Page 67 of Unbound Boxset

Souls above doubt,

Valor unbending,

It will reward,—

The hard shell cracked and exposed a vulnerable, gooey center. The realization slammed through her like a hurtling racecar, crashed, and left a trail of crumbled debris in its wake. He’d given her everything he was, offered his heart, and she’d told him he wasn’t enough. Visions of her past flickered before her eyes. How many times had she given up her dreams for another? She had no one to blame, yet she found herself with no one to take care of, and still seeking to be a caretaker. She didn’t want to marry someone socially acceptable she didn’t love. Someone she felt lukewarm with.

Julianna wanted to marry a man who would ignite the night, hold her accountable during the day, and see beyond the surface to the woman she really was. No other man had given her such a gift. Jack Wolfe had looked hard, and loved her anyway.

The room spun and she clutched the book to her chest for support. What good was owning the Cliff House without love? How could she spend the rest of her life regretting her choice, and trying to live with a man she never truly wanted?

The answer was simple, held in the pages of poetry, held in her heart.

She’d cancel her wedding, find Jack Wolfe, and beg his forgiveness. She’d sail away with him and let the bank take her home. She didn’t need a home. She needed Jack.

Her legs shook when she stood and made her decision.

She needed to find Jack first. Then she’d speak with Bryce and tell him the truth. He didn’t deserve a wife who couldn’t give her heart to him and make a valiant effort at this marriage. Julianna was positive he’d find another suitable wife in order to inherit his family estate. After all, he was charming, polite, and kind.

Julianna raced out of the house and slammed the door behind her.

* * *

Jack sat on the deck of the boat. A forgotten beer lay beside him on the table, and his head thrummed in rhythm to the screech of seagulls. He sucked in a breath of salt air and his stomach steadied. The hours had passed in a whirlwind, from his arrest, the questioning, and tracking down Bryce. Thank God for the video camera. Without the photographic evidence, the woman could have testified against both of them. She hadn’t known Jack was there to help, and her terror could have easily slanted the situation to make it look like they were working together. After a few strategically placed calls to England, Bryce’s private investigator was a prime witness against his cousin. The trail of violence and abuse winded long, and hard evidence was needed. Bryce wouldn’t be claiming any family legacy. He’d be spending the next several years in jail. Jack would focus all his energies into making sure justice was served.

As for the woman, he found out her name was Charlotte, and she was going to be fine. He moved quickly to make sure her medical bills were paid, and a sizeable fund was ready to help her transition when she got out. Not that money would help her sleep any better at night. Still, he intended to make sure she got a proper job and anything she needed.

“Jack?”

He jumped and whirled around. Julianna stood on the dock. Her feet shifted back and forth, but her raven gaze was steady. “Can I come aboard?”

Jack wanted to say no. He wanted to say yes. The sight of her made the wound throb and reopen. His need for her, and her need for another man’s money. He forced the words out. “Sure.”

She moved with a feminine grace, her canvas white shoes spotlessly clean as she jumped up and walked up the galley. A simple white T-shirt and cropped shorts covered her body. Her thick dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and her face was scrubbed free from makeup. Jack spotted the telltale freckles sprinkling her nose and noted she’d gotten too much sun. Her familiar scent of vanilla and spice rose to his nostrils on the tug of the ocean breeze.

Julianna stopped before him, her teeth nibbling on her lower lip. “I was afraid you’d be gone.”

“I got delayed.”

“You look tired.”

“I am.”

They stared at one another. Jack ached to take her downstairs, tug off her clothes, and bury himself inside her sweet heat. She’d make him forget all of the ugliness the day had brought. Halfway tempted to possess her one last time, he turned away and grabbed his beer. “What do you want, Julianna?” he asked.

“Choose me.”

The bottle stopped halfway to his lips. He frowned, and temper bit into his voice. “What game are you playing with me? Do you want me to fuck you one last time before you get married?”

She flinched, but kept her chin raised. “Jack, I came back to ask you to forgive me. I made a terrible mistake.”

The realization hit him hard. He forced a laugh. “Oh, I get it. You heard the news about Bryce, so you figured you’d run over to me before your second choice sails away. No thanks. I’m no woman’s leftovers, love.”

A frown marred her brow. “What are you talking about? I haven’t told Bryce the truth yet. You were never my second choice, Jack. He was. But I can’t go living a lie and marrying a man I don’t love just because of a promise I gave my father.”

Julianna stepped forward. Her voice quivered. “I fought my feelings because I thought I owed my family. But my family’s gone. I’m sacrificing the man I love for an empty house. I was a stupid coward, but I’m not afraid anymore. You made me realize I could go after what I want with no apologies. And I want you.”

Heat wrapped around his cock and squeezed. Then moved up to his heart. Her dark eyes glowed with a passion he’d never seen in the bright light of day.