Page 39 of One Wild Texas Night
He had always thought he would marry when he was in his forties. He hadn’t ever wanted to be tied down before that.
He remembered that night they’d lain in bed when he’d told her that his time with her had been paradise. Such true words. He leaned over the table and thought about his life and about Claire. No matter what age he was now, he wanted her back. He missed her. He loved her and he wanted—needed—her in his life. He was ready to settle down with her...but could he ever talk her into marriage? She was a strong person, accustomed to running her life and making her decisions alone. Could he convince her to take a chance on marrying him?
He didn’t even know for certain if she was over her anger with him about Regina.
There was a way to get answers to all his questions if he really wanted to. He took a deep breath and began to make plans. The problem that loomed first might be the next to the biggest one—could he get her to see him?
Twelve
It had been a week since Claire arrived back in Dallas and then drove out to Persimmon to move back into the hotel suite. She’d had a wonderful time with Regina and her family, and for a couple of days she was in euphoria from her trip and being with her sister, but that had worn off. She was home now, and she missed Jake. She had gotten along at her sister’s because she was so busy with Regina and her family, but since the first solitary night in Dallas and then the next night in Persimmon by herself, she’d missed Jake badly. It surprised her how much she missed him.
She was the one who’d told him goodbye, who’d told him to get out of her life, but now it was a void she didn’t like. She missed him in too many ways—his sexy kisses and lovemaking, his upbeat outlook, his companionship, his flirting and constant light touches that built desire but also made her aware that he liked being with her.
How many times a day did she reach for her phone to call him, then stop? He would walk out of her life at some point anyway. The more he was in her life before he said goodbye, the more she would hurt when he left.
At least that was what she told herself, but it wasn’t working out well. No matter what argument she used, she still missed him and wanted to be with him.
Could she really take him back in her life when it might just mean more heartache later? She may have changed, but it didn’t necessarily mean Jake had. He wasn’t a marrying man—he’d told her that upfront—so even if they made up, Jake wouldn’t propose. Did she want to live a life of just being with him for a time without marriage?
Even though she didn’t know what was in store for their future, she knew she had already forgiven him. And, she needed to think before she called to thank him for telling his brother about her. If Jake hadn’t told them, she never would have seen Regina again, and for that she was grateful.
But she needed to figure out what exactly she wanted from Jake.
She paced the suite from door to window, but she couldn’t stop the questions that echoed in her head. Could she accept life on Jake’s terms? Was she better off just trying to get over him?
Twenty minutes later she was still pacing. She still had no answers. All she knew was that she was wildly in love with him and she had sent him packing. How could she get him back?
Her cell phone rang, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw the call was from Jake. Smiling, she answered.
“Claire, I want to take you to dinner tomorrow night,” he said.
“That’s getting right to the point,” she said. “I’d love to go to dinner with you tomorrow night.”
“That’s good. Does this mean I’m a little bit forgiven?” She could hear the tentativeness in his speech even though he tried to put it a light tone.
“Yes, you are,” she answered, suddenly serious and wishing he was with her right now. “We can talk about it tomorrow night.”
“Good. How about seven? And plan on a long evening. We need to talk.”
“Now I’m curious,” she said, wishing he had asked her for dinner tonight, because she wanted to be with him.
“Any chance we could move this dinner up to tonight?” he asked.
“You’re a mind reader—even over the phone. I’d love to move it up to tonight.”
“See you at seven.”
“See you at seven,” she answered, echoing him. She disconnected the call and felt her entire body pulsate. She was too excited to sit still and began pacing again, this time with a smile on her face instead of a frown. She needed something to wear—her sexiest dress. “Jake Reed, I’m about to make you sit up and take notice.”
She couldn’t wait for the day to pass. She wanted to be with him with all her being. She wanted to kiss him and be kissed, to love and be loved by him. She wanted tonight with him and to make up with him, and if he broke her heart later, she would just deal with it when it happened. She screeched and jumped in the air, throwing her arms up and twirling around. “Jake, I’m going to love you tonight until you never want to let me go.”
That might be a pipe dream because he always moved on, but she was going out with him tonight, and maybe, just maybe, he’d stick around awhile.
* * *
At exactly 6:59 p.m., when Claire opened the door to face Jake, she wanted to throw her arms around his neck and hug him. He wore navy slacks and a pale blue long-sleeved shirt that was unbuttoned at the collar, and he looked incredibly handsome. She smiled and greeted him.
“Come in. I’m ready. I wanted to say a few things to you before we go out.”
