Page 55 of Promise of a New Beginning
“Thank you for understanding.”
The carriage slowed as they rounded a turn, and Savannah loved that Jack’s attentive gaze never wavered.
“When I saw Ralph, we talked briefly about you, and he gave me his blessing.” Jack laced his fingers into hers. “I never expected to want to be with another woman, and I certainly never thought about telling Linda’s father and sister about caring for one. I’m glad we’re together, Savannah, and I’m glad they know. I don’t want to hide from anything ever again.”
Savannah held her breath, contemplating telling him about Elizabeth’s confession. He was pouring out his heart to her, and she owed him the same honesty. “Jack, Elizabeth knows Linda’s family.”
He narrowed his eyes. “You knew?”
“Youknew?” she asked.
“No, but Ralph told me this morning.”
“Elizabeth told me when we were up there. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I wasn’t sure how, or even if, I should. You seemed so angry.” She touched his chest.
He kissed her forehead. “So you planted that bobcat in the woods and took advantage of me?” he teased.
Just thinking of the bobcat sent thrill bumps up her arms. “That was the plan,” she said.
His eyes darkened, and a serious look moved across his face. “I also called my sister.” He shrugged. “It’s a start.”
“Jack,” she whispered. She could only imagine how difficult this whole process would be for him, and he was trying to take it all on at once. “You’re moving so fast. Doesn’t that worry you at all?”
He nodded. “I moved fast when I cut them off, and I feel like I can’t move fast enough to repair the damage.”
Chapter Thirty
JACK FOLLOWED SAVANNAH up the stairs to her apartment, and when they reached the landing on her floor, his chest constricted with the memory of Connor taking her in his arms. He shook his head at how he’d reacted, though he knew that if it were to play out before him again, he would probably react in the same way.
He admired her figure from behind and had to run his hands along her hips as she dug in her purse for the keys. He followed the lines of her body to her shoulders and gathered her hair in one hand, exposing the curve of her neck. He lowered his lips to her skin and wrapped his other arm around her slim waist.
“Mmm.” She arched her head back, and he kissed his way up the back of her neck, pressing his hips into her from behind. Feeling all of her luscious curves against him heightened his yearning.
“Jack,” she whispered.
He turned her in his arms and kissed her, swallowing whatever words were falling from her lips. He pressed his body in to hers, her back against the door, and he deepened the kiss, knowing he would never tire of kissing her. She reached up and put her warm hands on his cheeks, and when they pulled apart, they were both breathing heavily.
“We should go in,” she said, though she made no move to open the door.
“’Kay,” was all he could manage. He could take her right there in the hall, and the look in her eyes told him that she wouldn’t mind it at all. When she reached around his hips and grabbed his butt, he practically tore the keys from her hands and unlocked the door. They stumbled into the apartment, kissing between each hurried step. Jack reached back and pushed the door shut behind them. Savannah adeptly unbuttoned his shirt, slipping her fingers beneath the fabric in between each button.
He scanned the apartment, his eyes settling on the hall that led to Savannah’s bedroom. Savannah followed his gaze.
“We don’t have to go to the bedroom, Jack.” She touched his cheek.
“Why are you so good to me? So patient?” Jack was used to being the alpha male in every aspect of his life, and as he looked down the hall, he realized that while he thought he’d been manly—running away to live a solitary life—he’d really been just the opposite. Men didn’t hide from their fears. They faced them.
“You’re a good person. Why shouldn’t I be good to you? You just need time to heal.”
“Savannah.” He searched her eyes, wondering how he’d gotten lucky enough to have been the one she wanted. Savannah deserved more than making love on a pullout couch.It’s time to move on.He took her hand and pulled her down the hall to the bedroom before he lost his nerve.
“Jack?”
He couldn’t answer. It took all his concentration to walk through the door. The first step caused his chest to constrict. In the next breath, her scent filled his lungs. He saw Savannah everywhere. In the colorful scarves that hung from her mirror, which he could think of several things to do with that had nothing to do with cold weather. Shoes lined up by the height of their heels. The black leather boots shot a new adrenaline rush through him. The open lingerie drawer revealing a hint of satin and lace. He nearly groaned aloud as he turned toward her, wondering what she had on beneath her sexy little dress. As he drew his eyes up, over her neck, and her lovely face, he saw the love he felt reflected back in her eyes. The constriction in his chest eased. This wasn’t just a bedroom. This was Savannah’s oasis. He took her hand, and as she took a step forward, their love filled the space where his anxiety had been. He slipped his arms from his shirt, and when her hands traveled up his abs and over his pecs, he wondered if she could feel his love for her in every beat of his heart, the way he could see the love she had for him in the way she looked at him.
Chapter Thirty-One
THE SMELL OF coffee greeted Savannah the next morning as she stumbled groggily out of the bathroom in her T-shirt and underwear. She found Jack leaning on the kitchen counter, freshly showered and wearing a clean pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. He held the newspaper in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. He turned as she entered, and his eyes lit up.
