Page 35 of Blue Collar Billionaire
Lexi felt like she might need to have her ears cleaned out. Was this a trick? “You’re not serious. I’ve never heard him say he was sorry. About anything.”
Jack ventured into her great room and took a seat at the end of one of the couches. He patted the empty spot next to him. “Come here, beautiful. I’ll tell you everything.”
Lexi eagerly took the invitation, settling in on the cushion and immediately leaning into Jack’s firm, solid frame as he put his arm around her. “So it was good?”
“It wasn’t perfect, but I think we understand each other. He said he was sorry about the loan, and he explained that he has a blind spot for the established Royal businesses and families. He actually admitted you’ve been a big part of convincing him that he needs to open his eyes to everything around him.”
She still found it hard to believe what Jack was saying. “I feel like I’m drilling that into his head all day long. There is so much business available in Royal, and we could do such a better job being a part of the community. He’s just so stuck in his ways.”
“Or, as he sees it, he’s loyal to the town where he’s raised a family and lived his whole life,” Jack said. “There’s nothing wrong with remembering where you come from and the people who helped you get where you are today. That’s important to me, too.”
“Like Angie and Rich.”
“Yes. Exactly.”
It occurred to her that they’d each basically gotten the stamp of approval from their respective loved ones. That left only Lexi’s muddled brain as she tried to figure out of what she was truly ready for with Jack. “So, what else did he have to say?”
“He said I need to tread lightly when it comes to you. And that he’d hunt me down and kill me if I ever hurt you.”
“You have nothing to worry about. I can’t imagine you ever hurting me.” Lexi feared it was the other way around. She didn’t question Jack’s feelings about her, even though neither of them had put it into words beyond saying that they liked each other and had a lot of fun together. But she was in zero rush to get to big important labels. She knew the way he made her feel—like she was cherished. That she mattered. That her thoughts and feelings were real and she was entitled to process them in her own time.
But she also wasn’t stupid. She’d seen the way other women looked at him—at Sheen, at the TCC, and even at his own pool party. She also knew that once a woman got to know Jack the way Lexi knew him, she likely wouldn’t ever let him go. Angie had said that he’d spent years not taking relationships seriously, all because he’d had his heart broken more than a decade ago. Didn’t it reason that at some point, Jack would decide he wanted to settle down? He was almost forty. Would he wait around for her to get over her hang-ups, or would he grow impatient and want to move on?
“I’m glad you have confidence in me.” Jack took her hand and they twined their fingers together. It was a bit comical the way his were so much bigger than hers, the way they almost threatened to swallow hers up, but however funny, it was also the perfect illustration of them as a pair. They were very different people, who somehow worked together.
“I knew from the moment I met you that you were a man of your word.”
“That’s not true. I was giving you a hard time and not being entirely truthful about who I was or what I was doing.”
“Okay. That’s fair.” She playfully swatted his leg with her one free hand. “But that’s also the day you came to my rescue. And I’m very grateful that you did. If you hadn’t, we never would’ve gotten to know each other.” Lexi was suddenly hit with a vision of what would’ve happened if Jack hadn’t acted that day, or even worse, if she hadn’t accepted his invitation. She would’ve missed out on so much—which added up to a lot more than hot nights and unbridled passion. There had been laughter, contentment and tenderness, too.
“One of the smartest things I ever did.” He leaned over and kissed her temple. “I will give you all the time you need, Lexi. Your dad asked that of me, and I intend to do that. I’m happy with the way things are right now. But I also need you to know that you do mean something to me. This isn’t just a fling for me.”
Lexi’s heart started to hammer. She’d just been thinking about how she didn’t need words. “Yes. I’m happy with the way things are right now, too. I have a lot of changes ahead. Finding a house. Moving. I’m still figuring out my job. I like that we’ve kept things casual and fun.”
Jack cleared his throat. “It’s definitely been fun. That’s for sure.”
She wondered if she’d said the wrong thing, but decided her truth was always right. That was what Jack would want from her. “I hate to say this, but I should probably finish going through these last two boxes. You can relax and we can talk while I work.”
“I thought I was here to be the muscle.”
Lexi laughed, appreciating that the mood had been lightened a bit. She patted his thigh before getting to her feet, then reached down for his hand in an effort to pull him off the couch. “Fine, Muscle Man. I’ll show you which boxes can go in the truck.”
Jack feigned a scowl but rose out of his seat. Lexi walked across the room to the stack of boxes filled with things she wanted to get rid of. He came up behind her and placed his hands on her hips, leaning down and snuggling her neck with soft kisses.
“Jack. This doesn’t feel like lifting boxes. This feels like something else.”
He pressed against her backside. “How doesthisfeel?”
She giggled, but it came out more like a moan. He didn’t have to work very hard to make her want him. “It feels like you’re wanting to go in the other room.”
“Or here. I’m up for whatever you want.” He brushed her hair to one side and kissed her neck while he gathered the hem of her dress in his hand then palmed the upper part of her bare thigh, his fingers dangerously close to her center.
A gasp left Lexi’s lips as she rolled her head to one side to let him take full purchase of her skin. “I just want you, Jack. That’s as much brain power as I can put into it right now.”
Jack needed no further invitation. He took charge like he always did, scooping her up in his arms and carrying her off to her bedroom. “I’ve been in your dad’s office. I know what a good view he has of your house. At least things are private back here.”
“Smart man.”
