Page 52 of Her Forever Billionaire

Now she wanted to keep the memories pure. Keep them filled with the sense of fun and freedom—and keep that special boost to her personal confidence. He really had wanted her. And, even though he wanted other things more, it had still been wonderful of him.

But she couldn’t do a last kiss or a last lust moment. No way could she enjoy it if she knew it was the last. No way could her fragile heart handle the finality.

‘You’re right.’ He nodded, moving away to retrieve his skateboard.

‘I’m going to get a takeaway for dinner tonight,’ she said. ‘I really fancy a curry.’

‘Sure.’ He nodded. ‘I’ve got some people I need to see before I go tomorrow.’

They understood each other, then. No dinner in her flat together. No more time alone. The decisions had been made and agreement reached.

She actually did get a takeaway—for fear he’d notice if she didn’t. He was too observant when it came to her eating and sleeping and general welfare. And he actually did go out, too. She lay awake until she heard him get back. She lay awake the rest of the night, too, watching the sky slowly lighten on the day of his departure.

She nibbled on the corner of a plain cracker for breakfast but didn’t manage anything more than that. Her nerves were shredded. The sooner she got today over with, the better. So she got ready for work early and then knocked on his door. He opened it immediately—as if he’d been waiting just the other side of it. Fully dressed and clearly ready to go.

‘What time is your flight?’ She stepped back on the landing, trying to keep it together.

‘Mid-morning. Connection to Auckland first.’

She nodded.

‘Alice is coming in first thing and I’ll get the paperwork done giving you final authority and access to the charge account. Have whatever you want.’

‘Thanks,’ she muttered.

But this house was going to be so empty without him—no matter how beautiful she made it or how many things she crammed into it, the void would be huge.

‘You take care of yourself.’ His blue eyes penetrated—all concern. ‘Make sure you eat well.’

‘I promise. I’ll take good care of both of us.’

He nodded but didn’t relax. In fact his body went rigid. His hand fisted and he thrust it into his jeans pocket.

‘Don’t be mad with me.’ His jaw muscles clenched. ‘But I made you an appointment already.’

Jack really didn’t want her to be mad or hurt or unhappy—about any of this mess between them.

Even though he was feeling all three.

But now he knew he couldn’t ask her to go with him, not when she was pregnant and vulnerable—that was a given. And now he knew she wouldn’t accept even if she wasn’t. According to her, they weren’t compatible. It really was just a fling. She didn’t want him for anything other than that and she never had.

That day on the beach when he’d been so careful to tell her he was going away? She’d laughed—it hadn’t bothered her in the least.

When he’d turned up on her doorstep? She’d been cool.

When he’d offered her help? She’d refused.

The only thing they did seem to agree on was the heat between them. But for the first time in his life he realised he didn’t have any foundation to spring from. Now he knew there was just this void—so he had to keep moving or he’d come crashing down.

Now he knew he did want some solid stability. But it wasn’t to be—not with Kelsi. Hell, maybe it was fate paying him back for all those years ‘playing’.

Jack had never known rejection before. It hurt.

But it reinforced the rightness of his decision. He’d go. He’d work. He’d forget. And when he got back it would all be better—right? He just hoped he could live with it.

He held out the business card as if it were a last challenge.

She took it, quickly skimming the words printed on it.

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