End of Day (Jack & Jill, #1)

by Jewel E. Ann

Beneath the emotional armor of self-preservation, Jillian Knight wore a cloak woven with threads of deep love and compassion. She knew it was there, but she hid it well. All it took to see that intricate fabric of her heart was someone who needed protection more than her.

He was somebody’s knight in shining armor. Luke had once said people are exactly what they say they’re not. Expectations demand accountability and accountability only matters in the presence of another. Denial is the road to solitude.

He was a fucking unicorn. A unicorn with argyle socks, but no less a unicorn. It was a fantasy at best, but if she could catch him, Jessica knew her dreams would come true.

Everything inside Jessica came to life. The playful side of Luke was like a shooting star—there and gone in a blink but leaving a lingering feeling of hope.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. “Fuck you. Don’t you dare say that now.” Jessica swiped away her tears as she stood. Luke clasped her wrist and gave it a gentle tug like he was asking, not demanding. “Jessica?” His paralyzing touch bled along her skin and seeped into her chest leaving a permanent mark. She lowered to her knees in front of him. “I want to tell you that I prefer long dark hair, heavenly amber eyes, and a petite body: seductive, sexy, torturous. I want to tell you that a few minutes ago I would have rather gone blind than not looked at your naked figure. I want to tell you that I hate wine, yet I can’t go to sleep until I’ve had one sip because that’s what your lips tasted like that night we kissed. But I can’t tell you any of that because what I want more than anything is to help you, and I can’t do that from the bedroom.” Luke rested his hands on her cheeks and his forehead on hers. “Because, Jessica, I know if I had you in my bed I would never … ever … want to leave,” he whispered.