She was wearing a dark skirt and heels that showed her legs to advantage. Her hair was loose, cascading long and red down her back, and she was wearing a red sweater, probably in honor of Valentine’s Day. He watched her open the door and survey the room—then stop cold as she realized he was there. The light in her eyes, although it didn’t last, was enough to give him hope.
Pierce stepped forward, offering the box. “I’m sorry.”
Jacquie, being Jacquie, didn’t mince words. “You’re the person in the studio who called and talked to Sonia.”
“I wanted to talk to you alone.”
She folded her arms across her chest and fixed him with a look. “You knew who it was at the restaurant.”
“I guessed.”
“But you went anyway. You didn’t have to go.”
“No, but I didn’t expect to be abducted. I really thought it was just a call.” Pierce exhaled. “I thought we’d talk, that it would take five minutes or so. I wanted it solved and done.” He held her gaze. “I made a miscalculation and have been regretting it ever since.”
She bit her lip and he saw her uncertainty. “You look tired.”
“Exhausted. I haven’t slept since leaving the restaurant—well, except for a nap on the train. Maybe an hour.”
That seemed to get him some credit, maybe because he’d come to apologize first. She unfolded her arms and propped one on her hip, but didn’t leave. “The train? Where were you? Or will you have to kill me if you tell me?” She was joking but not really.
“Boston, but I’d rather forget all about it and start fresh.”
“Is that even possible?”
“I only agreed to their terms on the condition that it would be the last time ever.” Pierce shrugged. “I’m officially retired now.”
A smile teased the corner of her mouth. “Taking up golf?”
“Never. I thought I’d go with righting a wrong first.”
“Should I know what that is?”
“I need to make it up to you for Tuesday night.”
She shook her head, her gaze dropping to the box. She was curious. “You didn’t need to bring me a present.” He was sure she would guess the contents from the shape and size of the box already, but clearly, she hadn’t. Germaine had gift-wrapped it for him in shiny red foil with a big silver bow on top.
“You said you wanted to be spoiled so I thought I’d take a crack at it.”
That smile broadened just a little. “It would take a lot of chocolate to fill that box.”
“Not chocolate,” Pierce said.
“And flowers would die.”
“I didn’t think you were the chocolate and roses type.”
Jacquie was puzzled then. “I’m not.”
“Point to me.”
She studied him more closely. “What type do you think I am?”
“Practical. Forthright. Honest. Responsible. Thinking of others first. That’s why you’re due to be spoiled. I officially volunteer.”
She was definitely intrigued and relaxed her stance enough to touch the box with one hand. She ran a fingertip along the edge closest to her. “What’s in it?”
“You’ll have to open it to find out.” Pierce offered it to her again.
She still didn’t take it. “And what’s the price of accepting it?”
“Not a thing. It’s an apology. Nothing more and nothing less.”
She studied him again. “You’re not even asking for another second chance?”
“I’m hoping for one, but that’s independent of this.” Pierce lifted the box. “Go on. I promise it won’t bite.” Then he held his breath as Jacquie decided, knowing everything hung on her choice.
It had been a long time since anyone had apologized to Jacquie with style.
And Pierce did look exhausted. She believed his story, and she trusted that he did regret what had happened. It was good for him that he’d put an end to those kinds of interruptions, too—if he could believe that. She had a feeling that his former career wasn’t easily left behind.
If they’d been starting a relationship, she might have made a different choice, but this was about sex—and Pierce was still the hottest guy she knew. She liked his offer to spoil her and couldn’t see a single reason to decline.
She took the box. She tested the weight of it, but was mystified. What would this man think was the perfect gift? She couldn’t begin to guess but the glint in his eyes told her that he was sure he’d nailed it.
“I’ll hold it while you open it,” Pierce offered and she nodded agreement. He held the weight of the box in his hands as she untied the big red bow on top. They were standing closer, just the box between them, and while it was a good size, it wasn’t that much of an obstacle. She was well aware of his avid attention and was sure she could feel the heat of his proximity.
And that made her tingle in all the right places.
She opened the lid and stared in astonishment.
There was a pair of cherry-red boxing gloves nestled in the tissue inside, the very ones that she’d been ogling in the F5F shop in the lobby. They were expensive, top of the line, and Germaine had been trying to convince her to splurge.
Which was how Pierce had known.
“You shouldn’t have,” she whispered, her gaze flicking to his and back to the gloves.
“And yet, I did.”
Jacquie lifted out the new boxing gloves and Pierce smiled, watching her. They were cherry red, the leather smooth and shiny.
“I would have gotten the black ones,” she admitted.
“That’s what Germaine said, but the red suits you, I think.”
She ran her hands over them then hugged them close, unable to believe they were hers. She blinked back unexpected tears and saw Pierce start to smile.
“You really shouldn’t have,” she protested, not really meaning it.
“Maybe you would have rather had chocolate and roses,” he teased.
“Never!” she said vehemently, shaking her head. “They’re perfect!”
He waited in silence, obviously wanting her verdict.
“I accept your apology,” she
