Page 65 of Don’t Go Stealing My Heart

He tipped his head down, burning intent in his blue eyes. “I was only singing to you.”

Her pulse surged. “I heard every word.” She hoped she’d understood his riveted attention while he’d sung, the hungry nip in his searing gaze now. Unless he was following her lead and putting on a show for his ex. “I love when you sing to me,” she said, playing her part, toes crossed this role wouldn’t expire. “It’s my favorite thing.”

“I’ll have to do it more often.”

“You won’t hear me complaining.”

Jack rubbed his thumb along her upper arm in slow, purposeful strokes.

Ava cleared her throat and tugged on Alistair. “Take me to the carnival. I want one of those big stuffed bears.”

“Sure, babe,” he said, and turned to Jack. “See you at tomorrow’s show. Or maybe I won’t since you’ll be eating my dust.”

“I don’t attend the dog show, but I do hope you win.”

“What? No. The show, show. The concert.”

Jack ignored Alistair’s sputtering. “Colonel Blue’s in fine shape, so you’ll have your work cut out for you. That old pup tends to win crowds.”

Alistair glowered at Jack. Jack smirked in return. His rival tossed a dirty look Clementine’s way as he hauled his girlfriend off, Ava scrambling to keep up in her too-high heels.

With Clementine’s performance unfortunately done, she moved to give Jack space.

He held her closer. “Why did you stay in town?”

“For you, Jack. Because I hoped we could try again, start over. Anything to—”

“Come home with me.”

Her belly swiveled as wildly as his hips had on stage, but she wasn’t sure if he meant for the night or longer. “I don’t know.”

It was his turn to give her space, but he kept his hand on her arm. Hesitancy carved a line between his eyebrows. “Have you changed your mind about us?”

“Far from it.” She’d take Jack over the crown jewels, but offering someone the key to her heart was light-years beyond acquiring priceless baubles. Sex with Jack would be everything. Aside from Lucien, those she’d loved had only ever left her. “I’ve fallen for you, Jack. Harder than I realized. These last few days really hit that home. So I need to know that you believe I want to change, that I won’t hurt you or your family. I need to know where your head’s at…otherwise this risk—I’m not sure I can do it.”

His fingers pressed into her upper arms. “I’m a bit wary, if I’m honest, but I’ve tried to stop thinking about you, and it only makes the missing worse. There’s something strong between us I can’t explain, but I think that’s why it’s special. Why you’re special.” He pulled her in front of him, latched both his arms around her back. “We have some serious talks ahead of us, but I’m willing to risk my heart if you are. Come home with me.”

He held eye contact and she melted against him, unsure how she’d found herself in Elvis’s arms. “My Prius is here.”

“We’ll get it later.”

“I’m still scared.”

“That makes two of us.”

“You also think I’m annoying.”

“True.” The sweetest smile softened his face. “And you think I’m an idiot.”

She laughed. He was such a dorky idiot. He shifted slightly, enough for her to feel his intentions. The hard length of him turned her insides liquid. “Okay,” she whispered.

With a possessive grunt, he led her to his car.

They didn’t speak for the drive. Jack moved her hand to his thigh and held it in place, his palm heavy on hers. At his house, he opened her car door and laced their fingers together, keeping her close as they walked inside. She felt like she’d swallowed a pound of jumping beans.

He paused inside his entryway and cupped her cheeks. “I need you, Clementine.” There was more rasp in his voice than when he sang. “We can talk later, but I need you right now. Tonight you’re mine.”

God, she hoped it was longer than tonight, but she was too needy to think beyond the tightening in her belly and dampness between her thighs. “I’m yours,” she whispered.