Page 73 of Don’t Go Stealing My Heart

The code Jack lived by. Mr. Hawthorn’s legacy. Jack had forgiven the D Squad, even hiring a couple of them at David Industries. He’d forgiven Charlotte for her evil prank. He was forgiving Clementine now. This man lived and breathed integrity.

“I’m not good enough for you, Jack.”

He didn’t seem to hear her quiet words, but he slid down so they were face-to-face. “Have you told your handler you’re leaving? That you’re done with your work?”

Her stomach still seesawed when she replayed the conversation. “This morning.”

“Did he try to convince you to stay?”

“He said he’d sensed it coming for a while and that he understood.”

His brow lifted with…awe? “You’ve made a huge decision, without me or anyone in your life to cushion that change. You didn’t know how I felt, never pressured me to decide. Still, you took that leap and challenged yourself to start over. At…” He squinted and paused. The corner of his lips quirked up. “I don’t know how old you are, Clementine. And I don’t know your last name.”

She shouldn’t feel light and fizzy from that question. Not while her future with this man lay in the balance. Yet here she was, a fizzy, bubbly, normal girl. “I’m twenty-eight and my last name is Abernathy.”

He unleashed his Elvis smolder. “I slept with a younger woman.”

“Newsflash: so do most men.”

“Most men don’t have the luxury of staring into your gorgeous eyes. But where were we?”

They were nearing uncomfortable territory. “I’m not good enough for you.”

“Ah.” He brushed his lips against hers. “At twenty-eight, you, Clementine Abernathy, are taking a leap of faith. Staying the course is easier than admitting wrong or changing. I’d be proud to call you mine.”

There he was with that hypothetical persimmon again, teasing her out, offering her the roots she craved. “You should also know I read the newspaper backwards.”

“Upside down?”

“That would be cool, but no. Last story to first.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I always knew you were a weirdo.”

She fought a laugh. “I also lick off the potato chip flavoring before I eat the chip.”

“Now you’re just gross. But this idiot doesn’t care.”

“You have problems, Elvis.” She wanted to shake him, list all her strange habits and quirks until he tossed up his hands and tapped out. Believing he could truly forgive her and move on was the scarier option. “How can you be sure about us—about me?”

“I just am.” No hint of hesitation.

“It might take me time to find work.”

“Good thing I made you promise to quit judging how I spend my money.”

Oh, right, that agreement. Sneaky devil. “No one can know about my past.”

He shrugged a shoulder, still pressed tight to her side. “Thanks to my father, I’ve become skilled at evading questions.”

“I’m not sure it’s smart for me to be around Chloe. Not the best role model and all...” Her weak laughter faltered under her nerves.

Jack’s playfulness vanished. “That’s bullshit. She was the happiest I’ve seen her in ages with you. You weren’t acting. Your past mistakes aren’t your future choices. So if you’re done trying to convince me to break up with you, I’d like to explore that hard and fast sex you were after.”

Hard and fast sounded amazing, but the breaking up part made her feel soft and gooey. Only couples could break up. She wanted her and Jack to be a couple, like Imelda and Lawson, annoying each other, quibbling, making up, doing it all over again.

For that to happen, she had to quit waiting for this bottom to drop out. She’d broken the news to Lucien. Jack had forgiven her. There was no reason to keep riding this second-guessing train. Especially after the Sex of the Century. When Jack had moved inside her, it hadn’t just been thrusting, pursuit of pleasure. That type of sex she knew: find the sweet spot and chase your release. Jack had moved his whole body when making love, a wave from the tip of his spine to his toes, turning every spot sweet.

Clementine snuck her head under his chin and kissed his Adam’s apple. Loved how his rumbling groan vibrated against her lips. “Hard and fast sounds perfect, but we have a visitor in bed.” Adorable Ricky dozing on a pillow.