The Truest Thing (Hart's Boardwalk 4)

My selfishness strapped me to the bed.

I was pinned by it as Jack got up and walked his gorgeous, naked ass into my bathroom.

We’d had sex all night.

Jack had been gentle, even when I demanded he not be. But he was being careful of the baby. The only time he’d let it get a little rough was when I was on top. I rode him hard.

Cheeks flushing with the memories, I groaned and covered my face with my hands.

The man had the ability to make me lose all inhibition.

Jack had woken me to tell me he had to leave to get ready for court. I’d been unable to speak as I realized what I’d done. Last night, I’d let my hormones take over. I had no idea it was so possible to let your desires control you like that. I mean, they always kind of controlled me when it came to Jack … but this was next-level irresponsible. They had driven all rational thought from my head.

Jack strode back into the bedroom a few minutes later, his smoldering gaze on me. He was so tall and delicious, despite my self-directed anger, I wanted to climb him. Forcing myself to look away, I finally unpinned from the bed and sat up, clutching the sheets to cover my chest.

I didn’t know why.

Jack had seen and kissed every inch of me.

“First thing’s first. I’m clean. I got tested after our first little chat about that.”

Remembering how badly he’d taken that conversation the first time, I felt guilty. “Jack—”

“Don’t. It’s fine, Em. You should know I get checked regularly. I would never fuck around with that.”

“Okay.” I believed him.

“Wish I could stay and have coffee with you, sunrise, but I need to be back in Wilmington soon.” Jack began to dress.

“Do you need me there?” I offered without thinking.

He shot me a tender smile. “No, Em. I’m not on the stand today. You should open the store.”

I barely nodded.

“Hey.” He stopped buttoning his shirt and put his hands to the bed so our faces were close

. “We okay?”

Mine crumpled with anxiety. “Oh, Jack, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have …” I gestured between us.

Jack’s expression hardened a little and he pushed back off the bed to finish dressing. “And why not?”

Was he kidding?

“Because … because we’re not together and this … I was selfish last night. This blurred the lines. So badly.”

Jack’s hands went to his hips as he contemplated me. I tried not to think of what those hips could do to me.

Jesus.

I looked down at the bedsheets because looking at Jack was dangerous to my libido.

“I thought we agreed this was just sex. Anytime you need me, I’m here for you.”

My eyes flew to his. “But … you wanted more between us. It isn’t fair to you.”

“Did you or did you not come down on me for making decisions for the two of us without taking your feelings into account?”