Page 36 of Steel Beauty

“More than okay. I don’t want her to know I’m Alex Sebring, former professional rugby player.”

Laurelyn’s eyes widen. “So, she still doesn’t know who you are?”

“She doesn’t. And I like it that way. Everything feels so much simpler without that part of me in the mix. The second she knows who I am, all the things I love about this stress-free thing we have going on will disappear. It’ll become complicated.”

Laurelyn’s words are gentle but hit deep. “Alex, she’s not Celeste. Give her more credit than that.”

I exhale, nodding slowly. “Believe me, I know.”

“To be fair, she’s American. Being a professional rugby player in Australia probably doesn’t mean to her what it means to Aussie women. Same as how Jack Henry’s status didn’t mean to me what it meant to the women here.”

That’s a perspective I hadn’t really considered. Maybe Laurelyn’s right—being a rugby player in Australia might not be impressive for an American like Charleston.

“I want to enjoy our time together without the complications.”

Jack leans back, a knowing grin spreading across his face. “If anyone understands that, it’s me. I loved every second of those first few months when Laurelyn and I were pretending to be other people, and we were hidden away from the public eye. I’m sure it’s worse for you—being both a famous athlete and the son of Alexander Sebring, luxury hotel mogul. I was just Jack McLachlan, the bloke with a few wineries.”

I shoot him a look. “I think you’re a bit more than that.”

Laurelyn smirks, nudging Jack’s arm. “Definitely more than that.”

Jack shrugs, feigning humility. “Maybe.”

Laurelyn rolls her eyes, sarcasm lacing her next words. “Oh, so humble.”

Jack laughs, shaking his head. “The point is, mate, you have much more fame than I ever did.”

“It’s better now than it used to be. I can actually leave the house without being followed and photographed.”

“That’s progress at least,” Laurelyn says.

“Tell me, Laurelyn. What did Jack say to get you to agree?”

She crosses her arms, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. “He took me to dinner to explain what he wanted. And, let me tell you, I was incredibly insulted by his proposition of fucking for three months and then cutting all ties.”

Jack throws his hands up in wide-eyed innocence. “That’s not how I said it.”

Laurelyn arches a skeptical brow. “That’s exactly what you said, just wrapped in prettier words.”

Jack smirks, leaning back in his chair with a shrug. “I offered you the best three months of your life.”

Laurelyn narrows her eyes. “You offered me a three-month fling and made it sound like I should be grateful for the privilege. Honestly, you made me feel like I was being propositioned like some kind of sugar baby.”

“Ten years later and your wife still looks a bit put out about the conversation.”

Her lips press into a thin line for a moment though I catch the hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.

Jack grins with casual confidence. “Well, I didn’t lie, did I? Ten years later and I’m still giving you the time of your life.” He covers his mouth and leans toward me, whispering with mock secrecy, “You should’ve heard her screaming my name last night.”

Laurelyn sighs, her exasperation laced with amusement. “Don’t think I didn’t catch every word of that, Jack Henry.”

He shrugs, feigning innocence as a sly grin tugs at his lips. “No idea what you’re talking about, L.”

Laurelyn shifts her focus back to me. “You need to let Charleston know that you understand the risk she’d be taking. And because of that, she’s the one in control. You’re at her mercy, and she makes the rules.”

Jack raises an eyebrow. “Umm… I don’t know if Alex has to go that far, giving her all the power.”

Laurelyn cuts him a sideways glance loaded with more than words could say. “Don’t listen to my husband if you really want this girl.”

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