For Hire by L.R. Olson

Author:L.R. Olson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, contemporary romance

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Jack

A variety of emotions played across her face.

I’d meant it as a joke, but the moment the words left my mouth I realized there was some truth to them. Hell, a lot of truth. I couldn’t take them back.

The entire world seemed to hold its breath as I waited for her response. I wasn’t sure who was more shocked, Clara or me. She’d gone pale, her eyes wide. She looked so damn vulnerable that all I wanted to do was pull her into my arms and vow to protect her for life.

“That’s not funny.” She dropped her plate to the coffee table, stood on legs that trembled, and made her way into the kitchen.

My chest grew tight with an emotion I didn’t quite recognize. Desperate to understand, I went after her. What I knew for sure was that I didn’t want this to end. I found her leaning against the counter, arms crossed protectively, her beautiful blue eyes narrowed in a glare. Okay, so she didn’t like declarations of love. I would not be defeated.

“Maybe I didn’t mean for it to be funny.”

She shook her head. Hell, most women would have swooned, I would have been placed on a pedestal, given an award for most romantic guy. “It’s too soon to—”

“Enough,” I snapped.

The pressure in my chest wouldn’t ease, and it made me realize I cared for her much more than I’d thought. She was right, it was too soon. But I was willing to go along for the ride. Was she? “There’s nothing holding us back, Clara. Unless you care that much what others think. And that…” time for some tough love, “I can’t deal with. I won’t be with someone that worried about others.”

I turned back toward the living room. But I didn’t have to go far, thank God.

“I don’t care,” she admitted.

I paused. “Then what? What is it?”

“I’m not sure I can stand losing you.”

Just like that my annoyance fled. She wanted me, she was just worried about the cancer returning. I turned to face her. The relief I felt was intense, to say the least. “Hell, Clara, you won’t lose me.”

She laughed, gripping the edge of the counter so hard, her knuckles turned white. “I know I sound ridiculous. We haven’t even been on a date. But…I’m scared. Scared of the feelings you bring up within me. Scared of what might happen.”

I started toward her. “You trust me?”

She nodded.

“Then trust yourself. Trust that you can handle this, Clara, whatever happens.” I crushed my mouth to hers in a quick kiss. “Trust and just let go. Live. None of us know how long we will last, so cling to what you love, let the rest go and just fucking be happy.”

Tears swam in her eyes.

I didn’t want to see her cry. Not ever. I cupped the side of her face and lowered my head, finding her lips in a gentle kiss. But she didn’t want gentle. Her hands gripped the hem of my shirt and suddenly the material was being pulled up over my head.

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