Page 59 of Chasing Dreams
“What we both know I have to do.”
“You’re leaving.”
He blinked, brows climbing his forehead. “No, no, I’m not leaving.”
She closed her eyes. Seconds later, his warmth touched her knees and his hands took hers.
She opened her eyes to see him kneeling before her. “I’m not going anywhere. Is that what you thought?”
She nodded.
“No.” He hooked his hand behind her head and pulled her forward to kiss her. “I want to see this through with you. I want to help you find Jack.”
She’d tried to swallow her fear that she wasn’t going to find her nephew. Who would keep the dreams at bay when Austin was gone?
“I want to find him for you.”
“I know you do. You’ve done all you could to help me, and I—”
“No, I haven’t.”
She stared at him.
“There’s more I can do, and we both know it.”
Shaine’s heart took off like she’d been given a shot of adrenaline. He meant he’d do it! He meant he’d get impressions from Jack’s things for her. “But you turned that off years ago,” she said in disbelief. “You said you’d never do it again.”
“And I wouldn’t,” he replied. “Not for anyone but you.”
His willingness was too good to be true. Guilt surged inside, forcing her to be certain she wasn’t taking advantage of him. “That time I told you I’d sleep with you to help Jack—”
He covered her lips with his fingers. “Don’t even say it. That’s not what this is about.”
“But we—”
“No. What we have had together is not about bargaining or ploys. Is it?”
“No. I have been a willing partner.”
“As have I. And I want to do this now. That’s all there is to it.”
This was a monumental decision. Shaine didn’t take his offer lightly. Neither did she intend to argue with him any longer, for fear he’d change his mind. “Thank you.”
“Thank me later.”
“My gratitude doesn’t hang on what we find or don’t find. I’m thanking you now because you were willing to do this for me.”
He sat back on his heels and took a deep breath.
“When?” she asked. “Tonight? Tomorrow?”
“Might as well do it now. Where’s your key ring?”
She pointed to the divider between that room and the small kitchen.
He plucked the keys off the counter. “Sit tight.”
Nerves clenched Shaine’s stomach into a knot. She chewed her lip and waited for his return.
