His heart hammered wildly. He quickened his pace, ready to yell—
But then he paused. If Brook Lynn wanted him enough to work for him, she might want him enough to keep him—despite everything. A heavy burden seemed to lift from his shoulders. He backtracked, returning to the gym. He had to think, make a few decisions. Because once he took the next step—once he went all-in—there would be no going back.
*
BROOK LYNN PACED inside her bedroom. She’d turned her implants to silent so she could reflect in peace.
After Zombie Fighting 101, Jase had disappeared into the gym. He’d stayed there for several hours, and when he’d finally emerged, he’d acted weird. Almost...happy. Why?
Because Beck had stopped them from going all the way? Or because Brook Lynn had almost given in to Jase’s advances without insisting on a commitment?
She turned—gasping when she saw that Jessie Kay stood in her doorway.
“You’ve got to tell your man to stop throwing rocks,” her sister said.
“What are you talking about?” Brook Lynn asked, switching the implants on.
Jessie Kay motioned to the window with a tilt of her chin. “See for yourself. Jase has done gone eighties heartthrob on us,” she said and shut the door.
Frowning—even while her heart hammered against her ribs—Brook Lynn padded to the window. Clink. A rock hit the glass as she parted the curtains.
Outside, Jase stepped into a pool of light...and utterly stole her breath. The man who’d turned her world upside down wore a black T-shirt that hugged every one of his muscles and a pair of jeans almost as dark. He’d recently showered, his dark hair damp and plastered around his face.
Her heart pounded a thousand times faster as she lifted the pane. A dog barked in the background. A car’s headlights illuminated the man who’d obsessed her further before fading away.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded in a whisper-yell, praying she wouldn’t wake the neighbors who were an acre away.
“A romantic gesture.” He moved to the sill and crossed his arms over the bottom frame, leaning in.
Brook Lynn took a step back as bumblebees took flight inside her stomach. “Why are you making a romantic gesture?”
“Because I want you.”
A flare of disappointment. Not this again. “You’ve said that before.”
“All right, then, how about this?” His eyes glittered like freshly polished emeralds, snaring her. “You are gorgeous, Brook Lynn, and you are sweet. You are protective and loyal. I’ve never seen anyone care for her family the way you care for yours. It’s admirable, and I want to be part of that family. I want more from you.”
She rubbed her chest in an attempt to dull the ache his words had caused. “I—I’ve heard that last part, too.”
His gaze slid over her and heated. “I’m happiest when you’re nearby. You make me smile and laugh. Do you know how tough that is to do? You make me want to be worthy of more...of better. You make me want to hold on to you, hold on to what we have, and never let go.”
Her knees threatened to melt. Can’t jump into his arms. Must proceed with caution. “But...you’re my boss.”
“And I want to be your man. I can be both. Boss by day, boyfriend by night.”
Boyfriend. He’d put a label on it.
He was deadly serious about this.
“Yes,” she said, tremors running through her. “Yes, I want that. Want you.”
She expected him to smile. She’d just given him the green light. But he frowned, confusing her.