Page 68 of Now and Forever

Chapter 22

Jared

TWO WEEKS LATER

“Areyou sure you don’t want me with you?” Rose pressed her pliant body against my back, arms circling my hips as she trailed her lips across my shoulder blades.

It was four in the morning, and the limo would be arriving any moment now. And I’d barely gotten out of the shower to change.

“I’ll be back before you know it, Rose.”

“I don’t feel comfortable that she’s going to be there. What if she seduces you. Will you be able to resist her?”

“She won’t. She and I are done. I’ve already stressed this before.”

“It never stopped you before. What makes this time different?”

“It just is.”

“We’re doing so well. I’m just scared she’ll steal you away from me.”

“Rose, this is getting ridiculous. Don’t overstep boundaries just because I’ve spent the night in your bed for the past month. I loath to be pestered and nagged when I’ve assured you there’s nothing going on.”

“If she weren’t so fucking hot, I wouldn’t be acting this way.”

Her deceitfulness made her unattractive in my eyes. That would never change.

“I can’t help how she looks, Rose. You’ve gotten beyond taxing. Will you let me change in peace?”

“You’re such a great guy. You only become an asshole whenever she’s mentioned. But I’m warning you, Jared. If you ever touch her again, I’m through with you. Have whoever you want as long as it’s not her.” Rose marched out of the closet space, her tight bottom mesmerizingly swaying with each step she took.

I’d fucked her five times in the last six hours, ensuring I’d be spent out of my wits the second I stepped onto the gulfstream jet. It wasn’t that I wasn’t confident I could resist Gisele, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. After all, I hadn’t seen her for a good while, so who knew what my body would get up to?

Geared in black denim trousers and a black, fitted crew shirt, I was comfortably dressed for the eleven-hour flight across the Pacific.

Strolling back out of the closet and into the bedroom, I found Rose leaning against the door, displeased. “Take me with you. Gisele needs to be put in her place.”

“Bloody hell, Rose! In case you’ve forgotten, this is a business trip! Gisele’s assistance and decisions are vital for this deal to push through.” My displeasure was teetering on the edge. Since when did this twenty-nine-year-old woman start to become so petulant? Rose’s qualms grated upon me. “She’s a good person, Rose. You have to stop obsessing about her!”

“You’re staying in separate rooms, right?”

Distractedly glancing down at my phone, my driver’s number flashed across the screen. “Yes. I’ve said this a hundred bloody fucking times already, Rose!”

“All right. I’m sorry for being such a nutcase.”

“I have to go. My ride’s outside.”

“I know you don’t want to hear it, and I also know you might leave me for saying it, but I’m saying it, anyway. I love you.” She tiptoed and kissed me on the cheek.

I despondently exhaled, unsure what to do anymore. “I’ll be back before you know it. Do behave while I’m gone.” Showing a tightened smile, I threw her one last look before exiting the house.

There was no question where her loyalty lay, but I liked to remind her, anyway. One could never trust a woman to be forthcoming these days. I’d learned the hard way with Gisele. As for Rose…Well, she was growing clingy as we went on. Our arrangement specifically outlined what I expected out of it, and yet, she continued with her heart, past caring about its consequences. Habitually, I’d immediately dash out of her life. But things had changed. Somehow, the thought of replacing her while I was battling problems on all fronts seemed a tad reckless. All aspects of my life right this instant were unpredictable. Each day shifted, and the only time I got a reprieve from the strenuous life I led was with Rose. She remained unchanged. And in some way, becoming a fixture of stability when my life surely wasn’t was a good change. But could I truly fathom her feelings for me? Could I tolerate the complications accepting her love entailed? The questions spun in my head, adding to my ever-growing list of conundrums.

“Good morning, Mr. St. James,” the flight crew greeted me upon boarding the plane.

“Hello.”

“And Miss Weber? Is she here?” My throat bobbed at the question. It was rather peculiar, but I was a tad nervous. What the bloody hell had gotten into me? It wasn’t I who was at fault here. I wasn’t the one who had spewed promises and broken them, so my edginess surely caught me unaware.

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