As if reading my mind, Jack takes a measured breath and grazes his thumb over the bruise on my arm. “Is this all of it? I know you don’t want to tell me, but please. Talk to me.”
I swallow and close my eyes, breathe in Jack’s familiar scent, and let it ground me. “This is the only place he left bruises. He p-pushed me against the wall… and used his b-body… to hold me there. But mostly… I think all he really wanted w-was to scare me.”
His arms tighten, and I can hear him struggle to keep his breathing even. “Will you tell me the rest? I don’t think I can handle not knowing anymore. Imagining but— Please.”
In the safety of Jack’s arms, I tell him about that first date at the dance three towns over from Bearings. How DJ had been so charming and smooth, he’d made me feel lucky to be with him for the formal event.
I tell Jack about the kiss in the upstairs lounge that was supposed to be off-limits, but DJ somehow knew was open. And how I’d known I shouldn’t go in there alone, but he swore he just wanted to talk without his friends barging in.
And then I tell Jack how DJ wouldn’t stop. How he’d held me down on the couch and grabbed me, touched me. All the while sneering that he could take anything he wanted, and I was lucky he wasn’t that kind of guy. Laughing about how he hadn’t understood that I wanted him to stop because of all the mixed signals I was sending. The way I sounded. The way I moved.
I’d known it was bullshit, that he was laying the groundwork for his defense even as he refused to let me up. But when he told me why no one would believe me… a part of me thought, All I have to do is get home and I’ll prove him wrong.
Jack mutters a curse and holds me closer. “You told your parents.”
I swallow thickly, the ache in my chest so raw and fresh I can’t believe how many years have passed since the hurt was new. “I tried, but they kept making it sound like some kind of misunderstanding. Chalking it up to his liking me more than I liked him. Mixed messages.” I take a breath, let it out slowly. “They didn’t want to hear what I was telling them. And I never thought I’d have to see him again, so I let it go. But then when we got to the benefit, we were sharing a table with his family.”
Jack has gone deadly still. “They knew. And they made you sit with him?”
“They told me not to embarrass them. They did business with his parents, and the least I could do was give him one dance to apologize for our date. And so I did. And he put his hands on me and told me it wasn’t as good knowing my parents had given him permission. That he liked it better when he took and maybe he’d show me what he meant sometime.”
I let out a shuddering breath, remembering how I’d run. How I’d been so scared and so hurt and so betrayed.
“And then you found me, Jack. And when I needed it more than ever, you made me feel safe. I knew with you, he wouldn’t have a chance.”
There are tears in Jack’s eyes as he tips my face to his. “Why didn’t you tell me? I would have fucking killed him.”
“And that’s the reason I didn’t.”
Eventually Jack gathers me into his arms and carries me back to my bed, where he climbs in and holds me the whole night through.
When my alarm sounds at six, Jack silences it and strokes my hair. “Did you sleep?”
“A little.” I’m tucked against his side, my head on his shoulder. After everything that’s happened in the last few days, I never want to leave his arms again. “You?”
“Some. Mostly, I was thinking.”
My stomach cramps with dread. This is where the repercussions begin. “What do you want to do?”
“I want to stay with you the whole day. I want to hold you and know that you’re safe and that you’re mine.” He takes a deep breath, and I can see his struggle for control. “And I want to make sure that fucker never has the chance to get near you again. Which means I need to call my dad and let him know we’re pulling out of the development project, effective immediately. He doesn’t need to know anything more than Donald Anderson threatened you. Not even that if you don’t want him to.”
“Jack, I’m so sorry.” My throat is tight, my eyes already brimming with fresh tears. “What about everything you’ve already invested?” The property purchase has gone through, but the contract is written so it can’t be developed independent of the Humphries Group. The loss Hastings will take is staggering. And more than that, Jack wanted this last deal to prove to his father that the company would be safe with him at the helm.
I hate that I’m part of the reason he won’t be able to do that.
Jack sits up, his brows pulled together as he searches my eyes. “Sweetheart, the fact that you don’t know there isn’t any amount of money more important to me than you makes me insane. Christ, I love you.”
A shuddering breath escapes me as I touch his cheek. “I love you too.”
So much.
It sickens me to think I nearly lost this man because I let DJ mess with my head again. Because I couldn’t see past my fear and guilt.
He takes my hand. “I know you’re worried about the implications for Hastings Development, but you’ve got to understand, the best way to protect our reputation is to put as much distance between us and a fucking sexual predator like DJ as possible. And believe me when I tell you, my dad is going to feel exactly the same way. Even if it wasn’t smart business, that guy loves you almost as much as I do. And the only legacy either one of us really cares about is the one that involves the ring that ought to be sitting on your finger right now and me convincing you to help me start the next generation of Hastings rugrats.”
I can barely breathe, and there’s no fighting the tears clogging my throat and spilling past my lids. “Jack.”
“Please don’t cry.” He pulls me closer and kisses my teary cheeks. “Don’t worry about what I just said. Make no mistake, it’s what I want. But not until you’re ready too.”
