Page 44 of Cougar Chronicles

Now what? She had to talk to him.

She sped into her office and logged in to the Cougar Club. Those ladies would know what to do. No one was chatting. Well, what did she expect? It was before nine a.m. on a holiday morning.

She’d just have to go to Jack’s place. She hadn’t paid close attention when she’d been driven either way, but if she concentrated…

She took a quick shower, raked her fingers through her wet hair, and added a touch of lipstick. That was it. She didn’t want to take any more time. She had to get to Jack before it was too late.

It already is.

She brushed the thought from her mind. True, he might send her packing when he found she couldn’t have children, but she had to let him decide. She’d made the decision for him, and that was wrong.

Maybe all he wanted was a casual relationship. Maybe he wasn’t in love with her and never would be. Could she live with that?

She sighed and grabbed her purse and car keys from the kitchen counter. No use prognosticating. She’d have all her answers soon enough.

Thirteen

“Jack?”

Her voice cut through him like a switchblade. He’d just come in from a midmorning ride with Sam and had sent his son to find Luisa. Taking care of the horses soothed his mind, so he let Sam off the hook this once and decided to curry both horses himself. He’d just finished cleaning the last hoof when her voice sliced into him.

He didn’t turn.

“What do you want?”

“I need to talk to you.”

“Not interested.”

Such a lie. He was so interested that his heart was thundering against his sternum just at the damn sound of her voice. Why had this happened? Why had he fallen in love? Why had he brought her here and introduced her to Sam?

Sam deserved better.

“I’m so sorry…”

Her words trailed off, and he still didn’t turn. If he looked at her, he’d be lost.

Her breathy sigh caressed the back of his neck. She was that close.Don’t turn around, Jack.

“I didn’t think you’d get this hurt.”

Damn. Those were fighting words. He turned around, and the moistness in her emerald eyes tugged at him. But he hardened his heart.

“Not get hurt? What did you think I invited you here for, Holly? Sex? A prolonged weekend of hedonism? Hell, I didn’t need to bring you to my home, introduce you to my son, for that.”

“No, I—”

“Please go away.”

“I can’t, Jack. Not until you hear me out. I behaved stupidly. I know that. But there are reasons. And I—”

He let out a sigh and rolled his eyes. “Yes, I know. You’re forty. You’ve made it abundantly clear how you feel about our age difference. And I thought I’d made it abundantly clear that I don’t give a rat’s ass, but you can’t seem to get past that.”

“You don’t understand. There’s more.”

“Nothing I’m interested in.” He steeled his heart against her misty green gaze.

“You’ve got to listen to me.”

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