An Irresistible Bachelor (An Unforgettable Lady #2)(57)

And those three words were right on the tip of his tongue.

No, he needed to start slowly. Give her a chance to consider him as something other than a pendulum between extremes.

“Don’t ask me to explain anything right now. Especially how I feel,” he said. “I’m not all that articulate tonight.”

“Maybe you should give it a try anyway.” She leaned back against the countertop, as if she needed the support.

When he stayed quiet, she said, “I can’t believe I’m going to ask you this. But, Jack, where are we headed?”

He thought of his friend bending down and kissing her.

“You mind if I ask about Gray?” he said darkly.

She flushed. “He’s not for me.”

“But I thought he was smart and handsome and likable.” God, he hated those words.

“So are a lot of men. That doesn’t mean I want to date them.”

Jack laughed shortly.

“Well, then, I’ve recently become available and have nothing to do with at least two of those traits. I’ve shown some moments of true stupidity in the last couple of weeks and you’ve certainly spent some time disliking me—for very good reasons, I might add. As for the handsome part, I can’t comment.” Feeling like an ass, he shook his head. “Oh, hell. Just so you know, I’m not making any sense right now.”

Callie smiled softly. “That’s okay. I kind of like you when you’re a little off-kilter.”

Jack stared into her eyes.

He couldn’t believe it, but she was looking at him warmly. The tension in her shoulders told him she was still wary, but the openness in her face suggested he might unexpectedly have a chance to be with her.

“God, Callie. I just want to be with you,” he said, trying to find the right words. “Badly. And now. You’re the only woman who’s ever made me feel like this and I just want a shot with you. I know I’ve screwed a lot of things up, but I want to try and make you happy. Hell, I want to make you promises, even though I can’t expect you to believe in them considering—everything about me.”

He shut up. She didn’t need to hear any more gory details about his failures in monogamy.

“That’s okay,” she said, startling him. “I don’t need promises. I’m not looking for a fantasy.”

Jack felt a surge of hope and clung to it. “Look, I know I’m not the best bet if you’re looking for a relationship.”

“You don’t say. And here I was, already planning the wedding.”

He studied her for a long moment. The small smile she was wearing was enough to melt him.

He wanted to reach out to her, but restrained himself. “You, ah, you make me believe in things I used to make fun of.”

“As in Santa Claus?” she said, eyes glowing.

Jack smiled back. “I’m talking about love. Forever after.”

Her face changed, some of the pleasure draining away. “Don’t say that. Not right now.”

He opened his mouth, but shut it when she moved away from the counter. She took one step, and then another, and then she was walking over to him.

“I don’t want to talk,” she murmured, huskily.

And Jack’s body just about detonated.

Through eyes wide with disbelief and gratitude, he watched her come toward him, seeing all that red hair, those hips, her tiny waist. She moved like she knew what she was doing, and it had very little to do with just crossing the room. She also seemed a little shy, chewing on her lip as her eyes bounced from his face to his chest and back again.

Innocence and raw sex appeal were one hell of a combination, he thought, feeling his mouth go dry.

“You didn’t answer my question,” she said softly.

A band of sweat came out on his forehead. “Which one?”

“What exactly were you missing?”

And then she touched him, on the chest, above his heart, which had started to beat like a jackhammer.

Christ, he’d had women come on to him before, but it had been nothing like this. Standing in front of him, with her palm bridging the space between their bodies, she had total power over him. She could have crushed him.

Just by walking away.

“You,” he said with a groan. “I was missing . . . you.”

He bent his head down for a kiss, but she pushed against him.

“You remember when you asked me what type of man I was looking for?” He nodded. “Well, I want someone who will treat me with nothing but care and love. Who will respect me and walk through fire for me. I also want to be able to trust him completely.”

Jack shifted his weight back but she put her hand on his neck and stroked him.

“Except you know what?” she said. “I’ve never found him. Haven’t even come close. And I’m not going to pretend he’s you, either. There aren’t a lot of romantic heroes in the real world.” Her hand moved over to his face and he turned his lips to her palm. “And I want you.”

He closed his eyes, thinking those four words spoken in her husky voice were more seductive than any nude body he’d ever seen.

“Jack, I don’t want you to promise me anything, but I’m going to ask you for one favor.”

He opened his eyes, hoping whatever she wanted was within his control. “Name it.”