Pulling back, I give him a watery smile. “I’m not worried.”
I’m ready.
23
Jack
“No way. We already gave you two extra months. It ends today.” I got us into this mess, and I promised Laurel I’d be the one to get us out. I’m not letting her down.
Not again.
Honestly, I can’t believe I let the moms work me like that, but when they stood there giving me their big eyes… I broke.
And then I had to go home and look my girl in the eyes when I told her the moms were throwing us a couples shower.
She laughed until she could barely breathe, and I’m fucking certain it was an instance of at me not with me.
But not this time.
I stare my mother down, refusing to think about all her warm hugs when I was little, how she’d let me have my pet ferret Mike even though she hated him, or how red her eyes were when I got home after my first car accident. Nope.
“I’m sure the gown you had commissioned was gorgeous, but there aren’t going to be any fittings. There aren’t going to be any more tastings, and, I know you don’t want to do it, but it’s time to start with the cancellations.”
“Cancellations? Jack, honey, no. What if we just stopped making any new plans? Couldn’t we just hold on to the venue and florist for another month or so?”
I’m not going to be swayed on this one. “Mom.”
Jesus, I sound sixteen. But she sounds twelve with all her begging. Finally, she gives.
“Fine. I’ll call Beverly.”
I pull her in for a hug and then tuck the box I drove out to the house for into my pocket and start for the door. “Thanks, Mom.”
It’s October and the canopy of leaves above my street in Bearings has already turned. It’s gorgeous, but it feels like I’m thinking that about everything these days. Law actually told me my chronic case of the happies was nauseating. Wagner, being the epic wuss that he is, thinks it’s romantic. Greg—that fucker—just laughs every time he sees me.
Whatever. I’ll gladly take all their crap, because I have the on
ly thing that matters. I have Laurel.
I have her every morning, peering up at me with those big brown eyes and her silky hair like a halo over my pillow. I have her teasing me with her sharp wit, dirty Tumblr gifs, and sweet laugh every day. And the nights— fuuck. No matter how varied and spectacular the nights’ activities might be, at the end of every one, she’s tight in my arms and so deep in my heart I’m pretty sure I’m the biggest romantic sap of all of us.
I hop in the car and pull out my phone.
Me: Just about to head back to the city. You still good to meet up with the guys tonight?
MrsHastingsInTheMaking: You bet. And congratulations on staying tough with the moms.
I raise a brow.
Me: You already heard?
MrsHastingsInTheMaking: My mom just texted me a picture of a wedding dress, asking if I was sure she couldn’t sway me to give them another month lol. I said hard no.
I look out the window, not so amused to hear Beverly pushed. But then I haven’t really found much about Beverly and David amusing since I learned the role they played in what happened all those years ago and how they treated their daughter since.
When Law explained about DJ and what he did back in high school, they were horrified and claimed to be ashamed of their actions. They aren’t monsters, just superficial to a disturbing degree and shitty parents to a daughter who needed them desperately, so it’s probably true. But even so, when they apologized and asked for another chance to be a part of her life, Laurel floored me by agreeing. Not surprisingly, her capacity for forgiveness exceeds my own.
Her mom’s been making an effort, certainly, but I’m still protective.
Which reminds me of some other business I need to check on.
Me: Love you. See you at Belfast.
MrsHastingsInTheMaking: Love you too.
I pull up my messages and check my last report on Donald Anderson. It’s from the security team Wagner recommended and time-stamped two hours ago.
Things haven’t been going great for old DJ.
When Harry approached Edith about withdrawing from the development project and why, she was deeply distressed. This wasn’t the first time accusations had been made against her nephew. His parents had sworn the charges were without merit, but Edith always feared they might be true. She asked us to reconsider backing out and assured us Donald wouldn’t be part of the equation. After talking with Laurel, we agreed.
Turns out, Edith meant what she said.
DJ has been cut off completely. He’s out of the will and has been removed from all Humphries business holdings. They even took his company car. Which essentially leaves him with nothing. And without his family’s financial backing, more of his misdeeds have been coming to light every day. Last month, his former secretary came forward with information on several illegal operations, complete with mob ties. There’s speculation he’s looking at jail time… or worse.
It couldn’t happen to a more deserving guy. And while he looks like he’s got his hands full, I’m not taking any chances he might seek Laurel out. So I’ve got a guy on him and another security detail for her. She says it’s overkill, but it’s how I sleep nights and, frankly, let her out of my sight at all.
With everything in order, I put the car in gear and head for the city.
Laurel
Something is definitely going on.
I’m about to walk into Belfast when I see Clarence hanging around at the corner looking about as conspicuous as a guy can get.
“Laurel!” he calls with a wide wave at me and an awkward nod at my security guy, Jimmy. “What a coincidence, us having plans at the same bar.”
I stare at him a minute, wondering if he’s for real. “Yeah, I guess so. Who are you meeting tonight?” C-man looks like he’s swallowed his tongue, and I laugh. “It’s fine, Clarence. Come on in and you can hang out with Jack and me for a while… I mean, until your friends show up.”
