Taking Control (Babysitting a Billionaire #3)

“Why? What happened to you? You never talked about yourself back then.”


She shrugged, and he was sure she wasn’t going to open up, then she started talking fast, “My parents died when I was ten. I wasn’t really over it when I met you. I blamed myself. They were doctors, working for a charity in Zambia. They took me with them and I loved it. But then I got ill. Malaria. They died in a small plane crash taking me to hospital. I was the only survivor.”

“Hardly your fault.”

“Oh logically I know that, but we don’t see things so clearly when we’re young.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, I’m over it. But my point is you were the first person I allowed in, the first person I trusted, the only person I allowed myself to love after they died. And you let me down.”

“I know.” He ran a hand through his hair.

“I thought we had something special. Hell, I know we had something special. And you just walked away like I didn’t matter.”

“You mattered.”

“Not enough.”

This was killing him. He hadn’t expected her to be so open, and he had no clue how to deal with it. Also, despite her honesty, there was a sense of separateness to her as if she was already distancing herself. He had an inkling this wasn’t leading up to any sort of let’s-forgive-and-forget-and-fall-in-love-again statement. And that wasn’t how he wanted the evening to end.

“So you see,” she said, “whatever I feel for you now, whatever I think we could have is irrelevant because I just don’t want it. Yes, you’re a great fuck and no man has ever made me feel the way you do, but I will not allow myself to fall in love with you again. I won’t allow you to break me again.”

“We’re different people now, Jess. We were kids. Things won’t be the same this time.”

“No, they won’t because I won’t allow them to be. I’m not sure why you’ve had this change of heart, but really it doesn’t matter. You walked away last time. Walk away again.”

“I can’t.”

“Then I will.” She tugged her hand free and this time he let her go. Rising to her feet, she stared across at him.

Declan pushed back his chair and stood up. No way was she walking out of here without him. “You said until the job was over. We have two more nights, Jess.”

“You still want to sleep with me?”

“Hell, yes.”

…

She was drained from all the confessional stuff and from fighting her need for him. At the same time, she felt strangely clearheaded. As though setting it all out for Declan had made it clear to her as well.

Yes, she was a coward.

But it was a matter of self-preservation. He was a weakness ingrained in her character. Where Declan was concerned, she was all or nothing. She wouldn’t risk all again. So she had to accept nothing.

But being in contact with Declan and not touching him was driving her insane. How close had she come earlier today to giving in, giving them both what they wanted? What they needed.

Once this job was over, she would never see him again. It would take time to get over him, to forget, but she would do it. She was strong.

In the meantime, why fight it?

As she gave in, a wave of weakness washed over her and she reached out and rested a hand against the tabletop.

“Let me take you home,” Declan said.

She gave a quick nod and then searched the room. She found Kim and Dani leaning against the bar, drinks in hand, watching her. “Give me a minute,” she said to Declan and walked across to where they stood.

“So have you kissed and made up?” Kim said.

“Not exactly.”

“You know he likes you,” Dani added. “He’s watching you now. He doesn’t take his eyes off you.”

“Like a stalker,” Jess suggested, glancing across to where he stood. He looked so beautiful tonight, more like she remembered him from all those years ago. Still in his suit, but his tie was gone and his shirt open at the throat. His perfect image was unraveling. “I’m going to take a rain check on tonight,” she said. “Declan and I have things to…talk about.”

“Of course you do.” Kim leaned across and kissed her on the cheek. “Call us if you need us.”

Jess nodded and headed back to Declan. They didn’t talk as they made their way out of the bar and onto the street. She was vaguely aware of Declan’s bodyguards following them, but they kept their distance.

It was only ten minutes’ walk to her flat, one of the reasons they usually met at that particular bar, and they strolled along in silence not touching. She let them into the ground floor flat and then peered through the window. Steve was outside on the street, leaning against the wall. The other man was nowhere in sight, probably looking around the area. It was weird being on the other side of the bodyguard thing, but then she pushed them from her mind again and turned her attention to Declan.