JACK
　　He woke early Sunday morning and slipped out to get ingredients for breakfast at the market. Becky deserved a heavenly breakfast.
　　As she was still asleep when he returned to the penthouse, he went about brewing fresh coffee and dicing vegetables. He beat eggs and kneaded dough for his famous flatbread, and he put bread into the small oven to make toast.
　　Arms wrapped around his torso from behind. Warm lips danced on his shoulder.
　　His body ached from the weekend’s activities—okay, from all the sex—and he had no idea how on earth he was going to say goodbye to this barefoot angel who had ensconced herself in his heart.
　　Groaning, he turned and saw she was only wrapped in a bedsheet.
　　“You are so evil,” he whispered, kissing the nape of her neck.
　　“Why are you making breakfast? You know, they have amazing chefs here.”
　　“No way do they have my skills.”
　　“That is true,” she agreed.
　　He tugged the sheet from her body. With hungry eyes, he lifted her and placed her naked behind on the table.
　　“Not very hygienic,” she remarked against his lips.
　　“Who the fuck cares?” He pushed her down onto her back.
　　He feasted on her as if she were an all-you-can-eat buffet, and was rewarded by her moans. She pulled his head up to her mouth as her legs began to tremble. Desperate for contact, he pulled her back up, crushing her breasts to his chest.
　　Her legs wrapped around his waist and he lifted her off the table, ready to head to the bedroom.
　　“The oven. Before you burn down the hotel.”
　　“You think of everything, don’t you?”
　　“You want to be kept a secret, Jack? I’m on high alert.”
　　He turned the dials on the oven to the off position, then carried her to the bathroom. Reaching into the shower, he turned the taps on, and as soon as the water temperature was to his liking, he stepped in with her still wrapped around him.
　　The water sprayed over them, saturating his clothes within seconds, but he didn’t care. As he skimmed his hands over her body, Becky was laughing and struggling to removehis soaked clothing, which was quite a feat considering he still hadn’t put her down.
　　Once he was naked, he slowed, his touch gentling. He suckled on her nipples, his tongue lazily flicking over her soft breasts.
　　His fingers delved deep between her folds and found their way inside—her moans reverberating off the bathroom walls.
　　What he needed was another condom, and fast too—his erection pulsed with lust.
　　He needed release.
　　Removing his fingers—which left her feeling empty without them—he unwound her legs from around his waist and placed her on solid ground to pant out a, “Wait here.” Slipping out of the shower, he ran to grab a condom from his bag, dripping water as he went.
　　Tearing the foil as he made his way back, careful not to break a leg on the now slippery floor, he slipped the latex onto his cock and rejoined her in the shower.
　　Her back was to him.
　　“You happy to see me? Or are you taking your security duties seriously, Frank?”
　　“I take everything seriously, madam.” He turned her around and pushed her back against the wall, lifting her up at the same time.
　　Guiding his cock home, he eased himself into her slick opening. He’d planned on being gentle, going slow, but desire tore through him like an animal and he pounded into her fast and hard.
　　“This feels so fucking good, Becks,” he grunted in the nape of her neck.
　　“Ditto,” she whispered between heavy breaths.
　　His lips found hers in a hungry kiss.
　　He wanted more. The weekend hadn’t been long enough.
　　They stumbled out of the shower in a haze of bliss and got dressed. Jack gathered his wetclothes and threw them into the dryer he’d seen in the kitchen. Then he finished breakfast while Rebecca read the paper.
　　He stared at her and realized he wanted her in his life. He was in love with her—he loved her. And although it was too soon to say it out loud, he was completely certain of his feelings. To an extent that should she ask, for whatever circumstance, he’d forgive her a million times, he’d take a bullet for her if it came to that.
　　Another realization hit him; he would die for her and that scared the crap out of him, because the last person he’d felt that way about was Kate.
　　He thought he’d never feel that way about another person again, and here he was, opening himself up to all possibilities.
　　Finished with the omelets, he set plates piled high with food on the table.
　　Rebecca’s eyes widened as she gaped at the feast he had prepared. “Are you expecting company? You know it’s only the two of us, right?”
