyes, the way the glint entered his eyes, and he took another step so he was towering above her.
“Daisy.” But he didn’t say anything more as he raised his hand, caressing the side of her face. Then he kissed her, only this time it wasn’t a soft, tentative kiss like earlier tonight. There was no hesitation as his mouth swept over hers, hard and demanding, and she found herself returning the kiss with just as much passion.
She gripped his shoulders, the heel of a shoe still in her hand digging against her palm, but she needed the anchor that his strength provided as she felt like she’d be swept away from the rush of feelings that rolled over her.
Desire. Excitement. Nervousness. And most of all…something close to love.
It was as if someone pulled the needle back on an old record player.
What was she doing? God, this felt good, and she could easily just give into the passion and make this a night she’d always remember.
But just as much as she would remember it, she could very well feel regret.
She wasn’t Jack’s fiancée. She wasn’t even his girlfriend. She was his business partner. And if she wanted to continue to be his business partner, she couldn’t cross the line from professional to romantic, no matter how much her body—and maybe even her heart—was telling her to.