Page 60 of Jack

"Don't!" She whirled on him asshe dragged on her sweater. Running her fingers through her tangle ofcurls, she stared at him with flashing eyes. "Don't compound thesituation by apologizing." She fisted her hands on her hips asshe faced him. "You're not only an asshole, but you're also acoward."

His eyes took on an ominous look, his facetightening. "Watch it."

"What are you going to do?" Shestepped up, standing toe to toe, fury in her eyes. "Hurt me morethan you're already doing? No one muzzles me, not even you. I am awoman with feelings, and I love you, you damn jerk." She watchedas he jolted and stepped back. "Yes, damn you. Run. Stay steepinside your cold cocoon and never letting anyone in. I don't give acrap how much crap you went through in your life. You're a grown assman responsible for his own emotions and life. I am here, warm woman,flesh and blood, offering myself to you. I am not interested in yourmoney, just you. God! I love you Jack and for a man who has madebillions, you cannot face that, can you?"

He was breathing hard, his skin felt tootight, his chest was constricted. And he was running out of air. Hehad to leave. He did not want her love. How dare she say that to him!

"I did not ask for this!" He wasso furious; he could barely stand still. "I never asked you tofall in love with me. That's entirely on you."

Suddenly staring at his beloved face, shefelt the ache spreading and the anger draining. She could not fighthim, not right now. She was going to have to leave and lick herwounds in private. And give him time.

"You're right," she said quietly,stepping back. "I hope when you realize that what you're feelingis love, you won't be pigheaded enough to stay away. Goodbye Jack."

He stood there as if turned to stone andwatched her make her graceful exit. Scooping up her things, shetossed her tangled curls over her shoulders and left the room. Evenwhen he heard her descending the stairs, he stood there, handsclenched into fists.

He had done the right thing. He would havemade her miserable anyway and he was not about to offer her marriage,which was clearly what she wanted. Over the last week, he had feltit, felt the silent messages she was sending. The way her kissesturned potent, the tears rolling down her cheeks whenever they madelove. Her hands gentle on his skin, making him yearn to feel her evenmore.

The way she cuddled. And he had not mindedit one bit. In fact, his arms had curved around her slender curves asif he never wanted to let go. It had to stop. Then why did he feel asif his heart was being torn from his chest? He wondered viciously.

Walking over to the sofa, he loweredhimself and pressed his shaking fingers to his eyes. It was for thebest, he insisted silently. It would never have worked.

*****

She wasn't going to cry. That's what shetold herself all the way to the bar. Her chest was burning, and herthroat was tight, but she was going to keep her composure. It was herfault. He never promised her anything and she knew that it would leadto this. But oh God! It felt as if her heart was being ripped into amillion pieces, and she was bleeding from a thousand cuts.

Pulling around the back, she turned off theengine. She sat there clenching the steering wheel, fighting backtears. It was early enough for Zach to still be with Jazmine. She washappy for them and could see that they truly loved each other.

Letting go of the steering wheel, sheleaned back and closed her eyes, fighting tears. It was Friday, whichmeant that she had the bank to deal with and the rest of the day,which was going to be very busy, to get ready for.

The passenger door opening had her headwhipping around. Stifling a resigned sigh, she waited until herbrother sat and closed the door. Turning to face her, he examined herface for a few seconds. Bracing herself for a lecture, she angled herchin and simply broke when he reached for her.

She fought valiantly for a full ten secondsbefore bursting into tears.

Zach held her, his hands rubbing up anddown her back, expression grim as he contemplated the many ways hewould like to break Jack Hadley into tiny pieces.

He waited until the tears had abated beforeeasing her away to tilt her chin up.

"It breaks my heart to see a strongwoman brought to tears." His face was hard with anger. "Whereis he?"

"No." She shook her head andgulped back more tears. "It's not on him. Dammit, I knew what Iwas getting myself into. And it did not matter one bit. I am in lovewith him. God! I love him so much that it hurts all over." Shefirmed her lips. "It's going to be up to him to make the nextmove. I have to step back and get on with my life."

"Think he has the guts to come afteryou?" he asked gently.

She shrugged, her heart flipping. "We'llsee." Lifting a hand, she touched his face gently. "Thanksfor the shoulder and not telling me that I am a damn fool."

"That's besides the point." Hewiped away the moisture with his thumbs. "We do not have a saywith who we fall in love with."

She smiled at him wistfully. "I wantto hear about wedding plans. When?"

"When I get the courage to ask her.Jazmine is a classy lady."

"Jazmine is very fortunate to haveyou," she retorted. Leaning in, she kissed his cheek. "Now,let me get inside and get cleaned up. I have work to do."

"You can take the morning off."

"No." She shook her head. "Ihave to keep busy."

*****

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