　　“That just shows you how hungry I am.”
　　“That’s my fault?”
　　“Of course it is.” Smiling, he grabbed a piece of toast and put it on his plate with an omelet.
　　They dug in and started scheming about the following weekend. Her flight was leaving earlier than the last time.
　　He wasn’t ready.
　　Becky sipped her coffee. “Have you told your mother yet?”
　　“No. My mother will never be ready for this news, Becks.”
　　“So, I’m never going to meet her.”
　　“You have met her, that day at your signing.”
　　“I mean, as someone you are in a relationship with. Is it still too soon for you?”
　　He shook his head, shaking away the bad feeling. “I’m doing you a favor. She is going to be all over you and to be honest, I just want you to myself.”
　　She blushed. “So, you are selfish.”
　　“I’m a bachelor. Selfish is the perfect word to describe me.”
　　BECKY
　　At around ten, Mervyn and Mona entered the suite and stopped a couple of feet in.
　　“You are decent, right?” Both stood there with their eyes closed.
　　Becky laughed as Jack pretended he was having his way with her, but when they turned and rushed toward the elevator, he yelled, “Just joking!”
　　Mervyn mumbled something, but nobody paid him any attention.
　　Mona took a freshly baked muffin. “Oh, man,” she groaned as she bit into it. Grabbing a plate, she sat down at the table and began piling food onto it. “Oh, my word, this food is orgasmic, Jack.”
　　He grinned and planted a kiss on Becky’s lips. “Oh, I know.”
　　Mona scrunched her nose. To Mervyn, she said, “Take the stick out of your ass, sit down and eat.”
　　Grumbling, he poured himself a cup of coffee and sat, then looked pointedly at Rebecca.
　　She quirked an interrogative eyebrow.
　　“About next weekend,” he said. “I need to see the cabin, so I can ensure we have the appropriate security, Jack.”
　　“No security. Nobody will know we’re there, if all of you keep your mouths shut,” Jack said.
　　“Rebecca, are you sure you’re okay with this?”
　　“Absolutely. I trust him.” She took Jack’s hand and twined her fingers in his. “He doesn’t want our relationship public, so I trust his judgment.”
　　“And you’re fine with him meeting the kids so soon?”
　　“I’m sitting right here, Mervyn.”
　　“Jack, with all due respect, I’m only watching out for Becky.”
　　Jack straightened. “And I’m not?”
　　“Mervyn!” Becky hissed.
　　But Mona shook her head. “Don’t,” she said. “I think it’s time they have a good chat, Becky. We’ll be outside.” Mona got up.
　　“No, I’m not a fucking child. Stop treating me like one. Mervyn, I love you dearly, but if you don’t stop with this interrogation—”
　　“Excuseme?”
　　“You heard me. My personal business—including Jack—has nothing to do with you.”
　　Mervyn bristled. “Yet you expect me to work my ass off to keep it silent?”
　　“That’s what I pay you for.”
　　“No, I’m your fucking agent. Your reputation reflects on me.”
　　“Fuck my reputation.”
　　“Enough,” Jack said heatedly. “I hope you see that this, what is happening right now,is the reason why I chuck every fucking agent out whenever they come knocking, selling fame and fortune. I like Rebecca, probably more than is good for me. I’m not here to hurt her, take her for a ride, or fucking boost my ego by being able to say I fucked Rebecca Finlay. I’m here because I want to be. I’m here to make her happy, and so far, I’m doing a pretty good job. But I will not be pulled into these dramatics.” He stood up, grabbed his plate and went outside.
　　Rebecca glared at Mervyn, her nostrils flaring.
　　“Becky, I’m only looking—”
　　“Then open your eyes. I’m in love with him. Do you want me to be miserable, Mervyn?” Her voice cracked, thick with emotion. Tears obscured her vision. “Lately, I feel like you don’t care anymore, that all you care about is making me more famous, making me bigger than I can handle, because having a big name like me on your client list has definitely been good for your career. You don’t want anyone close to me, because you’re scared I’ll fall off my pedestal—one I didn’t want in the first place.”
