Somebody's Lover: The Jackson Brothers, Book 1

remembered Lou.
    He unlocked the door.
    “Jace.”
    Christ. She was going to tell him she couldn’t do this again. She was going to tell him to take a hike. Couldn’t she tell he was dying here? If he turned to her, he’d wrap his hands in her hair and drag her with him kicking and screaming.
    “What?”
    “Kiss me before you go.”
    He couldn’t breathe. He closed his eyes and squeezed the doorknob until his hand was close to the breaking point.
    “Please, Jace.”
    She ran her finger down his arm in the softest caress. Taken in by her touch, he did what she asked without a clue to its meaning. Don’t-ever-let-me-go kiss? Or good-bye kiss?
    Cupping her face, he stroked her lips with his tongue. Then he took her mouth with all the love in his heart. She didn’t touch him with anything but her mouth, yet that kiss was the sweetest damn thing he’d ever tasted.
    He let go and backed out of the bathroom.
    “Thank you, Jace.”
    “Don’t thank me.” What does it all mean, Taylor?
    At the door of the kitchenette, he ran smack dab into Connie.
    Startled, she bounced back like a little butter ball despite the fact that she was a tiny thing.
    “Jace”—she tilted her head around his arm—“where’re Evelyn and Taylor?”
    How long had Connie been standing there? Behind her, the front door stood open. She’d dumped her bag on Taylor’s desk.
    “Mom’s gone to the bank, and Taylor’s getting some coffee.”
    Taylor appeared, coffee in hand. “Hey, Connie, what’s up?”
    Cool as an ice queen. Those minutes in the bathroom might never have happened. He, on the other hand, hadn’t sewn his heart back together yet. “Gotta go.”
    Connie didn’t move out of his way. He was in the mood to brush her aside.
    She looked from him to Taylor and back again, then got that little Connie-flash in her eyes. Connie-the-know-it-all. Connie-the-I-know-your-secret. Mitch’s wife packed a punch into every look.
    “Taylor, I came by to ask if you’d let me have the boys tonight. Peter wants a sleepover because it’s the last day of school. He wants to celebrate.” She gave Jace another Connie-flash, this one saying she was setting him up but good. “I know that means you’ll be all alone tonight, but pretty please.”
    That said it all. Connie knew something was up. He checked his jeans. Thank Christ his zipper was closed. Connie had her teeth into something, and pretty soon his mother, father, and brothers would know Connie had almost caught Taylor and Jace doing...something. He didn’t give a flying rat’s ass. If it was out in the open, Taylor wouldn’t be able to hide from it either. She’d have to make up her mind.
    He’d need to ask her the question first.
    “Of course, the boys can come over.” Taylor hadn’t moved, neither closer to him nor farther from him. “I don’t mind being alone for a night.”
    He glanced at her, only to find the look in her eyes unreadable.
    Well, she wouldn’t be alone tonight. Then tomorrow morning, he’d ask his question, and she’d need to figure out her answer.
    He couldn’t stand sharing her anymore. Not even with her husband.

Chapter Ten

    “Now what did you really come over for, Connie?” Because Connie could have called to invite the boys for a sleepover.
    Just like that, Connie burst into tears, where moments before, she’d been smiling.
    “I’m not pregnant.”
    Taylor patted Connie’s hand and murmured, “There, there.”
    It was a blessing in disguise, not that she’d convince Connie of that. Children were an awesome responsibility, not one to be taken lightly. And no matter what anyone said about how three was cheaper than two or two was cheaper than one, it was crap. Personally, Taylor didn’t know what she would have done without Lou’s life insurance.
    “And Mitch doesn’t even want to touch me anymore,” Connie buried her face in her arms.
    “He must have touched you if you thought you were pregnant.”
    “I mean after I told him I might be pregnant.” Connie shifted enough so that her words were muffled in her arms.
    Taylor sat back. “You said you were going to wait until you were sure.”
    Connie raised her head. “I couldn’t help myself. I was so excited. And I cooked this gorgeous dinner and put the kids to bed early, and—” She threw herself across her arms again. “And it all went to hell in a hand basket.”
    “When was this?”
    “Friday.”
    Friday. When Jace had been making glorious love to her. Well, that