Finally, after the tenth missed call, I grab it and see Jackson’s name across the screen. My heart starts pounding and my throat goes dry. With shaking fingers, I swipe across the screen.

“Hi,” I say softly.

“Hello, Catherine. Sorry to call so late but I just got out of a meeting.” His tone is all business.

Hearing him is a shock to my system. I’ve missed the sound of his voice. The way he says my name—it’s like home. However, he doesn’t sound like he returns the sentiment.

I straighten my back, hoping to grab on to my professionalism. This is business. He’s not calling because he missed me or wants to talk. “Not a problem. What did you need?” My voice sounds weak, even to me.

He takes a deep breath before answering. “I know we planned to finalize everything tomorrow, but I need it tonight.”

“Tonight?” I look around at all the incomplete papers. I can’t have it ready tonight! I already needed to work well past midnight to get it done.

“I’m in New Jersey. I’m assuming you’re home since you didn’t answer your office phone.”

“Yes, I’m home but I don’t have everything with me. Some things are still in the office. But I can get it to you tomorrow. Besides, it’s storming,” I say, trying to stall him. Shit!

“I’m going out of town tomorrow and I’m not sure when I’ll be back. I won’t have time. It has to be tonight,” he says, clipped and almost angry.

“You’re leaving?” I ask, confused. He was going to leave and not tell me. I know we’re not in the best place, but it still hurts to hear it.

“I need to go to Virginia. I would’ve called earlier but, like I said, I’ve been tied up. I’ll be at your house in twenty.”

I look at the clock and then at what I have done. While most would be satisfied, I’m not. It’s not my best work and the idea of giving it to Jackson unfinished makes me nauseous. There’s no way he’s going to be impressed. I’m shaking my head and trying to find another excuse when I hear him clear his throat.

“Jackson,” I sigh. His name rolls off my tongue while tearing a hole in my chest. “I can meet you tomorrow morning, before your trip. I have some stuff in the office that would complete the press release and the other items for the launch. I don’t want to give it to you incomplete.” I close my eyes. He feels so close, almost like I could touch him through the phone.

“I won’t have time tomorrow. I’ll take what you have and you can have the rest sent.”

If he wants to treat me like a business associate, then he should know showing up at people’s apartments at night isn’t exactly professional.

“I’m not happy about this. It’s late and I—”

“If I could help it, I would. I have to leave early in the morning, and I need this set in motion before I get back. So you can either have me come get it now, or you can bring it to me in New York tonight.” He takes a long pause. “I was trying to make it easier for you since I’m in New Jersey.”

“Fine, but just know you don’t have everything.”

“See you in a few,” he says and disconnects the call.

I throw down the phone and blast into action. I quickly put a bra on, pick up some dishes and other things lying around, and try to make some kind of sense of the paperwork. I only have about ten minutes until he’s here and I’m starting to panic. I snatch the phone and call Ashton.

She answers on the second ring. “Hey.”

“He’s coming here,” I say quickly.

“You called him? Finally!” Ashton sounds ecstatic.

I huff, pressing the phone to my shoulder so I can keep cleaning. “No, he called me. He needs his project early because he has to leave for Virginia tomorrow. I don’t know, Ashton. Why am I freaking out?”

“Because you love him and you know you f**ked up? Just a hunch.”

“No, I—” I stop unable to complete the sentence.

Do I love him? No, it’s too soon. Isn’t it? We’ve only begun getting to know each other, but he makes perfect sense. He’s everything I want, everything I need.

Ashton breaks through the silence as I stand shell-shocked. “You just had your epiphany, didn’t you?”

I hear a knock at the door. “I gotta go,” I say and disconnect the phone. I don’t have time for a damn epiphany.

After a few deep breaths, I walk to the door. He’s right there on the other side. He said he wouldn’t come back through this door if I didn’t tell him I wanted him here. And I do want him here. All I want is Jackson. But that fear of losing him is always looming, making its way into my head, causing me to second-guess everything. I’m out of time and now Ashton’s made me even more nervous.

Another knock.

I press my hand on the door and rest my head against the cool wood grain, trying to settle my pulse. I’m brave enough for this. Maybe.

Enough stalling.

Time to be strong.

I open the door and freeze when our eyes lock. Jackson’s even more devastatingly handsome than I remember in his black pants and light blue shirt with the top two buttons undone. His hair is disheveled, but all I see is perfection. The stubble on his jaw is much thicker, making him look darker, more mysterious and dangerous. He looks tired, but I see the underlying emotions as his gaze travels my face. Despite the dark circles forming beneath his eyes, he still looks flawless.

When he gives me a small smile, everything in my world shifts. That grin and the perfectly placed dimple cause an explosion around my guarded heart. It hits me. I love him. It’s a different love than what I had with Neil. It doesn’t feel forced. It’s strong and hopeful. He doesn’t want to take from me—he gives. My weaknesses don’t scare or bother him and he doesn’t want to exploit them. No, he wants to make me stronger. And when I can’t be, he’ll be strong enough for the both of us.

I take a step forward, but before I can speak, he grabs me and pulls me against him. My eyes widen and a second later his lips crash against mine in an angry, hot kiss. Jackson’s arms wrap around me, holding me close. It’s almost crushing, but I couldn’t care less. My fingers tangle in his hair, pulling him closer even though we couldn’t get any more attached than we already are. I breathe in his scent—all male and pure sex. I try to pull him into the apartment, but he won’t budge. He breaks the kiss, but hovers over my mouth. I whimper at the loss of his lips.

“Do you want to let me in?” His deep voice goes straight to my core.

I nod yes, but he doesn’t move. Every cell in my body is awakened. I need his touch. I want him to fill me up and make me whole again. But I know that’s not what he’s asking.

“I told you when I walked out of here the last time—”

I cut him off, leaning up and pressing my lips against his. It’s pure survival. His lips are breathing life into me. Our time apart has me desperate for him. I want to ingrain this moment in my mind in case things don’t go the way I’m hoping.

Jackson grips the side of my face and pulls back. Bastard. He has the height advantage. He smiles when my lip juts out in a pout. Looking into his eyes, I know I can’t walk away from him. The last few days were hell, but now that the truth of my feelings is clear, I know the pain of really losing him would cripple me. I will fight all my fears for him.