Page 34 of Love Beyond the Illusion
“Okay.” I swallow hard. “Thank you.”
His eyes bore into mine as he backs away. “Goodnight, Piper.”
I dash out of the kitchen before he can fold himself into the makeshift bed on the couch. I fear that if I look his way again, there will be no stopping me from crawling in with him.
Fuck.Why does he have to be so fucking hot?
What is stopping me from making the first move? We acted solely on our urges by getting married in Vegas, but that doesn’t explain why I feel like he’s deeper than quick hookups that would come and go.
I need sleep.
Chapter Fourteen
Piper
Jackwasupatsix thirty this morning. I wasn’t, but I know he was because I heard the front door open and close. After some time, he walked in carrying a breakfast burrito and coffee. Both were for me. When I asked him if he was going to eat, too, he said he had already eaten down at the restaurant. It was a kind gesture but a big reminder that Jack and I weren’t even friends. It is like I’m working for him. We act separately.
I thanked him for the food and the three different types of creamers before heading outside to eat on the patio while he stayed inside, working on his laptop at the small dining table.
I wish I could say eating alone bothered me, but it didn’t. I was enjoying peace. Even though there are multiple villas around us, the seclusion and serenity of these lands make you feel like you’re cut off from everyone else. I haven’t felt a peace that deep in a long time.
After breakfast, I get ready to meet Heidi and the other ladies for a pool and spa day.
“Take my keys,” Jack calls out over his laptop screen. “The hotel is only about two miles down the road.”
Jack has black square-frame glasses on. It’s the first time I’ve seen him wear them. I blink several times, utterly taken aback by how sexy it is. It’s almost shocking. The same loose hair that’s always out of place on the right side of his forehead partly hangs over the lens in front of his eye. He has a black T-shirt on and gray basketball shorts.Gray fucking shorts. I wish he’d stand up so I could get a little outline.
“I didn’t know you wore glasses?”
“I do.” He gives me an awkward grin. “Only when my contacts start to bother me.”
“Yes—of course,” I stammer—astupid thing to say.“And thank you, but I can put it into the GPS on my phone. I’m sure I’ll find it.” I grab my pool bag, slip my sandals on, and head toward the door.
“Wait.” Jack removes his wallet from his back pocket and slides out a silver American Express card. “Take my credit card if you need it for anything.” He holds it out in front of us, pinched between two fingers.
I stare at the piece of plastic in his hands, then shake my head. “No, Jack, I don’t need your money.”
“I want you to take it. You’re here for me, and I will pay for everything,” he insists, flashing me with that bright smile. “Plus, I’m a gentleman.”
What is it with those glasses?
“Fine, if you insist,” I say, snatching the card from him. He probably would have offered to pay for my flights if I hadn’t gotten free flights from the airline. “What are you going to do while I’m off winning over your mother and the other influential ladies of the town?”
Jack grins and then clasps his hands together under his chin. “The ladies of theTonwill happily invite you into their inner circle, Miss Piper. I’m sure your afternoon will be spent chatting about all the gossip that Dupara County has to offer.”
“Funny.”
“I thought so.”
My hands hang off the side of my beach bag. “Seriously, what are you up to today?”
“I have a call with our ops manager to run through some changes we’ll be making with marketing and some daily functions as well,” he replies, leaning back in his chair.
“Cool. Well, go get ’em tiger.” I wink.
“What?”
“Isn’t that what girlfriends are supposed to say?”