This poor guy. He probably heard me mention my plans tonight and his epic man crush on Jack wouldn’t let him stay away.
Clarence beams at me, and we head into the bar where it all began four months ago. Inside, I scan the crowd, remembering my desperation that first night. It seems so silly now—though my promotion did go through last week.
Unlike that night, tonight I’m seeing familiar faces from the start. Stephanie and Jazzy are over by the dartboard with a handful of my better friends from work. Clarence is already heading over to them as I raise a hand, but mid-wave I catch sight of Margo and Law by the pool tables. Natalie Baxter and Rux are at the bar. I’m two-thirds of the way through the crowd and I probably know twenty people.
And then…
Click.
The only man I want to see.
And he’s standing in front of our table, Greg and Julia seated behind him on one side and Hank and Abby on the other.
I start toward him, that butterfly-belly feeling going full force as he slowly goes to one knee and the whole bar gets quiet.
Raising a shaking hand to my mouth, I take the last steps to meet him. “What are you doing?” I whisper, tears already filling my eyes.
Jack takes my hand in his and rubs his thumb over the ring I’ve been wearing since the night he hammered on my door.
“Laurel, I’ve known you a lot of years. A lot. And never in my life have I met a woman as right for me as you. You smiled at me when we were six, and I’ve been gone for you ever since. Since you found me again, every day with you has been better than the last.”
The first tear falls, and I blink, not willing to miss a single second.
I lean closer as he goes on.
“I want to share our best days and hold you through your dark moments. Baby, I want you and me forever. I love you, Laurel, and I’m asking you to marry me… tonight.”
Jack opens a square leather box, and inside is a sparkling ring inlaid with a channel of diamonds that circles the band.
Eyes filled with so much love and the cocky confidence that is pure Jack, he stands and wraps his arm around my back, pulling me close. “I’ve got a private jet, ready to take us to Vegas. Say yes, Laurel.”
And that’s when it happens. I throw my arms around his neck and whisper, “Yes,” before laying a kiss on him that has the bar around us breaking into applause.
“I love you, Jack. Let’s get married.”
* * *
Thank you for reading DIRTY BAD BOY! If you enjoyed Jack & Laurel’s story, please consider sharing your thought in a review—every one makes a huge difference!
(Psst… you just met Greg’s little sister, Natalie… her story is next in DIRTY TALKER!!)
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* * *
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Also by Mira Lyn Kelly
BACK TO YOU
HARD CRUSH (Hank & Abby)
DIRTY PLAYER (Greg & Julia)
DIRTY BAD BOY (Jack & Laurel)
DIRTY TALKER (Vaughn & Natalie)
* * *
DARE TO LOVE
TRUTH OR DARE (Molly & Ty)
TOUCH & GO (Ava & Sam)
NOW & THEN (Brynn & Ford)
* * *
THE WEDDING DATES
MAY THE BEST MAN WIN (Jase & Emily)
THE WEDDING DATE BARGAIN (Max & Sarah)
JUST THIS ONCE (Sean & Molly)
DECOY DATE (Brody & Gwen)
* * *
WAKING UP
WAKING UP MARRIED (Megan & Connor)
WAKING UP PREGNANT (Darcy & Jeff)
* * *
UNCONNECTED NOVELS
ONCE IS NEVER ENOUGH (Nichole & Garrett)
NEVER STAY PAST MIDNIGHT (Levi & Elise)
THE S BEFORE EX (Ryan & Claire)
FRONT PAGE AFFAIR (Payton & Nate)
WILD FLING OR A WEDD
ING RING (Cali & Jake)
Acknowledgments
I’d like to thank Lexi Ryan, Annika Martin, Zoe York, Elle Rush, Kait Nolan, Adriana Anders, and the rest of the Slack girls who support my belief that writing is a team sport. My editors... Jennifer Miller and Arran McNicol for helping me make my books the best that they can be (and make my deadlines)! Jessica Alcazar for all the chatty, brainstorming and awesome advice. The girls from the PJ Party who help with everything from eagle eye reads, picking excerpts, and hiding Easter eggs in the stories (Karen, Darci, Sylvia, Donna, Emilie, Kristy, Jessica, and Heather—did you guys find them lol??) to chatting with me when I pop in for a break and helping me spread the word about the books I pour my heart and soul into— you girls are amazing, and I appreciate you more than I can say!! And all the friends and family who have supported me along my way.
But especially, I’d like to thank you, my reader. You are the reason I do what I do!
((hugs))
Mira
About the Author
Hard core romantic, stress baker, and housekeeper non-extraordinaire, Mira Lyn Kelly is the USA TODAY bestselling author of more than a dozen sizzly love stories with over a million readers worldwide. Growing up in the Chicago area, she earned her degree in Fine Arts from Loyola University and met the love of her life while studying abroad in Rome, Italy… only to discover he’d been living right around the corner from her back home. Having spent her twenties working and playing in the Windy City, she’s now settled with her husband in rural Minnesota, where their four amazing children and two ridiculous dogs provide an excess of action and entertainment. www.miralynkelly.com
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