Page 41 of Don’t Go Stealing My Heart

His heart gave a painful thump. That admission was all he needed. “It’s settled, then.”

She sputtered, probably about to toss out more excuses, but he closed the distance between them and pressed a finger to her lips. “I like you so much, too. So we’re going to take this slow. One day at time. Just focus on right now.”

“Right now?” Those two words seemed to relax her.

“I won’t push you to open up before you’re ready, or worry about the day you leave, under one condition.”

Her confidence returned, the lift of her shoulders accentuating the soft curves of her breasts, free to roam beneath that light cotton T-shirt. “Only one.”

“Stop judging me for how I spend my money.”

She rocked on her feet, then nodded. “Seems like a fair trade.”

He was on the losing end of it, that much he knew. Clementine’s secrets were big enough to have her running from him since they’d met. But she’d opened up to him at the bar, nothing but bitter truth in her family history. She’d trusted him then. She would trust him more, if he worked at it. And their connection made the work effortless.

Plus, striking the bargain meant he could buy her gifts and she couldn’t complain. He would have some fun with that.

“Are you free tonight?” he asked.

She twirled a wet strand of hair around her finger. “I am.”

“Then you’ll stay for dinner.”

She gawked. “Excuse me?”

He cornered her against the baroque couch. “You said you’d agree to a date.”

“That must have been the other girl you tricked into thinking you’re a nice guy.”

“Back to being annoying, are we?”

“What did I tell you about seducing women by calling them names?”

“That it’s an excellent way to declare my adoration?”

She snorted. “You’re trouble, Elvis. No way am I meeting your entire family on our first date.”

He clasped her hips and pinned her in place. “I’ve already told my mother. Saying no now would be rude.”

She clutched his shoulders. “I think I liked you better when you were awkward and shy.”

“Oh, Clementine.” He leaned down, brushed his lips against her ear. “You’ll like me confident just fine.”

Her breath hitched, and he moved to capture her mouth with his.

“Jack? Is that you?”

He groaned. His little sister really needed to work on her timing.

* * *

Clementine pushed Jack away, hard enough that she rolled over the couch arm and landed with an ungraceful oof. Perfect. Not only had she been caught getting cozy with Jack, she’d gone and rubbed her wet hair all over their gazillion-dollar sofa. She pushed herself to sitting and crossed her legs, like she wasn’t braless and makeup-less and a general mess.

“Hi.” She waved at the tough-looking girl hanging off the door frame.

“This is Clementine,” Jack said, completing the introduction. “A friend of mine who’s staying for dinner.”

“I’m Chloe,” the fierce girl replied. Her gaze darted between her brother and his date.