Page 48 of Wed to You-
He took a sip of his beer. “That was before I asked Sydney out and he accused me of attacking her.”
Chelsea gaped. “You asked her out?” Well, of course he had. Sydney was closer to being the type of woman Jagger would be interested in. Although she was less glitzy, she was from his big city money world.
His brows drew together in irritation. “That’s what you got out of what I said?” With a slight shake of his head, he turned his gaze to the darkness of the night.
“Well, I know you didn’t attack her.”
“I didn’t go out with her either. I asked her out after he said I could.”
“Mitch said it was okay to go out with Sydney?” That didn’t seem right, although Mitch hadn’t been very welcoming to Sydney when she first arrived in Charlotte Tavern.
Jagger looked back at Chelsea. “Yes.”
“He just doesn’t want me to get hurt. He’d be like that with anyone.”
“Chels, you okay with this? Are you having second thoughts?”
She shook her head. “I said I’ll do this and I will.”
He studied her. She worked to keep her face resolute even though inside she was afraid she was making a gargantuan mistake.
He turned his gaze away, taking a gulp of his beer. When he turned back, there was heat in his blue eyes. “I don’t want to hurt you and I’m going to do whatever I can to make this as comfortable and not awkward as I can. I know what you’re giving up and that you’re worried about your friends, about deceiving them. I also know I’m not the man you’d pick for a husband. So if there is something else you need to make this more palatable, you let me know.”
There was a terseness in his tone she didn’t understand. Especially when he said the word “palatable.” It was almost as if he thought she was repulsed by him.
“I don’t know if you’re the man I’d pick for my husband because I don’t know you and we’ve never dated.”
His jaw tensed. “I know I’m not right for you, so you have to know too.”
He was saying he wasn’t right for her, but the truth was, she wasn’t right for him either.
“I’m desperate and I’m grateful for your help. Kaden is all I have. Without him…” He shrugged.
Her eyes narrowed, curious at the mercurial state he was in. Did he get like this often? “I think what you’re willing to do for Kaden isextraordinary. I wish you were given more credit for how you’ve been there for him when others couldn’t or wouldn’t.”
He lifted his beer to his lips. “Maybe you can mention that to the judge.”
She stared at him, wishing she knew what to say or do to help him.
He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’m ruining the end of what was a lovely day.”
She sent him a wan smile. “I know the situation with Kaden’s mom is hard for you.”
“It is. I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose him.”
Her heart ached at the agony in his voice. Unable to stop herself, she stood, walked over to him, and leaned over to hug him. “Let’s hope you never have to find out.”
Initially, he stiffened at her touch, but then he relaxed, resting his head against her. She held him for a moment, then straightened and smiled down on him. “I should probably go.”
He set his beer on the table next to her wine and stood. “I’ll show you out.”
They walked in silence through the house and out the front door. He opened her car door. She lifted her hand to his face. “You’re a good man, Jagger. That’s why I’m willing to do this.”
His eyes flashed with surprise and then narrowed as his gaze swept down her face, hovering over her lips. When his lips touched hers, sparks radiated through her body, causing all neurons to fire. Just as she was about to give in, he pulled away, his piercing blue gaze watching her. How long would it be before her reaction to him waned? It was maddening how he inflamed her libido and then just as quickly doused it.
“Was someone watching?”
He shook his head. “No. That was for me.”
