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“You look beautiful in it. That’s all that matters.”
“I don’t want you buying me things. It’s not right.”
He shrugs. “It made me happy to buy it, so I did. I thought it would look nice on you, and I was right.”
“Look, it’s not just the dress. I don’t usually just go hop into someone’s bed like that. I don’t know the proper protocol for this situation.”
Jake pushes away from the counter and comes to stand next to me. He cups my chin to raise my face up to look at him. “Believe it or not, this is not what I usually do either. We will have to navigate this together. All I know is that I enjoy being with you, and I’m not ready to let you go home yet.”
My heart slams against my breastbone. He sounds so sweet and sincere. And the truth is, I want to be with him,too.
This tenderness is a new side of him, a side I never expected to see from the hardened businessman that brings terror to the hearts of his opponents in the business world. His sweet words shoot Cupid’s arrow right through my heart.
“You know, I have to go home eventually. Jess is going to think that you’ve kidnapped me,” I say, smiling up at him.
“Well, you might want to go ahead and text her. Let her know that you’ll be tied up all day.”
“Tied up?” I ask.
Jake breaks out in a huge laugh. “Okay, poor word choice. You’ll bebusyall day.”
“So, what exactly will I be busy doing all day?”
“Don’t worry. I have it all scheduled out.”
“Of course you do.” I shake my head at him. It wouldn’t be Jake if he didn’t have it scheduled.
“So, eat up. We only have about thirty minutes.”
“I’m eating. But I really need to know what you have planned.”
“I’m not saying a word,” he says, a secret smile playing on his lips.
“The zoo. The park?” I snap my fingers. “Oh, I got it. We’re going to Paris. I’ve always wanted to go there.”
“I could make that happen,” he replies nonchalantly. I realize the truth in that statement. A dream trip for me would be nothing more than a phone call away for him. “We can go next week.”
I just shake my head at him. We live in different universes. A guy like Jake could eat me up and swallow me whole without losing stride. I need to guard my poor heart.
“Jake, this is moving too fast. I’m scared.”
His unwavering, direct gaze softens at my words. He bends down on one knee, takes both of my hands and squeezes them tight. “If someone had told me yesterday that we’d be having this conversation today, I’d have said they were crazy. I know this is moving fast, probably too fast. But it’s like a bullet train, and I’m powerless to stop it.”
“Maybe we can just slow it down a bit?” I ask.
“I think we should just grab on and enjoy the ride.” He smiles tenderly at me.
“One of us is going to end up hurt,” I try again.
“I just want to spend some time together. Let’s not make it any more complicated than that. Okay?”
I nod my head at him, not really feeling reassured.
“I need to get ready before the car gets here. Enjoy your breakfast.” He stands up and kisses my cheek before going into his room and closing the door. I hear the shower turn on a few seconds later.
The reality of what has happened between yesterday and today is mind-blowing. I can’t seem to grasp it. Jake is acting like we are in a committed relationship, like a couple. It’s all moving so fast. I think he really likes me. And I really like him. A lot. Too much. I find myself in a place I could never have anticipated just two months ago. I’m falling in love with a man who is one hundred percent off-limits to me.
I look over at my bag, which is still resting beside the couch. I’ve been given several opportunities to come clean with Jake between yesterday and today. The documents I copied are still sitting in there, waiting to be brought out and shown to him. But I’m terrified, especially after the time we spent together last night.
