Maybe she’d walk over to Pierce’s apartment and talk to him.
Yes. That was the right answer.
Relief washed over Jacquie when she entered the club and saw a familiar figure on the rock climbing wall. Thom was acting as belayer for Pierce, who was scrambling up the wall with purpose. She knew they competed, trying to beat each other’s times. She didn’t think Pierce usually came to the club on Friday nights, though.
There were no other climbers on the wall and the club was much quieter than it would usually be on a Friday night. The partners had decided to temporarily close the dance club at this week’s meeting. The city lights were bright outside the high glass wall that both protected and displayed the rock climbing wall, and the club felt like a haven to Jacquie.
She stopped beside Thom, watching Pierce, hoping that he might give her another chance, knowing that was what she wanted but that he might not believe she deserved it. How persuasive could she be?
“Hey, Jax,” Thom said without looking away from his task. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
“Some loser who better not be dumb enough to call me again,” she said and he snorted, trying to hide his laughter.
“Time?” Pierce called from the summit of the wall, turning only then to look down.
Jacquie knew the moment he saw her. She felt like a lightning bolt had struck, and she stared back at him, savoring the jolt.
The sizzle really did get stronger. It was becoming more not less and she felt foolish for ignoring the truth. She hoped she hadn’t let it slip away.
Jacquie would take a chance on the sizzle—and on Pierce. The decision felt right to her, flooding her with purpose and conviction.
It prompted her to smile at him.
“Twenty-three minutes,” Thom said. “You’re still thirty seconds ahead of me.” He loosened the rope at Pierce’s request and Pierce rappelled down the wall with easy grace. Jacquie sensed that he was in a hurry, especially when Thom’s brows rose in surprise.
Pierce brushed the chalk from his gloves as he walked toward Jacquie, his slow smile doing dangerous things to her equilibrium.
“Someone’s lucky tonight,” he said. “You look great, Jacquie.” His eyes glowed and she felt warm all over. Her throat went tight and her heart skipped a beat. “But then, you always do.”
He wasn’t talking to her breasts. She knew he didn’t want kink in exchange for anything, much less think she owed him anything. And that sizzle. It simmered through her veins, warming her to her toes, making her hope for a whole lot more than she had. She stood and stared at him, struck silent for once in her life.
Thom looked between them, obviously sensing something. “I’ll just, uh, go over here and coil those ropes before heading home,” he said, but neither of them were listening.
Pierce spoke carefully, keeping his tone neutral even though his gaze was intense. “Did you talk to Mr. Abernethy?”
“I did. Thank you. His story made such sense. I’ve, um, invited him to come to dinner and meet the kids when they’re back in town. I feel like he’s family, in a way.”
Pierce smiled and held her gaze. “That’s good. I’m glad it worked out.” He stepped away then, as if he’d leave, as if that must have been the only reason she was talking to him.
“It is.” Jacquie felt the moment slipping away and wasn’t going to let it go. She took the step between them, touching Pierce’s arm. He felt warm and solid and completely reliable. “I guess you’ve been busy,” she said, hearing that she was a bit breathless. “Are you pulling together your team?”
Pierce looked at her, a question in his gaze. “Yes. We’ll be helping Farah’s mom with a move, too.” He eyed her. “But a new venture is always risky.”
She guessed that he wasn’t talking about his business. “But sometimes, you have to take a chance in order to find what you want,” she said, watching his gaze brighten. “Sometimes, the risk is worth the reward.”
Pierce flicked a look at Thom then back at her. “No word games, Jacquie,” he warned in a low growl. “Tell me what you want.”
She moved a step closer, her heart racing. “No games,” she agreed. “I only want one thing right now and that’s you, Pierce.”
His eyes flashed then he averted his gaze. “Not just sex, Jacquie,” he said tightly. “Not now.”
“No, this time I’m the one who wants a second chance.” She reached out and touched his shoulder, loving that she knew the shape of him so well and the feel of him against her skin, loving how she trusted him and admired him, loving that unmistakable sizzle between them. She met his gaze. “I want more, Pierce.” She took a breath, aware that she had his undivided attention. “I think the reward will be worth the risk. Do you want to find out?”
“Yes,” Pierce said with a conviction that made her smile.
Jacquie laughed, shaken by the power of her relief, then slid her hand across his chest, wanting so much more than just his touch. His arms closed around her and she knew she was exactly where she needed to be.
“Take me home with you?” she asked. “I want to see where you live. I want to talk and I want to get naked together and I want to confirm the status of making love with you.”
“The status?” He was starting to smile, maybe because of her choice of words.
“Whether it’s less or not.”
“It won’t be.”
“No, it won’t be.”
Pierce’s smile was slow and hot, then he caught her close and kissed her, the heat of his touch the most satisfying reply he could have made.
Less.
How could Jacquie imagine that it would ever be less?
Pierce was on fire by the time they got to his place. He’d showered at the club and shaved again, halfway thinking she wouldn’t wait for him. He was staggered by his relief
