Page 89 of The Beauty and the Boxer
“Because we’re friends,” he said, the wordnot nearly expressing enough of what he felt. But then, he didn’twant her to be obligated to him in anyway. Taking a deep breath, hewent to the door. “Now let’s go, before it’s too late.”
“Go where?”
“To alert the captain.” He moved around herand opened the door. “You have to get off this ship before we’retoo far out.”
Meredith came up and closed the door withher hand.
“Are we friends, Jack? Or do you, perhaps… Imean, do you think you might…”
She hesitated.
“Might what, Meredith?”
She closed her eyes tightly, seeminglyafraid of what she was asking.
“Do you think you might consider a differentsort of relationship between us?”
Jack’s heart seemed to be pounding loudenough for both of them to hear.
“What sort of relationship?” he askedgruffly.
“One that I can barely speak,” shewhispered.
Jack’s resolve broke and he reached for her.When she willingly went to him, he felt his heart bursting. It madethe next words out of his mouth all the harder to say.
“I’ve been thinking about it, Meredith and Idon’t think I would be good for you. I am your opposite in everyway. We aren’t made for the same things. We wouldn’t suit.” He letout a ragged breath, doing his best to focus. “I was angry when youasked me to wait, but having thought it over, I realized that I’mnot made for your world. I’m not for you, Meredith.”
Her brow furred.
“You are for me,” she insisted. “I don’tcare where we go or about any of that. I only want to be with you,Jack.”
His heart leapt at her words, but hecouldn’t let himself believe it.
“No—”
“Yes,” she countered. “I love you, Jack. Ido. I’ve never known a man to be so caring and kind to me. So sure,and so perfectly made for me.” She stood on her tippy toes, herhands going to either side of his face. “Jack Archer, I love you. Ilove that you smell like carbolic soap and the way you look at me.I love that you want everyone to be afraid of you, even though youhave the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. And I never want tobe without you by my side.”
Jack couldn’t help himself as he took herinto his arms, shaking her slightly.
“Stop saying that, Meredith,” he seethed,the turmoil within him coming to a head. “You don’t mean it.”
“I do,” she cried, shaking her head. “I meanevery word. I love you.”
“Stop.”
“I love you, Jack Archer!”
He kissed her, unable to stifle her wordsanymore as his resolve to keep her at bay broke. Her words hadturned his world upside down as a flood of justifications came intohis mind. He would do anything to have her, go anywhere to get herand say anything to keep her, if only she’d let him.
“I love you,” he finally spoke into her hairas he kissed her mouth, cheeks, and forehead. “You foolish woman, Ilove you.”
“You do?” she asked, dazed.
“Of course, I do,” he said, holding her facein his hands. “I’ve tried not to, lord knows I’ve tried, but Ican’t stop myself. I only wanted you to be happy, though.”
“I am happy. When I’m with you.”
“But you should be with Sir Kent.”
