The Reluctant Romantics Box Set (The Fall, The Mind, The Heart)

“I’m sure it happens a lot,” I said with intended humor, still pinned to the leather seat by his stare. I felt exposed, and yet as he looked at me with such intensity, I felt needed, beautiful. I remained silent until I saw him mentally make a decision.

I had an inclination I was about to get kissed and thoroughly.

Just as he went to reach for me, we heard Dallas call out from behind us.

“Hey, y'all,” she said as if she hadn’t just interrupted the best waking daydream of my life. Jack and I turned toward her as she hugged Annabelle to her hip and walked toward us, assumption written all over her face.

Clearing my throat, I stepped off the bike and ignored Jack’s lingering stare as I walked toward Dallas.

“Hey, I thought you were in Shreveport.”

“I was. We were there for all of four hours before I called home to check in and heard Mom going through a living hell because of this one.” She lifted a tired Annabelle with her hip, and I leaned in and kissed her chubby cheek then wiped a curly, sweat-covered piece of hair off her forehead.

“Hey, baby girl.”

Annabelle reached for me, and I readily took her.

“It was a nice thought,” Dallas said with a chuckle. “I did place a few bets, though.”

Jack’s easy smile had both Dallas and I struggling to catch our breath as he answered her. “Win anything?” he asked as he put my helmet back in his saddlebag.

“Not a thing. Hey, I saw the installs. I’m impressed. You look like you covered a lot of ground here.” Nobody missed her insinuation. I glared at her openly and Jack visibly tensed.

“That I did,” Jack responded, taking a step forward and rubbing a finger over Annabelle’s chin, making her smile. Her grin was infectious, and I joined in as we both looked back at Jack, a sigh on my lips and an audible “Haywo” from Annabelle.

“Hello to you too, pretty one.”

“Well, I see you got my sister on a motorcycle, which is some feat considering she hates—”

“Where’s Grant?” I interrupted her with a warning in my tone.

Dallas looked at me oddly before she answered. “Dean has him. They’re grabbing dinner. I came to get my laptop.”

I nodded and motioned toward the door. “I’ve got her, go ahead.” Dallas looked between Jack and me, and I narrowed my eyes at her to show I meant business, which meant shit to her.

“Okay, I’m going, though if you ask me—”

“I never do,” I said without an ounce of politeness in my tone. Dallas chuckled and reached for Annabelle. “I’ve got her,” I snapped.

“Right,” Dallas said as she turned toward the building but not before a quick verbal jab. “Thanks, Rosie, you’re the best.”

Seventeen choice words I couldn’t say circled my head as I watched her retreating form with a glare. I absolutely hated that nickname and she knew that without a shadow of a doubt.

All too aware Jack was still standing there, I turned to him as I clutched Annabelle to me.

“Thank you for the ride. I’m sure you have stuff you need to do.”

He looked past me toward Dallas with a nod in her direction. “Are you dismissing me, Rose?”

“Of course not,” I said, a little too hastily.

“Well, just so we’re clear, you owe me a ride.”

“Of course.” My eyes remained trained on Annabelle though my thoughts were still on the possibility of a kiss. “Thanks again, Jack.”

Jack leaned in slowly just as the streetlamp clicked on above us, illuminating his face in soft white light. “Anytime,” Jack whispered in my ear, sending chills down my spine.

“Eye!” Annabelle exclaimed, sticking her tiny finger directly into Jack’s eye as he pulled away. I let out a roar of laughter as Jack bit back his curse, holding his damaged eye with the butt of his palm.