Page 101 of This Time Around
“I know that. And I also know it’s been fourteen days when the law says I’m supposed to do something within ten.”
“Right.” Jack sighed. “You and I are the only two people who know the exact dates, though. I’m fine keeping quiet a little longer to buy you some more time, but you should really?—”
“Wade knows about the money.” The second the words left her mouth, Allie watched his expression darken. “He’s a lawyer. I had to talk to someone.”
“Isn’t he an entertainment attorney?”
“He still knows the law. And he’s done some work in estate planning and even criminal cases.”
Jack pressed his lips together for a second. “I think I’d feel better if you consulted someone else. I can have someone from my legal team talk with you at no charge.”
“I appreciate that,” Allie said. “And I’ll certainly consider it.”
“I’m glad.”
“Can you tell me something, though?” Allie cleared her throat. “Is this because Wade doesn’t specialize in this type of law, or is this because I was engaged to Wade?”
Jack looked down into his wineglass, but didn’t take a sip. When he looked up again, the silver-blue of his eyes seemed darker. “A little of both,” he admitted. “But also that you didn’t tell me about the engagement until right before we slept together. Not even when we were baring our souls over whipped cream and mud masks that night or when I was spilling all my intimate stories on the way to my reunion.”
“You’re right,” Allie said softly. “I suppose I should have mentioned it sooner.”
Jack sighed again. “I guess it doesn’t help that you’re still so close with a guy you used to sleep with. A guy you loved and made plans with and thought you’d spend your whole life with at one point. I’m working on the jealousy thing, Al, but it’ll probably always bug me just a little.”
Allie felt something soften inside her. She put her hand on his, and Jack’s gaze swung back to hers. “You’re forgetting something, though,” she said.
“What’s that?”
“I might have loved Wade once. Not the right way, exactly, but it was a kind of love. I might have even loved those other two guys I was engaged to.”
He raised one eyebrow. “Is this supposed to be helping?”
Allie leaned close and brushed her lips over the edge of his jaw. “I’ve never loved any of them twice. But I’m falling for you all over again, Jack. Maybe even harder this time.”
She drew back in time to see his eyes widen ever so slightly. Allie felt her heart slam against her ribs. Maybe it was too soon to start trotting out the L-word. She hadn’t flat-out said she loved him, but close. Maybe she’d said it too soon or?—
“I’m right there with you.” Jack smiled. “I’ve been falling for you again since the moment you opened your apartment door.”
Allie grinned as a rush of warmth flooded through her. “I’m so glad.”
He squeezed her hand. “And I want us to be smart this time around. Honesty and trust and open communication.”
Relief washed through her, warmed by the simple bliss of hearing those words. Of knowing he felt the same way she did. That maybe they really could have a second chance to get things right this time.
Jack leaned in to kiss her again, and Allie met him halfway. She slid her fingers into his hair, loving the feel of his chest pressed against hers, his breath coming faster as she ran a hand up his thigh.
Jack kissed her hard and deep with an urgency that left her breathless. Allie closed her eyes and tipped her head back, savoring the gentle brush of kisses down the middle of her throat. As pleasure coursed through her his words were still echoing in the back of her mind.
Honesty and trust and open communication.
But for now, she pushed them aside, and reached up to unbutton Jack’s shirt.
Chapter 15
Jack woke up sometime around three in the morning. At first, he couldn’t remember where he was. The sheets felt softer than his own, and the room smelled like lavender and furniture polish. He kept his eyes closed while his brain fumbled groggily for a location or the reason he’d woken up in the first place. Was Paige okay? Did she have a stomachache or need a glass of water or?—
A soft hand skimmed over his chest and Jack opened his eyes, then relaxed under Allie’s touch. He felt his heartbeat slowing, then speeding up again as he remembered what they’d spent the last couple hours doing, and why he wouldn’t mind doing it again. Rolling toward her, he kissed her bare shoulder, then her collarbone, then the soft little hollow under her ear.
Allie smiled in her sleep, but kept her face buried in her pillow. “Mwahter mpho?” she mumbled.
