Page 21 of Deserving Maisy
She nodded and bit her lip. Her eyes flicked to the left for a split second, before she met his gaze again. “We haven’t…you know…in several months. Since you moved out to Spokane. And I’ll probably be…rusty. Can we…will you…go slow?”
Jack’s heart turned in his chest. “I won’t hurt you,Stellina. I give you my word.”
She nodded. “Then yes, I’d like to…consummate our marriage tonight.”
Jack chuckled at her words. “It’ll be our second honeymoon. I’d love to hear all about our first one over breakfast. Shall we go find Paige then get out of here?”
Maisy swallowed hard and nodded.
He leaned down and kissed her forehead reverently, inhaling the scent of apples into his lungs once more. He’d forever associate that smell with this woman. It sucked that not even her scent could break through the fog covering his past. Wasn’t smell supposed to be one of the strongest triggers for memory?
It didn’t matter. He’d make more memories, starting now.
Jack wrapped his fingers around hers and pulled her away from where Jason’s “associate” had gone. He didn’t want to see that man again.
Maisy’s brother wasn’t what he seemed, of that Jack was sure. The longer he was in this house, the more uncomfortable he became. And he definitely didn’t like the fact that his wife had lived here without him.
Something was off about this place. Jack couldn’t put his finger on it. All he knew was that he wanted out. Wanted Maisy out. And he’d do whatever he could to speed up the process of getting his life back. He needed to get an ID, a car, and figure out how to do a job he didn’t even remember, so he could provide for his wife.
There were a lot of things he didn’t yet know about who he was, and about his wife, but he’d do whatever it took to be the best husband he could be. And if he could make the worry and fear he sometimes saw lurking behind Maisy’s eyes disappear, he’d be a satisfied man.
CHAPTER SIX
Surprisingly, Maisy had an amazing day. Paige hadn’t been disappointed in the least that they were forgoing the meal she’d planned. In fact, she’d seemed downright gleeful Maisy was getting out of the house.
Jack was a very safe and competent driver. She’d never been comfortable in a car because of what happened to her parents, but with Jack behind the wheel, she’d been able to relax a little. His head was constantly on a swivel, he was aware of where all the cars and people were around them.
They ended up stopping at a hole-in-the-wall diner that Jason never would’ve stepped foot inside. He was a snob when it came to food and only ate in uptight, expensive restaurants.
The diner smelled like grease, and even now, hours later, Maisy could still smell the fried food in her hair. But the meal was absolutely delicious. She’d ordered waffles with whipped cream and strawberries, a glass of chocolate milk, and a plate of fried Oreo cookies for dessert. Jackdidn’t comment once about how many calories she was consuming or even raise an eyebrow at the unhealthy food choices. For himself, he’d ordered a hamburger with home fries and had a slice of apple pie afterward.
But the best part about the meal was how at ease Maisy felt. Jack peppered her with question after question, and talking about herself normally made her uncomfortable, but at no time did his questions venture into uneasy territory.
When she’d first met Jack, she was reluctant to answeranyquestions about herself, not wanting to get too close to the man. But the more time she spent with him, the more relaxed she became. What would it matter if she talked about her likes and dislikes? If she opened up just a little?
She talked about her favorite foods, what books she liked to read, how she spent her free time, and shared a little about that awful time immediately after her mom and dad had been killed. How she’d been a basket case before Jason stepped in so she didn’t have to move out of the only home she’d ever known.
Maisy even felt comfortable enough discussing the years she’d spent in a depressive haze. How the prescription medicine had been the only thing getting her through most days. Jack had been understanding and empathetic, not judging her for using medication so she wouldn’t have to deal with the emotional pain of her grief.
It was as if he truly understood, which was a relief—but it also made Maisy feel even guiltier. There had to be a reason he was as empathetic as he was, and she hated that she didn’tknowthe reason. Didn’t know the man behind the lost memories.
Before she could feel even worse about marrying himunder false pretenses, wondering about the friends or family who were probably worried sick about him, he suggested they see what else they could find to do before heading back to the house.
Maisy paid their bill—it bothered Jack that he didn’t have his own money to pay for them—and he held her hand as he walked them back to the car. They went to a big box store, where she impulsively bought him a prepaid smartphone. She might live to regret that decision—especially if Jason found out—but she wanted Jack to have access to help…just in case. Then they stopped at a large park and walked for a couple of hours. People-watching, laughing, holding hands.
It had been one of the best days of Maisy’s life.
And she felt guiltier still. Because while she hated her brother for kidnapping Jack and forcing him to marry her, she’d never felt as content as she did right now. With Jack by her side, kissing her, holding her hand, and making her feel as if she was normal for the first time in years. And she had no right to feel that way. Not about a man who wasn’t truly hers to begin with.
It sucked. Because sooner or later, Jack would remember everything. It was inevitable. And when he did, she’d be right back in the same situation as before. Well, not entirely the same. As soon as Jason got his money, she’d most likely experience some sort of horrible accident, and her brother would be free to spend her money as he pleased.
But now, after getting a glimpse into a future she might’ve had if she’d fought harder, instead of despair filling her…anger rose.
HowdareJason treat her the way he had! She didn’tgive a crap about the money, she simply wanted enough so she could leave Seattle and start her life over. Maybe meet a man who would love her for who she was. Who would kiss her as if his life depended on it. Hold her hand, laugh at her stupid jokes.
Shoot, who was she kidding? Jackwasthat man, but their relationship was a lie. He had no idea he’d only met her a week ago. That he was a pawn in her brother’s appalling scheme. It was horrific, and Maisy had no idea how to fix things, or if they evencouldbe fixed. She was too deep into the scam now. She was just as bad as Jason. She should’ve tried to talk to Jack that first day he woke up. Explained why he was in pain, that her brother had kidnapped him. Done what she could to free him from the danger that shrouded her childhood home.
But she hadn’t. And now she was just as guilty as Jason. She’d married Jack under false pretenses, for God’s sake. There was no way he’d ever forgive her for that.
