Page 13 of Getting Lucky

She was still, her expression serious as he pulled the dress over her head. He let it drop to the bed, mesmerized by the sight of her, the way her black bra clung to her breasts.

“Jesus, Maisie. You’re gorgeous.”

Her skin flushed, and she looked away, and he wondered how often men had actually told her that. Had they been blind or stupid? But the thought of her with another man soured his stomach. Maybe it was foolish given what they were doing here, what they’d agreed to, but he didn’t want to think of her with anyone else.

He let his hands roam over her soft skin, then cupped her lace-covered breasts.

“You’ve got too many clothes on,” she said, her voice rough.

“That’s easily taken care of.” He slid off the bed and quickly slipped out of his jeans before he sat down on the edge of the mattress, reaching for her.

His mouth covered hers, hungry and demanding. She hooked an arm around his neck, holding on to him as she let him know how hungry she was too.

He intended to spend all night showing her she was gorgeous.

* * *

His phone’s alarm went off the next morning and he groaned, dragging himself out of a deep sleep. He hadn’t slept much, and all he wanted to do was hold Maisie one last time before he left. He was already debating whether to skip going home to change before he drove to Charlotte to pick up Iris from the airport. But when he blindly reached for Maisie, he found her side of the bed empty and cold.

He sat up. Where was she?

Einstein and Chaco were on the floor, watching him curiously as he got out of bed and went to the bathroom. Jack and Maisie had brought the dogs back to the house sometime after midnight. Einstein had released a low growl at Jack, but he’d settled down quickly enough in response to Maisie’s whispered words. Who knew if they were sweet nothings or threats—either would move a smart man, or dog, to listen to her. If her dogs were still here, maybe she was downstairs.

He headed down in his boxer briefs, the dogs trailing behind. She wasn’t in the kitchen, and when he looked out front, his stomach sank. Her Jeep was gone.

Had she left already and not said goodbye?

“There’s only one rule,”she’d said.“This is just for tonight.”

That had been the agreement, and he’d already reminded himself a half dozen times since their unfinished game of strip poker that he wasn’t in a position to start a relationship, but it still felt like a punch to the gut. He really liked her, and he would have at least liked to say goodbye.

Maybe it was better this way. Somewhere around four in the morning, he’d wondered how he’d find the fortitude to leave her. Looked like she’d done it for both of them.

He went back upstairs and got dressed, then found a notepad and pen in her kitchen.

Maisie,

Confession: I really suck at this one-night stand thing. It seems crass to tell you last night was incredible, even if it was. I hate not being able to tell you goodbye, but I understand. I hope things aren’t awkward between us, and maybe we can be friends.

“Really, Jack?” he said out loud. “You seriously just used the let’s be friends line?”

Einstein released a low growl.

“I know, buddy. I’m a fricking idiot.”

What he really wanted to say was,Maisie, you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. I want more than just one night, and I think you do too.Because sometime in the night she’d cuddled close to him, placing a hand on his chest like she wanted to feel his heartbeat. But it didn’t matter, did it? He couldn’t start anything. Not now. And the only rule she’d set was that their entanglement couldn’t go on past a single night. He needed to suck it up and accept her terms.

Right?

But then something took hold of him, and before he could stop himself, he wrote:

But I don’t want to just be friends. I want more. Much more. My life is a shitstorm right now, but you’re the kind of woman who comes along once in a lifetime, and I don’t want to lose the opportunity to see where this might go. If you can be patient with me, we’ll find a way to make this work.

Still, this is about you too. You only wanted one night, and I agreed to that. It’s not your problem that I suddenly want more. So if you want more too, let me know. But if you don’t, we’ll pretend like this never happened.

This is your choice, Maisie, even if I want you to say yes more than I’ve wanted anything in a long time.

Jack

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