Page 51 of Six Steps to Happiness
Ronnie attempted a smile, but as she looked up at him, a tear rolled down her cheek.
“Hey.” Jack leaned over and, cradling her face with his hand, used his thumb to wipe it away. “There’s no need to get upset. These things happen all the time.”
Ronnie found that hard to believe. The man was obviously just being kind.
“Honestly. When it comes to missing persons who aren’t really missing, you’d be surprised.”
Ronnie took in Jack’s warm expression, his kind eyes and tender smile, no longer able to hold back the feelings she’d been doing her best to deny. A yearning came over her as she continued to look at him. “Would you kiss me?” she asked, her voice quiet.
Her question appeared to take Jack by surprise, his expression serious as he stared back at her for a moment. “Are you sure?”
Ronnie nodded. In that moment, she wanted nothing more. Her heart raced as he slowly leaned forward until their lips, at last, met. His felt soft and gentle against her own, tentative even, before settling into a wonderfully luscious rhythm. Ronnie’s body stirred as she felt his tongue search for hers. He wrapped his arms around her and the urgency between them intensified. She wanted him as much as Jack seemed to want her. Finally, their kiss slowed and both she and Jack giggled.
“You don’t know how long I’ve been wanting to do that,” Jack said, pulling back slightly.
If his timeline matched hers, Ronnie had a pretty good idea. “Me too.”
Jack leaned in to kiss her once more, but Ronnie put a hand on his chest to stop him. Realising that Willow had been right to say she was too all or nothing, Ronnie wanted more than a fumble around in a car. If she and Jack were to go any further, she needed a kind of commitment. She had a good idea his interest went beyond any sexual attraction, but Ronnie had to be sure and unfortunately for her, that meant being up front. “Before we do that again, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Okay,” Jack said, curious.
“Firstly, I can’t do friends with benefits.”
Jack let out a burst of laughter. “Thank you for telling me.”
Ronnie noted that Jack appeared to like the way the conversation was going. There was an eager anticipation in his eyes.
“And secondly, if we’re to be more than friends…”
“Yes.”
Ronnie swallowed, her nerves coming to the fore. But not wanting to ruin things before they’d begun, she knew she had to be honest, and not least because of Jack’s job. She told herself that as a police officer, honesty was something he’d undoubtedly respect and clearing her throat ready to confess her sins, Ronnie insisted it was only right he knew aboutOperation Poltergeistand that she’d partaken in a criminal activity.
“I’ve been really silly,” she finally said.
Jack, too, straightened himself up. “Go on.”
As his eyes searched hers, she struggled to find the right words. Ronnie told herself that he’d understand, but that didn’t make owning up any easier. She screwed up her face, deciding she’d no choice but to simply come out and say it. “I’ve been sneaking into next door. Through the loft.”
Jack cocked his head. “Excuse me?”
“To make them think their house is haunted.” Ronnie waited for him to say something, but he simply looked at her.
“I know it’s wrong. And in my defence, I’ve only done it a couple of times. Well, three in total. But I didn’t cause any damage or nosey about the place, I only moved things.”
Jack continued to stare; his expression neutral.
“To make them think the house was haunted. You know, so they’d find somewhere else to live.”
Still Jack gave nothing away, which only made Ronnie ramble on more.
“But it’s all right. When they found out about it, Willow stepped in and took the blame so I wouldn’t get arrested.” Ronnie fell quiet for a moment, realising that made everything sound worse. “I’m not explaining myself very well, am I?”
“I think you’ve explained yourself perfectly.” Jack turned away from her, reached for the ignition key and started up the car engine.
“But…”
“We need to get you back.” Refusing to look at Ronnie, he kept his eyes forward as he spoke. “Your daughter and mother-in-law will be worried you’re not back yet.”
