Page 96 of Surviving Love

My stomach dropped with disappointment. “Is that why you’re here? To tell me goodbye?”

“I wish it was that easy.”

I frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“Sorry. I can see I’m confusing you.” He took a step closer. “Do you think maybe I could kiss you, Mason? I’ve been waiting a long time to kiss you again.”

Excitement buzzed through my body, and I nodded. “I want you to kiss me.”

“Yeah?” he asked softly, sliding his hand around the back of my neck. “You like it when I kiss you?”

I nodded.

“I’ve thought about little else the last month,” he whispered.

“Me too.” I felt like I was hyperventilating as he lowered his head. He took my mouth in a hungry kiss that made my toes curl. His tongue pushed between my pliant lips, and he ran his hands down my body.

His touch unleashed my need, and I wound my arms around his neck, pressing the length of my body against his. I could feel his erection against my own, and I whispered, “Jack, I’ve missed you.”

He groaned. “God, that’s good to hear. I wasn’t sure if you’d think I was crazy just showing up on your doorstep.”

I pulled back and studied his tense face. “I thought you’d have forgotten about me by now.”

“Hardly.” He cupped my ass. “The game wasn’t the same after you left.”

“Was it easier?”

He gave a half shrug. “In some ways, it was. I didn’t have you to worry about anymore. I could be more ruthless because there was no need to consider whether my actions might hurt you or not.”

“I see.” I wasn’t sure how to feel about his statement.

He kissed me gently again. “But mostly, I just missed seeing you every day.”

“This is so surreal.”

“Yeah?”

I nodded. “You’re saying such nice things, but it can’t be because you’re tricking me so you can win the money. Not anymore.”

“No. This isn’t about the game now.”

I studied him closely, afraid to believe he really liked me as much as he was implying. Why would he? Jack could have anyone he wanted.

He gave a gruff laugh. “You look so suspicious.”

I laughed, rubbing the back of my neck.

“I can see that you don’t trust me. You’re trying to work out what my angle is.”

Heat touched my cheeks because he was spot-on.

His expression surprisingly tender. “The thing about me, Mason, is when I want something, I go after it. I’m not a man who lets fear control me.”

“No, I know that.”

He sighed. “Coming here is a huge risk to my ego. But regret is way worse than rejection. At least, I think it is.”

“Regret?”