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Which made her wonder, was that why he’d let himself in this morning? He was the only other person who knew her passcode for the security alarm, so he’d been quite stealthy about it.
But if he was in there making her breakfast, the least she could do was hear what he had to say. Then she’d have to decide what to do.
Perhaps he was just here because he thought they could get back to friend status. If that was the case, Jenna wasn’t so sure she could handle that deal. She’d gotten too close to the man she wanted in her life forever. She’d seen a glimpse of the man who cared for her the way she deserved to be, and Jenna knew he loved her. He may not have admitted it to himself, but he did.
Her heart tumbled in her chest as she exited her bathroom and glanced down at her silky chemise. He’d seen her completely naked, so changing would be ridiculous. Besides, Mac was the only man she’d ever wanted to bare it all to. He made her feel beautiful and he showed her that she was sexy with curves, dips and a little extra weight.
And if he was here for the whole “let’s be friends” spiel, maybe her state of dress—or undress—would make him suffer just a bit more.
Pulling in a deep breath, Jenna opened her bedroom door and padded down the tiled hallway. She stood in the open entryway to the kitchen and propped a hand on her hip. Or should she cross her arms? Maybe place both hands on her hips?
Jenna groaned inwardly. Maybe coming out here half naked wasn’t the best option. It’s not as if she had this whole seductress thing down, and why was she even trying? She wasn’t the one who should be putting forth the effort now...right?
Rolling her eyes at herself, she started to turn when Mac glanced over his shoulder and his heavy-lidded, intense look froze her in place. So much emotion shone through those eyes: regret, desire, vulnerability.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, surprised her voice sounded stronger than she was actually feeling.
“Making your favorite breakfast.”
She quirked a brow and slid her gaze to the box on the counter from their favorite bakery down the street. “Really?”
“I made mango tea to go with your Danish.”
He turned around and leaned back against the counter, blocking the plate she’d gotten a glimpse of. His eyes raked over her body, and the effect was just as potent as if he’d touched her with his bare hands. But she didn’t move any closer. She would keep her distance until she knew the full meaning of his visit. Her favorite breakfast was a nice start, though.
“I’ve missed you.”
Jenna stilled, her breath catching in her throat. “Is that why I haven’t seen or heard from you in a week?”
“I had to sort some things out. I was hoping you’d be at the auction.”
Jenna lifted a shoulder. “I was hoping you wouldn’t hurt me on purpose. I guess we’re even.”
Okay, that was petty, but damn it, she’d never been in this position before. She had no clue what the rules were when your heart was beaten and bruised.
“I’m sorry.” Those bright eyes held her in place as the sincere apology wrapped around her. “I went about everything the wrong way.”
Jenna crossed her arms. “Yes, you did.”
A smile flirted around Mac’s mouth. “You’re not going to make this easy, are you?”
“Should I?”
“I wouldn’t expect any less from the woman I love.”
Taken aback by the sudden declaration, Jenna reached for the doorframe to steady herself. “What?”
“I love you,” he announced, as if he’d said the words a million times before and was utterly comfortable with them. “As more than a friend. I wanted to keep you at arm’s length, to keep you away from the ugliness that can sometimes surround my family.”
Pulling her thoughts back together, Jenna stepped forward and gripped the back of a barstool at the center island. “We’ve danced around the topic for years now. I’m not judging you. I’m already in your life, so why not let me in a bit deeper?”
His gaze darted to the floor as he shook his head. With a heavy sigh, he glanced back to her. “I don’t know how to answer that. I guess I thought keeping you as a friend but nothing more would be the best way to protect you. I could still have you in my life, but...”
Mac pushed off the counter and started pacing. Resembling a caged animal, he made a couple of laps before stopping on the other side of the island. He rested his palms on the countertop and let his head drop.
