Just One Inch

Jake nodded. The investment in publicity and “spin control” had paid off, and Manning was now seen as a model start-up, one which had navigated the treacherous waters of drug development to successfully come out on top — helping mankind while also making money hand over fist.

“But Tina,” he said slowly. “If you thought I was a monster, why didn’t you just confront me? Why did you hold back about Pernacular?”

I grew red, the heat a tide on my cheeks.

“Because,” I said carefully, “I didn’t think very highly of myself. I never thought that someone like you, a bad boy billionaire, would be interested in a mousy no-one like me. So I was a coward. I didn’t give you a chance to make your case, and I regret it.”

Jake was still.

“I’m not sure where this takes us, but at least you know that I broke off the engagement with Jenna.”

In fact I didn’t know, but the news had made me incandescently happy.

“You did?” I breathed.

He slowly nodded.

“I couldn’t go on with that fucking farce. Jenna’s toxic, with all the lies, the half-truths, and the concealed motives. I just couldn’t take it, at home nor at work. Life is hard enough when you’ve got an empire to run,” he said ruefully.

“Oh Jake,” I said softly, letting a hand trail down his cheek.

He turned his mouth to kiss my palm, seizing my wrist in his.

“We’ll start again,” he said roughly. “The bad boy and the good girl, we’ll make it work somehow,” he vowed.

I nodded because I knew that somehow, we’d make it happen. It was going to be difficult, but I had my man and my baby, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.

“Of course,” I murmured, tilting my lips up for a kiss. Because Jake is ruthless … but he’s also mine.

* * *

The End