Page 23 (1/2)

Jessie was too good for that Jack had no choice but to hide the fact that he’d paid for the dress

"I don’t think anyone would notice"

"I would"

Pushing her to keep the dress was out of the question He glanced her way and noticed the sparkle dangling fros So don’t put those back in the box Those you can keep"

Her slender fingers touched the elegant diaht theht of the knockoff pair in his room at the hotel Nordstrom versus Nordstrom Rack There simply wasn’t a substitution

"You didn’t have to do that"

"I wanted to Consider it an early Christift" One of many, he hoped

"I trust it didn’t cost you a lot"

He shot her a frown "It’s iift"

Jessie laid her hand on his arm "Thanks, Jack You shouldn’t have, but thanks"

They drove the rest of the way in co when they pulled up to her apart

"I can nored her and opened his door "In Texas, a man never lets a lady walk to her door alone Especially at night" Besides, hoould he kiss her if he didn’t walk her ho sound that pulled on Jack’s heartstrings

"I don’t want to tick off all theher out of the car, Jack let her lead the way to her apartment door The floral scent of her perfume followed her down the hall He noted the number on her door for future use

Tresses of her hair draped over her slender neck as she glanced at her door

"This is me," she said as she turned toward hih to see surprise in her eyes at his being there She didn’t back away When she caught her lip between her teeth, Jack’s pulse shot high Jessie’s gaze slid fro his kiss

He didn’t give her a chance to protest

Jack weaved his hand behind her head and lowered his ht with her nearness grew into an inferno within seconds

Jessie didn’t pull away

He captured her around her slim waist and held her closer

She ue between her lips and melted into her Jack committed every sensation he felt, from how she smelled and how she smiled to how her lips slid over his, into his ers kneaded his flesh Tiainst his proved her attraction, her feelings toward him, more than any of her words could