Page 32 of Inked Persuasion

I quickly shook my head. “You don’t need to make up for anything. You’ve already done enough.”

His gaze went to the counter where we’d just had sex, and I blushed even harder.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I know, but I like the way you blush.”

I groaned and licked my lips. “Jacob, like you said, I didn’t expect that either.”

“You’re right. Neither of us did. And I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I’m glad it happened.”

My eyes widened. “You’re glad?”

He shrugged, then drained his glass of water before putting it in the sink. “I don’t know. I feel like we’ve been dancing around each other for the past couple of weeks. Or maybe I’m losing my mind.”

I bit my lip. “Well, we did dance.”

He smirked. “Yeah, we did.”

“I just…I’m not sure us being in a relationship is smart. Especially with everything that has happened between us in the past and what might happen in the future with your family.”

His eyes clouded over, and I hated that I’d brought it up. But he had moved here for his mother, and I was still part of their lives because I loved them.

We were both slowly watching a woman we loved fade away. It was devastating, achingly painful, and there was no fixing it.

“You’re right. There is an attraction, though.”

“Yes. I mean, I wouldn’t have done that with you if I wasn’t attracted.”

He smiled, making him look even more handsome, and I kind of hated him for it. “I’m not looking for anything serious, Annabelle,” he said, his voice low. “And I know we probably should have talked about that before we did what we just did. We probably should have talked about a lot of things. But I didn’t only come here for my mother.”

I frowned. “I thought that’s why you moved back to Fort Collins.”

He nodded. “That was part of it. But I needed a fresh start. My divorce has only been final for a few months.”

I blinked and nearly staggered back at the nonexistent blow. I didn’t know why it felt like one in the first place. “You were married?” I asked. “Your parents never mentioned it.”

He grimaced. “I don’t think they liked Susan.”

“So they just ignored the fact you were married? That doesn’t sound like the couple I know.”

He sighed. “They were always nice to her, and there’s even a picture of our wedding in their bedroom in that little nook area.”

“I haven’t ever been in there,” I added.

“It’s Mom’s sanctuary, so there are family photos in there.” He paused. “There’s a photo of your wedding, too.”

I winced, my heart aching. “I have one in my home also.”

“There’s a photo of you around here somewhere. Mom and Dad gave it to me, and I didn’t have the heart to throw it away. It was Jonah, you know?” He looked around as I thought on that more. “I haven’t finished unpacking. Don’t have everything on the walls yet. As I said, I’m starting over. Susan and I didn’t work out. For a lot of reasons. And my parents were right. We didn’t fit, but I tried. Maybe a little too hard. But I’m finally figuring out what I want, and a serious relationship isn’t it.”

I shrugged and looked down at my hands. “Same for me.”

His gaze shot to mine as I looked up. “Really?”

“Really. Not every woman wants marriage and babies and a white picket fence. I can build my own fence if I want to. I can design the best house to live in. Alone. In fact, I already did. I got married too young, and now every time I imagine a wedding or marriage or something like that when I’m part of it, I think of Jonah.”

He flinched. “Damn.”

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