“Damn right.”
“Thank you,” she nods. “But even my father doesn’t believe me when I tell him I won’t go through with this.”
“No offense, but your dad sounds like kind of a jerk.”
“He’s a businessman. He’s never been a dad a day in his life.”
This slugs me in the chest. My dad was my hero before he died. It hurts me that she’s never had that kind of relationship. “I’m sorry, Winnie.”
“I just wish I could figure out a way to show him that I’m serious. That despite the pain it may bring at first, I don’t need his money to have a successful life. I’m Winnie fucking Fairmont, for shit’s sake.”
“Atta girl. Why don’t you just tell him that?”
“I don’t have the guts.”
I nudge her shoulder. “I don’t believe you.”
“Believe it,” she sniffs and swipes at her cheek. I realize she’s crying. I want to scoop her up and tell her everything’s going to be okay, that I’ll take care of her now and forever. But I don’t have to, because I can show her.
Chapter Seven
Winnie
The minute Jase’ssoft lips press against mine, the whole world feels right. My brain spins, wondering how it’s possible to feel so close to someone I’ve only met once, even if it was more than a casual meeting. Something in my soul screams that Jase is the man for me, which is dangerous considering I don’t know how he feels.
He pulls away and cups my cheek. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.” My heart flutters when I meet his warm, brown eyes. “Is that crazy?”
“No. I feel the same way.” I let out a short exhale. “So, what’s stopping us from being together?”
“I don’t date, Winnie. I always choose the wrong woman, and it’s easier to just stave off the whole scene altogether.”
“But you took me home.”
“That’s sex. That’s different.”
My heart sinks, and I try my best not to let my disappointment show. “I understand.”
Jase grabs my hand. “No, Winnie, you don’t understand. I’m losing my goddamn mind over you, and for the first time in a long time, I’m willing to break my own rules.” A beat passes between us where I’m too afraid to speak; I don’t want to ruin the moment. “I do want to be with you, Winnie. I want to take the risk.”
A rush of relief washes through me. “You do?” I can’t hide my smile. “But we’re so different, Jase. Could it actually work?”
“We’ll never know unless we try, and I’m talking about more than sex here. I want you to be mine in every way possible. We can take it slow, but I have to warn you that for me, it’s all or nothing.” Jase sucks his lower lip between his teeth. “But I also don’t want to put you at risk of losing it all.”
He meets my gaze, and I see it. A life without my father’s money is also a life without my father’s pressure. I’m an educated woman with a business marketing degree. There’s nothing I can’t do if I set my mind to it, on my own.
“Jase, how could I lose it all if I have you?”
Jase rises to his feet, taking me with him. He wraps me up in his strong arms before his mouth devours mine. I erupts in wetness as his silky tongue parts my lips. We can’t get close enough, our bodies pressed together like they’re trying to become one.
“Winnie, I’ll do anything for you.” His lips brush mine when he speaks. “You’ve made me feel like love is worth fighting for.” He pulls back, redness flushing his cheeks. “I meant…notlove…not yet.”
“Jase,” I say, gripping the collar of his leather jacket. “Shut up and kiss me.”When he smiles, a dimple appears at the top of his beard in his right cheek. How have I not seen that before? Hell, it doesn’t matter. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing a lot more of it.
***
We pull up outside my house, and Jase parks his motorcycle right out front next to my car. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come inside?”
I nod, completely unsure, but knowing that I have to do this on my own. “Yeah, I’m sure.”