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“Listen to the message I left for you,” Jack snapped. “The bet is over. And fuck you, I’m not giving you any details.”
He was giving in, pretending he’d lost to the family who’d bullied him. He’d broken free from the past that had held on too tight. And if he could do it, there was hope for her—bright, beautiful hope for one more night with the charming SEAL. And one night might lead to another and another.
She glanced around the column. Chief Jack Barnes in a black tie tuxedo…wow. One look and dragging the bride into a sex toy store on her wedding day seemed like the best decision Natalie had ever made. He could stop traffic while wearing cargo pants and his signature smile. But dressed in formal wear? He’d cause a riot.
Jack could have his pick of the beautiful women who waltzed into her bar looking for a SEAL. But last night, he’d told her that he wanted her.
She drew back and pressed against the column. It still felt too good to be true
—like disaster and heartache lay just around the corner. But she’d never know if she didn’t try. And this time, if she stumbled into hurt and rejection, Lucia would be there to catch her. She was done living with the guilt from the past holding her back.
“Colton, I’m done,” Jack said, his tone deathly serious. “I failed. Are you happy?”
There was a pause, and Natalie didn’t make a sound.
“I’ll send you the money,” Jack snapped.
Natalie closed her eyes but stopped short of resting her head against the mock pillar. The hair stylist had gone to a lot of trouble to twist Natalie’s straight black hair into a fancy updo.
She stepped forward and let Jack see her. He looked her up and down, and the glimpse of pain in his eyes made her regret every second she’d hesitated to let him know how much she wanted him.
“Enjoy that?” he said. His tone had transitioned from ‘fuck you Colton,’ but there was still a hard edge.
“You didn’t lose, Jack.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Didn’t I?”
You still have me.
If he wanted her.
The string quartet sprang to life. They were literally minutes away from the ceremony. She needed to find Lucia and hand over the flowers. She couldn’t ruin her sister’s day. But this wasn’t how she wanted to tell him, in rushed words before the wedding.
“Jack—”
“You need space. I get it, Natalie. When we get back to Coronado, I promise to stay on my side of the bar.”
He turned and walked away. He moved quickly, and then he disappeared around a column. And he didn’t look back. Not once.
Oh God, what if I’m too late?
He’d admitted his loss to his brothers, opening himself to endless teasing. Even though he’d won the bet. A man who would do that for her…he was worth the risk. But what if black silk ties weren’t enough to convince him to give her a second chance?
The things he could do to her in that dress.
Jack kept his eyes fixed on the rope-like fabric running down Natalie’s bare back. Her shoulders down to her waist offered a valley of smooth skin. And the floor-length skirt pressed up against her legs as the groom swung her out of view.
He should be focused on Cade’s advice. He should tell her that he’d fallen for her so long ago that it had hurt so damn much when she’d pushed him away as if a night or two was enough. Because even if he spent 365 days a year by her side, he would never get enough of her.
“Cade won’t mind if you cut in.” The bride stopped by his side.
“Thank you,” he said, his gaze fixed on where Cade’s hand touched Natalie’s lower back. “But I’m not much of a dancer.”
Lucia nodded. “That dress is perfect for her, don’t you think?”
“Yes.” He looked away and spotted Ronan by the bar. “I should—”
“So functional,” Lucia continued, ignoring his words. “With those long lengths of fabric.”
