Page 17 of Falling for Love

“What’s your room number?” he asks.

“415, why?” I bend my knees to my chest to get more comfortable.

“So suspicious.” He chuckles. “Because I want to bring you breakfast, and I can’t do that if I don’t know where to find you.”

My stomach does a flip at the thought of seeing him. “You don’t need to do that. I’m a mess and haven’t even gotten out of bed yet.”

“You have time. It’ll take me an hour to wrap up what I’m doing and pick something up. Are you allowed to drink coffee?” he asks.

Thoughtful man. “I’m drinking decaf tea these days.” And it took me a while to adjust to the lack of caffeine.

“Got it.”

I realize something about the hotel. “Jack, you can’t come up to my floor without a key card for the elevator.”

“Damn, I forgot about that. I’ll text you. Come down and get me?” he asks.

“Sure.” He’s too charming to argue with. Besides, I want to see him. “I have a small sitting room where we can eat.” I could suggest we eat downstairs in the hotel restaurant or outside by the pool, but I don’t mind being alone with him, so I leave things as he planned.

“Any special requests?” he asks.

I give it some thought. “Carbs,” I tell him. “Lots of carbs.”

His deep laughter makes my belly twist with desire. The man hasn’t said the least thing sexual, yet hearing his low chuckle does something to me.

“Carbs. On it. I’ll see you soon.” He disconnects the call, and I immediately swing my feet over the side of the bed so I can shower and make myself presentable before he arrives.

I just finish a touch-up on my lipstick when my phone buzzes with a text message. He’s here. I pause in front of the full-length mirror, taking in my beige gauzy palazzo-style pants with an elastic waist and light blue camisole top that’s loose at the bottom and meets the pants at the waistband.

Do I want to make a good impression? I really do.

I like so much about Jack Dare. He’s charismatic, which I’ve already learned not to rely on as a judgment of character thanks to Chandler, but Jack is also sweet and kind. Much more genuine than any man I’ve ever met.

Just the fact that he’s bringing the pregnant mother of his baby breakfast shows me a lot about the man. He’s not treating me like arm candy but like a person he wants to know better. I’m not stupid. I’m aware my current blackmail situation makes anything real with Jack impossible, but I have to believe there’s an off-ramp when it comes to Chandler and his threats.

I slip my feet into sandals with a chunky heel, grab my phone with the key card in the back cardholder, and hurry down to meet him. I step off the elevator that faces a mirrored wall and turn left to find Jack waiting for me, looking hot in a pair of tan cargo shorts, a white T-shirt, and a pair of slip-on loafers.

His skin is tan and his sunglasses are hooked into the round neck of his shirt. In one hand he’s carrying a shopping bag which must have our breakfast. I sigh inwardly at the sight of him.

I don’t miss that another woman in the lobby is thirstily drinking him in. I have no time to dwell on it because he steps forward and wraps an arm around me, my body softening as he pulls me close for a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

He releases me and I meet his gaze.

“Hi,” he says, those navy eyes focused on me.

“Hi, yourself.” I smile up at him. “Ready to go to my room?”

He nods. “Lead the way.” Hand on my back, he escorts me the short way back to the elevators.

A few minutes later, we walk into the small foyer area. I’d made the bed and opened the curtains so the ocean view is visible. “Welcome to my hotel room.” I gesture to the window revealing a glorious day, the water rippling in the distance, a beautiful shade of blue.

“Great view,” he says, but he’s not looking at the window, he’s staring at me. His gaze is hot as he takes me in.

I blush because that’s what he does to me.

Hands in his pockets, he looks around at the décor. “You’re right. It’s very … clean-looking.”

I laugh, though he’s right. “We can eat in here.” I gesture to the seating and cocktail table.