Chapter 21

Juno

The sun streamed into the hotel window, waking me from sleep. As I opened my eyes, I saw Jack beside me, his sleeping body peaceful in a way I instantly adored. Without thinking, I reached out and stroked his cheek.

He opened his eyes and met my gaze. I smiled, already almost lost in the emotion of those deep hazel eyes. He was beautiful, but I saw the flicker of uncertainty as he reached for me.

"Good morning," I said, wanting to reassure him but not sure how.

I'd willingly given myself to him, but I was already feeling a little worried myself. This was one of the most famous men on the planet, and I wasn't ready to have my heart broken again. Had we leaped too soon?

He didn't respond, but he cupped my cheek and smiled. I leaned forward and kissed his lips again, wanting to know he was truly there and still wanted me.

"I'd love to spend all day in bed with you, but I'm needed in London," he said as we broke away. I can be back tomorrow until I have to go to New York for a few days."

"That sounds wonderful," I replied. "I should probably finish planning this new book anyway."

He chuckled and kissed me again before slipping out of the bed, every inch of his body toned and making me want to try and seduce him again. However, I ached, and I knew he needed to get on with work.

I sighed as he entered the bathroom and left me alone in the bed. No part of me wanted to think or to worry, but doubts immediately niggled. I looked down at myself. A man like him could have someone far better-looking than me.

Trying not to think about that either, I sat up and checked my emails, quickly replying to some fan mail on my phone, grateful they were all enthusiastic readers loving my stories.

There were often a few from people who thought they knew better about my books and wanted me to write them a different way. They always got a polite thank you, but after a lot of thought, I decided to write it the way I did.

If they were polite, I might explain, but too many were simply demanding, and I didn't have time for that. If I changed every story to suit every email I received that suggested a different direction, each book would become a mess.

It took my mind off things for a while, and as Jack came back out half-dressed, jeans on his bottom half, his bare chest on display, I paused and took him in. As he came closer, he smirked, clearly amused that I was staring at him.

I kissed him again, fighting the urge to reach out and touch him. As much as I wanted him to have his way with me some more, I was also aware he needed to go, and so did I.

"Mind if I use your shower before I head out?" I asked.

"Feel free. Just don't get lost in there."

"I'll do my best. Although, maybe you could give me your number, and if I do get lost, I can call you to come find me," I replied, biting my lip as I tried to subtly point out that I had no way of contacting him.

He chuckled and reached for the phone.

"Go shower. I've got to gather the stuff I need for later. If you're quick enough, I'll get Mick to drop you off at your place," he said as he started adding his number to my phone.

Not wanting to waste the opportunity to spend a little more time with him, even if it was only while he took me to my little apartment, I hurried to the bathroom.

I could immediately see why he'd told me not to get lost. The shower was huge, a large, rectangular shower head sitting in the middle of it. I turned it on and adjusted the heat control until it was almost burning.

The whole experience was bliss, but I didn't want to keep Jack waiting, so I was quick to scrub myself clean as best I could and use the little bottles of hotel shampoo and conditioner to wash my hair while I was at it.

I was just wrapping a large soft white towel around myself when Jack came back in. He sighed as he looked at me.

"What?" I asked, wondering if something was wrong.

"If I didn't have to go to London, I'd be unwrapping you from that and enjoying you again," he said.

I felt myself smiling as I walked closer, the corner of his mouth twitching up in his characteristic smirk.

"I guess you'll just have to come back to see me soon," I replied before I kissed him.

He grinned and wrapped his arms around me for a moment before he pulled back.

"Want me to order some breakfast while you get dressed? Probably won't have long to eat it. I need to leave in about forty minutes, but…I feel like I should at least offer you something to eat after putting you through your paces like that."

"Breakfast sounds wonderful," I replied as I slipped back into the bedroom. I didn't have anything to dress in except the clothes I'd worn the previous day, but I didn't think they smelled too bad.

After slipping into them, I tried to fix my hair using the small travel brush I always carried. It wasn't great, and it took me a while to do something with it that looked half decent.

Sighing, I gave up when breakfast arrived, and Jack admitted a waiter with a small trolley. He came in and placed everything on the coffee table before heading back out, cash from Jack in his hand.

I grinned at the sweet way Americans tipped everyone and made my way over to see what he'd ordered.

There were four different plates of food laid out.

"Didn't know what you wanted, so I took a leaf out of Pretty Woman's book and ordered several different things. It's all gluten-free for you," he stated with a grin. There was a plate of mini-pastries complete with pain au chocolat, so I reached for one of those and then heaped some scrambled eggs and toast beside. It was a bit of an odd combination, but I wouldn't say no to good food.

Jack chose the bacon sandwich and poured us both a glass of juice.

"Do you often eat in hotel rooms?" I asked, wondering what this man's life was like.

"Sometimes. It beats the cleanup, and I don't have to cook. Also means I can eat in peace. Not everywhere we go to eat can seat us out of the way, you know. Or keep the fans from noticing we're there until after we've eaten."

I nodded, not sure I entirely understood how difficult that must be, but feeling like being famous wasn't as glamorous as people implied.

As soon as we'd finished eating, Jack took my hand and led me to the hotel entrance again. I gave his driver my address, noticing that Jack was listening intently as I did.

It made me realize how cavalier I was being. Although I knew everything the general population did about Jack Starling, I'd still given a relative stranger, and a powerful one at that, knowledge of where I lived. Did I really want that?

I looked at him as he sat beside me, holding my hand and looking stunning in the morning light. He was so perfect, and I was… I wasn't even sure who I was anymore.

Trying not to worry and to enjoy the moment, I thought of how my friends would react if they knew I'd spent the night with Jack Starling. I didn't plan on telling any of them. At least, not yet. If something happened after today, I didn't want to endanger it by having everyone know about it before we were ready for them to.

And if it was only one night, the world didn't ever need to know about it.