An Irresistible Bachelor (An Unforgettable Lady #2)(65)

“Callie.” His breath was soft against her skin.

Before she closed her eyes to savor the moment, she saw his beautiful suit jacket crumpled on the floor, his pants hanging off the open Rubbermaid container, his tie wadded up and sticking out of the couch.

Those fine trappings of wealth meant nothing to her. It was Jack she wanted. Jack naked and trembling from passion. Jack’s voice stripped of all culture and refinement, her name leaving his lips in nothing more than a guttural burst.

She leaned into him, holding on tight. She wanted Jack Walker, the man. Not the business legend. Not the newest star of his prestigious family.

When he pulled back, he said, “You amaze me.”

His fingers brushed against her cheek and then lifted her chin so he could kiss her. His lips were as soft as his eyes.

“We should probably go,” she said. “Why don’t I meet you back at the house? I have to shut down Nathaniel’s beauty spa and I’d like to change.”

He placed a lingering kiss against her lips and then put on his pants. After tucking his shirttails in with sharp movements, he pulled his jacket on and casually slung his blue tie around his neck.

But he didn’t leave right away. He just stared at her, a slight smile playing over his lips.

“Come here,” she said, motioning to him. “Your hair looks like it’s been blown dry by a box fan.”

He came up to her and put his head down, standing patiently while she fixed him up.

“And we should put the tie on properly. You’ll look less ravished that way.” With a seductive smile, she turned up his collar, slid the silk into place, and quickly executed a pretty good Windsor knot. She nodded at the result. “You’re almost perfect. But there’s nothing we’re going to be able to do about the wrinkles in your suit and shirt.”

Jack reached for her, his arms going all the way around her body. “I can’t seem to let you go.”

“Which is perfectly fine with me.”

When he finally left, it took her ten minutes to close up shop and head for the house. As she stepped out into the brisk night air, she felt so alive she wanted to laugh out loud. The world seemed to have expanded and she was able to find possibilities and excitement in everything, even the darkened sky. There were things to look forward to, plans she could make, places she suddenly wanted to go.

All with Jack, of course.

She pictured the two of them heading upstate and staying at some B and B in the wintertime. There would be a fireplace in their room and a big bed with lots of blankets and pillows. They would make love for days straight as the snow fell outside.

When she opened the back door, she was smiling.

She jerked to a halt.

Jack and the blond woman were staring at each other over the island in the kitchen. On the slab of granite between them was a large diamond ring.

Their heads snapped around to her.

“So you’re Callie,” the woman said softly. “You’re the one.”





17


LOOKING BACK and forth between them, Callie put it all together. It was the blonde from the Plaza Hotel hallway. The scarf and earrings that had been in Jack’s suite were hers.

Callie fought a sudden urge to be sick.

“I’m Blair Stanford,” the woman said, sticking out her hand and narrowing her eyes.

Probably because she was remembering their brief passing, too.

Callie awkwardly returned the gesture, shooting a glance at Jack. He met her eyes and shook his head as if he regretted the situation she’d been put in.

“I wish I could say I was pleased to meet you,” Blair said, with more honesty than hostility. “This has been a disappointment, as you can imagine.”

Callie didn’t know how to respond, and as she looked away, her eyes flickered down to the diamond. It had a diameter the size of a nickel.

“I think I’ll just go upstairs,” she murmured.

“That’s not necessary,” Blair said. “Jack and I were just making our good-bye official.”

She picked up a Vuitton handbag and nodded stiffly at Callie. Then she looked at Jack and said, “Take care of yourself. I know you always do.”

“I’ll walk you to the door.”

“That’s not necessary. Actually, I’d prefer you didn’t.” She paused on her way out of the room, glancing at Callie. “Be careful, darling. He’s a wonderful man on many fronts, so there’s a big hole to fill when he leaves.”

Callie looked away, thinking the woman was undoubtedly right.

The sound of the front door being opened and closed was followed by a long silence.

She shifted her eyes to Jack. His head was down and he was gripping the edge of the countertop.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

His chest rose and fell. “Yeah.”

She waited for him to say something more. When he didn’t, she murmured, “You want to hold off on dinner?”

He looked up. “Maybe. I don’t know that I’d be good company right now.”

Her heart skipped a beat as she wondered whether he was having second thoughts. But maybe it was just the awkwardness of Blair showing up. “I understand.”

He came over and kissed her briefly. “Thank you.”

After he left, she glanced over at the ring and tried to imagine wearing the thing. She couldn’t picture it on her finger.