Page 61 of Lover Be Mine (Legendary Lovers 2)

Meanwhile she had to take great care. Jack was a heart-stealer of the first order, and her urge to comfort him was so strong, she was searching for any reason to give in to him. Especially when he showed his vulnerable side. Getting Jack to reveal any serious emotions was like chipping away at granite. Skye was right; there were dark undercurrents swirling beneath his charming, reckless facade. Yet tonight he’d shared a part of himself that he always kept secret.

Jack cared for her in some measure, Sophie was certain. His willingness to consider uprooting his entire life for her proved he harbored deeper feelings for her than mere lust, even if he couldn’t or wouldn’t admit to them.

No, Sophie resolved as she laid her head on his shoulder once more. It might be totally idiotic and foolish of her, but she wouldn’t give up on finding happiness with Jack just yet.

When Jack awoke, daylight was seeping beneath the window curtains and Sophie’s warm body was missing from the bed. Evidently he’d slept so deeply that he hadn’t felt her leave his side. In truth, he was still dazed by the lingering memories of her incredible sensuality and the delectable dreams he’d been having. The exquisite arousal he experienced with her was utterly unique.…

As he became aware of the odd silence surrounding him, though, he pried his eyes open. A moment later he raised his head and glanced around the room, only to find it empty.

Sophie was gone.

A sharp stab of unease hit his chest.

Flinging off the covers, Jack rose naked and went to the door, only to discover the corridor empty. Forcibly tamping down his alarm, he resolved to search the inn for her. But when he stepped back inside in order to dress, he could find none of the garments he’d removed last night. His valise was missing also. Evidently Sophie had taken it.

The possibility that she’d absconded from the inn stirred a growing sense of panic inside him.

Swiftly Jack wrapped a sheet around his shoulders and headed downstairs to question the innkeeper. The elderly Frenchman looked startled to see him garbed only in a linen sheet, but swallowed any censorious comment and led him to a private parlor, where Sophie sat fully dressed, calmly eating her breakfast.

The relief that filled Jack was compounded when she offered him a cheerful greeting. The last of his panic allayed, he dismissed the landlord.

“So this is how you repay me for abducting you,” he said accusingly to Sophie when they were alone.

“It is.” Her gaze narrowed. “You are fortunate I didn’t do worse. The thought definitely crossed my mind.”

He had to admire Sophie’s boldness. She could give as good as she got. But so could he. Draping the sheet lower around his waist and tucking in the ends, Jack sat himself down at the table bare-chested.

His plan to discompose her worked to some extent, for her cheeks flushed slightly.

“How brazen can you be?” Sophie remarked. “You are sitting at the breakfast table nearly naked.”

“What would you have me do?” he asked with a trace of amusement. “You stole my clothes.”

“You must admit, it has put me in a better bargaining position.”

He couldn’t help but laugh. “Your scheme is worthy of my family, sweetheart. You could be an honorary Wilde.”

She made a face. “I am not certain that is a compliment.”

“I am trying to show you that I can be a good sport.”

“And so you have. But if you want your clothing back, I expect a full apology for abducting me. In fact, a little groveling might be in order.”

“Groveling? You won’t make this easy for me, will you?”

“Certainly not. You don’t deserve to be let off lightly. You could have ruined me, Jack.”

There was a martial light in her eyes that warned him she was serious, but it was the hurt in her voice that twisted his heart.

His tone sobered instantly. “Sophie … I abjectly apologize. You are right. I should not have forced you here against your will.” Jack hesitated, for even though his contrition was genuine, he knew he had to prove it to her. “I will return you to your aunt this morning if that is what you truly want.”

Sophie picked up a crusty roll and began to butter it. “I didn’t say I want to return to my aunt.”

Jack felt a hitch in his breathing. “Does that mean you will come with me to Navartania?”

“I am considering it. But I have conditions.”

“What conditions?”

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