Page 143 of The Manny

He slid down off the island. “I don’t have to jump through hoops for you, Thomas. You work for me.”

“Yeah, well, not for much longer.”

His gaze flickered. “You’ve decided to take the job in Germany?”

“Thanks to tonight, you made my decision for me.”

A muscle worked in his jaw. “Good. I… I think it’s the best thing for you. For both of us.”

“Do you really?”

“Yes.”

My heart ached as I held his gaze. He looked miserable, but determined. If he was going to be that stubborn, there was no point in turning down the job in Germany. I couldn’t force him to love me, and I wouldn’t want that anyway. “I wish you could let down your guard, Jack. There’s a lot in life you’re missing out on.”

He flicked his gaze to mine. “And I wished you’d just accept things as they are. Maybe then you wouldn’t have to run away.”

“It’s too… painful.” I frowned. “And the way I see it, you ran away first.”

A muscle jerked in his cheek. “I warned you sleeping together would complicate things.”

“I thought I could handle it.” I winced. “I can’t help it if I care about you.”

He let out an impatient breath. “I care about you too, Thomas. Is that what you need to hear?”

My face warmed. “Not unless you mean it.”

“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t. But that doesn’t change the fact that I can’t be who you need me to be.”

“I know. I guess it’s just nice to know it wasn’t all one-sided.”

“Of course it wasn’t.” He moved closer, and his warm breath wafted against my cheek. “You think I’m just a heartless asshole, but I’m not.”

“I don’t think you’re heartless, I think you’re scared.”

“Maybe I am.” He reached out and touched my cheek, his gaze impossible to read. “You’ve got so much going for you, Thomas. I’m a dead end.”

“I don’t agree.”

“Of course you don’t. When do you ever agree with me?” He gave a sad smile. “I’ll miss you. You probably don’t believe me, but I will. I… I felt close to you.” He shook his head, frowning. “Would you really have stayed, if I’d asked you to?”

“Yes,” I said breathlessly.

“But why? There’s no guarantee that things would work out with us.”

“Nothing in life has a guarantee.”

“That’s true.” His thumb stroked the skin of my jaw, sending goosebumps along my flesh. His gaze was softer now, less wary.

Seeing his gentler expression gave me a little courage. I sucked in a breath and took hold of his shirt front. “It’s not too late. We could just play it by ear. It doesn’t have to be some big serious thing. We can just get to know each other better. Ask me to stay, Jack.”

Come on Jack, just try.

“There you go again, trying to boss me around,” he said softly.

“I’m worth the risk.” I shivered when his gaze dropped to my mouth, and his breathing picked up slightly. The feel of his fingers on my skin made my knees weak.

For one second he seemed to relent, but then he shook his head and stepped back. His shirt slipped from my fingers, and his face shuttered. “You should tell Mia right away that you’re leaving. She’s going to be upset.” His voice was flat.

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