24 #2
He gently pushes the cubicle door farther open, forcing me to step back.
“You’re trembling.”
“Please just leave me.” My voice cracks. I can’t stand Jack seeing me right now.
He takes my hands and pulls me tight against him. My head barely reaches his chin. One arm wraps around my back and the other gently pushes my head down until it rests on a warm solid slab of chest muscle.
He’s hugging me.
Jack’s hugging me.
Stunned, my arms dangle at my sides. He takes my hands and wraps them around his waist, then his arms come back around my body, crushing me against him.
“Bonnie.” I feel his warm breath against my forehead. “ Do you feel my heartbeat?”
“Yes,” I whisper. And I do.
“Good,” he murmurs. “Close your eyes and listen to my heart and my breathing.”
My head rises and falls slowly with the movement of his chest. He takes slow deep breaths. My body warms against his with every breath. We stay like this for minutes. I don’t know how long. I don't know why he’s here, but I need him.
With my face buried in his chest, I listen to his hypnotic breathing. Slowly, my breathing stabilises. I breathe in his scent. It surrounds me, consuming me, overpowering me. Protecting me.
“It’s okay,” he says quietly into my hair. “I think you had a panic attack. My sister used to have them after Dad died.”
His fingers lift my chin so that our eyes meet. Our faces are inches apart. “Want to tell me what happened? What was it about?”
I inhale sharply and drop my hands from his waist. “I realised Max was cheating on me with Olivia. For months.”
“Uh-huh.” He doesn’t look surprised. “How?”
“Max bought a blue necklace last year.” I swallow the knot in my throat. “He didn’t know I found it. He never gave it to me, and it was gone from the sock drawer, so I thought he’d returned it. Olivia was wearing it today.”
He doesn’t say anything. He just stares down at me, willing me to go on.
“I’ve never been cheated on before. I guess I always had the naive impression that my guy would never do that. Not Max. Realising it was all lies in the middle of the meeting with our co-workers, you and Olivia sitting there smiling, I…panicked.”
“It was supposed to be your wedding day,” Jack says softly.
How did he . . . ?
I give a small nod, averting my gaze. “Shit day to find out.”
His fingers nudge my chin forcing me to look up at him. “Want me to beat the shit out of Max?”
I laugh and his hand drops. “Maybe. I don’t know what I want to do about Max yet. I sure as hell don’t want to confront him at work.”
“That sounds wise.”
“Wait.” I frown. “Did the meeting end?”
“I told Sean to take over.”
My eyes widen. “You walked out in the middle of the meeting?”
“Can’t see anyone stopping me.”
That makes me laugh. “That’s double standards.”
He smiles cockily back at me then his expression becomes serious. “Listen, you’re a strong woman, Bonnie. You don’t need anyone else to pick you up. You’ll realise that. But if you want me, I’m here.” His deep brown eyes hold mine. “I’ve got you.”
My heart pounds all over again. “You’re an amazing man, Jack.”
“Glad you realise I’m not just a pretty face.” A grin tugs at his lips. “Ask yourself this, do you wish that you were walking down the aisle right now, about to marry Max?
I think carefully. “No.”
His smile widens. “Then today is a good day. You have exactly what you want.” He studies me for a moment longer. “Do you feel better now?”
“Yes.” I bite my lip. “I’m embarrassed but I feel better. Thank you.”
“Good. Why were you going through a man’s sock drawer?”
“I was washing his underwear! He has your biography hidden in there too.”
The signature Jack smirk appears. “Oh, yeah? Did you read it?”
“I might have flipped through it,” I admit. “It pales in comparison to the real thing.”
His eyes hold mine as the air charges in the small cubicle. His eyes dart between my eyes and my lips. The butterflies are back in full flight in my stomach.
Kiss me.
“Everything will be fine, Bonnie. Betrayal is hard but you’ll get over it. Don’t even waste another minute thinking about him. There are better things for you out there.” His steady gaze never leaves me. “Better people.”
I nod, fighting back tears. “Thank you, Jack.”
His fingers nudge my chin playfully. “See, I’m more than just an amazing sex toy. Now I better go out and save Sean.”
I bite back a giggle as he opens the cubicle door.
“Oh, and Bonnie?” He stops at the door, tilting his head to give me a slow, sexy smile. “For the record, I’m glad you’re not walking up the aisle today either.”
***
The afternoon is better. Surprisingly no one asks me why I left the meeting, and no one seems to connect that Jack left the meeting quickly after. At least not to my face, anyway.
I don’t confront Max. I keep my head down and stay away from Max and Olivia. I remain calm. I go to lunch with Nisha. My afternoon workshop with the planners and interior design team keeps me focused.
Thankfully, Max stays away as well. I’m guessing he’s not in my face asking what happened at the meeting since it's our doomed wedding day.
And when 5:30 comes I’m surprisingly relaxed.
I want to thank Jack properly.
I say goodbye to the guys in the workshop and then make my way down the hall to his office, hoping he won’t be in a meeting.
“Jess.” I smile at her over the divider. “Do you think I can have two minutes with Jack?”
She nods, smiling back. “He’s just on his way out but it should be fine if you’re quick.”
I knock softly on his office door.
"Come in,” he calls in his deep voice.
I push the door open.
Oh, shit.
Now I wish the floor would swallow me whole.
Michelle Allard and Jack turn to look at me from where they stand close together, facing each other. My jaw drops at her red, demure, sexy-as-hell evening gown.
The outfit I spent so long on this morning pales in comparison.
Jack is in a tuxedo looking painfully handsome. The two hard mounds of ass fill the tuxedo pants perfectly.
His eyes find mine.
My stomach twists, the butterflies dying a slow painful death. The perfect couple on a fucking date. I’m so stupid.
I realise in horror that she has her hands on his chest. Oh God, were they about to kiss?
“I’m sorry for interrupting,” I say, flustered.
“You’re not interrupting,” he says warmly. “Michelle’s doing my tie. I hate doing the damn thing.”
“I know you,” Michelle says pleasantly as her hands rest on his tie. “The bridesmaid.”
“That’s me,” I say with false cheeriness. I should probably be flattered she remembers me. “You look stunning.”
“What did you want, Bonnie?” Jack asks. “Is everything okay?”
“It’s nothing important.” I wave my hand dismissively, taking a step back so I’m up against the door. “Sorry, I don’t want to delay your date.
His brows draw together. “It’s not a date. We’re going to the Lexington hotel awards. It’s a staff event. Go on, Bonnie. How can I help?”
“Jack, we need to go,” Michelle says sharply, still with her hands on his tie. How long does it take a person to do a tie? I resist the urge to hiss at her like a territorial black mamba. “We’re late and you’re giving a speech.”
“The speech can wait another minute,” Jack says dryly. He nods at me. “Go on, Bonnie.”
I’d prefer not to say this under the watch of a supermodel. “Thank you for earlier. Without you, the day would have been a lot harder. That’s all. Thanks. You’re a really great guy, Jack.”
He stares at me with an unreadable expression for a long beat.
“I’m glad I could help,” he finally says in a throaty voice.
“That’s nice,” Michelle snaps. “Can you resume this tomorrow? Jack, your staff are waiting on you. You’re going to let them down.”
I’m out the door before he can reply.
My stomach turns with the biggest revelation of the day and it’s not about Max, Olivia, or even Dad.
Michelle Allard is the luckiest woman in the world tonight.