　　“Becky…” Mona put her hand on Becky’s shoulder.
　　She shrugged it off. “If Jack leaves me, it’s because you drove him away. And I will hate you for that for the rest of my life.”
　　Sighing, Mervyn walked over to Becky and kissed her on the forehead. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. I’ll back off. If he truly makes you happy, I’ll find a way to deal with hobo man.” He patted her arm. “I’m going to leave now. I’ll see you at the airport, okay?”
　　She nodded and watched him leave.
　　“He can be such an asshole, Becks, but you know he really cares about you.”
　　“I know, but he doesn’t have to be a jerk to Jack.”
　　“I totally agree. See you at the airport, Becks. Best I run before Mervyn leaves me behind.”
　　Nodding, she picked up her plate, dried her tears, and went to sit outside with Jack. “I’m sorry about Mervyn. He can be a dick.”
　　“I deal with dickheads a lot. He’s not a dick, Becks. He only cares about you. I’m a big boy. I can handle myself. I guess it will take a little time for Crazy Threeto accept that.” He touched her face softly.
　　She stared at him in disbelief. Who the hell was this guy, and where had he been all her life?
　　She kissed him, trying to convey everything she felt in that kiss.
　　“Crazy Twostill here?”
　　“No, she’s just left to catch up with Mervyn.” She laughed at the hopeful twinkle in his eyes. “Down boy, there’s no time for fooling around.”
　　“Damn,” he groaned
　　They finished their breakfast, and she was surprised when Jack offered to accompany her to the airport.
　　“You really want to be there?”
　　“You said you have a secluded entrance.”
　　“Yeah, but no one knows who’s around the corner, Jack.”
　　“I’m a great swimmer.”
　　Becky laughed. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
　　They parked at the designated area for limousines.
　　The airport was always packed with celebrities, which made Becky feel uneasy. “You should stay in the limo.”
　　“I’m okay,” Jack reassured her. He pulled his hoodie over his head and climbed out ofthe car with her. They walked toward the big glass doors.
　　“Holy crap, was that Robert De Niro?”
　　“I didn’t see. Could be.” Becky shrugged.
　　He took a deep breath, leaned forward, and kissed her. The kiss deepened as he pulled her in.
　　When Mervyn cleared his throat, she broke the kiss.
　　“Party pooper,” Jack joked.
　　Mervyn just looked at him.
　　Shaking her head, Rebecca chuckled. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
　　“Okay. Text me when you land.”
　　“I promise.” She kissed him one more time and watched him walk back to the limo.
　　The walk to the gate, where Mona was waiting, was a quiet one.
　　“I’m sorry about this morning, Becks.”
　　“It’s okay, Mervyn. Me, too. I know you’re only looking out for me.”
　　He smiled. “Have a safe flight and let us know when you’ve arrived home safely.”
　　“I will.”
　　“See you soon, Mona. Keep him in line, will you?” she said, winking.
　　“Bye, Becks. Don’t worry. I’ll keep Mr. Fancy Pantsunder strict verbal arrest.”
　　Mervyn rolled his eyes, utterly unimpressed.
　　Chuckling, Becky threw her hoodie on and went through security.
　　She was flying commercial—coach, in fact—but luckily her seat was right at the back end of the plane, the last row. She pulled her hood tighter around her head as she settled into her seat.
　　Emptiness yawned in her heart.
　　It felt like she was leaving her heart behind with Jack. But her life, her children, were in Texas.
　　“Five more days,” she whispered to herself.
　　For a moment, when his temper had flared, she thought she’d found Jack’s flaw. But when she’d joined him out on the patio, he was calm and collected.
　　He was perfect. Too perfect. She was scared to discover what his flaw was.
　　Her mother had always said that no one was perfect, but that there was someone perfect for every single person out there.
　　Phil had had many flaws. They’d fought constantly, but they’d loved each other.
　　Jack? Jack felt too good to be true, and that scared her. She knew men like him only existed on paper, in books like hers. Never in the real world.