Page 87 of Seasoned
“There’s that arrogance again,” Jackie said, wagging her finger.
“You damn right.” Tyson flashed a grin, one that made her heart accelerate and reminded her of his prowess in bed. She truly hated he could still have such an effect on her.
His face suddenly became serious. “Let me lay my cards on the table. I want you, Jackie. I’ve made a ton of mistakes in my life, but over the past few years, I’ve been working hard to rectify them. One of those mistakes was not being a better father. I’ve healed the relationship with my daughters, but the relationship with my son is still a work in progress.”
“I don’t think hitting on his girlfriend is going to help the situation,” she said dryly.
“You’re not his girlfriend, and I know for a fact you haven’t slept with him already, so I still have a chance.”
“A chance at what?”
“A chance to win you over. Letting you go was one of the mistakes I made in the past, and I need to talk to Kendrick so he’ll step aside and you and I can focus on each other.”
Momentarily speechless, Jackie stared at him. “Wow. You’re unbelievable. You had your chance.”
“Now Fate has seen fit to give me another one. Kendrick has plans with friends tonight, but I’m going to see him tomorrow. I’ll call you later this week. Is your number still the same?”
Jackie gave him a blank look and didn’t answer.
“Never mind, I know where to find you.”
“I’m not interested, Tyson.”
“I don’t believe you.” His voice dropped lower and his eyes bored into hers. “Not after what we shared. It’s my fault we didn’t stay together, so let me fix it.”
“What’s the point? You’re going back to Atlanta after this visit.”
“Not right now. I finally made a success of myself—found what I was good at. Programming, if you could believe it. I created a piece of software that not only automates the process of creating a business plan, but lets the user know the probability for success based on finances, personality, and market factors. I sold it to a tech company, made a fortune off the initial sales, and was able to negotiate residual payments until I’m sixty-five. I’mextremelywell off. Which means although I came here to see Kendrick, I can stay as long as I need to.”
“I can’t.” Jackie shook her head vigorously. She couldn’t fall for his tempting words.
He took her hand, and while she should have pulled away, she didn’t, taking comfort in his warm touch. Fire sparked under her skin, and she almost swooned from his touch.
“Let me talk to Kendrick. If I can convince him to back off, would you give me a chance? Give me three dates. That’s all I’m asking.”
“What if I want to continue seeing Kendrick?”
“You don’t,” Tyson said softly, confidently.
“This is crazy,” Jackie said.
“Crazy would be walking away from each other when there’s still so much chemistry between us. I know you feel it, too. What do you say, Jackie? Give me a shot to correct my mistake?”
Jackie laughed. “You haven’t changed a bit, have you? Whatever you want, you go after with a vengeance. I guess that’s how I knew you didn’t want me.” Saying the words aloud crushed her heart all over again.
“You’re wrong. I almost always go after what I want, but I messed up and didn’t pursue you after that week. One of the biggest regrets of my life.”
He knew all the right words to say, but was he being honest?
Jackie swallowed hard. “Three dates, that’s it?”
“Three dates.”
“All right, you talk a good game. Let’s see what you’re made of.”
A wide grin spread across his luscious lips, and she almost pulled back the words because she wondered what exactly she’d just agreed to.
He stepped closer and planted an unexpected kiss to her cheek.
